Unsure About Current Job

[CMR1993]

Hello!

I've just recently joined this community because I'm a new graduate RN from May 2015 and have been currently working in my ICU job since the beginning of August. I've recently come to the realization that I don't think that this is the career choice that I want. I'm not a fan of the hours, working weekends, or being stressed before even getting to work. I want to love my job and I don't think that I'll come to love this job. I verbally committed to two years during my interview for this unit but if I don't like my job, do I really have to stay for those two years? I am definitely going to give them one year, but I don't know if I can stay for two years if I still feel this way after my one year date. I feel guilty a little for leaving earlier than what I verbally committed because I know how much it costs to train new grads especially in an ICU setting.

I was just wondering if any other new grads felt this way and what they did? Did this feeling ever disappear for anyone? I'm just curious of other people's experiences.

I'm thinking of maybe looking into becoming a case manager at a home health care agency, being a RN care coordinator, or doing more of a clinic job. Did anybody else do this and do they currently like their job? Was it hard getting a job like this with only one year of nursing experience?

Thanks for any advice or stories that you can give! I don't know if this is just a new grad feeling or if this is just not the job for me.

[BSNRN2014]

I am in a similar position. I also struggle with feelings of guilt ,knowing how much it costs to train me and embarrassment that I couldn't stick it out. However, I've decided to put my health and emotional wellbeing first and to seek another work environment/field in nursing. Hopefully we'll both find better positions :)

[Lev, MSN, RN, NP]

You are still a very new nurse. I would definitely stick it out for a year and preferably two years to fill your contract and gain more experience and then switch to any specialty you desire. With two years of ICU experience any of the surgical/ambulatory specialties are open to you which have much better hours and are not all open on weekends. I am talking PACU, endoscopy, interventional radiology, cath lab etc. There are areas of nursing with better hours and working conditions. You just have to work hard at the beginning to get into these areas. Many hospitals do not hire new grads into these specialties and many hospitals prefer or even require 2-3 years of ICU experience.

[barcode120x, RN, NP]

In regards to the staying for two years. If you didn't not sign a contract like I had done and many of my fellow new grads friends at other hospitals, you can leave. With or without a contract, you can leave your job as with any job, but then there will be consequences. Like myself, I would have to pay back a certain amount if I broke my contract before the 2 year mark at a certain percentage. Like you, if it was only a verbal message, you can leave at any time, but it would look bad on you. Many will say you will start to burn future bridges because hospital, managers, directors all know each other in some form or another, even if you aren't looking for a hospital job. It also seems you were quite surprised about the work schedule of a nurse. I'm sure you would have learned about 3 work days a week with rotating weekends (for the most part) while in nursing school. Something you should have already known prior to going for the hospital position. Also, asking your schedule how your scheduling works. Maybe they will allow trades and such so you don't have to work weekends.

I do know about the stress you are talking about, but that's a given for us new grads. Always unsure of what patients we will get, unsure of what will happen to the patient during the shift, and unsure if you are doing the correct job and unsure of messing up. All that stress and anxiety is normal for us new grads and I'm sure many have told you, it will stay like that for about a year before it starts to go away.

Definitely stick to the ICU position for at least 1 year. It's critical care and it's a position that will open up many job opportunities to other places because of how crucial and critical that unit is. I felt exactly the same way when I got off orientation. I was so unsure if floor-nursing was something I wanted to do. I kind of wanted to not do hospital in general, but I kind of sucked it up, asked for advice, and I'm still doing pretty good. I DO however, still have thoughts of doing non-hospital position and like you, I plan on staying 1 year at least before even considering leaving. But, for now I will stay on my DOU floor.

I've browsed a few other threads that similar to yours in regards to a new grad/new nurse looking for a non-hospital job (especially "clinics") and majority of the posters will say that these positions are usually filled with veteran nurses already. In my area at least, new grads/new RNs seem are welcomed into SNF, LTACs, dialysis, and rehab facilities. Doesn't hurt to try, but also try moving to a different unit within your hospital if ICU is too much for you. Keep in contact with your manager/director (assuming they are "nice") and hopefully they can give you some advice/guidance.