gonzo83

I've been a nurse for the past 5 years and I'm taking pre-reqs to get into OT school. I've been volunteering in a rehab department for the past year and I can tell you that all of the therapists are SO much happier with their jobs than pretty much 99% of the RN's I've ever worked with. You have a much more "normal" schedule and you get to focus your time with 1 patient at a time. You don't have these ridiculous expectations to care for 6-8 patients all at once with no nursing aids or a relief nurse to help you out. You run around like a crazy person on the floor as an RN. For a PT or an OT, if there are too many patients to see in one day, then they get seen the next day.... and you still get your lunch break. That DEFINITELY doesn't happen in nursing. I can't tell you how many times I've worked 12 hours (or even 14-16 hours) without a lunch break. Just look through threads on allnurses about nurses leaving the profession and you'll read many more reasons why you should pick PT or OT over nursing.

I've been thinking about leaving for quite some time now. It's been 4 1/2 years and it's just not getting any better. I feel like I have NO transferrable skills. I'm definitely not a sales person and wouldn't succeed at that. I've been looking for insurance jobs and of course haven't had any luck. I've been seriously contemplating going back to school for Occupational therapy. Anyone heard of an RN doing such a thing? Or even PT? I know that going back for your NP makes the most sense, but I don't want to prescribe medications or work in management. I feel like OT would allow me to work with patients 1:1 which I like, but also have a normal schedule. Any thoughts anyone??

I've been itching to go back to school for my masters for quite some time now. I'm sick to death with bedside nursing.... the politics, weekends, nights, holidays, horizontal hostility between nurses, poor management, patients are sicker than ever, doctors are downright rude most of the time, constantly broken equipment or not enough supplies... I could really go on and on. I do love working in healthcare though and don't want to leave the field completely. I was wondering if anyone has ever heard of or has experience with an RN who has gone back to school for PT or OT rather than NP. Going back for NP seems like a given because I'm already a nurse with a BSN, but I don't know how much better being an NP would be since nursing hasn't worked out the way I had hoped.

Thanks for the replies. I have another degree in psychology, right after I finished my psych degree I jumped into nursing. I have only worked as a bedside nurse for 6 months and honestly just can't take the bedside anymore. I've become so disenchanted with nursing all together. I want to be able to use my healthcare background and knowledge. I do like working with people, but I can't take the stress and tremendous responsibility of bedside nursing any longer. Other than being a full time student for 6 years, the only other thing I've done is worked at starbucks!

Can anyone please let me know of any jobs which are outside of nursing that can incorporate a health care background? Preferably an office type job. I am looking into leaving the nursing profession and would like some advice to see what other options I can explore.

Sorry but this is a long vent. So I have JUST hit my 6 month mark on a busy cardiac step down floor. I thought it was supposed to get easier.... while the intense feelings of n/v and palpitations that I used to get before work have decreased, I'm still having a hard time. In just 6 months I've had a rapid response for a patient that went into uncontrolled V-tach, a code blue (which was pretty tragic for me b/c he was walky talky and had accidentally pulled out his central line and had an air embolis), a patient pass away (which was expected), a patient with seizures all night whom I ended up having to give 20-something of ativan to that night, and then last night I had a patient was was dnr, confused, on dopamine drip, dialysis but hadnt gotten dialysis in a few days due to low bps. This guy just had sooo much going on. He needed IVF and IV merrem but we only had one good line where the dopamine was going into, only one arm to work with. We had to keep sticking him all night long. I felt so awful for this man. He kept yelling "let me die! let me die! Cut it off! Let me go!", he was having periods of apnea, and had that awful death rattle, doc was aware and palliative care was to come and assess him tomorrow... but I just couldnt handle it. I called his daughter at 5am to let her talk to him because I didn't know if he was gonna make it. I heard her crying on the phone and I just lost it. Everyone on my floor is telling me that I'm getting such good experience, but I honestly feel burnt. For about 2 months after my first code I cried every morning in my car. I know it's supposed to get easier and I'll develop a thicker skin, but I just get so sad with dying patients. My old preceptor told me that I'll end up having a nervous breakdown with the way that I cry. And shes probably right! Everyone on my floor is really sick and elderly. I knew working with the sick and elderly wasn't my cup of tea before graduating, but I kept hearing about that magical 1 year of med/surg experience. I really wanted to work in L/D or postpartum, but I thought it would do me good to do the 1 year. I don't think I can make it. I've applied for a transfer but was flat out rejected because I'm only at 6 months. I've applied to other hospitals and they have said the same thing "at least 1 year or new grads, try again in the summer". Is nursing just not for me then? Should I quit and go back to starbucks for a few months to rest and recoop? I don't want to give up on nursing all together because of all the time and money I've invested. I would like to try a specialty that I have more of a passion for first. But with the way things are going now.... I just don't know. I feel like I have a black cloud hanging over my head and I honestly feel bad for anyone who gets me for a nurse. Sorry for the long vent but I just feel so lost and things are not getting better.

I saw my name on the web site today!! To everyone who hasn't seen their names yet, don't be dispaired. Because I took the test out of state my file had to be 100% completed before they would give me my ATT. So there may be something going on with your file. GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!

I too took my boards on Thursday july 26 and am still waiting. I took them in CT but my license is for CA (moving in 2 weeks! yay!). The computer shut off at 75 questions and I felt a few at the end were easy so I was very unsure when I left. I did the kaplan review and got a 74 on QTrainer 7 so I thought I was ready.... Regardless, I just want to know if I passed or not!!! The wait is agonizing! Schooldays, hopefully we'll find out on the same day! Good luck to all of us :) Do you think it will take longer because I'm out of state? My transcripts and file had to be completed before I got my ATT so I know at least that won't hold me up.

Thats funny that we are switching spots! Most of the people I am graduating with are going to be working in Boston. I debated the UHaul trailer... but Im nervous about my car and it's almost as expensive as hiring movers. My friend and I are planning on moving to PB. I got a job at Sharp Grossmont in La Mesa. Any input on that hospital? It seemed really nice and is a magnet hospital. If you have any specific questions about living in boston (b/c I have a ton of friends who live there) and which areas are better than others let me know!

Hi everyone! I'm currently a nursing student in Massachusetts and graduate in May (yay!) I was offered a job out in San Diego CA and am soooooo excited to move out there and begin my nursing career. But, I'm in need of some advice on how to move across the country. Anyone reading had the pleasaure of moving their lives across country? If so, what is the most affordable way to do so? I'm getting a 1500 relocation bonus. I don't have too much stuff (just two dressers, a couch, my bed, and kitchen supplies). So I'm hoping the 1500 can cover the cost. Any input is much appreciated!