GeriRN2010

Hi all, Long time reader of posts looking for advice. I am currently a hospice nurse and have been at my job almost a year. I really liked it, despite the stress, until last week when I was sent to the ER during the work day with extremely high BP. I followed up with my doctor who took me out of work for the week and put me on medicine to help with the anxiety because they think I had a panic attack since my BP has been perfect since I have been home. I am supposed to return to work on Monday but I get anxious thinking about it. Since I've been home, I've been doing a lot of thinking as to leave my job or stick it out. I would leave but I don't know what I would do next. I have been a nurse for almost 9 years. My background is LTC/sub acute care. I have no interest in working in the hospital and I don't think it would be the right environment for me. I have a MSN but I don't want to do Advanced Practice. I have debated leaving the bedside for a while and taking a break from nursing in general, except I would not even know where to start. Any advice or suggestions would be appreciated as maybe there is something I have not thought of yet. Thanks!

Hi all! I must say that I am a long time reader, first time poster. The great thing about this place is that I have seen nurses help other nurses and that is why I am here...I need help with a decision I need to make. I have been a nurse since 2010, working primarily in nursing homes. Prior to nursing school, I thought about going to culinary school to become a pastry chef and eventually open my own cupcake shop. I love baking and making people happy with food is something I love doing. However, I decided to go to nursing school because at the time, I was set on that being what I wanted to do. I loved nursing school and getting my first job as a nurse. I loved it so much I decided to enroll in a RN to MSN bridge program, which I am now just 2 years away from completing. However recently, probably for about a year, I have really thought about going to culinary school to pursue my dream of opening my own cupcake shop and leaving the nursing world all together. I have just become disheartened with the nursing profession. I thought switching facilities and working in a new place would bring back the passion I once had for nursing, but moving to a new place has only made it worse. I even tried working in the hospital for a period of time, but I quickly learned I did not belong there and went back to my comfort zone. Everyday I feel like a glorified "pill pusher" and I don't feel like I make any difference in the lives of my residents. And that is why I have turned to you guys here. I am torn between staying in something that I know or starting over and doing what has always been a dream of mine. I don't want to regret any decisions because you only live once. I have already started researching culinary schools in my area and found one at the same community college where I attended nursing school. I am tempted to throw in the towel with nursing and start over and follow my dreams. I would appreciate any feedback and advice!