Hello! I am a nurse and I am questioning my career choice at times. I was a labor and delivery nurse on a high risk OB unit for 7 years. I ended up going PRN for the last 2. I then decided to try perioperative nursing PRN. It was good experience and less stressful than my high risk job. However, I felt like I needed a change.
I am now a school nurse full time. It has been a very hard transition to full time. It is also a huge job. This job has so much social worker to it. I find myself exhausted, sad and constantly looking for something better. I have been networking with every nurse I know discussing what they do, if they enjoy it and how it is financially. I just feel like everything I try I don't like. I was at my first nursing job for 7 years and complained most of the time due to short staffing etc.
Now that I am in my 40's I just want something that I enjoy, that can be more flexible for my family as well as help us financially. I just don't know what direction to go in, and I feel stuck. Are their other fields to go into after nursing? Do you have any thoughts or suggestions?
Dear Sad and Exhausted,
I'm sorry. If my math is right, it sounds like you have been unhappy in your nursing jobs for 8, 9, 10? years. That's a long time. Those jobs were not right for you, or not right in the long run. The school nurse position is draining you emotionally. The right job energizes you, and makes you feel that you are contributing and giving back.
Financially, it's likely that finding something in nursing would be better than starting a different career. There are so many different paths in nursing to consider. Let's get unstuck.
How about nothing to do with patients (or children) for now? Or task oriented, such as an infusion clinic, where you focus on IV therapy? With some research, you could find flexible hours and a part-time or even pay by the case arrangement. A friend of mine provides IV therapy in the home and is very independent. She even started her own business contracting and providing other nurses to provide IV therapy.
Have you considered Informatics? The Informatics nurses I know enjoy technology, and like to problem solve. They work to develop order sets and educate nurses on the computer changes.
Pre-op admissions is about as far away from emotion and stress as you can get. It's a desk job, and you admit patients before surgery (medical history, medication list, patient list). They are all ambulatory, relatively healthy people who as a bonus need no help to the bathroom :)
For you, I'm thinking you need to identify what feeds†you. I am more or less shooting in the dark here with suggestions but suggestions made without knowing what turns you on.
Do you enjoy connecting with people?
Do you prefer working in a team or alone?
Do you need something more physical (active) than a desk job, or is a desk job suitable?
What gives you satisfaction at the end of a day?
Is it possible that you are depressed, and if so, the first thing is to get treatment for that. Depression can cause loss of joy, sadness, and irritability. Just a consideration.
If u could find out those companies, I would love to do that. I worked case management In a hospital but I can't find any companies where u can do it from home. Thanks. ...petuniaRN67 email is [email protected]
Google nursing jobs from home. There are lots of them. Be resourceful! Don't expect someone to do the work for you.
I work for a medical insurance company doing medical necessity review, I work from home and I LOVE IT! I was burnt out on doing patient care, so this has been so much more of a relief for me.
Specializes in Emergency, Critical Care, Correctional.
Have you ever considered a career change to tele-health nursing? Many companies will not only allow you to work from home, but offer great flexibility as well. There is such a diverse range of options too, considering the diverse range of employers that offer the services;from the VA, to corrections and even health insurance companies.
Kristiernbsn
69 Posts
Google nursing jobs from home. There are lots of them. Be resourceful! Don't expect someone to do the work for you.