tired of bedside care, options???

Trvln Nurse, RN · Feb 8, 2005

I am a 24yo F, RN for ~6months. Did m/s for 2months before relocating to a new state (pt ratio 8-10 on nights). second job 4months on a tele floor w/ occasional m/s - horrible experience (7-10pts, usually 8-9). most nights DREADED going to work & ended up in tears. Now 3 wks into a new job in PCU (3-5 pt on nights), seems lil' better, but I starting to get that same feeling of burnout!!!! I'm always exhausted, ***** about my work, think I entered the wrong profession.
worked in an ER for 1.5yr as a unit clerk, loved it, trying to get good foundation on the floor, but HATE IT!! Don't want to be a NP or CRNA anymore, no manager, no home care (don't like thought of being on own at other's homes), LTC, no teaching nursing students (clinical aspect - too many students under my license). Think I might enjoy nurse educator or some office/paper/hands off nursing, but I'm finding you need a lot of experience or your master's. any input or advice as to other possible avenues would be appreciated. also, what some other jobs/titles truly entail. thanks!!:stone
one last thing, I have my AAS in nursing, so I'm leary about furthering my education in a field I might not stay in ... lots of time, energy, & money!!

My advice....look for a different career. Or have you ever thought about industrial Nursing Jobs? I hear they're great if you can find one. I'm doing some serious thinking about nursing work myself. I'm also burnt out on patient care though I've been at it a bit longer. I'm tired of the poor staffing and unsafe work environments. I've been struggling for the past year fighting for my rightful benefits (workmans comp was denied & my disability insurance approved me but refuses to pay) after obtaining a very virulant MSSA infection via an unknown paper cut in my finger that resulted in a very painful sacral osteomyletis. I spent weeks in the hospital, septic and in critical condition that was so painful I had to be totally sedated for transfers to any diagnostic testing and I was already on unbelievably high doses of narcotics. I spent months giving myself IV ABX Q4hr and months using a walker...dragging my leg behind me. I now walk with a cane and still have a lot of back pain. I'm still off work but continue with regular physical therapy and will return at some point. I can totally understand why you maybe looking for something else. I would also be interested in hearing about other options for nurses.

lossforimagination · Feb 8, 2005

I worked M/S for 10 years. I absolutely despise the hospital after all that; and hope to never step foot in one again. I really wanted to do anything but nursing (if I could figure out just what!) However, I've been doing home health for 4 months and it's actually the first job in which I haven't dreaded the thought of going to work. Home health is paperwork hell, but "the worst day of home health is so much better than than the best day" on the hospital floor. I'm actually enjoying my job....I never thought I'd say that!

My employer doesn't allow any paperwork to be done at home, it all has to be done during work hours and the schedule always allows more time for the heavy paperwork. So, I don't have any overtime complaints.

It's possible my employer is simply good to work for...I don't have productivity quotas, etc. I drive at lot (sometimes 50 miles or more to a visit), but beats hell out of 12 hours in a hospital. The pay is hourly and not that great, and I don't have comprehensive health insurance or 401K. But so far I haven't had to work nights and only occasionally a visit or 2 on the weekend. Being on call is not that big of a deal....there is really never an emergency at our agency (our clients are mostly elderly adults with medical problems, no IVs, no psych). If it's an emergency, they need to call 911, not us. If we need to see the client we don't have to respond quickly, and usually we can just deal with the problem over the phone.

Getting out of the hospital has been a godsend for me. The visits are easy.....just assessment, teaching, monitoring the client with an occasional foley, dressing change, ostomy, etc. And best of all......ONLY 1 PATIENT AT A TIME! You'll definately lose some of your skills, but who cares as far as I'm concerned. That little bit of satisfaction I used to get from starting difficult IVs and other procedures wasn't worth all the headache that went with hospital work....I can live without my "skills".

I'd say try home health for awhile and see how it goes for you!

