I Am Struggling to Find My Purpose in Nursing

Published

Hello! This is my first post on here because I didn't feel like I was getting anywhere through Google searches.

Quick background: I'm a new nurse (graduated in May, '15 RN, BSN) and I've been working since July at a level-II trauma center. I went through what I considered a fairly unique program at my current hospital that was called a "nurse residency." It lasted 12 weeks and allowed me to work on different inpatient units throughout the hospital to see which ones I liked.

The residency ended a couple weeks ago and I'm now working on my "home unit." It's a 32-bed ICU (medical-surgical-trauma). I chose this unit because I had worked there as a student during my senior practicum and, out of all the units to which I travelled in the residency, its staff was the most friendly and welcoming. I thought I could grow there and have a smooth transition.

What I've come to realize--essentially since my second year of nursing school (and especially since I've worked as a registered nurse)--is that nursing just is not the career for me. I don't enjoy the patient care and 12-hour shifts, I don't look forward to what I do every day, and I'm sad to think bedside nursing could be a lifetime career for me.

The problem is that I don't know quite what to do. I can't stay in this profession--I know I don't have much experience, but this just isn't the work I enjoy. I grew up working retail and working for my parents' landscaping company. I chose nursing because of its practicality, job security, and salary, and I don't regret having chosen such a bountiful career. I do, however, resent my feelings towards nursing. I cannot convince myself that this is the career for me, and over the past year or so, I've realized that that's OK. I just need to find one that is.

So, my question to you all is: what should I do?

I've considered non-clinical nursing jobs, but I honestly don't think I have enough experience and I have no idea how to go about researching those positions, finding them, or even understanding what they entail.

I've also thought about going back for pharmacy school. I'd have to fulfill a few more prerequisite requirements and be accepted, but it's definitely an option. Then again, I don't know much about the career aside from its basic description and the roles of the clinical pharmacists on the unit.

Any advice you all have to offer--especially those who have been in my position--would be most welcome.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.

Given that you have apparently set your mind against a nursing career, I don't have much to say that will interest you. But I will say it anyway, since you did come to a nursing forum to ask advice on how not to be a nurse anymore.

You are (apparently) young and a new nurse. The first year of nursing is really not much fun. It's a "pay your dues" kind of year. It's a learning year, a kind of extension of nursing school that you didn't really realize you needed.

You have no doubt spent a ton of money and an equal amount of time & energy on earning your nursing degree and passing the NCLEX. You, pure & simple, owe it to yourself to give nursing a fair shake. Try to hang on to get comfortable with your new position. Just keep on keepin on for a while, one day at a time.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

It is okay. Get out and make some room for someone who wants to be there. There are folks out here desperately seeking employment...make room for them.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I knew coming here that this was the answer I was most likely to receive, and I understand why everyone offers it. It makes sense to give a job time, but when you know, you know, and this just isn't the career for me.

This post was more about what kind of options I might have with the degree I have, etc.

Thank you!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
It is okay. Get out and make some room for someone who wants to be there. There are folks out here desperately seeking employment...make room for them.

I understand the disparity of many seeking jobs right now, and I am thankful for mine. That's why I don't regret having chosen nursing. At the same time, I'm looking for potential career advice from people who have been in my position.

Thank you for your comment though.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Some medical examiner offices use specially trained RNs to investigate crime scenes. I always thought if I didn't make it in nursing, I might try that. But then I tried Emergency, and found my niche. It's still in the back of my mind, though. If I ever get fed up.....

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I was stressed and lost as a new nurse. My body could not tolerate the 12 hour shift. I survived the first year of nursing and felt so proud. I truly admire and respect nurses who have been a bedside nurse for many years. They are really special. I left bedside nursing due to many reasons. I work at a clinic now. The stress is gone. I work everyday but I am not tired. It might be a boring office job to some nurses, but I enjoy it very much.

I miss direct patient care sometimes so I still work as a bedside nurse PRN. I also do that because I am grateful to my manager at the hospital for giving me the first nursing job right out of school. I do not miss the busy 12 hour shift with interrupted lunch break or even no time for break!

