Next Step

[Sterling-RN]

I am posting this to get feedback on my future as a nurse. It has been difficult to get in touch with anyone local so I decided I would post this here.

I am an RN-BSN that is currently working in a LTC/mental health facility. I graduated with my BSN 4 years ago now, and am very unhappy with my choice to work in LTC as a floor nurse. At our facility, RN/LPN doesn't really matter unless there is an IV in the house or the supervisor calls off work. So, basically I pass meds, chart and deal with the normal floor chaos that is nothing beyond normal. This has served me well, financially, but at this point I really would like to do more.

I have considered going into management because of my degree, and with 4 years under my belt. I have been very hesitant because of the m-f plus hours, feeling that if I hate my job now, working more in this field would burn me out completely. I am concerned that I don't have the background or experience of managing budgets, dealing with state, families, hiring/firing, doctors as a member of management would. As a floor nurse, I don't believe I am gaining any knowledge to even know if it would be right for me in the real world. BTW this is not to downplay floor nurses...this is just how I feel about what's right for me only.

Sure, in my head I can envision being an agent of positive change in the facility I work for. I have read plenty of what management teams do, but confidence remains my enemy often. Some concerns include: 4 years as a nurse is not really long at all, I work second and third shift so I don't really see the goings on of management at my facility, etc.

Bottom line is this. I don't want to be a floor nurse in an LTC facility. I would like to venture out on another path where I can use my education and what experience I have to advance. Things look alike to me at this stage. I've considered Hospice, dialysis, management, etc. The obstacle in front of me now is finding out what fits me before I loathe what I do in general. I don't feel fulfilled, dispite the fact that I enjoy caring for people and do my job well.

I'm just feeling stagnant and would appreciate any thoughts that might relate.

Thanks a million

--Mark

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

Congratulations on having the courage to scrutinize your situation and realize what is missing. Self-examination can be pretty painful - sometimes we really don't like what we find & it's so much easier just to blame everyone else for our own dissatisfaction.

It's not realistic to try to jump from the bedside into management without some interim steps. I would suggest that you start by getting involved in activities that expose you to the admin side of things and raise your visibility in the organization. Things like quality committees, project groups or task forces are a good starting point. It may be difficult to gear up for this 'extra' (probably unpaid) work when you are already feeling on the edge of burnout, but it is important. When opportunities arise, you want your name to come up! Besides, it will also help you to transition from an 'hourly' mind set into the goal/outcome framework you will need as a manager. I think it is really rare for a manager to work only 40 hrs per week -- I don't know any.

I would also suggest that you expand your horizons a bit. Get involved in one or more professional associations. Enroll in grad school classes - in person, not on line if possible. Even if you take one class at a time, it will provide you with a venue in which you can expand your network with people who can provide valuable connections & enable you to learn more about what's happening in nursing in your corner of the world and this is not usually the case with online classes. To this day, whenever I know of a management opportunity in my organization, I usually communicate first with the people I met in grad school - we remain very supportive of one another to this day.

Good luck in your career - keep us posted with your progress.