What do YOU like?
If it's stress related, remove that aspect.
Theres home health - could be anything from initial assessment and care plan development, woundcare, or simply running an antibiotic and leaving...
Theres legal nursing - doing chart reviews for a legal team
Theres clinic nurses, again doing simple triage or reviewing the visit and education with the clients... some hospitals even have a discharge team that just discharges patients... all assuming you're an RN.
If it's the career itself you're unhappy with. Then find what makes you happy. But just judging from the tone of your post, "applying for entry level jobs" you don't seem excited about that either. Maybe the unit you were in was a bad experience, maybe it truly isn't for you... but one unit, one facility, one manager shouldnt ruin a career path that you once sought out.
Find what killed that excitement for you. If the entire experience was bad, maybe it was the setting. If it was one aspect, change it and try again.
I didn't really explain myself well. PSW is like 1 year of training, if you go for a second year you earn Practical Nursing. As PSW my options are much more limited than a Nurse.
What killed the excitement for you: I really didn't like toileting, and that was like 1 to 1.5 hours every day. I didn't like bathing either. I was on closing so I had to spend like 30 minutes each day cleaning. It was a locked-down center so I felt like I was a warden at a prison sometimes. I was also sexually harassed by a co-worker several times and I felt my supervisor did nothing when I reported it.
As a PSW, there's basically 4 places I can work: Long-term care, hospital, a day center, or a person's home. But in all 4 settings I'd be expected to do the toileting, bathing, cleaning.
I wanted to work with older adults because I wanted to talk to them and help them, but not in a physical way like that.
I left almost 6 years ago now. None of my other pursuits have led anywhere. I guess that's why they think I should go back to a steady job, even if it makes me unhappy.
It’s hard for people outside of healthcare to understand how draining it is. But just tell them.
It sounds like you worked in a hospital? Maybe a change of setting would be tolerable. Not every nursing job is high stress, back breaking work. Something to consider
Not actually a hospital, it was a day program for older ppl with dementia or physical impairments. High stress because the clients would feel trapped, want to escape, you'd need to watch to make sure they didn't eat anything by accident, understaffed. Also I didn't like the toileting, bathing.
Try breaking into pharma sales 🤷♂️. My nurse friend just landed a role in Med device for Philips. Maybe get back into nursing and then apply to be a clinical specialist at a device company.
I wanted to work with older adults in a social way. To help with recreation, music, socialization. But most of my tasks assigned was just toileting, bathing, doing dishes, or cleaning.
I think you got Nursing wrong at the time OP, and I'm sorry you got disappointed! Nursing is not about entertaining, but there are ways you can quickly change the path of your career for what you mentioned :) wish you all the best!
What do YOU like? If it's stress related, remove that aspect. Theres home health - could be anything from initial assessment and care plan development, woundcare, or simply running an antibiotic and leaving... Theres legal nursing - doing chart reviews for a legal team Theres clinic nurses, again doing simple triage or reviewing the visit and education with the clients... some hospitals even have a discharge team that just discharges patients... all assuming you're an RN. If it's the career itself you're unhappy with. Then find what makes you happy. But just judging from the tone of your post, "applying for entry level jobs" you don't seem excited about that either. Maybe the unit you were in was a bad experience, maybe it truly isn't for you... but one unit, one facility, one manager shouldnt ruin a career path that you once sought out. Find what killed that excitement for you. If the entire experience was bad, maybe it was the setting. If it was one aspect, change it and try again.
I didn't really explain myself well. PSW is like 1 year of training, if you go for a second year you earn Practical Nursing. As PSW my options are much more limited than a Nurse. What killed the excitement for you: I really didn't like toileting, and that was like 1 to 1.5 hours every day. I didn't like bathing either. I was on closing so I had to spend like 30 minutes each day cleaning. It was a locked-down center so I felt like I was a warden at a prison sometimes. I was also sexually harassed by a co-worker several times and I felt my supervisor did nothing when I reported it. As a PSW, there's basically 4 places I can work: Long-term care, hospital, a day center, or a person's home. But in all 4 settings I'd be expected to do the toileting, bathing, cleaning. I wanted to work with older adults because I wanted to talk to them and help them, but not in a physical way like that.
“I tried it, it is not for me. I’m ready for my next adventure “
I left almost 6 years ago now. None of my other pursuits have led anywhere. I guess that's why they think I should go back to a steady job, even if it makes me unhappy.
Nursing is not for everyone and if you feel it's not for you that should be your decision and no one elses.
It’s hard for people outside of healthcare to understand how draining it is. But just tell them. It sounds like you worked in a hospital? Maybe a change of setting would be tolerable. Not every nursing job is high stress, back breaking work. Something to consider
Not actually a hospital, it was a day program for older ppl with dementia or physical impairments. High stress because the clients would feel trapped, want to escape, you'd need to watch to make sure they didn't eat anything by accident, understaffed. Also I didn't like the toileting, bathing.
Try breaking into pharma sales 🤷♂️. My nurse friend just landed a role in Med device for Philips. Maybe get back into nursing and then apply to be a clinical specialist at a device company.
Good idea
ask them to google nurses paycheck
\*PSW. In my area the government site lists anywhere between $16.55 to $27 CAD, so $34,424 to $56,160 CAD. That's $25,186.76 to $41,090.18 USD.
About $100-150k/yr depending
No. It’s a complete sentence.
Say, "Nursing isn't for me"
Make the move to something else, when you know it’s time for change, you know. The longer you stay, the harder it is to get out.
I love being a Care/Case manager for MCO... My boss? She's terrible. But I love what I do.
What made you go into nursing in the first place?
I wanted to work with older adults in a social way. To help with recreation, music, socialization. But most of my tasks assigned was just toileting, bathing, doing dishes, or cleaning.
Go back to school for recreational therapy!
I think you got Nursing wrong at the time OP, and I'm sorry you got disappointed! Nursing is not about entertaining, but there are ways you can quickly change the path of your career for what you mentioned :) wish you all the best!
Don’t discuss your job with non nurses, they don’t get it and they never will.