What now?

annabanana2 · Aug 6, 2016

I felt similarly after I finished school. I got a BA before my BSN so I'd been in university for basically seven years and transitioning away from that into full-time work felt almost too relaxing. Like, what do you mean I come home after a shift and can eat dinner and go to bed without having to write a paper? I focused on building hobbies that I'd lost while I was in school. Now I sing in a choir and run and climb rocks and take dance classes. Having activities that aren't work-focused has been awesome.

Jedrnurse, BSN, RN · Aug 6, 2016

Learning Spanish would be a help whether or not you go advanced practice...

Ruby Vee, BSN · Aug 7, 2016

Here's the thing. For the first time in my life I am not attending school of some sort. I graduated high school. I graduated college. I landed my dream nursing job in the NICU at an awesome local hospital. I completed 4 months of intensive orientation. And after 5 months of being on my own as an "adult" nurse, I hate to say it, but I think I'm...bored?
I love love love my job, don't get me wrong. And I know there's always more to be learned in the neonatal field. And trust me, I'm always carrying around my NICU Handbook to read. But I just feel like I need to be doing something else now. It's like I reached my goal of being a nicu nurse, so now what?
I eventually want to go to school to become a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner. So I've been researching that lately. But I'm still such a new nurse, I feel like it's too soon to go back to school. But then again, the sooner the better. Heck, once I finished NNP school I'd probably be right back where I am twiddling my thumbs! Haha
Other things I have also researched: Starting a jewelry business...What? And finding medical mission trips to go on in foreign countries. Neither of which are free. Blah.
Does anyone else experience this constant need to be doing or planning something?!
Tell me I'm not crazy people!

You've been in the NICU for what . . . 9 months now? That's not nearly enough time to become competent in your job. It usually takes at least two years. If you're bored already, you're not doing it right. You can do your job as completing a list of tasks for your shift, or you can really THINK about what you're doing and why. What does that lab value mean in relation to what's going on with this baby? If that baby has this finding on assessment AND that one, and the labs are moving in this direction, what do you think is going on? Most NICUs are in teaching hospitals, which means you get residents and sometimes even medical students who love to show off what they know. Or who may be trying to figure it out, too, so perhaps you can collaborate. Attend seminars, take classes, become active on some committee on your unit. Right now, you should be developing your basic nursing skills as well as learning as much as possible about your specialty.

babyrnhlw · Aug 8, 2016

Ruby... Thanks for your thoughts. Maybe you missed one of my previous posts. I know that I am not completely competent yet. I am constantly learning at my job. And like I've said, I bring my NICU handbook with me to work every day and educate myself as in depth as I can about each baby's condition. Trust me, I am doing my part to enhance my learning past what I learned in orientation... What my post is trying to say is that outside of my job, since I'm not in school, I don't have anything to do. Yes I could sit around and read from my handbook 24/7 even when not at work but the likely hood of me retaining that without having a baby to apply it to would be slim to none. So. I'm just trying to figure out what I could do outside of my job to keep me on my toes.

babyrnhlw · Aug 8, 2016

Jedrnurse, I agree! I am planning to sign up for a class at a local community college

Ruby Vee, BSN · Aug 8, 2016

Ruby... Thanks for your thoughts. Maybe you missed one of my previous posts. I know that I am not completely competent yet. I am constantly learning at my job. And like I've said, I bring my NICU handbook with me to work every day and educate myself as in depth as I can about each baby's condition. Trust me, I am doing my part to enhance my learning past what I learned in orientation... What my post is trying to say is that outside of my job, since I'm not in school, I don't have anything to do. Yes I could sit around and read from my handbook 24/7 even when not at work but the likely hood of me retaining that without having a baby to apply it to would be slim to none. So. I'm just trying to figure out what I could do outside of my job to keep me on my toes.

I guess I did miss that one. I thought you were saying you were bored with your job.

Since studying 24/7 is unproductive and you're not bored with your job, that's a different kettle of fish. If you're new to your community, I'd suggest going out and meeting people. Getting involved in something. Once when I was relatively new in town, I took a scuba diving class where I met a couple of nice people with whom I developed friendships. We went diving together on my weekends off, and through them I met other people -- one of whom was running for public office. Through getting involved in the campaign, I met other people, and so forth.

Actually that advice might work even if you aren't new in town. It doesn't have to be scuba diving. It could be church, a walking group, Weight Watchers, Rod & Gun club, pottery, fun classes at the community college (my mother used to take every craft class they offered, and I still have the first basket she made in her basket weaving class) or martial arts. My husband got involved in a martial arts school and worked through the levels to achieve black belts in two different disciplines. (The punching was good for working out negative energy -- and then there was the time he kicked the cardiologist in the head. Another story.)

Best wishes and sorry for the misinterpretation.

babyrnhlw · Aug 8, 2016

Ruby, no worries Thanks for the awesome suggestions!