6th nursing job in 4 years?

[rjstrickland23]

I've been a nurse for 4 years. I began my career on a rehab/skilled unit in 2012. I worked on that unit for 1 year. After that I went to a different, bigger hospital further from home on a step-down unit. I only worked there for 5 months before going back to the previous hospital I worked for taking a float/pool position. It was a big jump in pay but I never felt I was competent enough for the position. I had a lot of anxiety related to the job. I was scheduled for 24 hours per week but got cancelled a lot. Pay was inconsistent. I called in a lot r/t anxiety. I got pregnant during the first few months of that job and that gave me an even better reason to call in. I went back to work at 6 weeks postpartum. Continued anxiety r/the work. I eventually had to find a new job before I was terminated due to call ins. I then worked at a clinic for 10 months. My mom was diagnosed with cancer and I missed work to be with her at appointments and in the hospital. They fired me without any warning. I then took a part time job doing L&D, PP, and nursery. I've been there for just over 3 months. I'm contemplating leaving this position. I have an interview for a full-time desk job doing over the phone insurance preauthorizations and such. Hours are Monday - Friday, 11a - 8p. No holidays or weekends. Hourly wage is the same as what I make now. I also have an interview next week for a job with an agency thag strictly works for a specific Healthcare company. I would only be working for one company (Norton Healthcare) but it would be at their various facilities on various med/surg tele and step down units. I think it's PRN and I think the pay would be really good. I'm torn about leaving my current job and if I do, which position I would take. I don't really want to work full time but maybe it would be good for me. I'm in school online getting my BSN also. I just want some thoughts and advice from fellow nurses. Thank you.

[ThePrincessBride, MSN, RN, NP]

Honestly, I would work on treating your anxiety before job hopping yet again, and I say this as someone who has just recently job hopped (for other reasons). What if you become stressed at this job? Are you going to just apply again within another six months? You are ruining your resume and burning your bridges by continuously leaving jobs in such a short time-span.

I would keep your current PT job and try to stick it out for a couple of years and in the meantime, seek counseling to figure out a way to cope with your anxiety.

[klone, MSN, RN]

Interview went well today. 15 days of paid vacation per year. No holidays or weekends. Same hourly wage as my current job. I would be welcoming new patients to the program and answering questions about a specific RA injectable medication. Said they have a few other people to interview and would know within a few weeks.

Aren't you worried about being bored stupid?

[AnnieOaklyRN, BSN, RN, EMT-P]

I hate to say this, but are you sure nursing is for you? It seems like you are to much of an anxious person to do nursing and may be better off holding a job with less responsibility.

Annie

[joanna73, BSN, RN]

Eventually, your luck is going to run out. 6 jobs in 4 years? There are many other candidates searching for work. If you continue this path, you'll likely face long periods of unemployment.

I agree with others. Stay put for at least another year.

[ClaraRedheart, BSN, RN]

Ask your doc about propanolol. I think anxiety is a HUGE issue with you. Propanolol stops the adrenaline cascade and can help those with anxiety completely overcome it. They've used it on people with extreme phobias as well with good results. Surgeons who shake take it, stage performers take it. It doesn't make you fuzzy. I never would have made my first year on med-surg without that and ambien.After the first year, I really didn't need either. You're doing yourself no favors switching from one job to another. You'll never overcome your anxiety until you are accustomed to your surroundings and feel comfortable. You will never get there switching jobs every few months. I wish you the best!

[Curious1alwys, BSN, RN]

Ask your doc about propanolol. I think anxiety is a HUGE issue with you. Propanolol stops the adrenaline cascade and can help those with anxiety completely overcome it. They've used it on people with extreme phobias as well with good results. Surgeons who shake take it, stage performers take it. It doesn't make you fuzzy. I never would have made my first year on med-surg without that and ambien.After the first year, I really didn't need either. You're doing yourself no favors switching from one job to another. You'll never overcome your anxiety until you are accustomed to your surroundings and feel comfortable. You will never get there switching jobs every few months. I wish you the best!

What dose of prop worked for you to really take edge off? And you took every day when you worked?

[Curious1alwys, BSN, RN]

Sent you a PM OP.

[Altra, BSN, RN]

I cannot say whether or not you should take the insurance job. But it takes at least a year to get really proficient in a specific job, and a good 2-3 years in the same job/specialty to really get your legs under you as a nurse. You have yet to give yourself that opportunity.

Your feelings of anxiety and lack of proficiency as a nurse will not go away until you stick with something long enough.

Good luck to you.

[hppygr8ful, ASN, RN, EMT-I]

I've been feeling very overwhelmed at my current job trying to learn all areas of the unit, that's why I started to reconsider if this position was a good fit for me. I feel it's too much for one nurse to be expected to know all areas of the unit. At a larger hospital I would only be expected to know L&D, couplet care, newborn nursery, postpartum care, or NICU. At the small facility I'm at right now I'm expected to be able to do all of these areas. It's very overwhelming. I struggle with anxiety and depression and I feel my current job is contributing to these issues.

My opinion and I have been where you are is stay put. Get your mental health house in order. Counseling and anti-depressant medication if necessary. Get a couple solid years under your belt and then start applying for new jobs. You will continue to have problems until you get your anxiety and depression under control.

Hppy

[Mini2544, ASN, RN]

That sounds like a great job for you, with the details you gave earlier. Job hopping is never ideal (I worked in corporate HR, so trust me when I say I know how it looks) but if you get this position than wouldn't you already be avoiding the issues with leaving your current job? lol I would def keep this one for a while if you get it!

[BricMSN]

I've been feeling very overwhelmed at my current job trying to learn all areas of the unit, that's why I started to reconsider if this position was a good fit for me. I feel it's too much for one nurse to be expected to know all areas of the unit. At a larger hospital I would only be expected to know L&D, couplet care, newborn nursery, postpartum care, or NICU. At the small facility I'm at right now I'm expected to be able to do all of these areas. It's very overwhelming. I struggle with anxiety and depression and I feel my current job is contributing to these issues.

This is ridiculous. I work in a small facility as well, and I do triage/labor/PP/nursery. If you're well trained there's no reason why this can't be done.

It sounds to me like you need to settle in to one thing, get good at it, and manage your anxiety. If your anxiety is such that it causes you to call in, it is time for professional intervention.

[beingthankful]

I left insurance to become a nurse. Please believe me, the grass isn't always greener, especially since you highlight your struggle with anxiety & depression. Insurance comes with VERY REAL deadlines and quotas. Plus, it is a fair amount of "HOW" you do things. You have to be ready to be VERY flexible as processes are always changing (I'm talking from month-month). I'll second the rest, you've already seemed to be making your decision. But the most important thing is to get yourself under control. Seek assistance from a licensed professional who can help you find the right mix for you. i/e - Paxil vs Zoloft vs Inderal, etc etc. I'm extremely serious about this. Insurance can be a lot more difficult to deal with than people think.