I am a 24yo F, RN for ~6months. Did m/s for 2months before relocating to a new state (pt ratio 8-10 on nights). second job 4months on a tele floor w/ occasional m/s - horrible experience (7-10pts, usually 8-9). most nights DREADED going to work & ended up in tears. Now 3 wks into a new job in PCU (3-5 pt on nights), seems lil' better, but I starting to get that same feeling of burnout!!!! I'm always exhausted, ***** about my work, think I entered the wrong profession.
worked in an ER for 1.5yr as a unit clerk, loved it, trying to get good foundation on the floor, but HATE IT!! Don't want to be a NP or CRNA anymore, no manager, no home care (don't like thought of being on own at other's homes), LTC, no teaching nursing students (clinical aspect - too many students under my license). Think I might enjoy nurse educator or some office/paper/hands off nursing, but I'm finding you need a lot of experience or your master's. any input or advice as to other possible avenues would be appreciated. also, what some other jobs/titles truly entail. thanks!!:stone
one last thing, I have my AAS in nursing, so I'm leary about furthering my education in a field I might not stay in ... lots of time, energy, & money!!

BETSRN · Feb 8, 2005

I am a 24yo F, RN for ~6months. Did m/s for 2months before relocating to a new state (pt ratio 8-10 on nights). second job 4months on a tele floor w/ occasional m/s - horrible experience (7-10pts, usually 8-9). most nights DREADED going to work & ended up in tears. Now 3 wks into a new job in PCU (3-5 pt on nights), seems lil' better, but I starting to get that same feeling of burnout!!!! I'm always exhausted, ***** about my work, think I entered the wrong profession.
worked in an ER for 1.5yr as a unit clerk, loved it, trying to get good foundation on the floor, but HATE IT!! Don't want to be a NP or CRNA anymore, no manager, no home care (don't like thought of being on own at other's homes), LTC, no teaching nursing students (clinical aspect - too many students under my license). Think I might enjoy nurse educator or some office/paper/hands off nursing, but I'm finding you need a lot of experience or your master's. any input or advice as to other possible avenues would be appreciated. also, what some other jobs/titles truly entail. thanks!!:stone
one last thing, I have my AAS in nursing, so I'm leary about furthering my education in a field I might not stay in ... lots of time, energy, & money!!

I know I have replied to you before and urged you to stay in the field and get some experience under your belt. It doesn't seem that you like anything.

Could you tell me what drew you to nursing in the first place? In school, what rotations did you like the best? What has disillusioned you about what you liked before you began?

I am trying to get a feel for what your interests are. Based on what you liked about nursing before you began, if you could work in ANY area that you wanted and do any kind of nursing, what would you choose? I would be interested to hear what you have to say on this.

Betsy

DelightRN · Feb 8, 2005

I'd be interested, too. 6 months is no time at all, especially for a new nurse. What did you think you'd like about nursing to begin with?

It strikes me that you have worked in very stressful, acute care areas. Maybe you could try postpartum, pediatrics, home health, psych... really, the field is wide open. I would encourage you to stay at the bedside a bit longer.

I floundered for nearly 2 years before I found where I needed to be.

sun_chica · Feb 8, 2005

I began as an accounting major at community college...after 1 semester I was BORED to death, so I looked at the other majors offered, & I loved the show ER, so I said I'll try that (I'm not a brain, but I'd say I'm lil' above ave when it comes to school). So I took my pre-reqs (which I enjoyed, although hard at times, especially A&P I & II), then I began clinicals. I enjoy learning new skills, but once I've done them a few times, it's not like "wow" anymore, it like they can train anyone to do this. My 1st clinical was a nursing home & basic m/s. I hated the nursing home, the waiting on people constantly (it's not a hotel). the m/s rotation was not at the greatest hospital & I was very nervous b/c I'd never really been in a hospital, let alone work in one. Then I relocated to upstate NY, needed to take a year off nursing b/c the nursing dean had such a crazy schedule for me I would be unable to work to pay for my new house I just bought.

So, during the year off of nursing, I got my AAS in Animal Management. I loved learning about animals & caring for the animals. I had my clincal rotations at a local zoo, we did husbandry & did lil' projects. Towards the end I felt lil' tired b/c the weather is harsh in the "north country". I was going to go for my bachelor's in zoology, but most jobs start around $8-10hr... you can't live on that.

So, I finally got a schedule I could work w/ & began nursing school again. This time I got a job in a hospital so I would feel comfortable in the setting. I worked in the ED as a unit clerk. I loved the people I worked w/, the excitement of the ER, & the overall atmosphere ( the nurses & docs new a few of us were students so they took the time to show & teach us things...like reading a CXR, interpreting EKG's, ABG's. Gave me a great headstart in school.

