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?

Specializes in IMCU, Oncology.

This sounds like a nice job. However, maybe you would feel more satisfied by adding a PRN job at the hospital. Then later you can decide if you want to move out of your current job.

Office nursing wasn't for me and I had my dream job in research. I hated it! I like the physical aspects of hospital nursing, not so much the incessant call light, getting water and snacks - there is a trade off. Also I am working on my masters so the schedule is great. I love 4 days off and the ability to schedule appointments during the week.

I lucked out in finding a great hospital though. My hospital is physician owned. I don't know if that what makes a difference but they have a super high nurse retention rate.

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I am an LPN, but I went to work for a derm office when I got out of nursing school. Like you, I found it boring. Not easy really, just boring. I got to the point that I hated going to work. The schedule was great, as was all the free lunches, but I still hated it. Ironically, I had the same issue of catty office girls. I did not fit in at all, which made it worse. They wouldn’t tell me where things were and would act so disgusted if they were asked to show me something new.

I quit after a few months. I didn’t become a nurse to do something I hated. There are other day shift nursing roles. Maybe you could begin looking into those? Life is short. Do a job you love. ❤️

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Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).
On 5/27/2019 at 4:09 PM, Davey Do said:

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!

I concur with Davey - Now that I am in the 2nd half century of my life - I have learned to understand the value of boring. If you want to spice things up a bit perhaps take a per diem job. Some hospital's only require you take 2 shifts a month. So you would have a break from the routine of your current job, some extra money to spend on that 4 week vacation and keep up with clinical skills you might not be using currently.

Hppy

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Specializes in NICU.

What am I reading,boredom, point me in that direction.You have not worked at this long enough,there are other things to use your spare time and energy.I am jealous.I found some things in a busy ICU very boring,but the rest was just physical trauma to my joints.You have a chance to one day retire with your joints intact ,no PTSD and some money.

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I’m sorry to hear that your new position is not all you thought it would be. Unfortunately so many of us have been in your shoes when we leave one position in search for greener pastures. Sadly unfulfillment may lead to distractions, complacencies, and ultimately poor patient care. I encourage you to think back on why you became a nurse, why you chose a profession of selfless service to others. Keeping your reason for becoming a nurse at the forefront of your thoughts may help you find fulfillment in an otherwise boring job. To think at least you are helping someone and perhaps making a difference in someone’s life can be quite rewarding and carry you through until your next opportunity. Best of luck!?

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Specializes in Critical care, Trauma.

I think the responses to this post illustrate that there are many different things that one can value or prioritize in their work environment. For example, I am pretty apathetic about working holidays, and I'd much rather work 12 hour shifts because then I only have to get up to an alarm 3x per week. lol

Boredom, on the other hand, is a big dealbreaker to me. It's one thing to have intermittent (i.e. census-driven) down time but if I'm not feeling challenged, then that makes your day go by incredibly slow. I've felt fulfillment in nursing positions and now it's a requirement for any future positions.I want to be learning more so that I can improve over time. Some people prefer things to be more comfortable, either because they have a lot of stressful things going on in their life or they're just a more laidback personality. That's okay, too -- lots of different folks, lots of different types of jobs.

It sounds like you've learned something important about yourself. It doesn't mean you necessarily need to leave, but it sounds like some soul searching for what you really need to feel content is going to be important. Getting a PRN position like others have said, or adding more things to your life outside of work (how many of us lose our ability to maintain a social life during nursing school and take years to pick it back up again? lol) might be the answer instead. If you decide to leave then finding a position that matches your needs will be important. I never thought I'd see myself in Critical Care but it turns out, that it checks off all of my boxes. ?

Good luck with your decision.

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Specializes in Peds.

Uuuum, I won't judge. I can totally understand people are different but please,  please, please direct me to this job.  This is literally my dream job. I'd rather do the same old "boring" thing as long as the pay is good too, then fi be stressed the heck out. Some people like stress and things 

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