Im not happy in my job, am I just being silly?? HELP!!!!

Mazee · Mar 15, 2012

Yesterday I took my daughter to her pediatricians office for a well visit. I didn't see the usual faces, so I asked the girl taking us into the room about the staff changes and asked if they were LPN/RN. She states they were all LPN's except one whose an RN (supervisor). I got all excited and wished I could just pass my NCLEX-PN already so I can work. I asked her if they were still hiring and said NO. In my eyes that was a perfect setting for me to start off my career. That office is a part of a big hospital system in the area, with that said I know the salary wasn't too shabby for an "office" job. I felt bummed out, I knew I had a good chance in acquiring a job or atleast getting an interview into that office b/c of my references (my mother works with the drs from the office in PICU at the main hospital). Still hopefull that by the time I pass theyll have an opening.

My point is you should be grateful to have an "office" job. Less stress than LTC, no 20:1 patient ratio. Bottom line you are not burnt out by the end of the day. You probably have great hours, no weekends no holidays. Perfect for me who is a single parent, any parent that is! Maybe you just need a challenge , your work maybe getting so repeatitive that your probably getting bored. There are always agencies for a perdiem job to take you out of your realm...

ronda919 · Mar 15, 2012

Thanks Mazee!! I'm sure u will be able to find something in a office. Ure right, the hours are great, no holidays, or weekends 9-5 work day, I do like that aspect of it. This job is also with the major health employer in my area, a giant system, which I dnt really want to leave, but......huh, I dunno. Thanks for ure input!!!

Mazee · Mar 15, 2012

Your welcome! Well whats making you want to leave the place anyways? What's your main reason? What is making you feel like leaving the place? Make a list of pros/cons about your job that will help you make the decision. Hope that helps.

heathert_kc · Mar 15, 2012

Everyone is different and work better in/prefers a different environment. I can certainly see how doing the same thing day in and day out might get a bit manotanous. Remember that being a ltc CNA is a very busy job and so moving on the an office nurse job will definitely be a transition. It looks like you have only be there about a couple months. So for the sake of experience and keeping a good resume, I would not just up and live just yet. But if you think you may be happier in a different environment, it is worth a shot, but not sure I would leave a sure thing to figure it out. Try and find a prn/small part time weekend gig, just to see how you like it, before quiting. You might find it harder than you think. I remember as a CNA in ltc I did think the nurses did anything, boy was I wrong. If you get in with a good company with decent ratios, it is not so bad but some places are horrible.

I see why saying that might shock some people, office work is the 'ideal' for many: good hours, no dirty work, no lifting, etc. but it is not for everyone. I would probably fall asleep, because I need a bit more variety. But a boring job beats unemployment, especially as a new grad... so think about it, consider pros and cons. If ltc is where your heart is test the waters before just diving in full time. Also you said it is part of a large health care system, do they have other areas in which they hire LPNs? Maybe scheduling dept, as ER techs, or in urgent care... if you stay there for awhile transfering may be a possibility.

Good luck to you.

prettymica, ASN, BSN, MSN, LPN, RN, APRN, NP · Mar 15, 2012

You probably like fast paced environments. I remember LTC with 25:1 on days and about 35:1 on nights. I also remember nurses calling out and no back up and having to split a cart to give meds the only other nurse( 8 nurses walking around and no one would help so how I have 37 patients), feed patients, go down stairs for dining room duty( 2 hours out of my day), skin assessments, finishing admission from previous shift, play secretary and finally chart and be off the clock by 3:15 or get written up. I barely had time for a real assessment, patients complaining about the other nurses, and doctors getting snappy because you are just doing your job with calling about labs or an order to send someone out. I would have taken your office job any day.. GOOD LUCK AND A BIG HUG :)! You probably will love LTC, it wasn't the patients it was the micro managing of the staff.

mazy · Mar 15, 2012

My first job out of school was in a clinic and I was miserable. I had been so proud to get my LPN diploma, so excited to be a nurse, and then found myself doing paperwork and vital signs. I don't think there's anything wrong with you at all.

Since then I've worked in a lot of different environments and I know that I would never be happy in an office job again. I like the floor, the chaos, the intensity; I like using my nursing skills and being challenged every day; and I actually prefer the hours to a M-F 9-5 job. Crazy I know.