Second semester was m/s & maturnity. m/s was ok, I like learning new skills & applying them. maturnity was fun, I was leary about it, but I actually loved it...I loved working w/ the babies. I thought about the NICU, but I'm not sure about working w/ such sick lil' babies, I think I'd be crying too much. unfortunately, I only saw an eversion (turning the baby around in the mom's tummy) & no deliveries - so I never got the full experience...no body was in labor when I had my day in L&D. A sidenote to that, I rarely see openings in L&D or matty, & when I do they require min 1yr exp or cert lactation consultant. It like one of those you need exp, but no one will give you a chance.

Third semester was m/s & peds. m/s- I'm beginning to grow tired of the routine on m/s, but I still like trying out new skills. peds, thought I love it, only liked when I had a baby younger than 1-1.5yrs. the toddlers I don't have the patience for. ( I don't have any kids of my own, which I'm sure has alot to do with it).

Fourth semester m/s & community nursing. m/s -tired of it, but figure it's gotta be better & I'm soo close, stick in there. community - I went to a few places, peds clinic, OB-GYN clinic, & cardiology office. I liked the pace of the clinics, the cardiology office was boring on the office side, but I helped w/ stress tests in the back & that was fun...but I think b/c it was something new.

I've know for a while that I don't like LT care. i loved the ED pace...sick person comes in 1) fix, send them home, 2) stablize, admit, 3) try to stabilize & transfer out if necessary. Very short term time w/ pts. on the floor, you're stuck w/ the pt for several hr to several days depending on your work schedule.

I'm actually a peoples' person, although I'm sure the above says different, I like to help people, but I just get so worn down, sometimes resentful towards demanding or combative/confused pts. I feel bad, but they frustrate me, especially pt that come in walking , then a day late play the woo is me, I can't do anything myself. Very few people deteriorate that quickly.

I went into nursing looking for a rewarding career, working w/ people, continually learning & applying technical skills, & making a decent salary... only to discover that I'm hating my job!!!

any advise is appeciated...thanks!!

DelightRN · Feb 8, 2005

The obvious answer is why don't you try to find a job in the ED? Lots of EDs offer fellowships these days to train you to be an ED nurse. It sounds like that is where you would really like to be.

Other places you might enjoy might be PACU or an urgent care/clinic type situation (although PACU usually requires more experience... but they are taking new grads everywhere these days). I suggest PACU because it is very much an 'express' kind of nursing situation, like the ED... get them out of surgery, recover them, monitor pain/vitals, send 'em home or up to the floor.

It sounds like what you need is a fast-paced environment where you won't have the same patient for hours, days, months... I worked in critical care for awhile, and it is exciting and fast-paced, but a much more controlled environment than the ED. Talk to the recruiter at your facility and see what they can do for you. Most places are more than happy to work with you... there are so many specialties in nursing, nothing is going to be right for everyone. Most good recruiters understand that.

Good luck to you.

BeenThereDoneThat74, MSN, RN · Feb 8, 2005

you really need to give it more time. 3 jobs in 6 months? (that beats my record :chuckle ). but seriously, having said that, i can appreciate how difficult it must be to stay in a place where you're not happy. i can relate. and all the $$ in the world can not make it better.

having said that, maybe you need to explore some low maintenance (lower paying) options- school nurse, office work, nursing home, or something along those lines. honestly, there's not too much else you could do at this point (outside of the hospital) with such little experience. home care might be good for you, if you were willing to give it a chance (later on, i think you need a little more experience). and as for er, i hope you're not serious. if you can't handle med/surg, what makes you think you can handle er? you need to get your foundation, but it doesn't have to be in med/surg. but it should be something in the hospital.

you also may hit a road block, because of the # of jobs you've had thus far. are you still at your current job? how has your performance been thus far? is it the hours (nights)? are you comfortable enough to speak to your nurse recruiter about other options? i certainly do not practice what i preach :chuckle , but i would try to stick it out for a little while longer.

there are many options in nursing, but you have to get some solid experience first. good luck, and stay positive!! :)

DelightRN · Feb 8, 2005

And as for ER, I hope you're not serious. If you can't handle Med/Surg, what makes you think you can handle ER? You need to get your foundation, but it doesn't have to be in Med/Surg. But it should be something in the hospital.

I disagree with this. I think that ER and M/S are very different areas, and being successful in one does not necessarily mean you'll be successful in the other. The inverse is also true... not being successful in one, or preferring not to work in one, does not mean one would not be successful in the other. A very wordy way to say... I have known several great ER nurses that went there straight out of the gate, no M/S experience, and they are fine.

