tired of bedside care, options???

[sun_chica]

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!!

[sun_chica]

When I was 16yo my MD diagnosed me as having a chemical imbalance & started me on Prozac. after a month, I started dating this guy (now my hubby of 3yr this June). I chose to go off the pills. I find that overall, eating a healthy meals & exercising regularly I do well. I find the weather plays a big role in how I'm feeling...sunny & warm (usually cheery & energetic), rains for several days straight (gets me lil' blue).

I have an issue w/ being on meds... I feel that I can be happy & function well if I take care of myself. I've learned over the years that I'm more a homebody, but I need to go out w/ friends & my hubby regularly or I get cabin fever!!! I also have my pouch (a 4.5yo Rottie - PIPER), I love taking her to the park on nice days!

There are so many different degrees of depression... I have my good days & bad days, but I think that's normal for everbody. The MD decided I was depressed b/c when he asked if I was, I began to cry... Now, that sounds bad, but I've had this thing w/ people of authority make me uneasy (Not really anymore) & I do cry easy for certain things (disney movies, some dramas, when reminising of good times w/ friends & family - laughing too hard, or if I am REALLY ANGRY OR FRUSTRATED & I can't go to the gym & release my energy). Otherwise I'm fine!!!

as for the sleeping in thing, a perfect example is that I just started nights for my orientaion (7p-7a), woke up at 8am mon, worked that night, in bed by 8:30am tues, didn't get out of bed til 5:30 pm...I was exhuasted...but let me tell you I felt GREAT when I woke...no stress in my body!!! made some dinner & watched some TV. I've also started taking Guitar lessons, I needed a new hobby, I'm getting pretty good!

I guess, all in all, after talking w/ my hubby, I've realized that I need to enjoy my work, b/c it effects my like outside work. Some people say that the issue may be my relationship w/ my husband, others say it's working a job you hate. I think it's a combination that I'm trying to work through. My hubby & I have our moments, but overall we have a great relationship. Wish I could say the same for my work....

Agh!!! Hope this helps to shed some light on the depression side of thinking!!

One other note, I do need to get my thyroid levels checked when I was 12yo they were lil' low but came up naturally on their own...I guess hormonal changes of adolescents. It's been ~8yr since last tested, so I figured I'd get my levels checked when my insurance kicks in, in May!