cmistretta87

Hi everyone! I'm looking for some advice on possible career options. To give a little background, I'm a nurse of five years in Massachusetts in Boston. I've worked in the Operating Room, SNF/LTC, was nurse case manager for a community health center for about two and a half years focusing on HIV/STI prevention in the community, and now work as a clinical research nurse on HIV prevention studies (AMP study to name one). I've realized my passion is in educating the public and sharing prevention methods (in the realm of HIV/STI prevention). I'm also really interested in continuing to battle the obesity epidemic, as well as other chronic health conditions (i.e. diabetes, CVD) that would benefit from effective health promotion techniques. As a nurse case manager, I found I truly loved being one on one with patients and educating them about their disease states and providing basic assistance (i.e. how to read food labels, how to select healthful produce based on their disease, medication assistance, etc.). I also really enjoy interpreting data in studies. This is new and I used to hate research in university. Now, I am loving the work I am doing on these HIV prevention studies. This brings me to my current situation. I am very interested in going back to school and have been for a while. My new research job allows for flexible schedules. I'm really interested in the public health sector and would view a job working for the CDC or MA DPH as a PHN as an end goal. I'd love to hear from others about potential masters degree options that I've been thinking about. I've been looking up getting my MPH degree and I think it makes the most sense for what I want to do with my career long term. The idea of epidemiology is also very interesting to me, but do nurses work in that sector? I also view teaching as the very end of my career, because I LOVE to teach and my patients always responded so well to my individualized sessions. Does anyone know of any dual MPH/MSN programs out there? Should I get my MSN with an MPH, or is a RN, BSN, MPH decent credentials for what I'd like to do? Thank you to anyone who reads or responds! Much appreciated.

Hi there! My name is Chris, 26, and I've been a RN since Sept 2011 (I graduated in May 2011-Licensed in July '11). As you can see from the title, I'm in need of some serious career advice, and I've floated around periodically on the site as a silent observer and I believe I've found a place where I can share my concerns. I'm very unhappy with my current position, and it's lead me to feel as though that perhaps I should just leave nursing altogether. Why do I feel this way? I have a very hard time dealing with the stress of the job. The fact that I have a life on my hands. To give you a brief background of my career thus far, I worked at a big Boston hospital for years through nursing school in the OR. When I graduated, I hit the ground running and joined the Periop Program '11-'12. I loved it at first, not without some bumps in the road. I've done almost every single service in the OR, from GenSurg to Interventional Radiology to Neurosurgery. I ended up in plastics because during my program, I had a very tough time dealing with the stress of having to react quickly and efficiently in certain situations (i.e. passing microclamps in neurosurgery). I started to hate my job. Hate turned to loathing, and I eventually took a leave of absence due to vertigo that was caused by my severe depression and anxiety. I went back to work (Nov 2012) and ended up lasting a few more days there before I decided to relinquish full time status and go per diem. I didnt step foot in the OR again. I was lost for a while, felt defeated, and could not find a job (to be honest, I was so depressed and in such a bad space for a while I hardly looked. I felt like I had no experience and who would want to hire a new grad who just left their first job after a year?). I landed a job in LTC / Sub Acute Rehab at a 90 bed SNF. I absolutely loved it at first; I was a floor nurse! Using my stethoscope, performing assessments, giving medications and treatments...it was amazing. Then, I began to feel overwhelmed. The falls, incident reports, dementia/alzheimers, patient loads, crappy CNAs...after about 10 months, I was going home every night (I work 3-11) hating my job. I hated my job so much I hated my life. I felt like I was stuck, no way out. I considered suicide and had to take medical leave for serious treatment for my depression/anxiety. This was back in Oct 2013. I went back to work in November, and primarily worked on the LTC floor, which is all dementia. I ABSOLUTELY HATE IT. I do love some of my patients, but the few that are terrible ruin it for me and I just cant handle it anymore. Being spat on, hit/scratched and management does NOTHING until they get hit, getting poo thrown at me, meds spit back in my face, etc. I'm so tired of being miserable. So I'm doing something about it now...actually seeking career counseling to help with resume and cover letter assistance. To bring this book full circle, I come to allnurses.com as a fellow nurse in need of some serious advice. What avenues can I take from here? I am willing to get back into a hospital and try anything (besides ER--I dont think I can handle it..) however my 'ideal' job would be something perhaps more lowkey. Are there any lowkey jobs in nursing? Insurance / Research? I'm also really concerned that I just don't have the experience necessary to get into a hospital again. Then again...I'm probably selling myself short. To those who read, thank you so much for taking the time out of your day. I appreciate any help / advice. Thank you. -Chris M.