I'm so lost...

Published

Specializes in ICU.

Hi,

I've been in the ICU setting for 6 years now. Last year, I got sexually harassed by a patient and I couldn't do it anymore and took a break. 

This year, I wanted something new. A work environment that is completely separated by the patients so I chose to go to the OR. The transition was not easy. I had to find a personal connection in the OR to transfer... only to find out that this is not my jam.

I don't find OR nursing interesting AT ALL. Day by day my stresses are piling up. Plus, every time I'd look into CRNA school application, they want CURRENT ICU experiences. 

Should I go back to ICU and quit this job? I know it is a stupid question, and it looks like I've already made my decision. But I need a second opinion or even an affirmation from somebody else besides me and my family...

 

Thank you and sorry if I'm being stupid

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Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.

The OR is not for everyone. It seems you've figured out you're one of those it's not a fit for. If CRNA is what you want, then you're going to want to put yourself on track for that.

I would recommend speaking to your manager sooner rather than later. First of all, for your own mental well-being. If you are being stressed in the OR, you aren't going to be happy, which is going to affect performance which is going to affect teamwork and so on. Frankly, I have far more respect for the person who speaks up and says this isn't a fit and I need to find something else rather than the person who tries to stick it out but is miserable. In general, facilities are going to want to retain you, even if it means another orientation in another unit over losing you completely.

Are you currently on orientation? If so, be prepared to be told that you will no longer be orienting, and may need to use up accrued time off until they get you into a new position. It's the same for people who resign with notice while on orientation- the manager isn't going to continue to invest for negative return. However, with a good HR recruiter and manager to manager communication, that transition can happen as quickly as a few days. You don't want your manager to find out you're looking because the manager of the unit you applied to reached out to them- they won't have any motivation to help you. That's actually an exact scenario I'm seeing right now where I work- someone applied to another unit without telling anyone, and the manager basically pulled them into the office and sent them home until they find a new position.

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Specializes in Infusion oncology, Cardiac PCU.

ICU seems more like a better fit for you and it’s unfortunate that that has to happen to you. Sadly, in healthcare, patients come in all different forms and there’s always that one bad apple that will break a nurse and cause her to want to leave that area of nursing. However, you’ve been in ICU for 6 years, and have loved it. I think you  should still reconsider going back to it just because it align more with your career pathway of becoming a CRNA. Best of luck! 

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I'm so sorry that happened to you. 

People don't talk about this part of nursing but it's so hard and uncomfortable.  It hurts so bad.  What I try to do is switch patient assignment when this happens to me.  I also don't let it get too far now, if I see someone is becoming too much or crossing boundaries, I wait until another nurse is available and ask them to come in the room with me for the duration of my shift for any further reasons that I may have to go into the room.  I've NEVER had a nurse tell me no, they always have my back.

If you love it go back, but keep your eyes and ears open for warning signs

(hugs)

 

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