Super Discouraged New RN

juliam · May 5, 2012

Anyone? Anyone? :sniff:

Altra, BSN, RN · May 5, 2012

If you have spent a full year in a specific area of nursing out of the ICU and still feel drawn back to the critical care environment, I'd say that's probably sufficient time to make that decision. There's nothing stopping you from beginning a search for an ICU position. Take your time, and tailor your resume & cover letters to emphasize that you have worked in an ICU setting before.

Not sure what to say about the financial issue, although you seem to indicate that you don't currently work 12-hour shifts so perhaps you are working 4 or 5 days per week and you feel that a 3 day/week schedule would reduce your gas & parking costs?

Good luck in your search.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · May 5, 2012

how do you know if you like/love something until you actually do the job?

After 15 years of being employed in various fields (and 6+ years of employment as a nurse), I can unequivocally state that I have not truly liked or loved any job that I have ever held. I prefer to find my happy medium and validation outside of the workplace.

My views might seem controversial, but I view employment as nothing more than a time-and-space occupier.

sauconyrunner · May 5, 2012

I know it sounds dorky but you could shadow some nurses. I think shadowing when you are actually a nurse gives a really good understanding of what the new area will be like.

allnurses Guide · May 6, 2012

I've been a nurse for nine years and I am with TheCommuter... I haven't found

a single job that I absolutely love in nine years of being a nurse. It would be

nice to be one of those people who LOVES their job... I know plenty of ppl who

do, and I'm jealous.

I have pretty much come to the conclusion that my "niche" is psychiatry. It's

the one area that I really feel like I "fit into", I can go to work without wanting

to throw up from stress... I do at times feel like I make a difference... I think

I'm pretty good at it... but **LOVING** it? I've also come to the conclusion,

like TC, that I have to find my validation and my happiness outside of work.

BlueDevil,DNP, DNP, RN · May 6, 2012

I love my present job. I am bored on the days off and look forward to going to work. Truth is, I'd do it for free.

But that isn't what you are asking, is it? How long did it take to find a niche? I don't know, I had several niches along the way. My advice is to ask yourself what it is that you want from the job and take a job that provides that, be it money, intellectual stimulation, emotional reward, etc. Whatever it is that you want from the job, make sure the job is offering it. That's how you find your niche. I loved my first job and only left it after about 18 months because we moved across the state. I didn't love my next job, which was my first critical care position, but I was learning a lot and knew it was a valuable stepping stone; at that point in my life I needed that income so I stayed there about 3 years and then moved on. I stayed in either critical care or the ED from that point forward though. I tried a little teaching on the side, enough to know it is not for me. Ditto administration. After 20 years I decided to go to grad school. I'll stay where I am until I think I've gotten the most from the experience I can, and then I'll look for a new opportunity to grow. I'm too old to stay in a job I don't love, and I don't need the money anymore so the reward has to be something more significant.

canesdukegirl, BSN, RN · May 6, 2012

It sounds like you miss critical care. Is there something stopping you from going back to the ICU? Life is too long to spend your time working in an environment that doesn't intrigue you.

I started out on a Med/Surg unit, got some wonderful experience, went on to the PACU where I increased my knowledge base but didn't love it. Then I went to the OR and FELL. IN. LOVE. I would do it for free, I love it so much. Give me an emergent exploratory laparotomy and I am in heaven!

What drives you? Does knowledge and exposure drive you? Does a great schedule with no call drive you? Do you find yourself amped up when you have a challenging pt with lots of lines, meds, and monitors? Do you like the analytical part of nursing? Do you prefer to have more or less pt contact? Do you enjoy interacting with families and teaching them about home care? Do you like having a calm environment, or would that bore you?

I was in your same situation when I first started out in Med/Surg. The post-ops were my favorite pts. So I decided to go to the PACU, where every pt is post-op. Then I thought it would be cool to actually be in the OR, so I applied and got accepted into an OR position.

I think that the suggestion of shadowing is a great idea. Please don't view yourself as a failure for not finding you niche...it takes time. The beauty of nursing is that there are so many avenues to pursue. Think back to your rotations in nursing school-what rotations did you like? Which did you despise? Write down your strengths and your weaknesses. Then compare your lists. I would bet the farm that you will find yourself drawn back to the ICU.

Be gentle with yourself. Rome wasn't built in a day...you will find your Nirvana.