lifestyle def not for me...what can i do?

Jules A, MSN · Jan 14, 2008

Kudos to you for finishing school and taking on such a challenging position as your first nursing job. Although I'm way past caring about going out or which weeks I get vacation, I did quit college the first go round because I was making "so" much money as a bartender. :icon_roll

Anyway I would definitely start looking for another position but keep in mind that you probably won't be able to get everything on your wish list. There are definitely jobs out there that are 9-5 if you think that would be a better fit for you although they may not pay as good. Unfortunately there are always some trade offs. Best of luck in finding your niche. Don't worry it will happen. Jules

tigerfan · Jan 14, 2008

I'm in a very similar situation to yours...graduated with my BSN about 6 months ago, started right away in peds oncology at a major children's hospital and work 36 hrs night/day rotation; with the majority being nights. I have great benefits and love my coworkers. Seniority doesn't seem to rule quite as much at my hospital as at yours...we just have to request vacation time at least 3 months in advance and the schedule people try their best to accomodate everyone. I love having several days off as opposed to just Saturdays and Sundays!

But, I'm very strongly considering going to something outpatient with more "typical" hours...M-F, 8-5. I enjoy my current job, but the the rotating shifts are getting to me, as are the long days/nights and difficulty finding time to spend with friends since I tend to be at work when they're off. I think I would thrive having every evening free, and weekends and holidays off. I know that the pay would most likely be less, but I think it would be a worthwhile trade off to have both a job and a life that I enjoy!

Oh, I'm considering going to a peds office...any thoughts on that? I feel bad for being the first of my friends to think about leaving a hospital, but at the same time I think it would be worth it...

vamedic4, EMT-P · Jan 14, 2008

OMG I'm sorry to hear that your schedule sucks so incredibly bad! 36 hours and rotating shifts?? :barf01:Crap. At my facility, you get hired to days or nights and may orient to and work on either, depending on availability and preference.

Perhaps you can bring up to your manager the dislike of the rotating shifts?? You

shouldn't be switching around all the time...it's not healthy (or fair, to be honest).

That alone tells me that they can't keep people on one or more shifts or they're trying to squeeze every bit of life and use out of the nurses they currently have. Either way, if you're not happy...seek employment elsewhere, or you'll end up hating your profession for its effect on your life.

Best of luck to you. I hope you find a better schedule soon.

vamedic4

I'll work nights forever:rolleyes:

christie_0307 · Jan 18, 2008

again.. in the same boat as all of you... I'm 23 too. i actually have been an RN for almost 2 years now and still feel trapped here and there. I was fulltime (now casual) on a telemetry/respiratory unit where no one was ever happy.. nor ever happy with you. it was such a horrible place to work... it took me a back injury (where i was out of work for 3 months) and a latex allery development to finally get me away. Im working at a home health clinic now.. where the hours are amazing! 8-430 .. i pretty much finish my work at 1200 .. and dilly dally for the rest of the day... run erands.. take a nap.. do whatever i want. Ironically.. although the people i work with are so caring, fun and understanding, hours are great... i'm still not happy... sometimes i think i'm crazy to go to 4 drilling years of school and end up not liking it . Sometimes i feel like i put so much energy into work and don't get energy back. is that too much to ask for as a nurse? sometimes i think i ask for too much

oh and tigerfan : it is worth it! once you'll leave the hospital.. you'll be so much more happier! people at my old job say that i just look more happy now.

MsGolightlyRN · Jan 18, 2008

Thanks for all your replies :) I am so glad I am not the only one to feel this way. I was thinking of trying something in education or maybe school nursing, I am worried about the pay cut though. I don't need a ton of money, but I need to be able to pay my bills And Vamedic, there is no way to really change my schedule as of now, it's all based on seniority and its just really discouraging to know I won't have any seniority for a long time. I guess I dug my grave when I accepted the "rotating" part of the job description haha. And Christie I understand what you mean too, going through all that education (and loans) to not really like where you are in the end! It's so tough. I just don't know where to start in looking for another job, it seems I'm going to have to stick it out for another year before anyone will hire me! Also, have any of you heard anything about being a certified health education specialist?

fazeila921 · Jan 18, 2008

Girl, just suck it up for six more months and then you can start applying for jobs elsewhere. You'll have a steady day shift in no time. You also are probably still trying to get used to the job itself so don't be so quick to jump ship. Sometimes you don't know how good you have it until it's gone.

