Keeping sharp, male nurse finding purpose in job?

AznMurse · Mar 27, 2009

Yes. I can 100% relate to this. I was very focused, highly ambitious, and tremendously motivated while I was in nursing school while working full time. Then I got to the "real world." and is finding it hard to deal with the BS's and incompetence in healthcare system. My work does not suffer for I am clear on my duties and my priorities but my professional relationship is kinda rocky at best. I digressed. Going back to the topic at hand, I devoted my time and focus in completing the nursing program...in the process, I lost focus on me outside of being a student and a nurse. I became lazy and unmotivated and somehow burnt out. I was just recently thinking "I have all this time in my hand now that school is over but I am not doing anything else with my life." I go to work, enjoy as much of the work day as I can. I come home and then nap for 3 hours! I've been talking myself into getting into an NP program but I have not gotten an ounce of motivation to do so. I used to run while I was still in school to keep up the energy but now, my only means of exercise is my hurried day at work. Nah, I am not fat. lol. Nor am I depressed. I am just lost. :) I am still finding my way. I am slowly teaching myself violin (I don't have any music background). I am working on a plan and hopefully build some sort of purpose from that i.e. trying to save for a condo? anything that will give me a sense of purpose and drive. I even considered going to law school and become a JDRN but my coworker who is an NP talked me out of it. Hmmm. What's next? I guess in other words, I am looking for the next challenge perhaps other than nursing? I don't know...Now I am just a rambling fool :)

Doubledee · May 27, 2009

I've been a nurse for more than 10 years now. I can say without hesitation, I am glad I went back to school for my RN. I enjoy the job.

Assuming you didn't make a complete mistake in career choice, you will find plenty of challenge when you get to your first job. You may very well wonder if you actually learned anything in school when you find yourself in a totally new learning environment. Give yourself credit for having the potential to succeed. Get out there and make a difference!

RandomRN · May 27, 2009

I can relate.

After working full time and going through the nursing program, the only thing I wanted was a day off to relax.

Graduated in Dec. 08, and now I had so much free time I dunno what to do with myself. I start up projects or hobbies but they go no where. I have considered going back for BSN, but as soon as I start looking at the requirements, and the time for graduation I just think 'forget it'.

I'm like the guy above, I'm not depressed or unhappy. I'm just bored and numb feeling. I think a big part of it for me is that I spent so much time/effort getting through school and now that I'm actually done I don't know what to do with myself. I feel as though I am still 'working towards' something, but the thing is I know I'm not. I am where I am, and this is pretty much where I'll be.

I dunno, does that mean I'm just burned out? Does that drive ever come back?

nursemike, ASN, RN · May 27, 2009

During my first year as a nurse, a classmate who worked on my unit would often comment, "Gee, do you remember when we thought school was hard?" We were both happy just to survive each shift and not kill anybody, so finding a challenge was not a problem. By my third year, though, I was getting in a bit of a rut. So, recently, I've started doing charge from time to time, and at this point I'm counting it as a victory if we get through a shift with no staff fatalities. But it's fun, again, which makes me think taking on new challenges is a good way to stay--well, I hesitate to use the term "sharp" in reference to myself. How 'bout "awake?"

mcknis · Jun 8, 2009

I have been on the same unit now for about 3 years and only an RN for about 1 year. I am getting into my rut while still finidng many things to do from time to time. Since I have aonly been out of school for a year, I am looking to go back to get my BSN and be a little more 'paper smart' to deal with the managerial sides of my facility. You may want to go to some classes to boost your knowledge to keep you on the up and up. I like going to get my CEUs done because I am always learning something new and enjoy learning and teaching others. Also keep your mindset out of the gutter and on the positive sides of the career. Hard to do many times, but if you only find one thing good about that day, you'll feel better all around. Good luck and keep us informed!

Agrippa · Jun 8, 2009

Reminds me of a story Victor Frankl wrote.

"Imagine a happy group of morons who are engaged in work. They are carrying bricks in an open field. As soon as they have stacked all the bricks at one end of the field, they proceed to transport them to the opposite end. This continues without stop and everyday of every year they are busy doing the same thing. One day one of the morons stops long enough to ask himself what he is doing. He wonders what purpose there is in carrying the bricks. And from that instant on he is not quite as content with his occupation as he had been before.
I am the moron who wonders why he is carrying bricks."

I think the question of purpose and meaning in one's life is a universal question that most people experience. Our career can be a big part of that. My career is important - however it is not what defines me as a person. I am not my job. I am not my khakis(:)), I am not my ethnicity. The search for meaning and purpose is very individual and intimate. There is no road map - you must find your own way.

I for one was once that moron. Thus, I decided that I wanted a career in nursing - a career that would give me a chance to at least touch one person's life and hopefully give me to freedom to do other things for myself. G'luck. We're all in the same boat - whether we know it or not.