You will be able to find a nursing position that you like, you just have to look for it. Please do not give up on nursing too early. Put your resume out there and start apply everywhere, it does not hurt to try! Good luck.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

It's ok to discover that bedside nursing is not for you, however, to move into other non-bedside nursing one 'typically' needs bedside experience (1-2 years) before venturing out. Many non-bedside jobs require at least that plus other qualifications. But, while you are gaining that bedside experience in the meantime, sometimes figuring out what exactly you don't like helps you to figure out what type of nursing to do in order to get that experience. For instance, a friend of mine does not like the typical 12 hour bedside nursing with the same patients the whole shift, so she loves the ER because patients come and go (fairly) quickly. Another friend love endo because she has that pt for a hour or so, and then it's on to the next. Just figure out what suits your personality. For me, I love being on a unit where the pt is typically HAPPY to be there, postpartum. For the most part, it's quite a joyous time sharing this special time with pts. Don't get me wrong, there is still stress, just like in virtually every nursing unit, it's just finding the right kind of stress that you don't mind handling. Good luck :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care, Med-Surg, Psych, Geri, LTC, Tele,.

I'd also encourage you to stick it out. I'm not an RN, but am an LVN. Not all work sites are created equal. Have you considered clinic jobs? Those would involve 8 hr days, I think. Or less acute care, such as SNF, Psych or LTC? Or home care? Or Hospice? What about getting your MSN to be a nursing instructor? What about state jobs that require a nursing degree? There are jobs with state regulatory agencies that employ RNs.

Because you have a Bachelors Degree, I think you have quite a few career options. Many jobs simply require a BA / BS in anything to get started.

What are your interests? You want to stay in health care, I assume, since you mentioned pharmacy school. If it were me, I think I'd consider teaching.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in UR/PA, Hematology/Oncology, Med Surg, Psych.

I have seen some Masters of Education programs take BSNs and grant them Education degrees and eligibility to obtain state education licenses (not to be confused with Masters of Nursing Education). This would allow one to teach in Elementary up through High School. I've also seen US training accelerated for RNs. Don't know if any of this helps.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU.

Going back to school for something else is expensive, but changing jobs is free. I would personally go for the free option and exhaust that before I incurred more debt, even if you think you are sure you don't want to be a nurse anymore.

The way to research non-bedside nursing jobs is just to look for them. Hospital system websites often have physician practice positions listed. Places like Indeed/Monster have nursing jobs listed. You can understand what those jobs entail when you ask that question during the job interview.

Not everybody has a "calling" or feels delighted to be at work all the time. Work is called work for a reason. I don't think most people in the world absolutely love their jobs. A job is something to do to make money to support your time outside of your job. You might consider attempting to change your perspective about what you want out of future employment before you rule nursing out altogether. I personally want employment that will get me a decent standard of living outside of work. If I love the job, that's a major plus, but my minimum standard for a job is that I can tolerate it, not that I'm absolutely in love with it.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

If you are in a position where you have to work to be able to live, and you want to go to pharmacy school--stay at this position, apply to school and go. If you need to go down to part time to do it, do it!!

Another thought process is to actually go to a pharmacy, and speak with them about options. Sometimes pharmacies have urgent care clinics. Sometimes pharmacies are into community based wellness classes/presentations. Sometimes the pharmacy employs pharmacy technicians--all jobs you can do while you are in pharmacy school. I would also suggest if there is a privately owned pharmacy, that would be a place to start.

If you are still unclear, I love the suggestion of the pp that you think about an education degree, and taking the state certifications to teach. There are even vocational schools that you can teach LPN courses. Or general ed elementary to high school on whatever sparks your interest. In my state they are called "MTELS" and you are certified in each subject when you pass the test. Then you have 5 years to obtain a Master's degree.

To stay in the nursing realm of things, you could get a masters in informatics. That would be all computer based nursing. You could think about case management. It is a certification. You could do coding.....lots of things, BUT you need to look on your company website and see what kinds of jobs are available, and what might interest you.

Finally, a nurse residency program usually has a commitment. Or you have to pay back the facility. So you would need to stick it out until such time as your commitment to them is completed. Or you burn bridges. And that is something that I wouldn't think you would want to do.

Best wishes!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion