Right specialty for me

Published Nov 4, 2021

40 Posts

I started as a 2nd degree nurse last year - graduating in May 2020 and starting my career on a medical stepdown in a level 1 trauma center in major city. I was part of a new grad program but my floor was a mess - my manager was never ever there - never once checked on me - my preceptor was amazing but was forced to play manager so I was doing everything on my own pretty much from day 2 of my orientation. I came off orientation early and while I have done okay and learned a LOT, I just feel anxious all the time when I have to work there. I had to start taking medication to sleep before shifts - starting 2 nights before and I could only think of work on my days off. I recently cut down to per diem and started a separate per diem job at an outpatient ophthalmology surgery center. It’s amazing - I have 4 young kids and they’re super active so the schedule has allowed me to feel a real sense of work life balance. My manager is incredible - checks on me all the time to be sure I’m comfortable and happy. It’s the polar opposite of my other position. I pick up extra - I don’t need meds to sleep at night. It’s a dream. Except that I don’t feel like a nurse. I don’t have much autonomy - for no other reason than that’s not really the role of the nurse there. I don’t do much assessing. I do love the educating, but it’s a very small part of my day. I am definitely staying on for a while but I’m curious if there is such a job where I could marry these experiences. Somewhere where I can critically think, assess, use skills, but in a team environment where I can have some work/life balance. Does such a unicorn career exist?