Job change? Love where I'm at, but don't like the field I'm in

[Monkey Nurse, ASN, RN]

I need advice- need to talk this out a little with some fellow nurses. I'm torn on a decision I will be faced with soon as I'm expecting a job offer or two next week.

My big concerns:

1) I've really been dedicated to my company and its mission in underserved communities. I've been with them since I started as a nurse. BUT I'd have to move again to do OB stuff (my passion) with them because there are no affiliated hospitals in my area. (moving a family of 6 is hard!)

2) The people there really depend on me. I'm not irreplaceable but I have been a vital piece.

3) The people I work- I care about them personally. Even though I still keep my work and casual friendships separate, we are definitely more intimate than most people are in a hospital setting.

Situational background:

My passion is Maternal and Neonatal Health care with a particular penchant for L&D. With my company, I worked in a rural hospital for 3 years doing primarily OB.

2 years ago I transferred to a clinic with the same company. We do mostly primary care but with a strong urgent care sort of feel. Its rural again and I've come to know the patients quite well. They are fond of me and trust me. Without any intention of bragging, I came into this clinic and busted my tail and helped get a lot of things in better working order. My coworkers are more like family. We are about 30 people 'big' including the dental and admin staff. They are grooming me for leadership. Its hard to fill positions because we are so remote. Every day though, I feel myself really not wanting to go to work more and more.

I feel like if I stay, its not for me, its for everyone else. If I go, it feels selfish. I also worry that maybe I won't be happy at the new place, and I will have left a really great place behind and hurt a lot of feelings.

Thoughts?

[dream'n, BSN, RN]

You won't hurt the feelings of people that really are your friends. They should support whatever makes you happy. They will be sad for sure, but not angry (and if they are, they aren't people you should call friends). I wouldn't stay in a job because I felt obligated. This is your one and only life, it's not selfish to make yourself happy.

[NightNerd, MSN, RN]

It is not selfish to give yourself to an area of work you are truly passionate about. It sounds like you've been an incredible asset to your current place of work, which is terrific, but if you're starting to dread going in, it's time to seriously consider moving on. Your growth and development as a professional are important and you are allowed to pursue those things. Your colleagues will more likely than not appreciate this and wish you well, even if they are sad to lose you.

If you're able to find a geographical middle ground (I know you said a move is imminent if you change jobs), is going part-time or per diem an option to stay connected?

[Monkey Nurse, ASN, RN]

I hear you all! Its so hard with our caring nature and duty to others to think of our duty to self.

Dreamn' "If they care, they'll still be my friends when I leave." I suppose that is true. Breaking up with my employer is not breaking up with my friends.

Night Nerd- I know we all feel it a little personally at our clinic when someone leaves. It feels like they're breaking up with us lol! Is that silly? A little, but we're all a tight knit team like that. A move is only imminent if I wanted to stay with my company. The job offer I am expecting is actually closer to me than my current job, so it allows me to stay put which is good because I have a large family. ? Per diem is likely not an option, but its something I might ask them to see if they want to create a job position like that for real binds (which is consequently the problem that I will create as the only permanent RN. the other is a temp set to leave in 6 weeks).

[Monkey Nurse, ASN, RN]

P.S.
I shouldn't have read the post "Why are nurses leaving the bedside in droves?" It made me depressed and scared, and wondering if I shouldn't stay at my nice clinic instead of going to work in a 'hospital system.' ? ? ?

[TinyDancer01]

I agree you need to do what makes YOU happy! It’s always hard saying goodbye to a great group of people but the chances of all of them staying in the same place for years is also unrealistic. If you’re feeling unsettled then it’s ok to move, they may not be happy but they will understand.

Monkey Nurse i started to read that as well and stopped. I’ve found that for the most part (and myself included) if I’m not happy and want to vent or need advice I come on here but when things are going great I’m not on here as much. There’s a lot of negativity because this is where people can safely come to complain and understand each other but sometimes it ends up people feeding their negativity off each other. Take it with a grain of salt.