This is becoming boring

Juanito, BSN, MSN · Jan 13, 2020

I just happened to revisit this thread and read some of the comments. Sheesh you guys a brutal. I hope you’re never in a difficult situation and looking for folks to share their experience to help you make a decision. I’ve actually done very well in my profession, and I still think it is as boring as watching paint dry. I still enjoy doing endo. I make great money, and my feelings have not changed. It is what it is. But thanks for sharing. Those of you who provided constructive feedback, please continue to be a shining light. To the others, be discouraged in your mission to make others just as miserable as you are. I wish everyone of you all the happiness that you are able to secure. Sometimes, that means going in a different direction.

babyNP., APRN · Jan 13, 2020

Of course living in the United States pretty much automatically makes all of our problems #firstworldproblems and of course those that live in developing countries have more serious and heart wrenching problems. But...that could be said about absolutely anything we complain about. Yet our feelings are still valid. A woman in labor who has to wait an hour for the CRNA has #firstworldproblems bc she gets to have an epidural unlike most of the rest of the world. Doesn’t mean she isn’t in pain at that moment.

OP wasn’t looking for pity (which would be over the top) and wasn’t complaining to a housekeeper in Central America. OP was looking to see if other people had similar experiences and how they did things differently. Sharing experiences and advice is a huge part of allnurses.

baleen · Jan 22, 2021

So many nurses want to make others miserable, as the OP indicated about the comments.

At least on SDN they are overtly aggressive and transparent a don’t try to sabotage people in such an underhanded and passive aggressive way. I wish all those nurses that can’t see past their own noses would be quiet and just let others that don't JUDGE, leave their thoughtful replies

MarkMyWords · Jan 23, 2021

If you are really VERY bored with nothing to do....

On the bottom right of the computer screen is the date and time. Add up the numerals in different ways and see if you get an interesting number. It is trivial yet passes the time! This minute is a "58" when the date and time are added together. LOL--- Actually, you should do this only at home.

Subee2, BSN, MSN, CRNA · Feb 25, 2021

After you do some excrutiating difficult C sections involving the death of the mother or a baby, you kind of appreciate boring. If you love the adrenaline, find someplace with super rapid turnover. It is exhausting but never boring. Or a trauma center. But if you are doing your job well and creating no drama, you are going to have a lot of boring. It's the nature of what we do.

PEK93RT · May 22, 2021

As a new grad, I can say that choosing a career in anesthesia is one of the best choices I have made. Yes, a simple routine case can be boring, but you must always be ready at a moment's notice! Imagine giving sugammadex for an I&D, then 3-4 minutes later your patient's rhythm went from NSR-> Bradycardia-> PEA -> Asystole! A young patient to boot! Gotta make sure your HPA axis and adrenal glands are ready to mount a response to call for backup, give Epinephrine, and compressions! (good outcome, if your wondering)

Love anesthesia, boring is nice, but have to be ready for the excitement.

Juanito, BSN, MSN · May 22, 2021

44 minutes ago, PEK93RT said:

As a new grad, I can say that choosing a career in anesthesia is one of the best choices I have made. Yes, a simple routine case can be boring, but you must always be ready at a moment's notice! Imagine giving sugammadex for an I&D, then 3-4 minutes later your patient's rhythm went from NSR-> Bradycardia-> PEA -> Asystole! A young patient to boot! Gotta make sure your HPA axis and adrenal glands are ready to mount a response to call for backup, give Epinephrine, and compressions! (good outcome, if your wondering)

Love anesthesia, boring is nice, but have to be ready for the excitement.

Yes that is exciting! Hopefully that doesn’t happen too often LOL. As a new grad, yes that is exciting. After being in nursing for almost 20 years and anesthesia the last 6.5 of those, boring takes on a different meaning. Maybe when I posted I was thinking more about my future and what stimulates me. Since posting this, so much has changed. I’m still in anesthesia, but I’ve found life outside of it. Working on DNP/FNP and etc. plans to expand my practice outside of the OR. Things are better. Still boring. Hate the politics, but I now see my way out.

