thinking of nursing career change

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Specializes in inpatient rehabilitation.

HI everyone. I have been an RN for 5 years now and I'm at a crossroads where I need to make a decision to either go back to school or leave nursing profession altogether. Over the last 3 years I have been "let go" from two jobs. I have tried different areas of nursing such as hospital, nursing home, and clinic. I just don't want to keep looking for new jobs that don't work out in the end. I really like the teaching part of nursing but really don't want to teach nursing students. I enjoy patient contact and teaching. Not sure what else I could do in the nursing field. Just trying to analyze why I keep getting let go. maybe nursing isn't for me and I thought it was.

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Specializes in Home Health, MS, Oncology, Case Manageme.

I'm sure they gave you some reason why they let you go. What are they telling you?

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Specializes in Neuro ICU/Trauma/Emergency.

Is it your level of knowledge that is causing you to be let go? Is it your lack of professionalism? Do you think you are cut out for nursing? If you are noticing a trend it may be time to make an internal change. Yes, this could mean you need to make a career change. Or, this could mean that you need to sharpen the areas that are causing you to lose these position. If you are fed up with nursing and enjoy the patient contact or teaching aspect of the position possibly look into public/community health or you could be suited for social work...LCSW(s) are well paid and highly sought after around the country.

Just a little bit of advice without a full understanding of the situation. All we know is you have been terminated multiple times within the last 5 years. You may want to list the reasons as they could range from lay offs/downsizing to termination due to performance.

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Specializes in inpatient rehabilitation.

I was terminated from two jobs due to "poor work performance". I just felt like I couldn't keep up and was forgetting to complete or follow through with things. medication errors. I have looked into social work. I'm still paying off student loans from school I can't afford more loans. just feel stuck.

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Specializes in Home Health, MS, Oncology, Case Manageme.

Obviously you did ok in your clinicals at school or you wouldn't have passed. If you passed the NCLEX, you know your stuff. Maybe you need a slower environment. What about home care nursing or private duty? Home care is a one-on-one environment and you can take your time with the patient and its a lot of teaching. Private duty is the same way. If you are considering going into social work, then what about psych nursing--this is a slower pace with a lot of patient contact. Also, maybe you should see a psychologist/social worker yourself. Losing 2 jobs can be very traumatic and she/he can help you sort out what went wrong. Maybe there is something else going on with you like ADD, anxiety, depression. These types of problems can definitely affect your work. Don't give up yet, nursing has so many different specialties, you need to find yours.

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Specializes in Occ. Hlth, Education, ICU, Med-Surg.
Obviously you did ok in your clinicals at school or you wouldn't have passed. If you passed the NCLEX, you know your stuff. Maybe you need a slower environment. What about home care nursing or private duty? Home care is a one-on-one environment and you can take your time with the patient and its a lot of teaching. Private duty is the same way. If you are considering going into social work, then what about psych nursing--this is a slower pace with a lot of patient contact. Also, maybe you should see a psychologist/social worker yourself. Losing 2 jobs can be very traumatic and she/he can help you sort out what went wrong. Maybe there is something else going on with you like ADD, anxiety, depression. These types of problems can definitely affect your work. Don't give up yet, nursing has so many different specialties, you need to find yours.

Passing the NCLEX only means that you have enough knowledge to practice safely as an entry level nurse. It doesn't mean you have the knowledge, skills, or ability to continue to build upon the basic skill set provided in nursing school or possess the capability of learning time management and effective organization.

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Specializes in inpatient rehabilitation.

paradiseboundRN- yes I do have issues with anxiety and depression. In the last five years I've been a nurse I have had family members die and my mom had cancer and I had two babies and suffered from postpartum depression and anxiety with both. I am on medication and was doing well on the medication. But I wasn't sure if this was contributing to my poor work or if the nursing career was causing me more depression/anxiety. I am seeing a psychiatrist soon so hopefully he can help me sort it all out. thanks for your help.

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