I can't find my happiness in nursing.

ponderingDNP · Mar 15

First, I would forget the 'friend' component at the workplace. It is a plus to be able to enjoy and relate to your coworkers, but at the end of the day, they are only coworkers. Keeping them as such initially (and maybe permanently) will help keep the focus on the job itself and allow you to not care about the cliches.

Secondly, you have two solid years of adult nursing in an acute care environment. Consider looking into the float pool for variety. Some pools may come with benefits, although that was not my experience. But the flexibility and pay couldn't be beat. Now, if the 'friend' aspect is important to you, then the float is definitely not going to work in your favor. For some reason, you'll encounter more colleagues who resent float nurses than those who embrace them....(just a word of caution).

As for changing units within a facility, well, my entire acute care career was via float pool or agency. If I made the decision to change, it was for an entirely different organization.😊

Sweetpea04, BSN · Mar 15

Thank you, have been considering applying to float pool for the experience.

Been there,done that, ASN, RN · Mar 17

Float pool is extremely difficult. I did it with 25 years of experience and had a hard time. You have enough experience to get a remote job . Research insurance companies.

allnurses Guide · Mar 17

I know it's been awhile but what made you happy before nursing? There's a saying "Wherever you go, there you are." I stopped treating nursing as anything more than a job that pays the bills. Don't get me wrong. I don't hate nursing. I have friends and a decent income but my joy comes from things I do outside of nursing. My garden is a great source of joy and as a science nerd I channel that into a attempting to create new species through old fashioned hybridization. My family, my dogs and travel come next. If I'm not in my garden you will often find me and the girls (dogs) foraging in the woods, searcing for medicinal herbs to use in potions and spells.

Have a great day!

Hppy

cjhyde · Mar 20

I agree with Been There, Done That about checking out other areas such as insurance Companies. Unless you want to stay in a hospital setting there are other areas to look into. How about a doctors office, research, school nursing or maybe Public Health. I had worked in a hospital setting several years when I decided I needed a change. I had wanted to try Public Health and had recently moved as I was getting married so I looked into it. I did become a Public Health Nurse and stayed in that area for 25 years. It was my niche. I did several different areas within public health and eventually became a supervisor which is something I never thought I would do. Research some of these others areas. You may find what you are looking for.

toomuchbaloney · Mar 20

Look at ambulatory care.

mdsRN2005, ASN, BSN, RN · Mar 21

Different strokes for different folks as they say. I'd sit down and make a list of what you did and didn't love about each job. As well as general preferences (stable vs critical, quick turnover vs keeping same patients longer, fast vs slow pace, etc, etc). The more criteria you can come up with a preference option for the better. I'd even add shifts and commutes and other such factors besides the work itself. Don't go about it trying to figure out where your ideal job should be, just what it would theoretically look like. Read back over your lists and look for trends. From there you should be able to weed out many specialties, and may even notice that your list of preferences sounds like a specific specialty. I know it may sound crazy but working backwards like this helps me. Good luck! Keep us posted!

ponderingDNP · Mar 21

I enjoyed nursing as a new grad a hundred years ago. Although I didn't choose this field, things were so different and far simpler back in the day, compared to today.

Fortunately, I entered nursing at a time when it could be enjoyed as I learned my new skills, and now, because of the skills and years of experience, I can and do happily replace that faded enjoyment of nursing with the ecstasy of PAYDAY.😄😃

Occasionally, I cross paths with a colleague who knows exactly where I'm coming from; so we sit and chat a bit about the good ole days....until the call light by the entitled brings us back to reality.

Remember two things: YANA (you are 'never' alone); YOLO: (you only live once). Proceed accordingly😉😊😎

Sweetpea04, BSN · Mar 21

Thank you guys for you all input I really appreciate it!! do you have any tips on surviving the next five months that I have to work night shift before I can transfer departments? I can't apply to transfer until then.. trying hard to stay positive.

ponderingDNP · Mar 21

Sweetpea04 said:

Thank you guys for you all input I really appreciate it!! do you have any tips on surviving the next five months that I have to work night shift before I can transfer departments? I can't apply to transfer until then.. trying hard to stay positive.

Plan spontaneous weekend outings to keep your mind off work. Give yourself something to look forward to week by week. That's the only way I survived over twenty years of acute care. Work is just a means to an end: gotta get thru this 12-on to make it to the beach. Or: only 12 hours standing between me and _____ (fill in the blank).

Even now, my new job is in the nicest facility I've ever seen in my career. But I still walk through the door saying, "Y'all, we only have 11 hours and 59 minutes to go". Now, my coworkers have caught on. They come in saying, "only two more days to go".😃 Embracing where you are will make it feel less like captivity. If you can't beat 'em, joking 'em???? Nope, I got them to join me.😎