Not happy with medsurge

Published

Hello all, I am a frequent allnurser since back when I was doing pre requ's for my adn program. I happily graduated one year ago and after passing Nclex, set about finding a position as a graduate RN. What a task that was! I moved eight hours away to start my career-on a medsurge floor in a border town. I love my fellow nurses they are awesome and I love my patients, however I just dont think medsurge is for me. I have been here since November 2011 and had a great orientation of three months, but the fact is I have always leaned toward psych nursing but finding a psych position as a new grad did not happen. I will receive a bonus every six months, out from orientation that is, for two years if I stay for two years. My heart longs to be back home and find a psych position at home. I am so tempted to apply for a psych position, but I feel obligated to the hospital that hired me because I know it cost lots of money to train new grads. I think I do a pretty good job with medsurge, but I love psych. I am feeling very conflicted and I dont think it would look too good if I leave this job so soon because right now I have only been there for a total of six months, three on orientation and three on my own. I dont know what exactly I am asking for from this post in the realm of feedback and such. It feels somewhat cathartic I guess for me to write what I am feeling. Any feedback or shared experiences are helpful.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency, Pre-Op, PACU, OR.

You can always start applying for psych jobs. Until you have an actual offer, why contemplate how quitting early will look?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

Come to psych...we have cookies :) And more IM meds than you can shake a stick at!

Seriously, start applying now because you never know when/how long it will take for you to get hired. And yes, it'd be nice for both your resume and the hospital if you could stick out this first job for at least year...but if you're unhappy, you're unhappy. And life is too short to be unhappy if you don't have to be.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

make sure that part of your contract does not state that you will have to repay the bonuses-many hospitals do that if you do not stay for your whole contract. good luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I felt the same way, I felt obligated to the hospital that trained me, I started on the med/surg floor and have stayed there for two and a half years because I felt obligated and guilty to leave. Don't wait as long as I have because now I am a charge nurse and working on becoming an RN II, and am now planning my exit when they depend on me much more than they previously did.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I'm leaving the place that trained me after 6 months for a night position closer to home. Did I feel guilty about leaving them after 3 months of training and almost 3 months on my own?? Initially I did, but you have to do what makes you happy. I've come to the conclusion that management and the hospital will do what's right for them. YOU have to do what's right for YOU!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I am a new grad in a medsurg unit and l feel the same way, like I have to stay out of gratitude for their investment in me even though I really dislike my job. I think if there are open positions you should apply now but don't quit until you are sure about the other position.

I agree with previous posters: You only have one life don't spend your time somewhere where you are really unhappy. You don't have to put your career goals on hold if you happen to have the opportunity now. Good luck!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

I live in the area you moved from. I'd suggest you go ahead and start applying now. The market is tight and it may take a while to find something. No harm in starting to feel out the waters. I thought you were brave when you went down there!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

oooh, that would not be good to have to repay-yikes!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thanks everyone, I actually applied for a psych position and had an interview request in fort worth, but the interview was at an interview "fair" that was taking place two days from when I received notice and I did not have time to travel there with such little notice. So, I did not go and emailed them as to why and stated that I would be happy to interview given enough notice to travel to interview.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion