3 Jobs in 3 Years Help! I'm tired of hating my jobs.

Dear Nurse Beth Advice Column - The following letter submitted anonymously in search for answers. Join the conversation!

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Hi Nurse Beth,

 So I've been a nurse almost 3 years now, and can't figure out what I want to do. I started out in postpartum nursing and hated it after a year, then I moved to OR nursing and liked the schedule but just didn't really care for it.

Im now in l&d, which was my dream specialty since nursing school, and im starting to not like it either. I've realized I like to SEE labor/delivery more than I like to work it. And I've realized I like doing baby stuff more than mama stuff. Not to mention I work in an extremely busy & understaffed unit, so its very stressful and depressing to me. I don't know any baby nurse jobs outside of postpartum (which I don't want to do) and nicu ( which I've never experienced but I like working with healthy babies over unhealthy babies).

But since im starting to dislike l&d, the specialty I always wanted to be in, I don't know what to do. I've thought of postpartum or l&d travel nursing, preop nursing (which I think would be much easier and nicer than OR), theres a newborn admission nurse position at my current facility that bathes/vaccinates/admits healthy newborns that I've thought of. I don't know any other options but im tired of hating my jobs as a nurse and being stressed and depressed whenever I think about going to work. Help please, if you can. Thank you.

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Specializes in Tele, ICU, Staff Development.

Dear Stressed & Depressed,

The newborn admission nurse position meets your preference of working with healthy newborns, but I'm concerned that without deeper reflection and self-examination, it could end up being yet another job that disappoints.

You hated postpartum, disliked OR, and the scenario is repeating itself again in L&D. I can see not loving postpartum (or any first pick) as a new grad. I can see trying OR and again, not loving it. But now you're on your third choice in 3 years, and it's a  pattern.

A Good Fit

There are some of us who really had no idea what nursing entailed until we were graduated, licensed and employed. Probably more than a few of us had some preconceived, romantic notions about being a nurse that may or may not have matched a Hallmark movie, but certainly didn't match the reality of a hospital unit anywhere. 

But unless one is not suited to nursing at all (a possibility), most nurses do find their niche. A good fit. That job and place where their abilities and interests match the required skills and nursing practice.

Postpartum, OR, and L&D have not been good matches for you, but with the innumerable options in nursing, the odds of finding a good fit are good.

Know Yourself

How well do you feel you know yourself?  If asked, could you readily list your strengths and weaknesses? Are you organized, good under pressure, a leader, a critical thinker? How would your coworkers describe you?

Would your ideal job be challenging, chaotic, and adrenaline-fueled, or routinely predictable? Are you easily bored? When a code is called, do you want to run to it, or run away from it? Being drawn to healthy newborns suggests you prefer routine, for example.

Make a list of what you did not like in your previous jobs. Be specific. What exactly did you not like about the OR? Post-partum? L&D?

Likewise, make a list of what you do want in your next job.

  • Consider taking a job fit test. You can find them online, and they will help to get you thinking. Johnson & Johnson offers one for nurses
  • Job shadow before you step into your next new job
  • Ask your educator and manager for feedback regarding your aptitude and career path. They know you and they may be able to give you valuable feedback.

Finally, try to find a mentor. A mentor is typically a more experienced nurse who can help guide your career as well as provide emotional support.

Best wishes,

Nurse Beth

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