Want a new career

Nurses General Nursing

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  • by lidea
    Specializes in Pediatrics.

Hello, I have been a nurse since 2007. I have done LTC, pediatrics and quality assurance nursing. Most of my nursing career has been pediatrics. I have been at the same job for 10 years but I have branched off and did other nursing jobs while keeping my old job as PRN. Every job I had in nursing I didn't like it. Overall I don't enjoy the nursing field. I feel stuck in the career due to finances. I just took a job as a school nurse to have a better schedule and a change. I don't think I'm going to like the school job either. Every time before I go into a shift at any nursing job my anxiety and depression is through the roof, to the point its effecting my home life. I want a career change but not for sure what I want to do. Does anyone have any advice about a good career change or how to deal with feeling overwhelmed? Thank you in advance!

Have you started the school job? Anxiety is common with any new job.

Consider pediatric home care.

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NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN

10 Articles; 18,296 Posts

Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.

Visit allnurses School nursing forum to get your feet wet: https://allnurses.com/school-c37/

You need to identify what you didn't like along with liked about the nursing profession to identify what you want out of your next position/career. Several career sites can help you perform a self assessment and decide on a career change. Consider hiring a nursing career coach -- usually telephonic conunseling; there are several who post here (use AN's search engine to locate).

Are You in the Right Career? How to Choose the Best Job for You

  • Determine if you're really in the wrong career. ...
  • Figure out what you want — and don't want. ...
  • Assess your background and personality. ...
  • Ask for advice, but don't always take it. ...
  • Be open to all possibilities.

AN's Career Corner: https://allnurses.com/nursing-career-c226/

AN's Entrepreneurs / Innovators Hub: https://allnurses.com/entrepreneurs-innovators-hub-c220/

Indeed.com Guide: How to Choose a Career

https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/how-to-choose-a-career

What Job Should I Have? How to Choose a Career in 8 Steps

https://zety.com/blog/how-to-choose-a-career

How to Make a Career Choice When You Are Undecided

https://www.thebalancecareers.com/steps-to-choosing-career-525506

JKL33

6,777 Posts

17 hours ago, lidea said:

Every time before I go into a shift at any nursing job my anxiety and depression is through the roof, to the point its effecting my home life.

I would address that aspect in particular, first. Seek professional consultation. This is a rough profession but it's also possible that you are just not in a good place to find peace and enjoyment regardless of job choice.

Best of luck in getting it figured out ~

Lynker, LPN

299 Posts

Specializes in LTC & Rehab Supervision.

Along with what everyone else said, you could work in an office or even from home as a nurse. There are nurses who do phone calls and prescription work all day. That might work for you! You never know unless you try.

I also agree with getting your depression checked out. It can be hard but it really needs to be done. If you're miserable going to work now, what makes you think that'd change with a new career?

lidea

3 Posts

Specializes in Pediatrics.

Thank you so much for the advice! I started the school job already but the students haven't came back to school yet. Just getting paper work ready and doing different things around the office makes my anxiety rise. I'm definitely going to adress my anxiety and depression again, because it's just getting worse. Thanks again!

Specializes in Med-Surg, Oncology, School Nursing, OB.

Being a new school nurse is overwhelming and will make your anxiety worse. Don't get down about it. Just know in the school system MOST of the time there's no true emergencies (even though teachers think puke and lice are). Don't let teachers tell you what to do and walk all over you. You do not answer to them. Set yourself mini goals for each day but your main priority is to make sure the kids who need meds or treatments get them and the kids who are truly ill or hurt go home. The rest can be done at your own pace for the most part. Also the first part of the year with new orders, meds, diet orders, health info, teaching staff about their kids, immunizations, etc is INSANE! It's like that everywhere. Don't base how you feel about the job until you get through the beginning of the year mess. 

Chickenlady

144 Posts

Occupational health or case management might be beter

Specializes in ER, Pre-Op, PACU.
On 8/17/2020 at 12:21 AM, lidea said:

Hello, I have been a nurse since 2007. I have done LTC, pediatrics and quality assurance nursing. Most of my nursing career has been pediatrics. I have been at the same job for 10 years but I have branched off and did other nursing jobs while keeping my old job as PRN. Every job I had in nursing I didn't like it. Overall I don't enjoy the nursing field. I feel stuck in the career due to finances. I just took a job as a school nurse to have a better schedule and a change. I don't think I'm going to like the school job either. Every time before I go into a shift at any nursing job my anxiety and depression is through the roof, to the point its effecting my home life. I want a career change but not for sure what I want to do. Does anyone have any advice about a good career change or how to deal with feeling overwhelmed? Thank you in advance!

I felt like that the last year as an ER nurse but I also had a LOT going on in my personal life.  I think nursing has just changed a lot and if you are dealing with stressors in your personal life then sometimes a change is necessary. I am in pre-op and PACU and love it....it’s more routine, more planning, less patients crashing at once....generally one on one patient care or sometimes 2 patients depending on acuity or the surgery. I don’t have any advice for you but I can assure you there are less stressful nursing jobs!

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