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.
I am having a tough time understanding many of these responses. Being a bedside nurse is not for everyone. There are so many other aspects and jobs in Nursing. Nursing Efucation, quality control, the field of Nursing is infinite. But having the experience of spending time with patients, in an acute care setting, is invaluable. You witness the human condition and response to illness, to surgery, to medications. All medical professionals, in my opinion, should have this experience under their belt. The human condition is a complex algorithm. My experience, that the heart of Nursing is humanity. No school, no degree, no certification can teach you how to care. Not every nurse has to be that, either. It angers me that comments have told you to 'get out' of the field. Now, more than ever, Nurses have an impact on patient outcomes. Not everyone is Nurse Nancy, or Bedside Betty. You have learned the medical aspect of Nursing. And should pursue that tract. Don't give up. Nursing is a continuous assessment of the human condition, and requires every level of planning and care. We, Nurses, are there with the patients continually. Maybe we should be called 'people assessors'...because we are the eyes and ears of care. 24/7. 365. The chain of command. The medical community would be nowhere without Nurses. From Med-techs, Nurses- aides, CNA'S, LPN'S, RN'S, and Nurse Practitioners. Take your time. Breathe. You will find your place. Not religious, but here goes...'if G-d led you to it, He will lead you through it'.
Fortunately there are many careers that can utilize that hard earned nursing degree than don't involve actual nursing. To mention just a few : insurance companies utilize nurses for claims review and processing ; medical chart review for a variety of employers, for instance a nurse I attended a convention with works for a large legal practice reviewing charts for malpractice claims. There is also research, teaching, forensic nursing, and don't rule out pharmaceutical companies especially as you've indicated an interest in the field. I am sure there are a lot of other options that I am not thinking of.
Some of these careers may require bedside experience, which you now have. Some may not be readily available outside of large metropolitan areas or may require relocating for a job.
Not everybody enjoys bedside nursing enough to be willing to make a lifelong commitment to it and it sounds like you are pretty sure that you are one of those nurses that will not be happy with a career at the bedside.
I hope you are able to find something that sparks your interest enough to pursue it without committing to a complete career change.
I am a survivor of several burnouts, and continue in my sacred calling, which has been nursing for 40 years. (Minus some time out for raising children.) Wrestling with the crazy health care, (now insurance care system) is not new, the challenge continues: providing the care in health care. I continue as a nurse with my care-recipients because I know that what I have to offer, an authentic presence, kindness, care and technical expertise, benefit them, their families and the world. And, it is a mutual exchange such that sometimes I feel that I receive more than I give! The first couple of years can be difficult, as you find your niche. You are in the beginning stages of a career where you are learning to tools and techniques. Next, as they become second nature, you will grow in the art of nursing care. Nursing as a profession offers each of us opportunities to grow personally and professionally. In order to stay working however, the nurse needs to have self care practices in place. After all, how can you serve others, if you are not taking care of yourself. Self care is critical. I have found great support in the American Holistic Nurses Association. They have a focus that honors nursing from physical, mental, emotional, environmental and spiritual perspectives because nursing happens in all those domains inside of us and in our places of work. Also, the ANA has a program Healthy Nurse, which you might find helpful.
I wish you blessings for clarity and wisdom as you wrestle with your challenges, which almost every nurse in the field has wrestled with at one time or another. Sincerely, Padma Dyvine, RN, MA, CHPN
Jillnage
4 Posts
I am having a tough time understanding many of these responses. Being a bedside nurse is not for everyone. There are so many other aspects and jobs in Nursing. Nursing Efucation, quality control, the field of Nursing is infinite. But having the experience of spending time with patients, in an acute care setting, is invaluable. You witness the human condition and response to illness, to surgery, to medications. All medical professionals, in my opinion, should have this experience under their belt. The human condition is a complex algorithm. My experience, that the heart of Nursing is humanity. No school, no degree, no certification can teach you how to care. Not every nurse has to be that, either. It angers me that comments have told you to 'get out' of the field. Now, more than ever, Nurses have an impact on patient outcomes. Not everyone is Nurse Nancy, or Bedside Betty. You have learned the medical aspect of Nursing. And should pursue that tract. Don't give up. Nursing is a continuous assessment of the human condition, and requires every level of planning and care. We, Nurses, are there with the patients continually. Maybe we should be called 'people assessors'...because we are the eyes and ears of care. 24/7. 365. The chain of command. The medical community would be nowhere without Nurses. From Med-techs, Nurses- aides, CNA'S, LPN'S, RN'S, and Nurse Practitioners. Take your time. Breathe. You will find your place. Not religious, but here goes...'if G-d led you to it, He will lead you through it'.