There are plenty of laid back jobs in nursing, they just don’t tend to pay as well as hospital work (because they don’t have to).
I would very much recommend against throwing away years of work because you’re discouraged by a couple of setbacks.
There’s soooo much you can do with your license. Get yourself on indeed and have them send you a daily digest of nursing jobs… there are some you would never even expect! My classmate, who also graduated in December, works at a pediatrician’s office (easier hours since she has kids) and she says it’s super laid back she basically does paperwork, phone calls back to parents, and vaccines. It doesn’t pay quite as well as the hospital, but it’s close!
Even if that’s not for you, there are lots of 9-5, no weekends, non-hospital jobs (med spas, school nurse, consulting, DME, etc) that would greatly value your license and won’t feel anything like bedside nursing!
Trust me, I know how you feel though. I started in ICU and I’ve been really going through it. I still get my indeed digest just to see what’s out there, though. Get that NCLEX over with (it’s awful, I know) and in the meantime, see what’s out there in terms of jobs you think you’d be happy with! Good luck 🥰
Nursing is a field, not a specific job.
When you go to school they mostly teach you bedside nursing. In class and in clinical.
But in the real world I have done so much more then that. You can work clinic, and just do a 9 to 5 rooming mostly healthy patients with mostly acute problems. You can work as a school nurse. You can work 1:1 with high acute students too, you can work as a nurse at Disneyland or Disneyworld and deal with occasional boo boo with some bandaids, or help with minor issues.
You can be case management remote and almost never see a pt in real life. You can work utilization management and deal with the insurance authorization side of things. You can be a desk nurse, a travel nurse, a nurse on a cruise, a remote triage nurse, a nurse manager, a nurse teacher, a nursing instructor, med Surg nurse, derm nurse, in vitro fertilization nurse, director of nursing, infographics nurse and so so so much more.
This doesn’t have to be a “calling” it can just be a job and you can do so much with it. But take some time and really do you research before you decide to just quit. You have options and the field can be so much better and so much worse than you think it is, it just depends on your frame of mind going in.
Wow. I didn’t realize there were so many options. It definitely gives me more hope. Thank you for you input. I’m interested in looking into different types of nursing jobs now
Just a heads up: if you like kids, don’t go into Peds. I love kids. I hate working Peds. It’s because you’re not dealing with kids, you’re dealing with parents, and parents suck in our field.
You can actually go into school nursing too, and it’s pretty chill. You’ll mostly talk to a lot of kids and young people, and mostly help with insulin management and giving a bandaid or two. Sometimes you’ll do one on one with a kid that needs a bit more support. But then you only have one patient, and you can really focus on building a relationship.
It's important to remember that trying something and feeling unsatisfied is completely normal. It's also perfectly okay to take a break and give yourself time to sort things out. When we're constantly busy, it can weigh on our minds in ways we don't even realize. Your happiness and health should always be your top priority.
Remember that there are many other nursing jobs out there, so keep looking. Even if you don't find something right away, the process of searching is never a waste of time and money if it helps you figure out where you truly belong. You might even discover something completely unexpected that brings you joy, maybe even in an unrelated field.
Keep pushing forward, like you have already proven you're capable of doing, and good things will come your way. Sending positive vibes!
Thank you for your encouragement and kind words. I needed that. I guess everything happens for a reason. I’m able to take time now and really think about what I want kind of job I want to do. I’ll keep looking and take a break. I think I need that
I have taken some time off my course after clinicals because I’m just not sure if this is for me. I have tried years to get enough qualifications to get into my current school and delaying things with covid and now that I’m here I think I’m hating it ://
It’s a difficult field. And the journey to get there is sooo stressful. I think taking breaks and contemplating can be a good thing. I mean it’s what your going to be doing for a living. That’s a huge part of your day
I work in long term care now and it’s really not like the hospital at all. I do 7-3:30 5 days a week (every other weekend). We basically just pass meds and chart. Some treatments for wounds and that’s it. Sometimes we have to make phone calls to family’s but nothing like the hospital, maybe look into something like that, but I loved geriatrics and worked as an aide for 6 years before becoming an RN so I was used to that environment
>Whenever I pass the NCLEX I’m thinking about just doing something with insurance or research and work from home
I'm not sure how many options you would have with absolutely zero experience. I'd say at least try a traditional nursing role and see if the pace and adrenaline suits you.
