MAJOR Career Decision, Public Health?

[KRN20188]

Hi All!

I am a recently new RN, Licensed in July of last year. A little background about me; In nursing school I really did not like my hospital rotations, however when I got to my Public Health rotation, I loved it! I had a sigh of relief as I had found something I might be interested in. Fast forward to almost a year after graduation, I am 7 months into working on a PCU full-time, night shift and I the most miserable I have ever been. I am not fulfilled or happy with what I am doing. I now experience anxiety and am quite possibly depressed, crying most of my days and have lost a ton of sleep. I am now on Acutane from the stress acne I have developed and my quality of life is horrible. Recently, I interviewed with a non-profit in the area helping developmentally disabled children and adults in my community. This job has the schedule I desire with full-time benefits. I was offered the job but given a few weeks to think about it as they have a temp. RN in the position right now. I would be leaving a big name hospital and be taking a slight paycut (still allowing me to pay my bills and be comfortable). Because this position is in the community I believe it will be good experience and provide me with a step in the right direction towards becoming a public health nurse. However, I wanted to make sure there are career opportunities in the public health field specifically in southern California. I want to make sure I still have options to further my career in the future as I am getting a lot of pressure from my parents to stay with this other big company I am working for right now. Any tips? Follow my heart or follow my brain? I am stressing right now and any help from any nurses especially those who have taken the PHN road would be greatly appreciated. Thank you all so much in advance!!

[Teenypip]

Trust your gut! I started my nursing career in a 500 bed teaching hospital. I wasn't happy. Eventually I started with a non-profit Hospice as a case manager. I went to admissions for a bit which ignited my passion for teaching. Eventually I became my organization's nursing educator and employee health RN. I love it! I COULD earn more at a for profit hospital but NO WAY! I start my BS in Public Health next year. Good luck! Remember nothing is permanent...

[KCNewRN8]

Hi Guys!

Oh my word! Looking back on this over a year later is so crazy. Sorry I did not get back to some people, I did not see some of these replies. If anyone is curious, I did take the job and have not regretted it once. My work life balance is so much better and my family/ friends say I am like a new person. I no longer take accutane and my back is feeling so much better. I actually start with the county in the fall as a public health nurse (my dream job!)! Thanks everyone for your kind words and encouragement!

Love,

KC

[cmeg]

This is an older post, but I could not be more grateful to find it right now. It's such a relief to read that others have had a similar experience to what I'm going through right now.

I am a relatively new grad (1 year out). I was hired immediately out of nursing school to be a school nurse -- not the job I anticipated, but I surprised myself by loving a lot of things about it (not least the schedule...but also the students). Six months in, I was contacted by a NICU hiring manager I had been in touch with following my clinical rotations. She had a position opening up and suggested I apply. This was my "dream job," so even though I liked school nursing, when they offered me the job I had to take it.

Now another 6 months later, I've been working nights for about 6 weeks, and I am absolutely miserable. Much like the original poster, I am anxious and depressed. I'm moody and crying all the time. I dread going to work for 36 hours before my next shift, and I finish my shift usually on the verge of tears. I just feel mentally, emotionally, and physically exhausted...trying to juggle the endless list of tasks; trying to get enough sleep so that I feel I can safely care for my patients. I think that a large part of my misery is related to night shift, but I also think that I am not cut out for bedside nursing. I hear a lot of conversations around me about pensions and mortgages, and I just feel like that is the main drive for many people there. It's not my drive. Sure, money is nice, but I want to actually feel fulfillment in being of service.

Anyway, for a couple weeks I have been on a half-hearted spree applying for jobs, and I ended up interviewing for a public health nursing job today. It sounds so interesting to me, and I really want to take it...but I'm having many of the same feelings others here have described. It's hard letting go of the dream, especially in a unit like NICU that I know is hard to get into. I feel like I am giving it up forever. Some people encourage me to prioritize my mental health, but others give me the boilerplate "well, you really need that year of acute care, and it's only been 6 months so it will probably get better. You should just try to stick it out." 

Reading this post has helped give me some strength and some clarity. I haven't made a firm decision yet, but I am leaning heavily towards following my gut and taking the PH job. Thanks!

[lpjohnso]

Cmeg, what did you decide to do?!