Maybe I should rethink career choice :(

king_of_the_hill_fan · Jan 3, 2011

Maybe it's not your new career choice only. Maybe it's a totality of your circumstances. Have you sought professional guidance like a psychologist or spiritual advisor?

Do some soul searching before you up and leave nursing. If you really love it, then stick with it. Try getting some counseling. It sounds like there are some major life events happening in your life right now.

:nurse:

MusicNurseCarrlee, LPN, LVN · Jan 3, 2011

I encourage you to explore different areas of nursing. Even in the present economy and job market, nurses still have some flexibility in work options. Try a different setting where you may be treated with more respect, gain confidence and grow professionally. Consider home health, correctional nursing, skilled/long term care, developmental disabilities services, immunization clinics, day and treatment programs, occupational health, school nursing, psychiatric care...explore different populations, pediatric care, adolescent health, geriatric care...look at schedule options, different shifts...also research per diem agency work, short(or longer) contracts and travel nursing...Please don't give up. Nursing is a flexible and rewarding career. Discomfort is a push to do something different, and often better. I wish the best for you: )

AnRas · Jan 3, 2011

:nono: Don't give up! I don't think anyone comes out feeling like they know it all. Not sure about anyone else here but we have all worked around those ..... I refer to as "SUPER NURSE" Before you get out, ask yourself honestly if you can do better. When someone asks a question about a procedure , whatever it is and you don't know. Answer as you were taught. I can't answer that question for you at this time but I will go find the information on that for you right now. There is no way Nurses can know all the answers so that is why you learn where to find the answers. If there is a subject that comes up and you don't have the answer, then research it and never be caught unknowing again, on that subject anyway. There is no harm in saying, I don't know the answer right now but will find out the answer in a reasonable amount of time. Nursing is a process,never ending learning. You are thinking that your circumstances may have to do with your feeling a lack of control, of your doing well in it? That may be true as you are letting it decide if you will be a success or failure at it.

I think , every Nurse (again if honest) has felt like he/she was over her head at sometime in their career.

If you have a true love for this work, then you seek knowledge in the area you are working and beyond. Never forget Knowledge is Power! As for not being able to handle situations..I bet if you thought about it..there has never been a situation that has happened that you didn't know what to do. That is the illusion that some mysterious situation will come up and you will cave. YOU keep doing what you did in School, you seek updates on procedures , medications whatever you need to keep you ready for any situation where you work. It will be to your credit and it will be appreciated by your Residents/Patients, then no situation will threaten to trip you up. Lets be honest , you will never find a place in any job that no one will make you feel bad or stupid when you don't know as much as them. Don't feel bad about yourself brush it off and go find the answer. I bet you would agree you know more now then you did when you began this journey. Nursing=Lifetime of Learning.

cecilsgirl · Jan 4, 2011

JODAJEAN, I use to work somewhere where I was the "charge" nurse, and I worked there for a long time, and I never really felt comfort there, even though I did the job well, I was not as confident as I wanted to be. Then I got a job where I was not the "charge" person anymore, in a different facility. Now I have RN's who are the charge person, I am the Cna's charge , so to speak, but I have RN's to go to if I need them, and there are certain things only they do. I guess I am more like the middle man. And I love it, I don't feel so stressed about "what if this happens?" , and I actually love to go to work most days. There is nothing wrong with not liking "Charge" positions, not everyone is cut out for it, and it don't make you a bad nurse!, I think there are those jobs out there, so maybe you should look for something like that. Good Luck!!

sunflowerross, LPN · Jan 4, 2011

I think it took courage to write from your heart -- thanks for posting.

I can really relate. I was CNA for 12 years (and LOVED it) and have been an LPN for a year now. I have the same kind of feelings you do. I love being a nurse; however, my mind doesn't hold some info I wish I could remember I learned in school. I'm scared that something is going to happen, or I dread what COULD happen. Everyone tells me I'm a good nurse, but I'm always feeling not sure of myself. I have a hard time on 'days' with alot going on--I feel more relaxed on 'noc-shift' -- like I have more time to organize myself.

There is a lot of mental illness in my family, I feel like I have too much anxiety--I need to see if there is something wrong with me.

I haven't been very supportive of your message, just wanted to say you're not alone.

You can't possibly know the answers to everything in nursing, it takes experience and you will get that as years go by. Some people retain information better than others--that's how I get thru my day telling myself that!

:chair: I feel ya!

shortscrubbs108 · Jan 6, 2011

I agree with the above posts, don't be too quick to give up nursing all together. There are so many areas in nursing. I myself love my office job, I use my knowledge and nursing judgment triaging phone calls, and I get to take time with my patients and get to know them. I don't have to worry about a lot emergencies....etc.

Not saying you should do that specifically, my long-winded point is that there are options, and like others have said, nursing is a wonderful profession, but you need to find what area makes you happy.