several months ago I wrote about leaving floor nursing for moving patients in beds. I also posted it would mean a 20% financial hit.
Turns out the financial hit is 2%. I took the job.
Several of my former colleagues, after seeing me now that I switched jobs cannot hide their disbelief and shock. Some of the things I’ve heard: “what a waste, you can do more.” “You are a RN and you choose to move beds?”, “Haven’t you worked with us?”, “Oh no, don’t tell me you’re moving beds now.” and more.
I’ve always been very individualistic and never cared much about what others think about me. This new job means less stress and I can sleep better.
But it’s not only other RNs who tell me this: doctors as well, very knowledgeable ones.
Am I doing something wrong, when so many people, some of them much smarter than me tell me what I’m doing is stupid?
Going back to my old job doesn’t mean going back to my old department, just back to floor nursing.
If being an RN is stressing you out so much that you can’t sleep (completely understandable because that’s an extremely emotionally and mentally taxing position) then your only options really are to find a different job as you did, or perhaps have regular therapy sessions to help you through it. With your training, you can definitely find less stressful positions such as a nurse educator, consulting, public health sector. Maybe you could ask your former colleagues with a bit more experience if they know of any positions that would be less stressful for you.