So confused about the job I want.

CrunchRN, ADN, RN · Feb 22, 2006

Try it! If iyou don't like it you can always go back to the hospital. Your old position will probably still be open from the sound of it.

nma24, LPN · Feb 25, 2006

I just recently went through something similar. I had been working at a job that I dreaded going to everyday. When driving to work my stomach would drop when I saw the building. I had never disliked any of my nursing jobs before, and realized I needed to get out. I started a job in a Primary Care Clinic a few weeks ago, as an LPN. Best decision I ever made. I went from working the weekends and holidays to doing Mon-Fri 8am-5pm. Getting an hour for lunch was something I wasnt used to. I actually didnt know what to do with an hour of free time. At the last job I never took a lunch because it was always so hectic. Was always on my feet from start to finish. I now room pts, and sit at a computer and use the phone most of my shift. If someone needs a flu shot, B12 injection, etc. I give it to them. I enjoy this environment, had only worked in nursing homes for 9 years, so it really was time for a change. Try the Dr.'s office environment, it might be a good change for you. I am no longer stressed at work.

purplemania, BSN, RN · Feb 25, 2006

move to another position before you make yourself ill. If that does not work, try someothing else. Nursing is VERY flexible that way.

Nightrn16 · Mar 1, 2006

Well, I really do want out of the hosptial. I'm dreading it. My migraines have started coming back and last week while tugging on a patient (I should have known better to tug on), I think I pulled something in my lower back.

The problem I keep running into while looking for a doctor's office job is that they all use MA's around here. I'd like to work for a cardiologist in his / her office, since that is the type of work that I know. But at this point, I'm not picky any more. I'd love to ask some of them but with me working nights, I never see anyone.

Last week I decided that this up coming week, I'd turn in my two weeks notice after mailing out a ton of resumes. Then, the boss pulls me into the office and tells me what a great job im doing and my eval is great (and i got a raise of 50 cent an hour), and that she wants to orient me to temporary charge eventually. (I said .. as if I'm not stressed out enough .. you want me to keep track of the charge stuff too, in which she just laughed o.O) So all that is making me feel bad about leaving. Plus I'm still working on my resume, so that's not even been done yet. And I don't really want to give my 2 weeks notice without already having a job lined up. (My apt is expensive >.

I'm still no closer to making a decision that I was two weeks ago really. Bleh, I need sleep. It was a long night last night.

*pulls out all hair*

GirloftheSun · Mar 5, 2006

Maybe consider becoming a research nurse. There is a lot of patient teaching as well as autonomous work. The shift is days with some weekend call, not bad at all. It might be a lot slower paced than you're used to but you'll have a lot of time to think about what you're doing. It gets hectic at times when an unexpected event occurs (if it's a drug study) and this involves acting quickly. Good luck! I tried the hospital-not for me at all...I commend any nurse who can work in that setting hands down!!

Krista77 · Mar 5, 2006

I completely know how you feel... that "ugh" feeling when the alarm goes off- knowing work isn't going to call today to ask you to take a budget or take call. I've been in ICU for 4 years this May. Two years into it, me and two nursing friends took a 3month travel assignment in California (on telemetry- NOT for me!)... After coming home, I knew I couldn't keep doing ICU either... Well, I let ONE FULL YEAR go by- and I took another 3 month (but local assignment) on a bone marrow transplant unit. NOT for me either.

Now, ONE FULL YEAR has gone by AGAIN- and this time- I am 100% getting into something totally different: Labor and Delivery. It was my 2nd love (next to ICU, so I thought, while in school). I haven't started yet, but when I shadowed a day- I actually left smiling... I felt like I had that "spark" again. So now I'm putting my whole heart into this.

My point: TRY ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING until you can actually smile

Don't feel like you have to jump into a doctor's office to get away from all that stress (I'm afraid you may get bored there...). What about endoscopy? I interviewed for a position at a local hospital in endo (someone with endo experience got the job...) and all of the nurses actually looked happy... the manager made it a point to say everyone gets their lunch and breaks (she knew I came from ICU, and going to the bathroom doesn't always even happen!). Or what about a lithotripsy unit... outpatient surgery...

Anyway- GOOD LUCK! Hang in there!!! :icon_hug:

TrishAnne · Mar 5, 2006

Everyone is right, with nursing there are always different areas to learn, and the more areas you know, the more valuable you make yourself. If you are worried about the money, offices tend to not pay as much as hospitals, but of course if you want 8-????, then the office job would be worth it. People I have worked with that have worked in offices, never get out on schedule, just because the office closes, doesn't mean you get to leave, if there is still patients there you have to stay, one of my neighbors doesn't get home until 6-8 at night. Good luck with your decision, but maybe asked to be oriented to a different part of the hospital, most supervises are pretty flexible about that. :confused:

carachel2 · Mar 7, 2006

Just browsing on a study break, but your note caught my eye. If you enjoy teaching patients about CAD, CHF and have good tele and ACLS experience, you should really consider cardiac rehabilitation. Go over to the cardiac board discussion and scroll down (maybe a page or two !)..there is a great string of posts on the topic.

While the job is not always as *thrilling*, it does have its perks like a 4 day work week, NO weekends, NO holidays, NO irate doctors to deal with,NO last minute admits and pages or orders to wander through.

Most hospitals have outpatient cardiac rehab facilities. The jobs are harder to come by (because no one usually wants to leave once they start), but you can usually get in if you are patient.

LorraineCNA · Mar 21, 2006

I don't know...our nurse is pretty much out on schedule every day (family practice office). We're a very busy practice too.

And what great lunches they are! The drug reps bring us the most awesome lunches!:wink2: I come home from work and hubby's asking "What's for dinner?" "Hmmm...I don't know. I'm not hungry, I had Olive Garden for lunch!"

Lorraine

CMA, CNA