r0seRN

I love all of these posts (especially the ceiling nursing ). It's nice hearing that I'm not alone, and that there are others who have made the move and had success. I am following many peoples advice - researching, and waiting for the right opportunity to pop up, all while building more solid work experience where I'm currently at. Also considering going part time for a while to clear my head and look into other options. I would still love hearing advice, or your stories on how you left the hospital or med/surg nursing, if you would like to share. Thank you for the support.

That is a wonderful thought, but not doable at this point in my life (bills, etc). I know I need a change, I'm just scared to make the jump and put myself out there. I've become comfortable at doing the job. It's the environment, schedule, and stress of the hospital/acute setting that is getting to me. I wish I could hear from someone who has been there, made the change, and give me some kind of hope that there are better options out there that are worth making the change. I just can't see myself doing this forever.

When my unit is over staffed I have been sent to other units such as oncology and ortho, and it is the same feeling. I'm looking for more information from people who have left the floor for non-hospital positions. I just don't want it to be one of those instances where the grass looks greener on the other side.

I did say I don't know where to go from here. I meant that we are told to start in med surg (where I currently am) and change to another position when you get the experience. However, every other position within the hospital that I could transfer to, I'm not interested in. All the other options (non-hospital) are the ones that would involve a pay cut, include home care, clinics, doctors offices, etc.

I'm getting tired of floor nursing. And I'm getting burnt out on night shift. I've only been nursing for a year and a half. We're always told that med-surg is where you should start to get your experience. I just don't know where to go from here. What do you do when you don't WANT to advance to another area (within the hospital)? I don't want ICU/ED/L&D/Mother/baby/PACU/OR/Charge nursing/Case management. I love everything about the job of night shift, but it's killing my body. I miss sleeping normal human hours, and being awake for the day. I miss the sun. However, it's not as simple as switch to days”. No way in HELL I would work dayshift on the floor. Less pay, more stress, more families and doctors and discharges. No thanks. The only non-hospital options I can come up with are all ones that include a paycut, but I'm seriously at the point to where the money isn't worth the physical and mental exhaustion anymore. I'm considering home care, clinics, doctors offices, or one of those work from home insurance approval positions. I don't need the excitement or challenge that drive some people. I like stable, steady, routine. I want to do my job, know that I helped someone in some way, and go home. I don't want to feel like I'm spread so thin that I barely get the tasks done, not able to give a patient quality care because I have to rush off to another, walking on eggshells, and sit here on my days off dreading the next day. I feel stuck. I would appreciate advice from those like me who have made the change from floor nursing to other positions, and how it turned out for you.