Not enjoying the hospital

[ittybittybabynurse]

I am a senior in a BSN program and I am currently doing an externship this summer in a critical care area at a hospital in my town. I have also worked as a CNA on a med/surg unit during the school year. The problem is that I do not enjoy being in the hospital. What options are available for a new grad outside of the hospital setting?

Maybe it is also that I haven't found my niche. I think I would like to shadow in Mother/Baby or NICU. I have tried to convince myself that it is in my best interest to start my career in med/surg or critical care, but I am afraid my heart is not in it for those areas.

Any suggestions?

[marvinskbaby1]

I'm also working on my bsn and I currently extern in a hospital as a floater. I know what you mean. Med/Surg nursing is something that I don't want to do after graduation at all, in all actually being a floater means that I go to different areas of the hospital and I haven't really liked anyone of them. I'm still waiting to try L&D, Peds,NICU, or ER. I hope I find something I like soon.

[Katnip, RN]

I disagree that it's in your best interest to start in med/surg or critical care if your heart isn't it.

Definitely shadow different units and see if anything appeals to you.

[llg, PhD, RN]

There is no good reason to start your career on med/surg if your heart isn't in it. Being miserable will only make you hate nursing. Find an area that you prefer and start there -- though please keep in mind that nursing is a "job" and you are not always going to enjoy it. Try to find the right niche for you, but keep your expectations realistic.

If it were "fun," we would do it for free. Most of us expect to be paid for the work we do.

Good luck,

llg

[Jo Dirt]

It would be a life sentence if I had to work in a hospital.

I'm a new grad RN and working in home health, though that has proven to be as stressful as a hospital job, but I absolutely can't take being hemmed up in one place all day. I'd go insane.

I also regret that I am not getting more experience. I figure a year on a med surg floor would be better than 10 yrs. as a nurse in some low skill nursing home.