Leaving NICU?

[sj73]

Hey guys! I've been a NICU nurse for a little over a year and a half. This is my first job straight out of nursing school and was the speciality I thought I wanted to do. After completing my 6-month long orientation and having been working solely on my own for a little over 1 year, I want to switch specialities. I feel burnt out (stressed) and disinterested. Only problem is I'm not sure what other speciality would interest me. I have been randomly applying to adult-focused positions yet have received declines due to lack of experience. Any input on what to do further? Anyone have experience switching from one speciality to another? Will I be re-trained in a new job like a new-graduate (which I kind of am due to my lack of adult nursing knowledge)? Maybe nursing just isn't cut out for me?

[bsn_nurse]

I did NICU for about a year and a half and switched to psych and now i am doing case management. I had no problems switching. I got burned out doing NICU and i was so over the work load and just lost interest in general. Just keep applying to what you think might interest you, you never know. Good luck

[Leader25, ASN, BSN, RN]

​It takes at least two years to feel almost comfortable in your area,but if your heart is not in it, then leave before your lack of interest causes harm to someone.I hope you find an area that will make you happy,perhaps not hospital nursing.

[adventure_rn, MSN, NP]

It's hard for us to provide meaningful advice or recommendations because it's unclear from your post why you feel burned out and disinterested in NICU. Perhaps if you can reflect on what parts of your job aren't clicking for you, we can offer more helpful suggestions for support. It would also allow you to be sure that you don't switch to another job/specialty and find the same problems wearing you down.