Switching Careers/Being Young?

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So I've been a nurse for about 5 years now. In my late teens I'd never thought I'd do anything else besides nursing. Now I'm thinking maybe I don't want to do this for my entire life.

One great thing about nursing is that there are so many options. I've thought about becoming a Nurse Practitioner, I definitely want to trying teacher and even research in nursing (which I decided not to pursue a research position I saw a few months ago :crying2: for other reasons)

I think nowadays things are different. People aren't staying at one job or one career for 20+ years anymore. Not that that at all influences my choices, but I wonder if I feel this way because I am young (early 20's) and have limitless possibilities or because I really do want to try another career?

But what? I've that about a BFA, MBA, economics degree, English degree? *sigh* I'm all over the place. Not to mention I feel as though I need to be back in school (grad school) for my MSN already, even though I'm not ready to move into a masters warranting job position as yet.

I almost feel guilty for wanting to leave bedside nursing, but the stress coupled with just wanting to try other paths has me :uhoh3:

Anyone can relate?

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
I almost feel guilty for wanting to leave bedside nursing, but the stress coupled with just wanting to try other paths has me :uhoh3:

I can certainly relate. Bedside nursing and hands-on care is definitely not for everyone. If it's not for you, there's no point in denying it or continually being dishonest with oneself.

Without much guilt or shame, I'll mention that I'd leave bedside nursing behind forever if I won a multimillion dollar lottery today, became independently wealthy, or somehow landed a less stressful job with lower liability that paid more than what I currently earn.

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Well I don't feel guilty because I hate it, I feel some guilt because I like bedside nursing. I can't say I love it because of the quote on quote hospital politics that surrounds being a staff nurse. High nurse to patient ratios, etc... but I do know that in a few years I probably won't be happy at all with being at the bedside. Don't get me wrong I love learning and the experience being a bedside nurse has afforded me, but I do think I need to start preparing myself to move on someday.

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There are so many things you can do with nursing. You don't necessarily have to stick with bedside nursing. You can work for law firms, you can do research as you've already mentioned. Is it maybe just the area that you're in that you don't like? I would look up all of the other possibilities before you decide to get another degree that will take more time and money but thats just my opinion. Good luck in whatever you decide to do.

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Specializes in ICU, ER, Flight Nursing, and Management.

I definitely know how you feel about wanting to try other things. Back when I was younger (20's), I wanted to do this, do that, get my degree in this, and stayed up at night wondering what I wanted to do with my life. 16 years later, I am still an RN. I have been an ER, ICU, and Flight Nurse. I was in the US Air Force and seen a part of the world most will not see. At the end of the day, I was still a nurse. I ended up getting my MSN in Nursing Admin and now work as a Nurse Manager. After all these years, I still ask myself if I should do this, do that, go back to school , etc. These feelings will never go away.

You sound like me when I was younger (and still today). Bedside nursing is the basis of all nursing jobs you plan to pursue. You should stick with it while working towards your advanced degree in whatever you chose to do..NP, CNS, Admin, PhD, etc. The things you learn at the bedside is not taught in schools and will prove valuable for your next endeavor.

Good Luck.

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Specializes in Med/Surg/Onc, LTAC.

I feel the same way. I do love bedside nursing, but sometimes the ratios kill me. I don't mind having 6 acute pt and receiving an admission, but it's when they give us one cna for 25 pt's- which means I do 10+ bed changes, someone who is a one to one is setting off their bed alarm 20+ times. then all of the other bed pans/urinals... which I don't mind doing at ALL to help and be part of a team.

When I don't have time to sit in front of the computer, when I feel WAY less of a nurse than I should be doing, when I don't read a single progress note and barely have time to make sure the labs are ok... I get REALLY stressed out, because it'll be ME who gets thrown under the bus.

I love being a good nurse and working hard for my pts, but I have a limit!

I constantly think about doing something more or different with nursing. I going to get some certifications. Possibly go back to school. I'm interested in CNS, but maybe more so with education. That's something I can do since my back hurts a lot :p But then I think how I already have student loans, and taking on more will just suuuuuuck! And with education you don't make more than you do on the floor. AND then they want a PhD. I love doing NURSING work, I couldn't do management or computer work all day.

I feel like for me it's too early too to be burnt out, but I want to find my perfect nursing LOL... yeah right.

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Yeah I kinda feel like it's too early to be burnt out too. I've been an RN for almost 1 1/2 years with one year of ER experience and I feel burnt out already due to the extreme high acuity and amount of patients we get. Like sometime anywhere up to 12:1 patient to nurse ratio. It gets tiring physically, emotionally. Although I've been an LPN for 4 years prior to my RN so I have more bedside time under my belt.

I just wanna be happy with what I'm doing, not just content you know?

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Specializes in Med/Surg/Onc, LTAC.

I've been thinking about ICU nursing... higher acuity but focused on 1-2 pts... but they are hard to get into... even with experience with vents, tele, lvads etc

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I have made concerted efforts to get out of/stay away from bedside nursing for the past few years..it's possible and most likely, depending on where you live, not too difficult. Living in a more rural/suburban area though it takes more time. I never thought I would ever want to get away from the bedside but after many years of it and personally taking care of family members, I just had my fill. I am now working in an ALF in a non-patient care role. It doesn't pay as well as the hospital but I am not willing to go into the hospital again - at least not now. It's changed too much and so have I. Your age has little to do w/it - you haven't found your nitch and contrary to what some will say, staying 20 yrs at one job isn't a necessity these days - its a choice. Good luck

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HawaiiRN808, I noticed that you said you had been in the Air Force. I am in the middle of my nursing program and I really want to go into the Air Force after I graduate. I was wondering what you thought about being in the Air Force? Sorry this is off topic but I guess because I'm new I can't send messages yet...

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