All the best to you! I hope your enthusiasm and love for the profession continues for a very long time. We need you!

adventure_rn, MSN, NP · May 23, 2021

6 hours ago, Juanito said:

Yes that is exciting! Hopefully that doesn’t happen too often LOL. As a new grad, yes that is exciting. After being in nursing for almost 20 years and anesthesia the last 6.5 of those, boring takes on a different meaning. Maybe when I posted I was thinking more about my future and what stimulates me. Since posting this, so much has changed. I’m still in anesthesia, but I’ve found life outside of it. Working on DNP/FNP and etc. plans to expand my practice outside of the OR. Things are better. Still boring. Hate the politics, but I now see my way out.

All the best to you! I hope your enthusiasm and love for the profession continues for a very long time. We need you!

Good for you! Versatility is part of what makes the nursing profession so awesome. People always say that money doesn't buy happiness--if your job is making you miserable, even if it's well-paid, it's totally OK to pivot and find something that you enjoy. Some people would be too afraid to walk away from the CRNA route due to the high pay, and I think is awesome that you're prioritizing doing what makes you happy.

Keep us updated. ?

subee, MSN, CRNA · May 25, 2021

On 3/6/2018 at 10:46 AM, Juanito said:

I'm 3 years into this Anesthesia profession, and I couldn't ask for a better gig; however, I'm bored. I currently work in a hospital with great people and stupendous benefits. Unfortunately, I really hate sitting behind the curtain for hours on end. I really enjoy the ASC setting, endo in particular. Things are fast paced. The day is over quickly. People are nicer. I get to talk to patients a bit more.

I have to do something different even though I'm scared. I cannot waste away here. Sometimes I wonder if I should have become an NP. Hey, it's never too late.

Anyone left a good job because of boredom. How did it go? Was the grass greener? Thanks for your feedback.

Is your anesthesia as elegant as it could be? Are your abdominal patients extubated, awake enough to speak and comfortable BEFORE the surgeon pulls the drapes back? My goal was for patients to wake up as if they were at home. If they were heavy, I wanted them to move themselves into their stretcher. There's usually room to make "good" better, despite the axiom that it is the enemy of good:) If you need more action, go to a hospital with a lot of gunshot wounds. Those are mostly unpredictible cases and keep you stand up for the case.

Juanito, BSN, MSN · May 25, 2021

Thanks Subee. I definitely have room for improvement. This particular environment doesn’t really seek elegance. I have worked locums in many places: hospitals, offices, ASCs and etc. I used to practice that way in those environments, but that is wayyyy to efficient for this place. Again, I have room to improve.
I just need more flexibility with my schedule to meet family needs. I want more sunlight. I want to eat lunch and actually enjoy it. I want to interact with more people. don't get me wrong, anesthesia is a great gig. But I still feel trapped is all. No opportunity for growth in the area where I am passionate Im also getting older and my priorities have changed significantly. When student loans are paid off…

I’m working on it though. One thing I know for sure, I will do my best to never work in a hospital again. Too many egos.

Subee2, BSN, MSN, CRNA · May 26, 2021

Ahhh. Towards the end of my career, I wished I had become an NP but back in the 80's, there just weren't that many programs. Anesthesia beat me up..physically and mentally. I made it to 66 1/2 and couldn't work another day:) Before everything became corporate, it was fun. Good luck wherever you wind up?

Juanito, BSN, MSN · May 26, 2021

1 minute ago, Undercat said:

Ahhh. Towards the end of my career, I wished I had become an NP but back in the 80's, there just weren't that many programs. Anesthesia beat me up..physically and mentally. I made it to 66 1/2 and couldn't work another day:) Before everything became corporate, it was fun. Good luck wherever you wind up?

Thank you Undercat! It’ll be interesting to see where I end up.