want a change. PACU? heart clinic? advice?

[JeniRN]

I am really wanting a change. Wanting to get out of the hospital for right now, it's beginning to drive me crazy. I have about three years RN experience. 1.5 years icu/ccu, some tele, and a little ortho. I am considering a few jobs that have openings at my hospital, but am kinda afraid to apply, afraid my nurse manager will be mad etc. I have been at my current job for 1 year, and been in both tele and ccu, they're like sister units where I work. I loved ICU at my old job where I worked for a year, but since moving here, I don't enjoy it at all! I think part of it is management, but the environment isn't the greatest, LOTS of people have left recently. The reason I'm afraid to do the same, is that out of my year at this hospital, I have only been doing the CCU for 6 months of it, because they let me go through their education program. And I have a year ICU experience prior to this. I guess just nervous it would look bad, and nervous about what my boss would say. But anyway, that is my background. I am just dying to get out of the hospital, I have reached my wits end with the drama and politics that are going on. I hate going to work right now. I want to enjoy nursing again.

I am considering a few different jobs, but unsure whether or not I would really enjoy them, as I have only worked in the hospital, and am unsure of how things go outside of the hospital. Any advice would be super.

One job is an ortho surgery center PACU, that is separate from the actual hospital, like outpatient surgery. Four 10's. Anyone have similar experience?? I would like to know how you like it, and how a typical day goes.

There is also an opening at a large cardiology office. M-F. Anyone have experience in cardiology offices?? I have never worked anywhere like that, so I have no idea of what my job would entail. Any advice, experience??

Well, thanks again for reading, and any advice you may have to offer. I really want to enjoy my job again, and the hospital just seems to be sucking the life out of me. Thanks again.

[Heidi the nurse, BSN, RN]

I haven't had experience in ICU or anything, but my first 10 years or so of nursing consisted of jobs that I could only handle for a year or 18 months. Like you, the politics and drama aren't my thing. I worked nights, but that didn't even exempt me from it.

I guess I am kind of un-nursey, but my well being is far more important than any job. I understand wanting to stay somewhere because they have put money into me, but if I can't stand going to work, I am going to start looking elsewhere. Management be damned.

I have been at this job (school nursing) for 6 years, and did home health for 4 years before that, so it sounds like you haven't found your niche yet.

[Nurse Mentor Nancy, MSN, RN, NP]

Here is an article I wrote that is on my website. Hope it helps.

3 Questions to Ask Yourself to Help You Decide On Your Next Career Move

As a nurse, you have the opportunity to work in several different roles and specialty areas during your career. When you are ready to make a change, how do you decide what position or specialty might be right for you? Here are three questions to ask yourself to help you determine your next career move.

1. What do you like to do and why?

Look at the jobs you've held in the past. Ask yourself which you liked the most and why. When I worked as the evening charge nurse on a hospital medical/surgical floor, I found I liked being in charge. Why? I'd rather solve problems myself than discuss possible solutions with many different nurses.

One of my favorite jobs turned out to be Home Health. Why? I liked the autonomy and independence. I was responsible for assessing my patients and writing and carrying out their nursing care plans. I liked forming long-term relationships with patients. I developed a great working relationship with the family practice physicians in the clinic I worked for. They consulted me about nursing issues, and I consulted them when a patient's condition worsened. A few years later, I became a nurse practitioner because my experience as a home health nurse showed me I wanted to learn more advanced assessment techniques.

2. What do you hate doing and why?

I hated working in the CCU/ICU. Why? It was too fast paced for me. I did not like all the machines and equipment. Several codes every night was draining. Many of the patients were unconscious so I could not develop a relationship with them.

3. Do you know what you do well and what you don't do well?

Years ago, as a part-time supervisor, I had trouble delegating responsibility to my staff. Instead, I did it myself. Then, I knew the job would get done right. Consequently, I wasn't a very effective supervisor.

If you are having difficulty recognizing your abilities, ask your friends and coworkers for feedback. Recently, when I did, my peers told me I communicated well with others and resolved conflict effectively. Management was a good fit for me since I needed to have both these skills to do my job well.

Lastly, analyze your answers. Knowing what you like to do and what you do well will guide you in choosing your next position and specialty. Looking at what you don't like and don't do well may help you avoid jobs that would not be a good fit for you. answering these questions will help you figure out your next career move.