Tried multiple units, miss CC

[TChild]

I have been a nurse for about 10 years. Spent 6 in the NICU. Left that because I was having some health issues and wanted shorter shifts. I was also a bit burned out on the ethics of the NICU. I have since tried digestive health (procedures - outpatient) for one year, home hospice (2 years), and now forensic psychiatric nursing for the last year. I feel like I've bounced around since the NICU and can't seem to find an area that I like as much as I enjoyed that. I don't think I want to go back to NICU, but I am wanting to resume critical care.....such as adult ICU/Burn/ED. My concern is the lack of stability in the past 3 years on my resume....it doesn't look good to hop around. Also, now I haven't used a lot of my CC skills for the last 3 years. Where do I start? Do I stay in psych for longer to show more stability with jobs, or do I just attempt to get back to critical care before more time passes without using those skills? Thanks for any advice.

[speedynurse, ADN, BSN, RN, EMT-P]

I think there are plenty of nurses that try to find their niche in nursing and may bounce around to do that. I am in a similar position to where I was at my last ED for 6 years and then moved over to a new ED.....about 8 months later, I applied and will be transferring to a pre-op/PACU job soon. However, a lot of this has to do with job security and budget cuts. Another part has to do with some health issues and also the need to get off of nights to pursue my MSN. Nurses change jobs and that’s OK....just explain you miss critical care nursing.

[TChild]

Thanks Speedynurse. Yeah, I know lots of nurses do end up changing jobs....it just feels like a lot to have 3 in 4 years...but you're right - I'll just apply and hope the explanation is OK...or that it's OK to have tried other areas and discovered none of them were really fulfilling.