Leaving the hospital after 9 months

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I'm almost 9 months into my first position as an RN. In school, I always thought I'd go into public health/community but was told I needed hospital experience first. Once the pandemic hit, there were only a select few jobs available that I was interested in, and most were in the hospital setting. I've been working in a detox unit since starting, and while I love the patients I have realized over the last few months that I hate being in the hospital, there is sometimes weird unit culture and dynamics, and I don't feel comfortable with a lot of the acute issues that come up.

I put in my three weeks notice and accepted a job in an outpatient setting with mostly psych and case management. I've been feeling really guilty/defeated for not being able to make it a year in my current job, and was wondering if anyone had any encouragement/words of wisdom or has been in a similar situation.

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Specializes in NICU, peds.

I’m in the same boat! Just hit 9 months as a new grad on my dream floor on a level III NICU. Hate nights, hate the high stress of I npatient, hate what nights does to my life outside of work. Babies are okay, I don’t love them as much as I thought I would. I have great moments with babies and families and I’m learning a lot, but the cost is just not worth it to me. My physical and mental health are in the pits. I gave my 3 week notice last week and I’ve got several interviews lined up at outpatient facilities within the network. 
 

I've read so many forums, talked to so many nurses a few months to a few years ahead of me, gotten so many different perspectives. I often feel like a loser and a quitter for bowing out early, and I keep having to remind myself I have different dreams, priorities and mindset than a lot of my coworkers who have stuck with it, and that’s okay. It’s hard to know what the future will bring, whether things would actually improve if I stayed (I hear stories of it getting better by 1 year, and stories of it not really changing 2 years in). Would love to know how things work out for you! 

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On 5/9/2021 at 11:19 PM, boop the snoot said:

 My physical and mental health are in the pits. I gave my 3 week notice last week and I’ve got several interviews lined up at outpatient facilities within the network.

I feel the exact same way! I realized I was wanting to cry every time I was heading to work and just had so much anxiety about coworkers, patient care, etc. I did the reading forums (and obviously posting on one too), to try and feel a bit better but I completely agree that we're doing what we need to and taking the chance to see if it can get better. I'd love to hear how things work out for you too! I start my new job in 2 weeks and am so nervous but excited.

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Specializes in Physiology, CM, consulting, nsg edu, LNC, COB.

OK, so now you know you’re not alone, LOL. Consider that you will have a long career ahead of you. Consider there are approximate one gazillion ways to use your nursing education, many of which you’ve never heard yet. Somewhere around in AN there’s a thread with people talking about the many, many different jobs and places they’ve worked. Search it out and read it.
So you guys have learned that the first jobs you took weren’t a good fit for you. Good thing you learned it in 9 months (a reasonable trial) and didn’t make yourself miserable for two years. 
Don’t worry, go forth and use what you learned about yourselves to find your next niche.

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I have found myself not enjoying inpatient even though my unit is technically classified as outpatient. Recruiters I've spoke with for clinic positions have said it's up to the physician if they'd accept a new graduate nurse on their team. I did try for the local health department as well because my original interest with nursing came from a public health course. Reading posts such as this gives me hope.

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On 6/8/2021 at 12:40 PM, TippyTappyMeow said:

I have found myself not enjoying inpatient even though my unit is technically classified as outpatient. 

I felt the exact same way! I knew I was interested in outpatient and public health but was pushed to go into the hospital because it was "what new grads should do". I'm absolutely loving outpatient and wishing I had stared there (even though I am thankful for my experiences inpatient). Definitely go for it if you have an interest in it!!

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More and more nurses are leaving the bedside due to raising job-demands and stress.  I made it 13 months before I made my departure from the hospital.  I work in the community setting at a school now.  Not sure if it's my permanent 'home' in nursing but it did wonders for my mental, emotional, and physical health to leave the bedside.  Don't feel defeated!  You tried it and it didn't work out.  No sense being miserable just to fill an imaginary quota most nurses they feel they have to meet before moving on.  

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Do what works for you! The beauty of nursing is the many pathways you can take. Just bc you are a nurse does not mean you have to be stuck working bedside if it does not appeal to you. Some people work in aesthetics/ dermatology, remote nursing, health coaching, etc. Find your niche and go for it.  

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