Unsure of my next steps

[Kadeeja Darden, BSN]

Hi I've been a med Surg nurse for almost 5 years now and I'm burnt out!! I know 5 years doesn't seem like a long time but to me it is. I really want to go to work feeling excited. I still have a passion for caring for others but I'm unsure on what to do next. I've done some quizzes to get a better understand of a field that will work for me. The answers I've gotten from quizzes show counseling, teaching and psychiatry. I would love to be able to merge those with nursing. Any ideas anyone? Or if your doing a job that you love please give me some details! Even though teaching came up as an option I don't want to be a nurse educator.

[HiddenAngels]

5 years in bedside nursing is 10 normal years so yes it’s a long time LOL!  

Looks like you are already making good decisions with the quizzing. Now all you have to do is implement them. You could become a psych nurse or go back for your masters and become psych NP; you  could become a clinical instructor at college, etc. you have a slew of options.  Good luck 

[TAKOO01, BSN]

I haven't lasted five years anywhere,  so I am sincerely ?  ?.  Especially in med surg,which I have always heard is a beast.

This is a great time to switch jobs. The market is wide open for job seekers. 

I agree with HiddenAngels' suggestions.  I would like to add that "teacher" does not only mean nurse educator. You could take a role that emphasizes teaching patients,  like diabetes educator, or case manager. Good luck and blessings to you and  nurses like you who are in the trenches and still loving it.