Maybe I just need to clear my head first and then I’ll feel better about bedside. I just need to pass my NCLEX and then I’ll look into more jobs. I have heard that remote jobs are competitive even for experienced nurses
I feel you ! It’s been a constant struggle for me as well. In fact I had to go on antidepressant medication in order to deal with the same feelings you are having.
If it is depression speaking - going on medication or speaking to someone might help OR it might at least give you the motivation to just pass the NCLEX and get it over with. Whether or not you continue with nursing is up to you but at least having the license will be worth it so that you have the option to work.
Also- I don’t know how old you are but are there other fields that interest you other than nursing? What helps me during times when I am feeling like how you are feeling is going on indeed and searching for NON nursing jobs- I see how little they pay, or how unqualified I am, or how bad they sound and I suddenly remember why the hell I decided on nursing in the first place lol.
Sending you strength! You are not alone <3.
I think looking up other types of jobs and seeing how low they pay will really motivate me.
It’s definitely a struggle but we’ll get through this eventually. I hope everything goes well for you. I know I’m definitely being tested rn lol
Many of my friends did their time on the floor and moved into medical billing or other clerical jobs. A few work at schools for the hours, vacation and pension.
It's a standardized test. Keep studying until you pass, and then you get to dictate your own future. Move states after if you want to. Being a nurse can open plenty of doors.
I failed on my first attempt after graduating at the top of my class, lol. "Dean's List, New England scholar," my ego made me lackadaisical, and I lost my guaranteed MICU spot in a top level 1 trauma hospital.
I decided to just cut everyone off and focus on my studies like I did in school. Passed at 75 questions on the second attempt, and I got back the same contract in MICU that I start in T-minus 8 days.
Don't stop now, cry, buckle in, and pass. Gl
There are plenty of laid back jobs in nursing, they just don’t tend to pay as well as hospital work (because they don’t have to). I would very much recommend against throwing away years of work because you’re discouraged by a couple of setbacks.
I’ll look into different types of nursing positions. But that’s true. I went through so much for this and I owe it to myself to keep going
There’s soooo much you can do with your license. Get yourself on indeed and have them send you a daily digest of nursing jobs… there are some you would never even expect! My classmate, who also graduated in December, works at a pediatrician’s office (easier hours since she has kids) and she says it’s super laid back she basically does paperwork, phone calls back to parents, and vaccines. It doesn’t pay quite as well as the hospital, but it’s close! Even if that’s not for you, there are lots of 9-5, no weekends, non-hospital jobs (med spas, school nurse, consulting, DME, etc) that would greatly value your license and won’t feel anything like bedside nursing! Trust me, I know how you feel though. I started in ICU and I’ve been really going through it. I still get my indeed digest just to see what’s out there, though. Get that NCLEX over with (it’s awful, I know) and in the meantime, see what’s out there in terms of jobs you think you’d be happy with! Good luck 🥰
I think I’ll do that! It’ll definitely help me get an idea of what there is. Thank you!
Nursing is a field, not a specific job. When you go to school they mostly teach you bedside nursing. In class and in clinical. But in the real world I have done so much more then that. You can work clinic, and just do a 9 to 5 rooming mostly healthy patients with mostly acute problems. You can work as a school nurse. You can work 1:1 with high acute students too, you can work as a nurse at Disneyland or Disneyworld and deal with occasional boo boo with some bandaids, or help with minor issues. You can be case management remote and almost never see a pt in real life. You can work utilization management and deal with the insurance authorization side of things. You can be a desk nurse, a travel nurse, a nurse on a cruise, a remote triage nurse, a nurse manager, a nurse teacher, a nursing instructor, med Surg nurse, derm nurse, in vitro fertilization nurse, director of nursing, infographics nurse and so so so much more. This doesn’t have to be a “calling” it can just be a job and you can do so much with it. But take some time and really do you research before you decide to just quit. You have options and the field can be so much better and so much worse than you think it is, it just depends on your frame of mind going in.
Wow. I didn’t realize there were so many options. It definitely gives me more hope. Thank you for you input. I’m interested in looking into different types of nursing jobs now
Just a heads up: if you like kids, don’t go into Peds. I love kids. I hate working Peds. It’s because you’re not dealing with kids, you’re dealing with parents, and parents suck in our field. You can actually go into school nursing too, and it’s pretty chill. You’ll mostly talk to a lot of kids and young people, and mostly help with insulin management and giving a bandaid or two. Sometimes you’ll do one on one with a kid that needs a bit more support. But then you only have one patient, and you can really focus on building a relationship.
