Mistake??

[xoemmylouox, ASN, RN]

So I went into nursing to help people, but I just don't feel like I am doing that. I have worked in a few different settings, and all I feel like I do is push pills/treatments on people. When I worked in a physician office I was more of a paper pusher/insurance handler. Ugh is it that I haven't found the right job or was I just super Naive??? I don't expect much, but I would like to spend more than 5 minutes with my patients.. I am starting to think I should have went to school for teaching... I am just at a loss..

[fungez]

Yeah, I feel like a glorified pill pusher too. We're not. But it does feel that way most of the time.

[brownbook]

Sorry, don't have much to offer. I worked nights for a long time and my focus was to interrupt, interact with patients, as little as possible so just maybe they could sleep? Helping my co-workers was my feel good reward. I work out patient surgery now and feel I can spend a lot, or enough, time with my patients.

[xoemmylouox, ASN, RN]

Sorry, don't have much to offer. I worked nights for a long time and my focus was to interrupt, interact with patients, as little as possible so just maybe they could sleep? Helping my co-workers was my feel good reward. I work out patient surgery now and feel I can spend a lot, or enough, time with my patients.

I thought about surgery.. Any specific way you got into it or was it just by chance???

[dawn43]

i have worked at nursing homes, hospitals and private duty nursing with private duty you have 8 to 12 hrs of 1 on 1 time maybe you should try that pay is good too

[lala_rn09]

im in outpatient surgery too and i love it, i sit and interact with my patients and families both pre- and post-op, a few give me hugs afterwards and say thank you and it really gives me that "im a nurse" feeling, it was total chance that i stumbled upon this job though. I would search surgery centers in your area and go to them with your resume and see if they are looking and start networking, i actually have another surgery center that i know an RN in too just in case i need more work ever. Networking is the key! good luck!

[monicanurse]

You are probably in the wrong branch of nursing. Have you considered ICU? You can actually think more with ICU nursing versus just "doing" ...if that makes any sense. The patient load is less....but it is still stressful. I would make a list of what your ideal job qualities would be and then try to find areas of nursing that meet at least 1/2 of your list (being realistic).

[tewdles, RN]

have you considered hospice?

[mendu]

ICU 1-2 patients, you know them from the first time they put their feet in your unit; very challenging, lots of learning; or home health - totally different setting, you're more independent but need very good skills to be able detect little changes in patient condition, not to be afraid to call MD. You spend from 30-45 minutes, 1-7 days with your patients depending on condition/diagnosis, You really know them well.

I love both my jobs and would not change anything. Different opportunities, so challenging in many ways but so worth it!!!:)

[Flare, ASN, BSN]

since you are interested in teaching too, have you considered school nursing? Not to say that i don't have my paper pushing and pull dispensary days, but you can get a lot of teaching in there too!

[Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN]

Psych nursing. Yes, you still give out a lot of meds...but therapeutic interactions with patients is one of the most important nursing interventions you will provide. And with many (not all) patients being self-care, you have more opportunities to provide it.

[Purple_Scrubs, BSN, RN]

FirefightingRN beat me to the punch! I felt the same way you did which is one reason why I left the hospital. I felt like a task-master, and I have to say that my first day as the School Nurse I felt more like a real nurse than any day on the floor.