I want excitement from my job

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So I graduated 3 years ago and worked on a med/surg floor (as is recommended) for a year and then started travel nursing. I have traveled to a couple of different states, which was exciting, but once you got over the being somewhere new, it was the same job day in and day out. I am looking for some excitement in my job, something to get excited about at work. I'm tried of the hum-drum of floor nursing: med passes, assessments, incontinence care, frequent narcotic administration... there's nothing exciting about it to me. I do like healthcare, and occasionally I will find myself having an exciting shift where there is alot going on, and there is problem solving required, and its something different from the ordinary.

I thought maybe a position in an ER would cure my desire for excitment, but I am a med/surg-telemetry nurse and I can't find an ER that has a transition program (similar to a new grad program, but its for experienced nurses that just don't have experience in that particular area of nursing expertise).

I have also been reading a little about forensic nursing, which seems exciting, but again, there seems to be a pattern there too with mostly sexual assault cases.

Does anyone have any suggestions for spicing up my nursing career?

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I don't need excitement. I'm happy with a paycheck.

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Specializes in ED, ICU, MS/MT, PCU, CM, House Sup, Frontline mgr.

the er is the same way. eventually you will learn as much as you need to learn, get used to the job, and get bored (from what you have written). i think you need to have some excitement outside of work. you will still get a pay check and you will have a little more control over the challenges you are exposed to rather then having to wait for a boss to give you chance on a new floor. just a thought...

on the other hand, if you really want to work in the er or icu or any other specially (i personally hated med surge and was trying to leave the moment i started), try remaining at one hospital for a time in order to transfer within that system. in the mean time, is it possible to work a few days a week in your er? i am seeing experienced nurses within my current hospital being trained outside of their specialties and given assignments in the ed a few days a week. most have not and will not transfer right now because of lack of ed experience. however, the few days a week they are working (picking up per diem shifts) they are gaining experience. gl!

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hmmm thank you mbarn08 i didn't think of trying to do some per diem in an er. i am trying to get out of travel nursing and into a permanent position in a hospital near my home.

i hope that the excitement will last a little longer than it has here for me. i dread coming to work because i feel like i'm just staring at the clock waiting for it to be over. it doesn't feel challenging. i have thought of going back to school to challenge myself. i have a good social and family life, very rewarding, but i want to feel challenged. i love problem solving!

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Specializes in Home Care.

I had to laugh when I read your post about being bored with your job.

You think nursing can get routine? Try being a telecommuter working from home behind a computer. Now that is routine, hum drum, boring, and lonely.

Anyway...I know what you mean about wanting a challenge. When I was working behind the computer each time I mastered something I'd request a harder job. And then I'd master that and get bored with it.

That's when I finally started looking at where I was going career wise, I was miserable in my job. I decided to go into nursing and started taking college classes.

So, a couple of things you can do. Challenge yourself outside of work; start taking classes towards your next degree. Take a cooking class or something else that you're interested in. Find hobbies!

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I agree with the above poster about looking for some excitement outside work. What are you doing on your days off?

Another field of nursing is not a bad idea for the short term, but don't expect work to give you need to be satisfied.

So turn off the TV, turn off the computer and get out and about.

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Have you ever thought about correctional nursing? I did it for 13 years, a new adventure every day! Of course it takes a certain kind of person to put up with the crap, but I have to say it was never boring!

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Specializes in CCU,ICU,ER retired.

I have worked ED and all forms of ICU. I found ICU much more challenging. You have to watch ICU patients all the time because you never know when they might go south. The keep your mind busy all the time. Now ER on the other hand you may have 20 patients and maybe one is critical. Mostly bumps and lac's, kids with fever, Just crap most of the time. It depends on where you work and if it has a trauma center. But I found ICU a lot more exciting

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Specializes in Med Surg, ICU, home&pub health, pvt duty.

Excitement -- try joining the armed forces. No humdrum days there.

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Specializes in Army Medic.

Join the Army, Coast Guard, Navy, or become a flight nurse ;)

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Specializes in Critical Care, Nsg QA.

Join the military!

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work in corrections or psych nursing if you really want "excitement", i doubt you do.

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