Liddle Noodnik · Jan 18, 2008

Hello Nurses and others!
I need some advice I am a new RN as of about 6 months now. After graduating with my BSN, I got a job right away on an oncology unit at a major hospital in Boston. I make great money, it's great experience and my peers are very supportive. I realize I am very lucky; however, I have really realized in the past few months that I HATE the nursing lifestyle! I am mentally and physically exhausted all the time from working such an erratic schedule (36hr rotating to all shifts). I have developed serious anxiety issues from being stretched thin from the job itself as well as losing almost all of my non-nursing friends because they don't understand why I am too tired all the time to go out to bars etc. I knew coming to this that "it's temporary" and that seniority rules at my hospital; however, judging by my colleagues' # of years on the job, I won't have any "seniority" for at least 6 or 7 years. I don't think I can wait that long to be able to gain some schedule regularity and be able to take vacation time when I want (not after everyone else has picked their time!). And I really miss my friends on the weekend! I never thought I'd envy my friends with 9 to 5's!! I am wondering what else I can do with my nursing degree. I am interested in maybe a nurse educator position or something but not sure how to go about it. I am afraid no one will hire me without more experience, I mean, I am only 23 and have only had this one job. PLEASE give me some advice on different roads to pursue. I would really appreciate it :)

Don't know if there is new research or not, but when i was younger it was believed that CHANGING shifts does more damage to the body and etc. than working ONE shift, even if it is nights. So I went to straight nights (not many organizations will object to someone wanting to do so!) I ended up preferring night shift and my mind/body/lifestyle adjusted to it pretty well. I don't know if NOW I could do it - but when I was much younger it was ideal. At least there was some consistency and I could socialize some on my off days.

It's just a thought. Regardless, I think if you hang in there at least another 6 mo you will have more hiring options. Good luck!

arifa · Jul 28, 2008

hey i am also relieved after reading your thread. I feel so depressed at my job its soo demanding and the hospital is so disorganized so being a new grad and working somewhere like dat makes my anxiety levels shoot sky high i am so discouraged by the hospitals myself all day i have been just sending resumes to home healthcare agencies for a change of roles.. buh being almost 23 myself and just feeling like my degree is a waste sux...

D&Ggirl · Jul 29, 2008

I'm right there with ya! i'm 23, just graduated in december and hate my job (but i have great co workers). i have a job interview today (i have been searching for 4 months), but it isnt for a position i applied for, so i figure it will be good interview experience. i just wish I had better hours because nights is taking a toll on me, and i totally agree about not seeing friends and feeling anxious. plus i hate being on call, all i do is sit and wait for the phone to ring and i'm so jittery. my problem has been all the jobs on the internet and 95% of the jobs dont have a company or person to contact so i send my resume but never hear anything! hopefully something will come along soon for you!

marcelita · Jul 30, 2008

I agree with sticking out for a couple more months. thats what I did, but I actually liked where I worked, cardiac step down. you should have the experience to look somewhere else. but then again nursing is so diverse that you can train for another job if needed. good luck

chgoreid · Jan 31, 2009

MsGolightlyRN, I am a certified health education specialist (CHES). I am actually opposite of you as I have that but not an RN. I am an LPN which I did 15 years ago. I am not crazy about the nursing lifestyle either and that is the main reason I didn't become a RN. But I will tell you that many jobs I am definitely qualified for as a CHES, want RNs. So I was actually considering getting the RN now just to have an edge with those types of jobs. But I'm still undecided. Anyway, to become a CHES you have to have a very specific bachelor or masters degree in health education. Check out www.nchec.org for more information. Hope that helps, and if you have anymore questions about the CHES, let me know!