I dont know if i can do this

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I am a new grad (Dec 07) and have been looking for a new job since April, but I have had no luck getting a new job since I want out of pt. care. I can't stand my job now, and I'm getting to the point where I am thinking about getting out of nursing all together. I would hate to since I just spent 4 years going to school for it, but pt. care just is not for me and I dread going to work, and I have no clue what else to do. Everyday i search the job boards but nothing has come along. I cry everyday before I have to go in, I get sick to my stomach, I just dont know what to do. People have told me to "wait it out, it gets better" but I KNOW pt. care isn't for me. Just like nursing isnt for some people because they cant handle blood and guts. Has anyone else felt like this? I'm completely lost.

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Where do you work at exactly, and what do you do exactly? If I knew more I could help you. Rhonda

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Specializes in Gyn Onc, OB, L&D, HH/Hospice/Palliative.

Unfortunately, you really need a year of pt care under your belt to move on, could it be the unit/work environment/management issues that are distressing you?? Do you have a supportive preceptor and manager??

If your'e that miserable, think about tx to a different dept/unit. There are lots of jobs that don't involve direct pt care, insurance companies, discharge planning/care coordination, chart audits, research, pharmaceutical reps, I do think you need a year though, somewhere, Good luck :nuke:

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I work in L&D right now, and I do have very supportive people that I work with, but I dont want to bring it up with them since I haven't had any luck with the job search. I have searched alot of stuff on search engines but I cant find any of the things you listed Grumpy, but I'm in Wichita, KS and none of those are listed, do you have any other tips?

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just curious...but what is it exactly about L&D/patient care that you don't like? Women in labor/newborns are their own breed so to speak, so that might make things a bit different than somewhere else?

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I grew up working in an office setting (desk job for 6 years) and I loved it, I like that environment, and with pt. care, i feel like it is the total opposite. I love the medical field, i just would like an "office" (not Dr. office) job. if that makes sense!:D

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Specializes in Gyn Onc, OB, L&D, HH/Hospice/Palliative.
I work in L&D right now, and I do have very supportive people that I work with, but I dont want to bring it up with them since I haven't had any luck with the job search. I have searched alot of stuff on search engines but I cant find any of the things you listed Grumpy, but I'm in Wichita, KS and none of those are listed, do you have any other tips?

First of all I'd like to say L and D is a tough place to start out, it's basically a pregnant ED. I worked a 9 month stint and already had several yrs under my belt, and still wasn't comfortable/confident when I left, I'm not an adrenaline junkie though, It takes at least a year anyplace/any dept to feel somewhat ok, probably 2-3 to feel you know what your doing. My question , did you like clinicals and pt care then, or hated it from the onset.?? If you disliked pt care what were your goals upon graduation?

As far as the searching, if you go to htpp://www.careerbuilder.com, then you can type in nurse in search, and then subcategories like administration, management, research, quality assurance, insurance co's etc, that will:typing get you out of the mainstream jobs that normally pop up. Good Luck

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Specializes in Post Anesthesia.

I'm sorry to be a downer but didn't you notice when you were in the school of nursing that patient care seemed to be a pretty big part of what they were training you for? What would ever inspire you to pursue a degree in nursing? I think you may be right- it's time to rethink your career choice. with a nursing degree you can look into going back for a masters in health care administration or such. Patient care is such an intergral part of nursing I can't imagine you being happy whywhere in the profession.

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Grumpy - I tried that, but didn't get much of anything other than work at home and make $6000/mo stuff:rolleyes: so I dont know what else to do! I pretty much used every category! oy!

Viking - I have actually applied for a job there, but I haven't recieved any response to the application or to follow ups! I am seeing a trend here....!

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What I found with my VA application process was that it was a campaign to get hired. IOW get to know the nurse recruiter and stay on her radar.

Wishing you the best.

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Specializes in L&D, PACU.

I see you work in L&D. I too went in to L&D straight out of school. I'm an older graduate, and assumed I could handle anything. There were some personal things that happened in my family to add stress (a series of deaths), but the bottom line is...L&D is stressful, and very frightening. Someone who hasn't worked it doesn't understand that, often. It is a little like ER. It is a specialty where it takes several years to feel comfortable. I was told over and over, five years.

I left, my son needed me and I couldn't deal with my family and the job. I'm working PACU, and oddly enough, that is WAY less stressful to me. I feel like a huge weight fell off my shoulders. I'm not sick on my way to work. I don't feel nauseated when I think about going to work.

Long & short....find a different spot. A lot of employers will understand that the first place you tried was not the best fit for you.

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