I should be happy with this new "dream" job

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I worked in a Medsurg environment for a year doing three 12's a week, Mandatory every other weekend and holidays. It was the most stressful job of my life but the people were awesome to work with and it was nice having off 4 days a week. I couldn't wait to get out of there and find a less stressful job. I now work at a large Dermatology/Plastic Surgery office (for a little over a month) Monday-Friday 8-4:30, no weekends, no holidays and 4 weeks of vacation. Oh and I am making the same amount I was at the hospital which I negotiated the hell out of. Anyway, I should be SO happy because this is what I wanted.... A Monday through Friday office Nurse job. BUT..... I am not happy and I find the job really boring. I wouldn't call the job easy by any stretch because there are a ton of things you need to know in dermatology but its definitely not challenging. I work directly for the Doctor(s), and we pretty much do full body skin cancer checks and biopsy's all day long. I deal with rashes, acne, psoriasis and many other things as well but there is so much down time there unlike the hospital that it drives me crazy. I haven't had to buy lunch since I'v been there because the drug reps bring in free lunch every single day. Im also having a hard time fitting in because it is an ALL girl environment and they have all been working there together for a long time so there are all very close and chatty. I fell extremely left out. I feel so guilty not liking this job because this is everything I thought I wanted. What should I do?

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Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).
2 hours ago, Leesaw73 said:

I am not happy and I find the job really boring.

What should I do?

They say "If it ain't broke don't fix it", but perhaps you might consider sabotaging your dream job, Leesaw, stir a little sheisse, create some excitement and drama, fix whatever you break, and come out smelling like a rose.

However, if you get caught and fired in your endeavors to spice things up in this boring dream job, joblessness will make your whole life a little more exciting plus it will afford you an opportunity to get your good old stressful job back!

Good luck in your endeavors, Leesaw!

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Specializes in Psychiatry, Community, Nurse Manager, hospice.

How long has it been? It doesn't sound like a throwaway job.

Are you just bored?

You could pick up a hobby, go back to school for your NP or try working per diem at the hospital a couple weekend days a month.

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Specializes in Mental health, substance abuse, geriatrics, PCU.

I think the job is way too new to take any action such as leaving it. It sounds like a really nice job and sometimes it's okay to be bored, it allows for the cultivation of new hobbies and furthering education. Since you have some downtime I would come up with a plan on ways to utilize that downtime, for instance I do pretty much all my CEU's (and then some) during periods of downtime and it makes the time go by quicker and helps me when I'm feeling bored.

Also, it just takes time to make those connections with your co-workers, but you will just hang in there and keep showing them that you're going to be staying and that should help with them coming around.

Since you've found a good job, good pay, good working conditions, I would heavily encourage you to stick it out, the grass is not always greener.

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Specializes in LTC.

4 weeks of vacation sounds wonderful! I would love to even have 1 week of paid time off!

Who cares if it's boring. Boring is better than stressful. Work isn't meant to be fun. That's why its called work, which is why it's important to have hobbies you do on your days off.

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Specializes in CMSRN, hospice.

I will gladly trade places with you.

In all seriousness, I can understand why being bored at work feels unfulfilling and why you'd be itching to get busy again. However, it might be nice to take this time to enjoy the peace (and free food) of this job before making anymore huge changes. You left the other job for a reason. Maybe pick up a per diem job, teach a nursing school clinical, work on an advanced degree or CEUs, cultivate an all-consuming hobby during your off-time. There's more than one way to keep using your brain, and just because this job doesn't challenge you the way your first one did doesn't mean you're not doing something important. The times when I've been most bored at work are often the times when I've connected the best with my patients, done something truly helpful for my coworkers, or taught myself something important.

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Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

This is frequently what nurses who are used to the hustle and bustle of the floor find when they leave for a more sedate position. At first it seems like a dream, then it seems super boring. Not at all uncommon, even if you hated the floor.

You have options. Work a PRN position. Return to school. Pay strong attention to the things that make your current job a good one. Return to the bedside. Any or all of these are viable. However, at six weeks in, you are barely trained. I would give it 6-18 months before you knee jerk in any direction.

Good luck.

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Specializes in School Nurse, past Med Surge.

Ummm... Did I write this post? The similarities to my nursing path are creepy. I was med/surg, went to a derm office, found it incredibly boring, not challenging, felt kind of out of the "group." I thought a "9-5" job would be better than having to alternate weekends/holidays, but we were NEVER done at 5, it was closer to 6 most days. I quit. I loved the doctor I worked with, and the rest of the staff was great, but I wasn't happy. I had young kids at home and we were lucky that I was able to take some time off to be a mom.

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Think about the last job....then say I will stay put.

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Specializes in CCRN, Geriatrics.

It sounds like a great promising job. I would stick it out and continue to grow with the company. I actually started a busy ltc facility working 3-11 i am on my feet from the moment i walk until its time to leave. No time for a break. We are always short staff and have to bring agency nurses in. And they want to force me to work full time when i applied for a part time position to meet the needs of the facility. I would love to have a job like yours.

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Specializes in Cardiology.

I will eventually go down this route. Yeah, it's boring compared to the floor but after experiencing ridiculously busy days, being verbally abused by patients and their families I will gladly take boring.

If you have been there for less than a year stick it out, see how it goes. If you realize it isn't what you wanted try getting back on the floor before you lose your skills.

I get the feeling left out part. At my current job when I arrived I was the youngest RN on the floor and everyone there has worked with each other for so long but luckily we all get along and there are no issues, except sometimes I can see where they try to pass stuff off to me because I'm "new" but I dont stand for it.

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Sounds like a dream. I'd personally fill up my free time with hobbies and stimulating activities. I did med surg for 6 years and you couldn't give me a million dollars to go back. But everyone is different, thank goodness!

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