Have these jobs been in different facilities? I wonder about the quality of your orientation, or the quality of your facility in general, if you're expected to take 8-9 tele patients, or 8-10 M/S patients.

BETSRN · Feb 8, 2005

I began as an accounting major at community college...after 1 semester I was BORED to death, so I looked at the other majors offered, & I loved the show ER, so I said I'll try that (I'm not a brain, but I'd say I'm lil' above ave when it comes to school). So I took my pre-reqs (which I enjoyed, although hard at times, especially A&P I & II), then I began clinicals. I enjoy learning new skills, but once I've done them a few times, it's not like "wow" anymore, it like they can train anyone to do this. My 1st clinical was a nursing home & basic m/s. I hated the nursing home, the waiting on people constantly (it's not a hotel). the m/s rotation was not at the greatest hospital & I was very nervous b/c I'd never really been in a hospital, let alone work in one. Then I relocated to upstate NY, needed to take a year off nursing b/c the nursing dean had such a crazy schedule for me I would be unable to work to pay for my new house I just bought.
So, during the year off of nursing, I got my AAS in Animal Management. I loved learning about animals & caring for the animals. I had my clincal rotations at a local zoo, we did husbandry & did lil' projects. Towards the end I felt lil' tired b/c the weather is harsh in the "north country". I was going to go for my bachelor's in zoology, but most jobs start around $8-10hr... you can't live on that.
So, I finally got a schedule I could work w/ & began nursing school again. This time I got a job in a hospital so I would feel comfortable in the setting. I worked in the ED as a unit clerk. I loved the people I worked w/, the excitement of the ER, & the overall atmosphere ( the nurses & docs new a few of us were students so they took the time to show & teach us things...like reading a CXR, interpreting EKG's, ABG's. Gave me a great headstart in school.
Second semester was m/s & maturnity. m/s was ok, I like learning new skills & applying them. maturnity was fun, I was leary about it, but I actually loved it...I loved working w/ the babies. I thought about the NICU, but I'm not sure about working w/ such sick lil' babies, I think I'd be crying too much. unfortunately, I only saw an eversion (turning the baby around in the mom's tummy) & no deliveries - so I never got the full experience...no body was in labor when I had my day in L&D. A sidenote to that, I rarely see openings in L&D or matty, & when I do they require min 1yr exp or cert lactation consultant. It like one of those you need exp, but no one will give you a chance.
Third semester was m/s & peds. m/s- I'm beginning to grow tired of the routine on m/s, but I still like trying out new skills. peds, thought I love it, only liked when I had a baby younger than 1-1.5yrs. the toddlers I don't have the patience for. ( I don't have any kids of my own, which I'm sure has alot to do with it).
Fourth semester m/s & community nursing. m/s -tired of it, but figure it's gotta be better & I'm soo close, stick in there. community - I went to a few places, peds clinic, OB-GYN clinic, & cardiology office. I liked the pace of the clinics, the cardiology office was boring on the office side, but I helped w/ stress tests in the back & that was fun...but I think b/c it was something new.
I've know for a while that I don't like LT care. i loved the ED pace...sick person comes in 1) fix, send them home, 2) stablize, admit, 3) try to stabilize & transfer out if necessary. Very short term time w/ pts. on the floor, you're stuck w/ the pt for several hr to several days depending on your work schedule.
I'm actually a peoples' person, although I'm sure the above says different, I like to help people, but I just get so worn down, sometimes resentful towards demanding or combative/confused pts. I feel bad, but they frustrate me, especially pt that come in walking , then a day late play the woo is me, I can't do anything myself. Very few people deteriorate that quickly.
I went into nursing looking for a rewarding career, working w/ people, continually learning & applying technical skills, & making a decent salary... only to discover that I'm hating my job!!!
any advise is appeciated...thanks!!

Turning a baby in utero is called a VERSION: not eversion.

mattsmom81 · Feb 8, 2005

Sounds like you went into nursing because of a TV show and the only place you like is the ER. Well, its sad you don't like nursing. The skills you are learning on medsurg WILL be required in doing ER nursing in many cases, but sounds like you will be happier learning them in an ER internship.

If you are to stay in nursing, consider moving to a big hospital that offers an ER internship to new nurses like yourself, and good luck to you.

Trauma Columnist · Feb 8, 2005

I'm an ER case manager. I love the ER. I like the fast pace and the excitement. Why not try that?