need advice!

Published

i am very inhappy in my job. i work part-time on a med-surg unit in a small hospital. most of the other nurses are nice but there are always those few that aren't so nice. no one ever tells you if you do a good job but if you make one little mistake or forget something they write you up. i have only been a nurse for about 9 months but i need more support than that. also, i don't feel like i'm really helping people. i'd like to be more one-on-one with people and relate to them. now i don't get to do that because our patient load can be so large, you don't get time with them. 95% of our patients are elderly, i feel like i work in a nursing home, which is not really up my alley. so i want to look for a new job, but the problem is that i'm pregnant and due in 3 months so it's not like i can get a new one right now. also, i have no idea what i want to do!! how do i figure out what area is right for me? will 1 year of med-surg experience be enough to move on to a specialty? i've always been interested in ob or mental health, home health, education. it's almost like there's too much to choose from-it's overwhelming. i want i job that gives me satisfaction, like i'm helping people and doing a good job. i don't have that here. how do i find a career that fulfills my need to help people and have a positive impact on others at the same time? what to do????

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Neuro ICU and Med Surg.

Only you will know what makes you happy. If you are interested in OB they try it. You probably won't know how much you will like that specialty until you try. 1 year of Med surg is plenty of time. If you aren't happy there move on. Maybe wait until after your little one is born.

I always knew I was interested in critical care. I was too scared as a new grad to go straight to a specialty. I did put in my time in medsurg and I don't regret any of it. Med surg gives you so much to build on. Teaches you fundamental skills, like time mgt.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

if you tried home health then you will perhaps have more opportunity for one to one

in psychiatry there is often opportunity for one to one (and usually psych units have lots of groups available for the clients)

you've indicated several areas that are of interest to you, and so you could start looking for opportunities in these areas

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Psych would be perfect for you while you are pregnant and recovering from your delivery.

If I were you I would consider looking for mental health nursing positions and jump ship when the opportunity presents itself. It is unhealthy for you and your baby to be so unhappy.

You will definitely have the opportunity to connect with your patients in mental health - one of my favourite parts of mental health nursing.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thanks for your advice. I sure don't regret any of my time on med-surg. I've learned so much! I'll keep your advice in mind.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
i am very inhappy in my job. i work part-time on a med-surg unit in a small hospital. most of the other nurses are nice but there are always those few that aren't so nice. no one ever tells you if you do a good job but if you make one little mistake or forget something they write you up. i have only been a nurse for about 9 months but i need more support than that. also, i don't feel like i'm really helping people. i'd like to be more one-on-one with people and relate to them. now i don't get to do that because our patient load can be so large, you don't get time with them. 95% of our patients are elderly, i feel like i work in a nursing home, which is not really up my alley. so i want to look for a new job, but the problem is that i'm pregnant and due in 3 months so it's not like i can get a new one right now. also, i have no idea what i want to do!! how do i figure out what area is right for me? will 1 year of med-surg experience be enough to move on to a specialty? i've always been interested in ob or mental health, home health, education. it's almost like there's too much to choose from-it's overwhelming. i want i job that gives me satisfaction, like i'm helping people and doing a good job. i don't have that here. how do i find a career that fulfills my need to help people and have a positive impact on others at the same time? what to do????

congrats on the pregnancy and new one coming! upon your return, if your hospital has one, you could maybe be part of the float pool for awhile. i have a friend who was hating her job on neuro and didn't know where else she might like to be. she became part of the float pool. after about 4 months she had made her rounds, several times in different departments and she found out she loved ob.

good luck to you and your new family.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Travel Nursing, ICU, tele, etc.

That is one of the VERY best things about nursing....there are sooo many different areas to explore. I had 6 different nursing jobs before I found my niche and I never had trouble finding the next job. Unlike other professions, it is an accepted part of the culture to move on to other jobs frequently until one finds their niche. I would not be so worried about having to know right now what will be the best place for you. You will definitely get the sense of the job when you interview. That you have that experience in med surg will serve you well for the rest of your career. Even if you do psych for a while and then want to try something else, having that medsurg background will assure an easier transition back into more medical nursing. You are obviously a smart cookie, putting yourself it that position!!

Follow your passion, follow that spark that you feel when you think of working with people in whatever situation you imagine. If you truly don' know, then step out and try it. It is OK if it really wasn't what you wanted!! Move on and try something else. No one will think less of you...not in nursing!!

Also, I have nursing to be very Mother friendly!! I don't see any reason why you couldn't start doing some interviews now (even if it is just an interview you initiate, just for information), before you give birth, so that you have a better sense what is out there.

You are embarking on a very exciting time in your career! You have paid your dues!! Go out there now and find your passion -- this is when it ALL starts paying off for you!! Very, very cool!!

:yeah::yeah::yeah: you can do it!!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
i am very inhappy in my job. i work part-time on a med-surg unit in a small hospital. most of the other nurses are nice but there are always those few that aren't so nice. no one ever tells you if you do a good job but if you make one little mistake or forget something they write you up. i have only been a nurse for about 9 months but i need more support than that. also, i don't feel like i'm really helping people. i'd like to be more one-on-one with people and relate to them. now i don't get to do that because our patient load can be so large, you don't get time with them. 95% of our patients are elderly, i feel like i work in a nursing home, which is not really up my alley. so i want to look for a new job, but the problem is that i'm pregnant and due in 3 months so it's not like i can get a new one right now. also, i have no idea what i want to do!! how do i figure out what area is right for me? will 1 year of med-surg experience be enough to move on to a specialty? i've always been interested in ob or mental health, home health, education. it's almost like there's too much to choose from-it's overwhelming. i want i job that gives me satisfaction, like i'm helping people and doing a good job. i don't have that here. how do i find a career that fulfills my need to help people and have a positive impact on others at the same time? what to do????

just remember that there will always be bad days in any job you take. there will always be one a$$hole *cough doctor* that makes you feel inadequate. don't let that discourage you. find what makes you feel happy and enjoy the journey!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion