Hello everyone, I am a new grad. I've been working on the med surg floor for about a month now. & I realize that I do not like it at all. I am very stressed out. I suffer with a hx of anxiety and bouts of depression before going into nursing school. I used to have full blown panic attacks. & I sense them about to start again. I love nursing, I love taking care of people.. But not like this.. (the hospital i work at is the largest in my city ((Chicago)) the hecticness of the hospital is not the right environment for me. I know that every RN is not meant to work in a hospital. And I'm starting to see that I am one of them. So I was just wondering from any nurses out there who did not go into the hospital setting where should I work? I have my BSN and my RN license of course. I'm willing to go back to school if I need to get my masters in order to find a job. Any suggestions would be great. I remember my clinical professor told me that she went into public health right out of nursing school. And never worked in the hospital.
I just want to say I really do take my hat off to any nurses that work in the hospital acute setting. That is not an easy job at all! And I've seen from first hand you guys rock and deserve more credit than you get;)
I'm not looking for the easy way out, I know nursing is hard in whatever Avenue I decide to take. Im starting to think things like I hate nursing or why did I go to nursing school in the first place. And I don't want to be that person where I build up animosity in my heart because i actually do love taking care of people.
I was in your shoes about 3 years ago. I had no desire to work in a hospital when I graduated. The first job fair I attended was in dialysis, they hired me on the spot, I have been there ever since. Don't get the wrong idea, it is hard stressful demanding work, but I don't work nights or weekends unless I want to, plus the pay is comparable to hospitals. There are lots of options outside of hospitals for a nurse, glad to have you join the ranks!
Although I'll admit I am not thoroughly familiar with the requirements of the position, telenursing my be a good option as well. My husband's employer provides a number to employees to be able to "call a nurse" to ask health-related questions, anything from medication questions to advice on whether to bring the issue to the PCP or ER. I believe there are other telenursing positions that are more like case management and nursing follow-up after hospital stays as well. Again, I do not know if experience is required, but it can't hurt to explore! Best of luck.
It's been my experience that having your BSN opens doors without clinical experience which is disconcerting because many with "only" an ADN like me AND experience are overlooked. Also, knowing a second language puts you at the top of the list. I've worked public health, hospice, corrections, and psych all of which I could recommend with an anxiety disorder. You'd be surprised how many of us deal with that and do well in these areas because we "have been there, done that". I hope you'll find your calling and DO NOT give up. Keep knocking on those doors. You seem like a wonderful nurse!
I'm so thankful to this post. At least I know I'm not the obey who feel like this..... you know yourself better and can make the best choice for yourself ....just do what make you happy ( or less stress :)) Goodluck
I am a new grad as well and was looking to start in a med/surg hospital setting as well! It was very difficult bc of my lack of experience. I finally got a call back and offer from an Ambulatory GI surgery center. I'm still on probation and training but till now I can say that I am learning quite a bit. There is a great deal of nursing critical thinking and assessment skills involved. Patient education is huge as well. Preop and postop assessment.
Also it's accredited and I get to learn more about Joint commission standards.
It is still very busy and many procedures scheduled with many different doctors but minus the chaos of a hospital setting.
they have similar surgery centers for eye surgery. Try to locate ambulatory clinics in your area and they might be willing to train from the start.
NurseEd13
1 Post
I was in your shoes about 3 years ago. I had no desire to work in a hospital when I graduated. The first job fair I attended was in dialysis, they hired me on the spot, I have been there ever since. Don't get the wrong idea, it is hard stressful demanding work, but I don't work nights or weekends unless I want to, plus the pay is comparable to hospitals. There are lots of options outside of hospitals for a nurse, glad to have you join the ranks!