In need of some career advice...

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Specializes in med/surg, home health, nursing education.

Hello! I am in desperate need of career advice from my nursing peers... so here it goes...

I have been a RN for 8 years, worked in acute care, and have 2 years of PT teaching experience. A while back, I took a FT position as a program coordinator at a local university - and quite frankly, I hate it! My job is basically that of a glorified secretary in which I do admissions/recruiting/advising and have little autonomy. I miss direct patient care and teaching a clinical group. It is so bad that I recently stepped out of a doctoral program to re-evaluate myself and my professional goals before spending any more time and money. This all really sunk in last week when I ran into the program director of an ADN program that I had taught in last summer. She went on and on about how much the students loved me - and seemed genuinely disappointed that I would not be able to teach this summer. After this, I have been really questioning (even more) my employment.

Well, I have been (against my husband's wishes) looking into some other employment opportunities. The FT teaching opportunities are few and far between in my area, but adjunct and PT are very abundant. Today, I had a wonderful interview with a home care agency for PT and weekend positions - but my husband thinks I am taking a giant step back in my career. I understand where he comes from, but I am really wanting to make a move that will make me happy. I am done with acute care, so that's why I am interested in home care nursing. In addition, I think it will make me a more well-rounded educator. Both schools that I previously taught for have said they will take me back with open arms.

To make it more complicated... my husband is a RN. But he does not believe in continuing education, professional development, etc. He has a nice, cushy job in utilization review at the VA. He is ONLY concerned with $$$.

I have dreamed of a FT education position for a few years; however, I definitely prefer working with undergraduate students and teaching clinicals. I really miss direct patient care, but again, I do not want to return to acute care. I have worked 2 PT jobs for the past 2 years and really don't mind this - especially during the holiday and semester breaks!

Anyways, I guess I'm just looking for some career advice and words of wisdom from my peers.

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Specializes in Med/surg, Tele, educator, FNP.

Do what you love and makes you happy. Life is too short to be miserable.

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

What you really need is marriage counseling -- not career counseling. You aleady know the answer to your career issues: choose the path that will make YOU the happiest. Your "problem" is not with your career -- it is with having a husband that does not support your choices or seem to value your personal satisfaction and professional fulfillment.

If the marriage is worth saving because you otherwise have a strong, loving relationship ... then get the counseling you need to be able to work together as a couple through this situation. If it's not worth saving, then talk with a lawyer about separation/divorce and go from there.

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Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

Your main concern should be that you have a partner that has no concern for your happiness. Life is to short to make it all about money.

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Easy beans. He worries about money and earns as much as he can, and because he loves and respects you and wants you to be happy he supports your bliss without reservation. You live happily ever after.

Oh, he doesn't do that? Well, then it's time for Ann Landers' classic: Are you better off with him or without him?

(Once I had a husband who resented my pursuing a grad degree and set up barriers left, right, and center. Had. My sweet husband (of 25 years now and counting) LOVES that I do what I do, because I love it. Get yourself one of those and you'll wonder what took you so long to take better care of yourself.)

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Specializes in Oncology, Med-Surg.

Home care will be lucky to have you - lot of patient teaching in home care. Your husband will probably get over it once he sees that you are happier.

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