Super Unhappy New Grad RN, HELP. Advice needed.

Nurses General Nursing

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I am a new graduate RN. I graduated in the Spring, passed my NCLEX, and am currently looking for a job. A little background, I never wanted to be a nurse. However, I do LOVE helping people. I was forced into pursuing nursing by my parents who basically threatened me when I came to them sophomore year of college saying I was extremely unhappy with my major and wanted to change it. Ever since sophomore year of college, I have basically been guilt tripped into continuing and finishing nursing school to please my parents and other family members. However, at this point it is taking a toll on me. I'm emotionally drained and depressed and can't keep faking it. Getting out of bed is so hard and finishing my applications for jobs is even harder. I am not excited about getting a job especially because everything available for new grads is hospital related.

I know the hospital is NOT for me. During nursing school, my autoimmune disease would flare up from the stress and anxiety. I spent every night before clinicals crying myself to sleep and tossing and turning in my bed... unable to sleep from the extreme anxiety and panic attacks. Then when I got to clinicals, I would have more panic attacks because I hated the environment so much. My friends and family keep telling me that "things will get better" when I get my first job and "build confidence" etc. But I do not see that happening... Maybe I'm wrong. The thought of going to the hospital and starting my first job on an inpatient unit makes me start having panic attacks. Literally. I'm sorry if this sounds dramatic but I seriously have so much anxiety over this ?

The only thing I can see myself liking is outpatient. I need something slower paced and more predictable, if that makes sense. I really would like to work in a doctors office and help my patients maintain their health and stay out of the hospital. But the issue is NO clinics around me hire new grads. You need a year of experience to even be considered for outpatient stuff. I just do not know what to do at this point...

I am not about to go get a job in the hospital and have panic attacks every other day. I don't think you should destroy your mental health over a job... right? Any advice would be appreciated. If anyone has been in my situation, please let me know what you did.

Thank you. 

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Specializes in Psychiatry, Community, Nurse Manager, hospice.

There are more choices than hospital and outpatient. 

Start looking for and learning about home health and public health both of which are high need right now and where you will learn a lot. 

Also consider psych day programs, vaccination, individual school nurse or pediatric home health.

If you have a good relationship with any of your professors, speak to them about it also.

 

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Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).

I concur with Folks with two exceptions: 1 Seek a consult with a Mental Health Professional so you can get a handle on your depression/anxiety attacks. 

2. See you PCP and find out what you need to do about your autoautoimmune disease under control. I have 3 different autoimmune dxs which are mostly under control.

One area you might look into is drug studies/clinical triles. I always thought that qould pretty cool.

Hppy

 

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Specializes in ER.

You need to see a counselor and discuss your relationship with your parents. It is time for you to cut the apron strings. They are obviously very controlling people, and you need to distance yourself for now from them.

My daughters considered nursing but ended up selling insurance. The older daughter recruited her younger sister into the company. They are making good money and are able to work from home away from the madness that is healthcare today. I thank God every day that they did not become nurses

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Specializes in New Critical care NP, Critical care, Med-surg, LTC.

You have a few big things going on that will all take some time and effort to address. As others have said, get yourself some counseling and try to figure out how you will get out from under your parents' control. It's your life not theirs. Unfortunately you've now invested a lot of time, and probably money, into a potential career that you do not want. Maybe you can find an area of nursing that will interest you, there have been some good ideas here, maybe you can't and you'll need to go back for more education. Whatever happens, you're young and you'll be okay. But don't get yourself into a cycle you can't get out of by letting other people decide your life path. Good luck!

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Specializes in ER.

I just want to mention that I spent about $20,000 on College for one of my daughters, and she did not finish.

I had $50,000 to start with for each of the daughters. The other one got a degree in psychology and used up her entire college fund. Now they were both working selling insurance, and doing well. They have both supported themselves all along. I'm proud of them, and I think Academia is only one way to success. I also think that what your parents did was a grave mistake.

One thing that they learned in college was by working for the University trying to raise money. In the Summer they went and sold pest control products in another state. The daughter that did not complete College used to be very shy, and consciously worked hard to develop her skills at talking to people. So even though she lacks an official degree, the experience of going to college made her a stronger person who is now an excellent salesperson.

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Few thoughts:

-If you think you'd truly enjoy outpatient clinic nursing, broaden your search area. There may not be openings in your current area for a new grad, but there are definitely opportunities out there if you're willing to move. Relocating might help you establish your independence from your parents, too.  A good starting place would be looking up major teaching hospitals in locations that interest you; they usually have many outpatient clinics tied to their hospital systems.

-Just because you have a nursing degree and license doesn't mean you need to work as a nurse! Did you enjoy your science courses? You could get certified to teach science. Alternatively, some high schools offer health sciences programs where students graduate as CNAs; at least in my area, health sciences teaching positions require RN licensure. Other ideas are medical device sales, pharmaceutical rep, clinical research assistant, or something entirely unrelated that just requires a bachelors degree.  Look at state jobs for nurses; some are non-clinical and involve running various programs. 

If you were born in 1998, you're so young. There's still time to follow YOUR dreams, not someone else's. 

 

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Specializes in Hospice, RN, ED.

Are there corrections opportunities near you?  Jail or Prison.  They're often 4-10 hour shifts and the inmates have to be nice because the guards are always there.  I worked corrections (jail) for 10 years.  Best job I ever had.  I'd still be there if the county didn't bring in contract nurses to not pay benefits and retirement! 

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Specializes in Neurosciences, stepdown, acute rehab, LTC.

I would continue to work on applications for the easiest jobs but also try to think of something else you may like to do in the future. I graduated in 2010 and some of my classmates are already doing something completely different.  Once you figure out a future way of getting out of this you may feel more motivated. Do not look for your parents opinion on this, try to find someone more understanding and supportive to talk to. 

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Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).
On 8/11/2021 at 1:33 AM, FolksBtrippin said:

There are more choices than hospital and outpatient. 

Start looking for and learning about home health and public health both of which are high need right now and where you will learn a lot. 

Also consider psych day programs, vaccination, individual school nurse or pediatric home health.

If you have a good relationship with any of your professors, speak to them about it also.

 

These are good programs but many require a BSN or MSN (At least in CA)

My suggestion to the OP is to consult a mental health professional and get her mental health problems under control. I know only to well what can happen when starting a nursing career with unstable mental health problems. No good comes from it. Panic attacks and uncontrolled anxiety are terrible things to live with.

Hppy 

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Specializes in Private Duty Pediatrics.
16 minutes ago, hppygr8ful said:

These are good programs but many require a BSN or MSN (At least in CA)

My suggestion to the OP is to consult a mental health professional and get her mental health problems under control. I know only to well what can happen when starting a nursing career with unstable mental health problems. No good comes from it. Panic attacks and uncontrolled anxiety are terrible things to live with.

Hppy 

Yes, this is first!

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Specializes in Psychiatry, Community, Nurse Manager, hospice.
21 minutes ago, hppygr8ful said:

These are good programs but many require a BSN or MSN (At least in CA)

My suggestion to the OP is to consult a mental health professional and get her mental health problems under control. I know only to well what can happen when starting a nursing career with unstable mental health problems. No good comes from it. Panic attacks and uncontrolled anxiety are terrible things to live with.

Hppy 

She didn’t ask us about her mental health problems. She asked us about other nursing opportunities.

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