Return to hospital??? Anyone actually like working there?

MN-Nurse, ASN, RN · Jun 5, 2012

It seems like everyone is trying to get OUT of the hospital. Also, I'm in my 40's so I'm also worried about how physically demanding it will be lifting people and being on my feet for 12 hrs. Should I just be happy with what I have or try returning to the hospital? Anyone successfully return to the hospital or enjoy working in a hospital?

I'm in my 40's. I tried like hell to get into the hospital, and I work on one of the hardest med surg floors in the joint.

I am quite happy there.

Good Morning, Gil · Jun 5, 2012

My advice? If you really want to get back into the hospital to refresh your skills, expand your learning, then pick up a PRN position first while working as a school nurse. No sense in losing your school nurse job, which you may not be able to get back, since someone will snatch it up very quickly lol.

That way, you can see if you really missed acute care or it will remind you why you left in the first place. (and, just so you know, I do work in acute care; my post sounds like I hate it, but I do enjoy it most of the time. I was just taking your perspective). I think a school nurse job sounds ideal for family life, though; you're always home when your school aged children are.

allnurses Guide · Jun 5, 2012

I'm in my 40s and work on a busy ICU stepdown unit. And I do indeed enjoy my job most days. Or, rather, most nights.

DutchRN09 · Jun 5, 2012

I work 4 8"s in Ambulatory and love it. Am soon moving to 2 12"s in ICU. Going PRN first sounds like a really good plan. You can see what you think of it before you leave a good thing. I am in my 40's.

Zookeeper3 · Jun 5, 2012

i'm 42, just started traveling and i get floated to the med surg. i have never ever done it, only icu. i love the new challenges presented with the multi-tasking of a "floor" nursing job. dealing with patients is different, as this will be more acute for you, you will learn skills again. you know them, you are just rusty. assessments will come in time if your are diligent, and if you have a good team, they will help you with tricks of the trade to organize, save time and gain skill.

i strongly agree that a prn job will allow you the opportunity to keep the safety in where you are, but know that if you only do med surg. once a week, it will take 6 months to get comfortable... and potentially be uncomfortable each shift you work, as it's not a skill that comes naturally. each shift i am floated out to the med surg unit, is about once a month... and i have this... get it all done quickly anxiety... i always feel pressured to keep up and i can't i am rusty. it takes effort to relax and chill and just take the chaos as it comes... and i find myself enjoying the new challenge.

try it, if it doesn't work, you learn more about yourself in the process, have gained marketable skills and have lost nothing, but gained much in the process. my two cents anyway

Nurse ABC · Jun 5, 2012

Thank you for your replies! It gives me good encouragement to try something new. I will still be subbing as a school nurse occasionally to keep my foot in the door because I agree it's good to keep that option open. :nurse:

Purple_Scrubs, BSN, RN · Jun 5, 2012

I'm in your same boat too! You might know I resigned my School Nurse job so I can be home with my kiddos, but I've been thinking about doing something else PRN or weekends just to stay in the nursing loop and make it easier to re-enter when I'm ready. I just signed up for an RN refresher course today and will be doing the online work this summer, then when the kids go back to school in the fall I'll do the clinical portion. I'm not comfortable stepping back into the hospital without some serious refreshing of my skills and knowledge.

I've been debating on what area to focus on...Med/Surg, ER (which I find very appealing), Office nursing, or urgent care. I will likely have some input into the area I want to do the clinical preceptorship in for this refresher, but I just don't know which direction to go.

Nurse ABC · Jun 5, 2012

Purple Scrubs-I think that's a really good idea esp in this day and age! I wish they offered refresher courses in my area but they don't so to get my skills up I have to return to the hospital. If I were you I wouldn't worry about what direction you want to go until you're done with your clinicals and see what's available. That may eliminate some choices for you.

ukjenn231 · Jun 10, 2012

I have worked in the hospital for my whole career... a long 2.5 years :) But I still like it. I used to think, I am getting my master's and going into management... blah blah blah. Now, I've found the sweetest job where I can make as much as some managers while working 3 12's and no responsibility when I walk out of the door. I like working med/surg because it is challenging, keeps my skills and brain going, I like the patients most of the time, and I like working only 3 nights a week. Plus it opened the door for me to travel as a nurse and relocate to somewhere I had always dreamed!

Jess_Missouri_RN · Jun 10, 2012

I guess it all depends on the hospital. I have spent my 2 years as a nurse on a med-surg floor and am leaving to do home health. I like med-surg but I do not like the hospital I am at and I find that I am exhausted, burnt out and mentally drained. Although I spend most nights with 7-9 patients while in charge, so yeah, I'm done. I agree with others with starting out PRN. I am sure you will find med-surg to be very fulfilling and a great place to learn. I have learned so much and am grateful to have that solid foundation.

Anna Flaxis, BSN, RN · Jun 10, 2012

Worked in the hospital for 6 years, and now that I'm out, I don't plan on going back anytime soon!