I feel utterly lost and am in need of suggestions, advice, support.

[Cfitz]

I'm sorry this is long, but I am in dire need of some help.

I have posted here before about how I was hired as a new grad on the birthing center of our hospital - the one job I had thought for a long time was the one for me. I actually chose to go to nursing school with that goal in mind. I am an "older" new grad at 44, having raised 4 sons. All through school I did my clinicals in the hospital thinking "I am so glad I don't have to do this" - be it med-surg or ortho or whatever. I did fine but I really hated it. I had and still have no interest in hospital nursing other than the birthing center.

So as some of you know, I oriented on days and, although it was very, very difficult and much different than I had expected, I was gradually getting it. I had some tough times but nothing that any other new grad wouldn't have had. Then they switched me over to nights and the bottom fell out. I was almost completely unable to sleep during the day, at all. I would try to nap during the day on my first night but couldn't. So I would go in and work 13 hours, come home and sleep for about 2 to 2.5 hours total, then be unable to sleep any more that day. So I would have to work another 13 hours on 2.5 hours sleep in the past 36 hours. It was unbearable on me, and also very hard on my sons - three of whom are still at home. My 10 year old was very negatively affected. My husband could tell I was on the edge but tried hard to be supportive. I only lasted this way for two weeks before I realized that I would end up in the hospital myself if I kept doing it. I spoke to my nurse manager and she was very nice, but told me it was nights or nothing, as they had nothing open on days. I very sadly bowed out and am now unemployed.

I am absolutely reeling now. I am questioning everything. I really thought it would be the right thing for me, and it may have been if I hadn't had to switch to nights. Everyone is telling me "go to med surg! go to ortho! etc" and the truth is, I would rather not be a nurse than do hospital nursing on any other floor.

All through school my clinical instructors told me that pt education was my strength - especially childbirth, breastfeeding and newborn care. How do I use this strength - and this nursing license - without working on the birthing center? Please, please don't tell me to suck it up and work med-surg - I can't and won't. I don't mean to be unflexible, but it would be like telling a double amputee to suck it up and walk anyway. Not the best analogy, but it just is NOT for me.

Can anyone tell me what they would do in this situation? Lactation consulting would be at least 2 more years of extensive schooling and I don't feel I can do that at this time. I need a paying job, but don't see a lot of light at the end of this tunnel. Are there any physician's office nurses out there? I could use some advice on that. Please help. Thank you.

[FireStarterRN, BSN, RN]

I would suggest going to work as an office nurse for an OB/Gyn. There's a lot of crossover there, I've seen a couple of nurses move from Ob/Gyn office nursing to the hospital OB setting, so why not go in the opposite direction?

Good luck!!!

[Cfitz]

I do think there could be a possibility there. I am definitely going to give it a try. Thanks.