I Have No Sense of Direction

[LaZarca, BSN, RN]

I was 11 years old when I figured out I wanted to be a nurse.  I had a strong mentor throughout my journey, so I always had someone to coach me through it.  I got my CNA in high school, got my ADN in 2018 and my BSN in 2020.  I tried other healthcare majors and decided they weren't right for me.  Everyone knew me for my fiery passion for nursing. 

Now, I've been an RN for 2.5 years and I'm miserable.  I did bedside care my entire CNA career (about 5 years) and I've been doing acute care for my whole RN experience (neuro-rehab, med-surg, and now IMCU).  Try as I may, I can't seem to get away from the bedside.  But honestly, every time I entertain a thought of something to change to, I can't feel the excitement for long. 

After speaking with a professional, I've been given suggestions for what I could do but none of them seem to hold my interest for long and they all want someone with years of experience that I don't have.  Meanwhile, I'm getting spammed by recruiters for med-surg positions, but that's what I'm trying to get away from.  I also have a young baby, so travel nursing isn't an option. 

Any advice?  I don't know what to do, and it's really weighing on me. 

[travelnursefuture]

Have you thought about switching your speciality altogether? Is there a speciality you could try that would challenge you and excite you. It sounds like you like to try new things and get bored of the same routine after a while. Have you thought about being a float pool nurse? Or trying outpatient nursing. This may be the better route for now until you can decide whether or not you are truly done with bedside nursing. 

Also sometimes you can tailor your resume for the potential job you are seeking. It of course may be a denial if you have no experience but it only takes one yes and often times some employers will train you for the position. 

[LaZarca, BSN, RN]

On 6/23/2021 at 3:37 PM, travelnursefuture said:

Have you thought about switching your speciality altogether? Is there a speciality you could try that would challenge you and excite you. It sounds like you like to try new things and get bored of the same routine after a while. Have you thought about being a float pool nurse? Or trying outpatient nursing. This may be the better route for now until you can decide whether or not you are truly done with bedside nursing. 

Also sometimes you can tailor your resume for the potential job you are seeking. It of course may be a denial if you have no experience but it only takes one yes and often times some employers will train you for the position. 

I haven't thought much about float pool.  Outpatient is what I want to get into but it's really competitive right now. 

[newgradH, BSN]

How about something totally different? Like peds or L&D or ICU? 

[TriciaJ, RN]

2.5 years is not an eternity, unless you're hating every minute of it.

Why exactly are you intent on getting away from med-surg?

[LaZarca, BSN, RN]

I am hating it.  I'm so sick of the way we are treated and the ridiculous workloads.  When you include my time as a CNA, I've done this kind of work for about 7 years.