EsMo18

Horrible if you're in Tucson. Been wanting to do Forensic Nursing for many years but there are no jobs here.

I completely agree. I was a paramedic in the military and civilian world but nursing was always my dream since high school. I was excited right out of nursing school when I was hired for my first job... hated it. Transferred after a few months to a different department... hated it. Decided to try a different hospital and took the only position available, which was med/surg... I hate it. I have dreaded coming into work for years and I've been a nurse since 2008. I am at the point where I am not happy with nursing at all. I don't know exactly what I expected but THIS is NOT what I expected. I was optimistic when nurses could get a job anywhere doing whatever they wanted but there aren't jobs opportunities like that anymore. I have contemplated going back to school for something else but I have no idea what I would like to do. I've thought about going back to school to be a paramedic or at least being dual certified as a medic and RN. I'm also tired of going to school. I have 3 more classes to finish my BSN but I have no motivation to do it and see no point since I am so unhappy in nursing. I'm definitely at a loss... so no you aren't the only one that feels that way.

I am a substitute RN currently for a district near my home and absolutely loved my time there in orientation. I was recently searching for full time jobs and happened to get one at the VA on a medical floor. If the school had an opening for the high school at that time, I probably would have taken it. Now that I am 2 months into my new job with the VA, I get notified that the high school nurse will be retiring this coming Dec. I am stuck between a rock and a hard place because I'm not sure if I should do school nursing or stay at the VA. Of course everyone talks about the pay cut, but this really isn't an issue for me as long as I'm happy doing something I enjoy. I would love to have some normalcy in my life and a set schedule (I'm currently on night shift). I think it is a plus that I would have holidays, breaks and summers off. However, I do not have much experience in school nursing so I don't really know what I could be getting myself into. I have family members that have worked for this school district for 20+ years and love it. The health aide and I enjoy working together and she requests me as a sub to fill in. I have been so unhappy in my nursing career the last 6 years and I want to do something that is a little less stressful and some kind of consistency. Med/surg is not for me and I would have to be at my current position for a year before I could transfer to another department. I already dread coming in every night now. I'd appreciate any feedback as I am going to be making an important decision soon.