a humble nurse asking for advice

[discouragedinCT]

I started my nursing career 3 years ago straight out of school into a level 1 hospital MICU. I have always had an anxious personality and this environment brought out the worst of me. In 6 months I realized this was definitely not the place for me. Although I really enjoyed the wealth of knowledge I learned, the acuity of patients and constant "problems" that would arise were constantly putting my stomach in knots. I left and took a position in outpatient dialysis. I absolutely love the relationships I get to build with my patients and feel like I'm making a difference in their lives but at the same time feel like I am losing my knowledge and skills in other areas of nursing by being in such a specialized area. I am only 25 and worry that I will not be able to get back into any other field of nursing now. Does anyone have experience in where to go with my career after dialysis and am I less of a nurse for not being in a hospital environment exposed to so many different types of patients?

[HotChihuahua]

I understand your concerns, but you are not less of a nurse! You are gaining plenty of knowledge and skills everyday, though they may be different than in a hospital. What's your ultimate goal? If you love dialysis, why leave? If you want to go into another field or back into the hospital, you may need to consider the steps to do so. Good luck!

[LiveYourBrilliance]

discouraged in CT, I am glad to hear you are somewhere that works better for you. Enjoy yourself, and worry less. Do you have some extracurricular activities you could add that bring your pleasure?

[macfar28]

No you are not less of a nurse! I am a psych nurse (always have been) and constantly get the "you're not a real nurse." Sure I am! I save lives like the rest, just in a different way. This is my love. Why do anything else? If you want to get back into the hospital or in another area of nursing you will be able to. I'm sure those skills that may feel rusty will come right back. Relax and enjoy this difference you make everyday:)

[trishmsn]

I have been a nurse 23 years this weekend....and have provided direct bedside care for exactly four of those years. I left the hospital for LTC (not something I loved, but I needed off of nights) and from there to home care/hospice/case management. I worked Occupational Health and loved it (left due to a corporate outsourcing) and then taught in an LPN program for a few years while I got my own MSN. Now I am back in OccHealth and loving it!!!

The idea that "real nurses" only work in hospitals is terribly outdated. You are very much a real nurse....and if you are interested in another field later, you WILL learn the quirks of THAT field as well. Starting IV's and inserting Foleys and all the rest will come back if you need those skills again.

As a final thought, nursing practice changes so quickly these days that many of the skills you learned in school will be obsolete in a few years anyway!!! I was taught actual bottles for chest tubes, putting neonates to sleep on their tummies, and more than once had to return to the floor after going home because I had the narcotic keys. Do what you like and that you are good at!!

[discouragedinCT]

@hotchihuahua thank you for your kind words. I don't know what my ultimate goal is and that's the problem. I guess to just be happy? (but still feel like a good nurse)

[discouragedinCT]

@trishmsn thank you. You've said everything I needed to hear and for that I am truly grateful!

[LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN]

thank you for your kind words. I don't know what my ultimate goal is and that's the problem. I guess to just be happy? (but still feel like a good nurse)

What is happy for YOU?

As far as the "feel like a good nurse", honing your practice and competency takes time...knowing that you are a competent nurse won't come overnight, it takes YEARS to become competent.

If you are in a specialty that you enjoy, then by all means hone your practice and become a great competent nurse; just understand that it will take time.