Switched Departments... And Still Regretting It.

[BosLav, MSN]

I'm having a bit of a dilemma... Almost 5 months ago, I switched departments within my hospital. I was working on the LTC floor, and loved it. I've been a nurse for nearly 6 years, and have always worked in either LTC or home health (and have loved both). I also graduated with my MSN in nursing education a few years back, and because I've only done LTC, I decided to switch to med surg. 

I wish I could say that I love med surg, but I don't! I'm learning quickly that I'm totally out of my comfort zone in acute care, and miss working with the same residents every day. I really enjoyed the aspect of getting to REALLY know your patients and their families when caring for them, and I don't feel that sense at all on med surg. We patch our patients up, stabilize them, and send them home. I also just feel like I don't handle the constant changes in care plans or patient load as well as the other nurses (6-7 acute patients is a LOT different than 20+ LTC patients).

I know it's only been 5 months, but I absolutely miss my old job, and I'd love to go back (especially since I know that my old night shift position is still open, and I'm worried it might not be if I wait it out). I also live in a very small town, and this is the only local hospital. However, I also don't want to cause any burned bridges within the hospital. The LTC department is also going to moving to another facility in a couple of years, and will no longer be affiliated with the hospital, and I'd rather stay with the hospital (this is why I switched departments in the first place).

I'm trying to weigh my options, but am not sure where to begin. I feel like acute care experience is vital, so I'm trying to tough it out, at least for a year or two (especially since I've lost so many of my acute skills since nursing school!). But I miss that feeling of actually looking FORWARD to going into work for the night. I feel like I'm losing my spark and passion. 

In the meantime, I've also thought about maybe applying somewhere else, and just working MS per diem or part time... There is a college with a ADN program nearby, and they are always looking for nursing instructors. I have that nurse educator MSN, and have thought of maybe applying there. But with only LTC experience under my belt, would it be worth it? 

What other jobs are good for someone who despises acute care? 

Any feedback is so appreciated. ❤ 

[Sour Lemon]

45 minutes ago, BosLav said:

What other jobs are good for someone who despises acute care? 

Any feedback is so appreciated. ❤ 

...anything but teaching acute care nursing, please. What was your planned path when you decided to go for the MSN?

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

" I'm totally out of my comfort zone in acute care, and miss working with the same residents every day." Certainly, you miss your old job..and the new one is a challenge.  This is true with any job change. You need more time to adjust.

"I'm trying to weigh my options, but am not sure where to begin." You have a MSN in education. Use that hard earned degree. 

Finish the first year in med surg, while you are looking for a position to use your masters.

Best wishes.

[BosLav, MSN]

15 hours ago, Sour Lemon said:

...anything but teaching acute care nursing, please. What was your planned path when you decided to go for the MSN?

I worked in pediatric LTC and home health for my first three years as a nurse, and planned on teaching within that field. But I ended up relocating to a new state (and I have no intentions of moving again any time soon), and the town I live in only has one local hospital and one local college (and when I say "local", I mean we are the only hospital for 30+ miles). It's an extremely small town, so my job options are much more limited. Pediatric LTC and pedi home health doesn't even exist up here.