Opinions wanted! Why did you leave acute care?

[kd13rn]

I began working as a healthcare tech in a Level I Trauma Center ICU in early 2012. I was about to begin nursing school and wanted to have hospital experience outside of my clinical time. I really didn't have an idea of where I wanted to work after graduation so I figured the ICU would give me plenty of experience since it was combined ICU/PICU. After I began working, I really liked the thrill of the critical patients, my coworkers helped me through school and became like my second family. I was convinced that this was the place for me and I worked my butt off to prove that I had what it takes to be a new grad and work in that environment. Much to my delight, I was offered a full-time position 2 months before I even graduated.

Fast forward today - I've been working as an RN in the ICU for almost 4 months...and I pretty much hate it. I dread going to work. I spend my entire shift wanting nothing more than to go home and my days off not wanting to go back. My "12 hour shift" is usually turns in to a 16 hour ordeal from the time I leave my house to the time I get home. I am so exhausted all the time. I have no energy to do anything and just feel terrible all the time. I hate the hours and I hate the schedule even more. We are able to "self-schedule", but by the time the office coordinator goes through it and changes it, your schedule could be nothing like what you thought. I really dislike taking care of the same two patients for my entire shift, and I feel like I'm just on autopilot when I take of the same two patients for 3 days in row.

For some people, space and time apart is good for them and their significant other. My husband and I have only been married for 6 months at this point and almost immediately after beginning work we were fighting almost every time we saw each other. We have fought more since I began work than we have in the 5 years we've been together. I just don't feel like hospital nursing is for me now that I've been doing it. I like taking care of people, I like talking with them, teaching them about their condition or treatment, so it's not that I don't like nursing...I just truly feel that I'm in the wrong location.

Recently I was injured at work and have been in a light duty position and I absolutely love it! It's M-F from 8-5, and of course no nights/weekends. I have so much more energy, and in general I just feel so much better. My husband and I get along great now!

I feel that an outpatient setting is more of what I'm looking for. I've applied for a few jobs at varying locations and have an interview at the beginning of June.

There is an 18 month no transfer policy at my hospital. Within a month of beginning on the floor I reached out to my manager, supervisor, employee assistance program, and to HR with the response of "well we don't know that you will like something else so you cannot transfer elsewhere". I've tried and tried and tried to figure out some way to stay and be ok with it until I'm able to transfer but I just can't do it. I know how expensive and time-intensive it is to train a nurse and I feel terrible that I am applying other places but I feel like I've exhausted my options in trying to at least stay within the same organization. If the deciding factor of a transfer has said no and its causing issues in my personal life I feel its not worth it to try and stay for 18 months.

Do you think I'm giving up too easily, or that I should do something else in trying to stay where I'm at? What were some reasons you left acute care...and how did you know it was the right choice? Was it worth it in the end?

All comments welcomed and appreciated :)

[VANurse2010]

I don't think it's wrong that you want to have a regular schedule in more of an ambulatory setting. However, realize that your income potential may be limited in that setting, and it's not like you can decide one day to say "Hey, I think I want to go work on the floor again for the 3 day workweek," because it won't be that simple.

An 18 month transfer policy is a bit excessive, in my opinion. I wouldn't necessarily feel guilty about leaving them if you find something else because trust me they wouldn't think twice about you if they decided it was convenient for them for you to be unemployed.

You're not "wrong" for wanting to leave, but I want you to really think about your financial and career goals. I am not saying that ambulatory nursing is career suicide, but you may be making things more difficult for yourself later on by taking this path now.

[BSNbeauty, BSN, RN]

Not everyone is meant be an ICU nurse, or an ER nurse or a LTC nurse or a post partum nurse and the list goes on. Nursing has a place for everyone. Eventually you will find your niche will very well maybe an outpatient setting. After a Year in CVICU I knew it was not the specialty for me. For some of the reasons you've mentioned. I found my niche in PP and absolutely love it!!!

[KelRN215, BSN, RN]

Because my job sucked and I got an offer for more money, more room for growth and better hours.

[RNperdiem, RN]

If you take the long term view of the situation, you can see 18 months of experience as a valuable investment in your career and in your future. ICU skills are a source of value. Lots of the great nursing jobs in places like PACU, cath lab, or procedural areas require ICU skills. After 18 months, you would be eligible for a job better suited. A new grad with 4 months experience is often at the lowest pit of morale. You would probably feel the same way in any department because you are new.

[hope3456, ASN, RN]

I agree that if you can stick it out for 1-2 years you might have more options in the future but if it is totally ruining your life then look for something else.

I also agree with the PP who said not to feel bad cuz they won't feel bad to leave you unemployed if you don't " work out", either. Which is why I am not working in acute care.