Not Sure How To Proceed

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Med-Surg.

Here's the short version, I'm 29, been an FNP 1yr, working in a Primary Care clinic for 6 months, was an RN for 7 yrs prior to becoming an NP. Currently feeling bored and unfilled, not quite sure where to go or what to do. Not sure what would make me feel fulfilled. Any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks Everyone

XOS4EVA

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What do you like about your job...what do you NOT like about your job? It may be helpful to determine where/how you could feel more satisfied if we knew what aspects of your work you enjoy.

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Visit your nearest PMHNP :)

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Specializes in medical surgical.
Visit your nearest PMHNP :)

Too funny and may be true.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Med-Surg.

Mammac5, I like interacting with the patients, I love when they come back and tell me that I've made a difference in their life, or when they tell me that I'm awesome not because I know everything but because I take the time to explain to them the test I'm ordering, the reason they are being ordered and the disease process that may be affecting them. I love learning and sharing that knowledge.

Zenman - I have thought about going to a psychiatrist. I have the overall problem that I always feel like there has to be more not only in my profession but in my personal life as well and my Husband always tells me to just be hapy with what I have but I find it hard. I might have to check my medical insurance and see if i can get a MHNP or something set up.

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oxs...

My parents have the same deal as you - we refer to it as CDS or Chronic Dissatisfaction Syndrome! We joke about it but in all honesty I believe they do not fully enjoy their lives because they seem to always feel something is missing, or they're shopping for the next thing, or they're looking for the next thing to do/be/have. Obviously I don't know you, but if your hubs thinks you could be happier, he might be right. Perhaps digging into the reasons why (with a qualified MHNP, of course;)) would be helpful.

At any rate I always find it's a sound idea NOT to make any major changes in life while feeling a little "off" so I would definitely recommend making no changes to your job just yet. Hang in there and try to focus on those things you like about your job - you are helping people and they appreciate it, which is more than most people get from their jobs on a daily basis!

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Med-Surg.

Mamma - I can honestly state that I am a suffer of CDS, always have been, I did go to therapy once but I didn't really make any progress and so stopped going. I know about making rash decisions, I was a travel nurse for approximately 3 yrs because I could never feel satisfied where I was, I ended up working for 4 yrs at my last job because a month after starting I met my husband and he told me if I wanted a relationship with him I couldn't just pick up and go all the time. I've been at this job for 5 months and am trying to work on my CDS, and as I told Zenman I'm going to look into finding a MHNP see if I can get to the route of it. It gets me angry as well because my rational mind tells me that I should be happy but my brain doesn't follow what I should be feeling. I always feel like an outsider and like I don't belong, no matter where I am, it's as though I'm not comfortable in my own skin. :0/

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Specializes in ICU.

Another CDS sufferer here. I went to crna school didn't like it cause it was SO restrictive in the OR. I feel like their has to be more than bedside nursing but u can't seem to find it, I knew since I was7 I wanted to be a nurse. I was happy as a LPN then bridged over to asn and bsn all to get the desired CRNA.Now I'm working on a Fnp to fill the unhappy void. Only 30 credits to go but wonder if I will Be truly happy. I'm most happy when I'm working 60 or more hours a week. Another issue with CRNA , the no working thing. I try to tell myself to settle down, work one job and be happy but I can't seem to find my happy place amymore! I really wish i had never attempted The crna route, Feel like a total loser:( I've never been undecided about a career till now. Sometimes I consider getting out of nursing.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Med-Surg.

Corificeer, I'm not sure that FNP will fill your void. I here where you're coming from though. I've contemplated leaving nursing, I've contemplated going to medical school but even when I sit down and look at the long term, I'm not sure either would make me happier overall. My husband tries to be supportive but he just can't grasp why I'm not happy. At times it puts a strain on my marriage because he feels as though I'm unhappy with him. I try and explain I'm unhappy overall but he can't understand how someone so blessed (smart/job/husband/family) can be so unhappy. He tells me sometimes I'm looking for more and that there may not be anything more. It also bothers me when others tell me that I'm so lucky because I overcame the odds and am a professional, have a job, a husband that loves me and etc.... etc.... I was telling him last night I'm thinking of going back to therapy and he was like OMG my wife has relapsed lol. I told him sweetie I don't know when you thought I was fine because I haven't been. Not sure what to do. I actually dread coming to work some days, my pts would never know it because I smile and take my time with them but inside I just don't know what would make me happy. :o/

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Specializes in ICU.

Xos4eva, exactly!!! Finally someone who understand me:) everything u said is true for me too. Successful had a baby at age 16 got married had two more children by age 19 and had 2 step children move in the same year. I'm experiencing empty nest on top of this with the last child being 19. I'm so emotionally sad, still married after 23years. What am I supposed to do now?? Med school ? No too much debt, go back to crna , God no , didn't like it the first time but the money keeps running through my head. Fnp I guess so cause I can work and get it essentially paid for my the boss. what was is called chronic disfatisfaction syndrome? Hit the nail on the head!

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Maybe start a gratitude journal...start the day with prayer and thanks? I felt like that in the past and still have my days, but my relationship with God really is the only thing that gives me lasting satisfaction and helps me find contentment. I can always tell when I haven't spent time in prayer- I get that caged animal feeling (maybe that's not quite the same as what you're talking about, but it seems like it to me).

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See why I like being a PMHNP? Patients are coming out of the woodwork!

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