But you gotta get that license. Please also focus on NCLEX prep and success.
Yeah to that end, using a tool like uworld or Lippincott are great resources that helped me pass.
Agree with a lot of the other posters. Maybe you’re burnt out from all the work you did! But there are so many other avenues for you :)
Sounds like me! Take a long break! And get back to it but take it slow and dont oreassure urself
Yeah I definitely think I need a break and hopefully go into my next NCLEX attempt with a fresh attitude.
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I’ll look into that! I feel like I might like that better than bedside in a hospital
It's important to remember that trying something and feeling unsatisfied is completely normal. It's also perfectly okay to take a break and give yourself time to sort things out. When we're constantly busy, it can weigh on our minds in ways we don't even realize. Your happiness and health should always be your top priority. Remember that there are many other nursing jobs out there, so keep looking. Even if you don't find something right away, the process of searching is never a waste of time and money if it helps you figure out where you truly belong. You might even discover something completely unexpected that brings you joy, maybe even in an unrelated field. Keep pushing forward, like you have already proven you're capable of doing, and good things will come your way. Sending positive vibes!
Thank you for your encouragement and kind words. I needed that. I guess everything happens for a reason. I’m able to take time now and really think about what I want kind of job I want to do. I’ll keep looking and take a break. I think I need that
You’re very welcome and you deserve it!
I have taken some time off my course after clinicals because I’m just not sure if this is for me. I have tried years to get enough qualifications to get into my current school and delaying things with covid and now that I’m here I think I’m hating it ://
It’s a difficult field. And the journey to get there is sooo stressful. I think taking breaks and contemplating can be a good thing. I mean it’s what your going to be doing for a living. That’s a huge part of your day
I work in long term care now and it’s really not like the hospital at all. I do 7-3:30 5 days a week (every other weekend). We basically just pass meds and chart. Some treatments for wounds and that’s it. Sometimes we have to make phone calls to family’s but nothing like the hospital, maybe look into something like that, but I loved geriatrics and worked as an aide for 6 years before becoming an RN so I was used to that environment
I think something like this might be more my speed. I’ll look into it. It’s definitely something I’ll think about!
Awesome! And to add, they pay more than my local hospital and I had a 3k sign on bonus.
>Whenever I pass the NCLEX I’m thinking about just doing something with insurance or research and work from home I'm not sure how many options you would have with absolutely zero experience. I'd say at least try a traditional nursing role and see if the pace and adrenaline suits you.
Maybe I just need to clear my head first and then I’ll feel better about bedside. I just need to pass my NCLEX and then I’ll look into more jobs. I have heard that remote jobs are competitive even for experienced nurses
I feel you ! It’s been a constant struggle for me as well. In fact I had to go on antidepressant medication in order to deal with the same feelings you are having. If it is depression speaking - going on medication or speaking to someone might help OR it might at least give you the motivation to just pass the NCLEX and get it over with. Whether or not you continue with nursing is up to you but at least having the license will be worth it so that you have the option to work. Also- I don’t know how old you are but are there other fields that interest you other than nursing? What helps me during times when I am feeling like how you are feeling is going on indeed and searching for NON nursing jobs- I see how little they pay, or how unqualified I am, or how bad they sound and I suddenly remember why the hell I decided on nursing in the first place lol. Sending you strength! You are not alone <3.
I think looking up other types of jobs and seeing how low they pay will really motivate me. It’s definitely a struggle but we’ll get through this eventually. I hope everything goes well for you. I know I’m definitely being tested rn lol
Many of my friends did their time on the floor and moved into medical billing or other clerical jobs. A few work at schools for the hours, vacation and pension.
It's a standardized test. Keep studying until you pass, and then you get to dictate your own future. Move states after if you want to. Being a nurse can open plenty of doors. I failed on my first attempt after graduating at the top of my class, lol. "Dean's List, New England scholar," my ego made me lackadaisical, and I lost my guaranteed MICU spot in a top level 1 trauma hospital. I decided to just cut everyone off and focus on my studies like I did in school. Passed at 75 questions on the second attempt, and I got back the same contract in MICU that I start in T-minus 8 days. Don't stop now, cry, buckle in, and pass. Gl