I am currently a med/surg nurse with 15+yrs experience working night shift. I have worked in several different hospital settings both small and large. Most of my experience has been with orthopedics and post op pts. I did manage to "survive" one year of a critical care step down unit. It was a great learning experience but I quickly learned that it wasn't for me. I feel horrible for saying this but I am sick of bedside nursing. Is it just me or has anyone felt this way or does feel this way?
I know I need a change but not sure about which path I should choose. I know two things for certain 1. I need to get off night shift (I feel totally drained even on my days off) and 2. I want to get away from bedside nursing. I am tired of coming into work and feel like I am in a race not a nurse caring for her pts ( I can't be alone here). I have thought about several areas like the OR, PACU, home care, even working in a dialysis clinic. I do have to say, after only lasting a year on the step down unit before calling it quits, I any a little nervous to step out of "my box" again. However, I know that I need to for both my mental and physical health.
Some of the things that I enjoy about nursing is being exposed to people from all sort of races, religions, countries and backgrounds. I enjoy talking with some of my "mature" pts and hearing about their lives and families and how things were "back in the day":) I love the hospitals that were up to date and had modern gadgets and software that allowed me to print and provide educational materials for my pts. (I totally believe in giving pts as much material and education as possible and giving them control over their own healthcare).
So getting to the point (finally!). If anyone has any advice on a particular area in nursing that they would like to share, I would appreciate it. Or if anyone wants to discuss their job and what they like or dislike about it, I would like to hear that as well. I appreciate any advice or information that anyone is willing to share.
