How much is too much?

Tweety, BSN, RN · Oct 11, 2022

Yes, it's too much. People often have to find the right job and their niche but four in a year doesn't look good, but do what you need to do.

But I think you need to get a handle on your stress management and depression or it's going to be a cycle that doesn't end.

There is no perfect job.

Good luck.

Davey Do · Oct 11, 2022

"You have to kiss a lot of Warhols before you find your Rembrandt."

I wanted to be a medical nurse, but after I graduated as an LPN in 1984, my first job of any length was in psych. Psych was where The Fates led me, and though I have about 15 years working primarily in medical, I was always led back to psych.

I accepted where The Fates led me, for the final 25 years of my career I worked psych, and was reasonably content of do so.

I believe as the song says, "searchin' every which away" until we find our niche.

The best to you, Alexxoxox.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Oct 11, 2022

5 minutes ago, Davey Do said:

I believe as the song says, "searchin' every which away" until we find our niche.

It totally agree with this. I had several jobs over my lifetime in nursing and sometimes regret my choices. The caveat of the op was "I suffer from depression, shut down and need to quit" which might be clouding the search.

NightNerd, MSN, RN · Oct 11, 2022

5 hours ago, Alexxoxox said:

Is having 4 different jobs in one year too many? I suffer from depression, and if a job gets too overwhelming, I shut down and become depressed and need to quit. It's happening again, and I'm qondering if leaving my 4th job in just over 1 year is too much? I just haven't found my niche yet. Please be kind.

Don't quit. Unless there is something scary wrong with the job, don't quit. I can sympathize with the difficulties of adjusting to a new job, but you have to give yourself time to acclimate. If you don't, each new role will overwhelm you and you won't get the chance to become comfortable with it, keeping you stuck in this cycle for even longer.

Stick it out for a few more months at least, and be patient with yourself in and out of work. I think it's pretty normal to be tired and even a little blue at the beginning of a new job, and if you have clinical depression that just adds to it. Don't expect yourself to be at your best just yet, try to sprinkle some calm and enjoyment in your days off, and just know that slowly and steadily, work will almost certainly get easier. Hang in there!

Home Health Columnist / Guide · Oct 12, 2022

Please speak with your PCP or mental health provider regarding your report of ongoing depression resulting in "shutting down" and unable to work. Until depression effectively treated, will have difficulty with any nursing position. Care for yourself first will allow you to care for others. Please keep us updated.

No Stars In My Eyes · Oct 14, 2022

Definitely could use some counseling to sort yourself out. Find out what you want or expect, then research like crazy, but don't peg yourself down to one idea.

I think it is a mistake for everyone to talk about their "dream jobs". Reality seldom lives up to a dream, and dreams can turn into nightmares. I always looked for a job that would help widen my knowledge; you can't go into a new job and expect it to be 'perfect', because I don't think any job is perfect. And at the beginning you have to learn a lot of things you didn't expect, which is sometimes hard on one's ego.

Wishing you the best FOR YOU.