I have been a nurse for 10 years, now what?

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Specializes in Psych, M/S, Ortho, Float..

I have done a variety of nursing jobs along the way, hitting in on Neuro, Ortho, teaching, agency and now psych. I do like psych, but sometimes like today, I start thinking that there has to be more to it than this. I am thinking of taking a course in palliative care as there seems to be a bit of an issue at our hospital as to the care we can provide in a psychiatric hospital. Essentially, the patients are there for psych stabilization, not medical stuff, but not many people arrive in good physical shape either. So we have a few that become unstable and the decision is made with everyone involved to make them a DNR, but most staff are unsure as to what the next step should be. We do have resources in the community to help, but it is usually a one visit deal and here is the plan.

This is my idea for the moment, but it comes down to this: I want to be a nurse. I am a nurse, but I want more without another 100 years of school.

I'm just begining to feel that there has got to be more to this than what I am doing.

Anyone else feeling like this?

What are your plans or suggestions?

I think what triggered this was I came across a thread about IT nursing. Teaching staff, nurses and doctors on how to use the computer system that will be brought in, but it looks like it may be 10 years before our hospital has the funding for it.

I'm looking for a career manager, but you guys are usually pretty good at coming up with something of interest. I do want to stay in the psych hospital where I am at, just looking for unusual opportuniyies that might be hiding in there somewhere.

Thanks for reading,

Let me know if there is anything that you might have heard about that still involves patient care.

Thanks,

Jacquie

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Make a list of your interests and your goals. Compare them to where you are now. What do you like/dislike about your current specialty, about your current position, about your employer? When you put stuff out on paper it makes it easier to take into account all your experience and where you might want to go next.

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Specializes in Psych, M/S, Ortho, Float..

Thanks for your quick reply. This is still a new revelation to me. I will make a list and try and figure out what I really do want to be doing.

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Specializes in Behavioral Health, Show Biz.
make a list of your interests and your goals. compare them to where you are now. what do you like/dislike about your current specialty, about your current position, about your employer? when you put stuff out on paper it makes it easier to take into account all your experience and where you might want to go next.

*************************************

ditto.

some specialties were first subspecialties of pysch---i.e., eating disorders, substance abuse, domestic violence counseling, group therapy, etc. after you perform your self-inventory, see if one of the above might stimulate your interest.

by the way...

:smokin: i'll share an old trade secret with you...

you've got the 10-year itch in nursing!!!:chuckle

we all get it in one shape or form (i.e., wanting to further our education, wanting to try something "different" in nursing after having worked in 3 or more specialties, getting bored with nursing but adamantly wanting to say at the bedside but don't know what options are available)

i know many of my colleagues will have my head in the guillotine for this but...

it's just my :twocents:

i wish you much success in your endeavor!!! :typing

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Specializes in ER, Renal Dialysis.

I wish I can stay as long as you are, or heck, longer!!!

Been five years now and funny, I felt like I had just graduated. And like you too, I am contemplating a field change.

Best of luck.

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Specializes in Psych, M/S, Ortho, Float..

I am in a total life change. My midlife crisis is upon me. In January, I was trying to plan our wedding and he just wasn't showing the enthusiasm that I was expecting. By the first of March, I was making plans to move out. I'm now on my own and have time to do a wholistitic assessment on myself.

So now I am focusing on my life as a person and I come up with bored. Now that I have the time to think about what I am doing and where I want to go with all of this.

Taking a good hard look at the whole picture and it does seem that there has to be more in life for me work-wise.

Thanks for all of your replies, it has opened things up a bit.

Jacquie

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Specializes in ER, Infusion therapy, Oncology.

I worked in the ER for 12 years and felt like I was becoming very cynical and could not remember why I ever wanted to be a nurse. I changed my specialty to IV Therapy with the main focus in Oncology. I feel like I have found myself, and I love nursing again. There are so many areas you can go to in nursing. Just take your time and evaluate at all the different options. Good luck in whatever you decide.

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I felt that way 6 months out of nursing school. I had it beaten into me (figuratively) that my place was to be there to do the scut work, not to learn and advance and grow, as the medical students and residents. Nurses clock in, clock out, same job day after day, year after year, it never goes anywhere. I've suffered with it ever since. The only way to go is back to school for APRN of some sort, or medical school, or a different field altogether. Or resign yourself to this rut until retirement or until the physical and emotional grind of the job gets you so you can't work any more and you have to get out.

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I am a new grad as of yesterday and at my church on Sunday they recognized all the new grads. Our pastor had an amazing message for finding your purpose and I thought that his tips may help you--it helped me! So I am going to pass it on, because it can apply to anyone, not just new grads.

Good Things He Has Planned!

Ephisians 2:4-10 (I will let you look this up)

*4 Ways to find your purpose:

*Interests:

-What are you interested in?

-What do you like to do?

-We tend to marginalize our hobbies and interests.

-Maybe you could write a list of age groups you like working with, specialties you enjoy, etc.

*Giftings:

-What abilities has God given you?

-1 Corinthians 12:4-7

-Gifts found in Scripture: Exhortation (encouraging); Leadership; Prophecy; Teaching; Apostles; Faith; Helping; Miracles; Interpretation; Evangelism; Hospitality; Giving to others; Mercy; Service; Administration; Discernment (understanding whats really going on); Healing; Knowledge; Tongues; Wisdom; Pastors.

-As Christians, we are EXPECTED to use our gifts!

-Gifts are to help the church

-You probably use your spiritual gifts ever day without even realizing it

*Affirmations:

-What do people say you are good at?

-Acts 6:1-6

-No booming voice or thick smoke, they simply said "you are good at this."

-When believers tell us we are good at something, we need to ask "Is this the voice of the Holy Spirit?"

-Usually we can tell if someone is telling us something because they are being nice, or because it is really true... If its because it is really true it is quite possibly the voice of the Holy Spirit speaking to us through them.

*Our Past:

-What are running themes?

-What were struggles?

-Who was influential?

-Those moments of pain and hurt in the past are glimpses of victory and purpose in the future.

*"...So that we can do the good things He planned for us long ago." Ephesians 2:10b

God has known our plan since before we were even thought about. Listen for that voice of the Holy Spirit, pray about it and let Him lead you, and the answers will come. Let the gifts he has given you guide you. I hope this helps! Good Luck, and I will be praying for you!

Tiff

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Specializes in ER, Renal Dialysis.

Not to be pessimistic. You will know your calling when you actually experienced it. No matter how much point you put on the self evaluation of 'what is your interest', 'what are my abilities' and stuff... the truth will manifest once you feel it for real.

Don't be surprised to be in love with something you never expected.

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