Not Happy with Nursing~ Advice Please

criticalRN10 · Apr 12, 2011

I don't think anyone will jump you on this one, don't worry :) You seem to know already that this is not what you want. You also seem to know what you're looking for, and you're already looking so that's good. I say just hope that this interview goes well and if you don't get this one, keep looking!

magichospital · Apr 12, 2011

You should try becoming a genetics nurse and working with infertile couples. You sound much more like the type of nurse who wants to talk to people and get personal with them and genetics nursing lets you discuss possible genetic disorders and get to know people. You can work at a fertility clinic. From what I hear (I am only a student, so forgive me if I am not %100 accurate) it's less hands on and more counsling that you do with your paitent and it's very one-on-one. I certainly think you did not do all that hard work for nothing, I think you just got into the wrong area of nursing and need to try out some different options. Good luck with whatever you choose to do!:tinkbll:

caliotter3 · Apr 12, 2011

One on one? Simple. Do extended care home health cases or private duty home care. But be advised, you won't necessarily be challenged. It can be quite boring. But you get to develop those satisfying one on one relationships.

HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD · Apr 12, 2011

It sounds like you are not really unhappy with "nursing".... but you are really fed up with the environment in which you are working. It doesn't make you any less of a nurse. In fact, I think it means you are too devoted to your profession to continue to accept an environment in which you can't do your best. Oh hon, you have paid your dues . . no one can fault you for realizing that you need a different environment in order to be happy.

You may find that working in a physician practice is just exactly what you need - allowing you to develop more personal and lasting relationships with your patients. The downsides would be lower pay & benefits (usually) and more emotional turmoil when patients die (more than likely in an oncology practice).

There is a lot of research emerging on the negative aspects of 12-hour shifts. They are not for everyone, particularly with the increasing intensity of patient care today. You are very smart to realize what is happening before it really takes a toll on your health. Take good care of yourself.

RNHealer08, ADN · Apr 12, 2011

I agree. Maybe its the stressful environment

ErinS, BSN, RN · Apr 12, 2011

You may want to try hospice. Although my days are hectic and we are understaffed, when I am with my patient, I am only with them. They have my total attention and whether it is 20 minutes or 90, I make a difference in their lives. Plus it is challenging and rewarding.

Delag5 · Apr 12, 2011

Is it also administrative? Do you feel you are in charge of your own practice?

KateMLS · Apr 12, 2011

Some good advice here. My question is, do you like oncology nursing? If so, you might find working as an infusion nurse in a physician's office just the thing. Based on the experiences of colleagues who do this, they really get to develop relationships with the patients and the patients come to rely on "their" nurse. If you're not so sure about oncology, hospice care is also an alternative. It takes a special, caring person which is what you sound like to me.

The great thing about nursing is that there are many options and no one will fault you for finding the one that fits you best. Good luck!

BrookeeLou_RN · Apr 12, 2011

Hope you get the office job..but could it be you find oncology depressing? I know I do and could not function well there. I did find home health satisfying as long as you find the right agency. The paperwork is a "bugger" for many but I like the detail precise documentation needed for Medicare.. (Get tired of the repetition of course.) I like being cae manager and knowing my patients well. I did nurse manager of a medicaid OB/GYN clinic once and it was great.. wish I could find something like that now. Working with In-vitro and genetics would be perfect for me but I can not seem to break into the field. If you do not have BSN getting one might open some Administrative jobs, getting MSN in Leadership would also change your basisof opportunities.

But without experience some higher educated nurses find that sometimes they are not taking as serious as one who "has paid her dues".. I do feel experience helps but not like specifically med-surg,, just nursing in general. I do not agree that there is a set of dues or rules to be met first.

I agree I do not believe it is nursing that you do not like.. you are in the wrong field..Good luck with interview and finding the right area so you can thrive and grow as a nurse. :twocents:

ttmm2008 · Apr 13, 2011

Thanks for your refreshing honesty. I do believe quite a few nurses are not happy in their position and some actually find they do not like nursing. I speak to my graduate classmates from time to time and there is a general agreement that the situation is quite different after graduation from what we thought it would be. You are not alone.

Having said that, the most important thing is to make a move towards what it is that you do want. I know a nurse who has worked on the floor for 25 years and stopped liking it about 20 years ago. Yikes!! :eek:

Good news.... there are numerous fields in nursing which is what attracted me to it in the first place. Good luck in your interview and let us know how you like your new position.

Sweetpea1301 · Apr 13, 2011

HI All
I have been a RN for 1 year now. I am so unhappy with my career choice and not sure which way to steer it to get the involvement or lack there of that I want. I currently work on a med/surg oncology unit. We are always short staffed, alot of the time we have a roaming huc that we share between 2 units and we are not allowed a cna unless our census is at least 8. I usually get 5-6 patients on my 12 hour shift with no recognition of acuity level.
My unhappiness with my degree is that I always knew I wanted to be in a very personalized type of nursing, meaning a very one on one personal care with the patient. I want to be in a clinic I think ! I have been a medical assistant in the past. I feel that I would love to be in a private practice and teach prevention, possibly pre-surgical or case management? I feel myself leaning more towards a case management or administrative field. I am not able to give my patients good quality care, I can not spend the tiem with them that they need. We have all brought this to the managers attention but things never change. Moral on the unit is everyone for themselves, assignments are often unfair and not weighted fair, no one wants to help each other, and all new staff coming on quickly find out that we are always short and they quickly decide they dont like it either.
I am not sure which way to turn in my career... I mean what should I be seeking as far as education in order to get to the kind of nursing I want. I am very unhappy that is all I know. Nursing is not at all the way I envisioned going to school working so hard, I am very disappointed. I have a second interview at the end of the month with an oncologist that needs an RN to manage his oncology patients. I have expressed in the first interview that I am still sort of a " new nurse" but they dont mind and have even asked me to interview with the new doc when he comes into town. I am hoping I get the position. I am also 39 and .... well my body hurts all over after 13 hours on my feet. UGHH so confused !!! I know some of you may have some strong feelings please be nice ..... LOL:nurse: but honest

Try home health care. You can work for agencies that send you to multiple families, but many nurses I know work 5 days a week with one client. You tend to build a relationship. I am a home health nurse's aid, and I love it! In school now to become an RN.