tonytoni

Hello Nora, After working med-surg NOCs for my first 5 years I went into urgent care. It was great for the first 3 years. Maybe a high level urgent care would be good for you ? The patients were "walkie-talkies" for the most part. Majority adults. Staff fabulous. Keep up all your skills with IVs, urinary caths, IV infusions, blood draws/cultures ... but even that I just felt it needed to leave. I am 57 going on 58 and want to leave healthcare all together. No tech skills, not willing to return to school. But if I do it will be for a non-healthcare degree. Maybe a baker. I love working with my hands and do not want to be on a computer all day. I do not want to need a smartphone for work either. I have struggled for the last 10 years within nursing. The environment, the state of healthcare in the US. I feel too old and unsatisfied to keep going. I have switched jobs often, never remained more than 4 years at any position which has affected my retirement outlook. 3 different states in the US. Just no good. Currently working three 12's NOCS in addiction medicine. The only thing about it I like is the schedule because it gives me time with my grand-baby. Have been single for years. I regret sticking around so long in nursing. I have no clue what to do. When I review job openings they all sound awful to me. Home health, hospice, nursing homes. They are always looking. Tells you something. People do not remain in these jobs because they stink. The toxic environment I think is due, in part to how unhappy many staff are and have been. There is favoritism and inconsistencies. some staff slack off on the job, resentment builds, management ineffective, more charting or busy work, less nursing.... vicious cycle. I want to work for a big organization, get some retirement, stick to it until I am 66 then take SS. Maybe work in the hospital kitchen. I mean it. My mental health and my physical health has been affected by working in healthcare. I want to work in something I enjoy and nursing ain't cutting it. I wish you the very best. You are not alone. Toni