The only downside is the politics. Well. And short staffing. And lack of resources, and well, all of the personal politics, but every job has that. :cool:

Wouldn't trade it for the world.

Selene006, BSN, LPN · Mar 16, 2012

Sometimes the grass is greener on the other side! That said, if you're bored, keep an eye out for other opportunities that may be appealing to you. I've tried multiple environments after feeling burned out in LTC/Rehab, and I'm glad that I made the decision to try other options. It has diversified my skill set and has made me confident with adjusting to change. Good luck with your decision!

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Mar 16, 2012

We all have different personalities and different needs, I suppose.

I prefer the same old routine and knowing what I am going to walk into every day. I am a type B personality who does not like stress, deviations from the routine, or high pressure life-or-death environments.

If you get a job at the hospital or LTC facility, keep in mind that you might leave very late (I mean 2 hours plus) if something abnormal happens. Keep in mind that the wonderful patient you had at the beginning of the shift might be dead before the end of the shift, because inpatients tend to be really sick. Be mindful that anything unusual (chest pain, difficulty breathing, uncontrolled pain) will throw you farther behind.

Keep in mind that when a doctor at the hospital gives you a STAT order, you must drop everything you're doing to carry it out. It does not matter if you are already behind and need to pass meds to 10 patients. If the doctor orders a STAT blood draw, an IV start, EKG, oxygen at 2lpm, morphine 4mg IM, and crushed aspirin 325mg SL now, you've got to drop what you are doing and get to it now.

In the hospital or nursing home, keep in mind that you will have to deal with the same verbally abusive families and patients for an entire 8 or 12 hour shift. However, patient turnover in a clinic or doctors' office ensures that these people will be gone within an hour or two at the most. Keep in mind that you will also spend plenty of time fetching snacks, grabbing sodas, filling ice pitchers, fluffing pillows, dealing with broken televisions, and other 'customer service' stuff.

This is why many experienced nurses would love to trade their hospital or nursing home jobs for the chance to work at a clinic. It might be boring to you, but at least it is so routinized that you know what you're walking into. With the hospital or LTC facility, you never know if you're going to walk into a timebomb waiting to explode.

AZMOMO2 · Mar 16, 2012

As a CNA I can remember watching the LPNs pushing the cart and looking "important" and wanting to do that, be the NURSE for a change. Of course once I got that it wore off pretty quick

I can totally understand where you are coming from. The office job is just not the environment that you are used to. Your nursing career can be a long one, you have to ultimately do what makes you happy. Maybe you could remind your family that LTC Nurses get paid more than office nurses in most cases.

Good luck!

CrunchRN, ADN, RN · Mar 16, 2012

You are bored. Consider a change.

NrsLucky · Mar 17, 2012

My advice to you would be to remain at this job for a minimum of a year. Employers prefer applicants who have shown longevity at a place of employment and have a work history that shows you have not simply "jumped" from one job to the next. Remaining with an employer for a minimum of a year is also the courteous thing to do. When you leave a location you want to retain good references and not "burn bridges". Leaving after only a few months does not leave a good tast in the employers mouth in regards to your character.

I understand that this may not be the most exciting evnironment nor the ideal place of employment for you, however it is a job where you are employed as a NURSE. Regardless of the fact that it does not require you to work in the full capacity that you know you are capable of, you are in a nursing position per your job title at your establishment. Most importantly though, it is experience that an unemployed new grad(trust me there are many), pray about daily.

Also, I think before you make any drastic decisions in terms of employment which could affect your career, you should really think over what a typical day in an LTC/SNF facility entails. I gladly left the first opporunity that became available to me and personally never want to go back to that type of environment. I preferred working at the Urgent Care I worked at much more than I ever did in an LTC/SNF. The patient to nurse ratios in these facilities in my opinion are ludicrous and dangerously set. At the LTC I previously worked at I had only 2 CNA's to help me provide patient care with a patinet load of 35. You have assessments, med pass, treatments, charting etc. All of these tasks need to be done efficiently and accurately. It gets difficult at times to not make any mistakes when you have so many patients to take care of. I understand however that each individual has their preference in work environment and you may be comfortable in that type of fast pace role. I just think you should really contemplate your options and situation.

Good luck in your decision and your career.

Respectfully,

NrsLucky