thehappynurse98
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I have been a nurse since August 2021. I graduated in May 2021. I landed my first job on a Med Surg/COVID unit and have been there about 5 months now. However, I seriously cannot take it any longer. The whole floor is COVID (we no longer get med surg cases anymore), I do not get lunches, I barely can take a moment to pee, co-workers gossip about each other, we get 6 COVID patients each b/c of the nursing shortage (which makes me feel like I'm putting my license in jeopardy), and my manager won't help anyone. She just sits in her office all day. On top of all that I usually don't get out of work until 8 or 9 pm (I work 12s 7A to 7P), so the 12s turn into 13 or 14 hours and doing that back to back is KILLER. My work life balance is non existent at this point and I feel so overworked and drained. I feel horrible saying that I can't do this anymore, because I know my unit is SUPER SHORTSTAFFED and needs help... and I'm young and should have energy, right? But I don't have any more energy... this job is wearing me out to the point where I am starting to hate nursing all together. I can't even transfer to a different unit yet because I don't qualify until 6 months and even if I did qualify my manager has the right to hold us for a few extra months due to the staff shortage. On the bright side of all of this, I have been applying to new jobs all month and ended up landing an outpatient family practice RN position. I am so excited because I have always had a passion for preventative care plus it is great hours in my opinion. Should I take it? I need advice. I don't want to ruin my career by working outpatient as a new grad. Is it true that it is career suicide to work outpatient? I just really need something that provides a good work life balance, allows me to take a lunch/bathroom break, and has normal hours. Any advice would be appreciated ?