Been a nurse for just under 2 years in med surg. I think the bedside is not for me, should I stick it out a few more years just to gain more experience and skills or should I move away from bedside since I know it something I don’t want to do?
If you know that you don’t want to do med/surg, tele, or the like, there is nothing wrong with moving on. If you feel you have some good solid knowledge and skills, try another area. I personally started in med/surg, then ER, home health, and finally landed in the OR(18 years). Having a good solid base of general skills was definitely helpful each time I changed. But realize each are of nursing has tasks that your previous specialty didn’t and vice versa. Usually take 1-1 1/2 to get comfortable in a new role. So plan accordingly financially and mentally.
Do what makes YOU happy. I left bedside after 1.5 years and was worried about “losing my skills” now that I am happily working at an oncology clinic they can keep my skills! I don’t want to work bedside ever again!!
Hey, Im here because I wish someone would have told me to find something I liked to do. I knew from school I didn’t want to be a nurse but my parents wanted me to stick it out. They thought I hadn’t found my niche yet, and that might be true for you. Unfortunately 10 years later, and I find myself unhappy with my career. I have considered a trade. I stick in it at this point to get all the benefits and solidify a pension or 403B but after the 5 years is up, I will solely explore entrepreneurship. I will use this job to fund my dreams.
It’s great that you have been able to do two years in MedSurg nursing. That will create a wonderful foundation for you no matter which path you take from this point. I would recommend now you look into any other type of specialty nursing you think you might want to get into. The majority of them all have an orientation or a residency program or some kind of education training that you need to perform before you work in that specialty area, which is great. Take advantage of all the resources that are available to you if there is a probation. Before you are progressing to working on your own in your new position. Good luck to you. It’s an exciting time! You will never not have a job in nursing there is so much need and variety available.
