What to do? Underwhelmed RN, stuck in a rut!

Published

Hi! I graduated last December with my ASN and got my RN license in March 2016. In May my friend invited me to an open house at a private duty pediatrics agency and I applied for my first nursing job. I got hired a week later and began working. I didn't apply anywhere else because I was trying to get my family life in order. The agency completely works around my schedule and I was able to continue staying home with my youngest during the day.

Fast forward to now, I'm not really dissatisfied with my job, but underwhelmed. I envisioned myself working bedside, and really wanted to work in a hospital setting. One thing I really don't like now as a new nurse, there's no guidance and I don't feel like I'm using my skills. It's not engaging enough. Unfortunately, the hospitals in my area don't hire nurses without the BSN. I could possibly get hired at hospitals a little farther away if I travel.

I'm trying to decide between staying at my job now, take out a loan and get my BSN, then apply for a more challenging job (I'm interested in eventually working CCU/ICU). Or I could go work at a hospital farther away, get tuition reimbursement, and earn valuable experience, that could help me get to where I want to be. This decision is hard for me because I make very good money now and they're very flexible. I do make a difference in my patients' lives, and for the most part I enjoy it. But, it won't count for experience and I have no one to guide me. I also don't do much of anything and apparently RNs working private duty are looked down upon. Also, I have excellent references and I feel like I should utilize them now. I know one of my references, a previous instructor, feels like I'm wasting time at this job, and could do better. I can tell she's disappointed in me for settling.

What do you all think? I understand this is a personal choice, but I would love to hear opinions.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

There is always a trade-off. You originally picked the well paying job that worked around your family schedule for a reason. Has your family situation changed?

Is nursing for you a job or a career?

I feel for you. If this was a horrible job, leaving it for hospital nursing would be an easy choice.

Sometimes I wouldn't mind being underwhelmed at work.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Medical-Surgical/Float Pool/Stepdown.

As a hospital nurse I can remind you that the grass is not always greener on the other side! Just search the board for customer service...:cautious:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ED.

Hospital nursing is hard. Very hard. I would never go back (I work in an urgent care clinic). Can you job shadow? Make sure you really want to do it before leaving your well paying job.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psych, Corrections, Med-Surg, Ambulatory.

An underwhelming job with good pay and they work around your schedule? A lot of nurses would kill for that job. And it can't be too un-challenging if they're willing to pay an RN to do it. Obviously this one can't be farmed out to UAP. So I'm willing to bet that it would count for experience on a resume.

But I get it that a new grad would prefer a bit more in the way of skills development and you feel like you're spinning your wheels. Since your current employer is so flexible, is there any way to start the BSN process while still working there? If you have to give up a good job to move ahead in life, so be it. Just don't sell yourself, or the job, short.

I would so not care what a previous nursing instructor thought of my choices. She's not living your life. As for anything being "looked down on" by other nurses, no one has any business looking down on anything. Having a job that requires major adrenaline output does not make anyone superior. Nursing is providing the very best care to whomever you're providing it at that moment.

You will find the right path for you and your family. All the best.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thank you all for your responses! I think the best option is to just continue what I'm doing now and slowly earn my BSN. I actually do enjoy my job a lot! I love the cases I have and I love working with children. If I didn't do private duty peds, I probably would never get a chance at peds. Also, I'm starting to realize I may be glorifying hospital nursing, as I read a few threads about disgruntled hospital nurses. I think since it was really a focal point in clinical, it's what I'm used to. I tend to have the misconception that busy is better, which I know isn't true.

I'm really thankful for all of the responses.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
An underwhelming job with good pay and they work around your schedule? A lot of nurses would kill for that job. And it can't be too un-challenging if they're willing to pay an RN to do it. Obviously this one can't be farmed out to UAP. So I'm willing to bet that it would count for experience on a resume.

But I get it that a new grad would prefer a bit more in the way of skills development and you feel like you're spinning your wheels. Since your current employer is so flexible, is there any way to start the BSN process while still working there? If you have to give up a good job to move ahead in life, so be it. Just don't sell yourself, or the job, short.

I would so not care what a previous nursing instructor thought of my choices. She's not living your life. As for anything being "looked down on" by other nurses, no one has any business looking down on anything. Having a job that requires major adrenaline output does not make anyone superior. Nursing is providing the very best care to whomever you're providing it at that moment.

You will find the right path for you and your family. All the best.

Everything you said helped put things in perspective for me! You're right, who cares, I'm still a nurse! I definitely need to check myself, I tend to care what others think often and I also tend to want to over-achieve. I will go back to school, but slowly, and stay where I am. I will learn more about my patients' conditions.

The only thing I'm really worried about is, when I do decide I want a change, will other places hire me? Will I be able to catch up, skill wise? I'm also torn, should I go for the BSN even though I won't get a pay raise? I'm scared to take out that loan, which is why I haven't started on it yet. I'm pretty frugal when it comes to money.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Medical-Surgical/Float Pool/Stepdown.
Everything you said helped put things in perspective for me! You're right, who cares, I'm still a nurse! I definitely need to check myself, I tend to care what others think often and I also tend to want to over-achieve. I will go back to school, but slowly, and stay where I am. I will learn more about my patients' conditions.

The only thing I'm really worried about is, when I do decide I want a change, will other places hire me? Will I be able to catch up, skill wise? I'm also torn, should I go for the BSN even though I won't get a pay raise? I'm scared to take out that loan, which is why I haven't started on it yet. I'm pretty frugal when it comes to money.

As far as skills go, do you know the masses of new grads that graduate without any skills needing to learn the on the job? Yeah it's nice to have them but you should be able to pick them back up with an orientation.

Look around and check out WGU. The school is a really good price especially if you can self pace and stay focused! I just turned in my first MSN paper the other day!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
As far as skills go, do you know the masses of new grads that graduate without any skills needing to learn the on the job? Yeah it's nice to have them but you should be able to pick them back up with an orientation.

Look around and check out WGU. The school is a really good price especially if you can self pace and stay focused! I just turned in my first MSN paper the other day!

I've heard pretty good things about WGU, I'll definitely look into it. Congratulations on turning in your first MSN paper! I bet that feels great!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

If you really feel like you need the hospital experience, maybe you can pick up some per diem shifts at one of the outlying hospitals. You could gain experience and use the extra money for tuition. Personally I think you have a great set-up just like you are now. Hospital nursing is stressful and way over-rated, but I guess the only way you'll find out is to do it yourself. And then you'll probably back at your current job and be very grateful to have it. :yeah:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
If you really feel like you need the hospital experience, maybe you can pick up some per diem shifts at one of the outlying hospitals. You could gain experience and use the extra money for tuition. Personally I think you have a great set-up just like you are now. Hospital nursing is stressful and way over-rated, but I guess the only way you'll find out is to do it yourself. And then you'll probably back at your current job and be very grateful to have it. :yeah:

I looked at quite a few threads who seem to agree with you! I have thought about per diem but the hospitals in my state only hire experienced per diem nurses. That's ok though, for now I'm following the, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it," motto!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

If you're under 40, I would get my BSN. Having 20+ years ahead of you, I'd want to make sure I had the advantage of more doors open as the job market changes.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion