Thinking of leaving acute care

[MarBug7]

Hi All-

I have been a RN working in acute care for about a year and a half. I was fortunate enough to get a great position right out of nursing school. My first year was spent on a very busy high stress specialty unit. I told myself I would stick it out for a year, but after a year I changed to a "lower stress" unit. I felt I needed lower stress and time to figure out what I really wanted, and to feel better mentally, night shift is really hard on me mentally. However, in my new unit, I have been having some of the same issues... and I am now not allowed to transfer anywhere else for at least a year within my hospital system.

After a lot of soul searching, I figured out the acute care environment is just not for me. The way I feel before, during and after work is just not healthy for me mentally- its affecting my entire life and I am sick of it. So, I started looking at other options. I have been offered a position in a skin care clinic. It is risky, totally new, and a totally different direction than I ever though my career would go towards. However, I feel like I have a chance to be a normal person leaving the hospital. It is scary to think about leaving the acute care environment since my family and friends really feel like the hospital is the end all of nursing, the dream job, etc.

I am just looking for some fellow nurses thoughts... maybe those who have left the acute care environment, good or bad experiences, just general thoughts... encouragement, anything really to help me think through this major decision. Part of me feels happiness in life is worth the risk, but on the other hand, the risk is scary and uncertainty is always hard.

Thank you in advance!

[CAL05699]

Hi MarBug, I have some of the same concerns that you do about acute care. My unit is chronically understaffed and management is not supportive. I felt that I stopped learning and growing, and was not having any fun on the job. Night shifts were very difficult on me, and day shifts were so hectic that I often didn't eat, drink or pee for 12 hours. So I recently took a job in home care -- I start in 2 weeks -- and just gave notice. I will value the autonomy and the one-on-one with my patients, and I got a small raise to boot.

I do not think you should be influenced by what your friends and family think. They aren't the ones doing the job. You don't owe them more than an "I didn't like it anymore" or "I felt like a change", and if your new offer is paying more, then that is also a good reason for a change. By no means should you consider it any kind of failure if you don't like the hospital environment. Quite the opposite, you are being brave and taking care of yourself by moving outside the environment you know and doing something new and challenging.

Good luck!

[GoGunrock09]

You and I are almost on the same boat, except for the fact that you have a job at a clinic already lol. I've been a nurse for almost a year, and I just actually spent the last couple of hours searching dermatology nursing and positions at skin care clinics.

Have you started yet? Can you tell me how you found positions to apply for? All the dermatology places I've looked at don't have a link that lists any open positions.

If you're into school, I just read somewhere that they are adding dermatology NP certificates so that could be an option if you end up liking your new job.

Hopefully this new position will be less stressful for you. My experience on an acute care floor has been less than grand, and I do agree that some nights it is just too busy, not enough nurses or support, and sometimes you wish you could just run away, far far away. I think this will be a good chance for you, both for your mental and physical health. I can only hope to find a position in a dermatology clinic as well.

[anurseatlast]

MarBug,

I have never worked in a hospital setting as a nurse (I did many years ago as a CNA). I knew before I went to school that I did not want to work in the hospital. Perhaps some day I will regreat not having that experience but I'm old and did not want to spend a couple years of my life working in a hospital. I worked in a peds clinic for almost a year and then got my dream job in public health working with pregnant and parenting teens. I have great co-workers and my job is never boring. If you know you don't want to do hospital nursing, look into other types of nursing jobs. I am not surprised that your family and friends think hospital nursing is the way to go. Most people think being a nurse is about being able to do tasks like IV, wound care, etc. It is much more than that - assessment, critical thinking, patient advocate, etc. Even if you try to explain it, non-nurses are not likely to get it. It is your life and your job. Your need a life apart from your job. Find another type of nursing job. Then you will able to discuss what you do and your family and friends will see that nurses can do more than work in hospitals. Hope you find a job you will love.

[patsy55]

I can't agree with your post more. I am in the exact same position. I started right out of school into a CTSICU... I hate nightshift, and still feel nervous every minute of the day I am there after a year and a half. I have just accepted a job in the cath lab, but now Im nervous that I will still have the same stress. Did you start your new job, are you liking the outpatient environment? Some days I wish I was a school nurse, but its difficult to get into. Its very difficult to find the area of nursing that suits you best!