I Quit My Job.
Yep. I quit my first-ever nursing job after only 3 months.
Some people will be surprised, some maybe not at all. Some people will call it a failure, or giving up. To be honest, I find myself calling it that too at times, but I’m working on that. Some people will think it was a mistake, that I couldn’t handle the heat, or that I just am not a good enough nurse; and that’s okay.
Some people (that I don’t even personally know) have said “she wasted nursing school” and “she should have just gotten a front-desk job.” Little do they know, I actually landed my dream nursing job.
Let’s rewind a bit.
Nursing school was never my first choice. In fact, it had never even been on any of my lists of career choices ever. I did not want to be a nurse. Annnnnnd then I went to nursing school in the Fall of 2022.
Throughout my entire first year of school, I hated it. I wanted to quit. I really thought I had made a mistake. Nursing clearly was not for me, and I didn’t know how much longer I could last.
But then, I decided to do my summer internship on an OB unit. And. I. LOVED IT. I finally felt like I had found my place as a nurse. I had a new spark in me.
And then, as it usually does, life threw some twists and turns at us. We ended up moving to the city, where it’s very difficult to get a job on a specialty unit as a graduate nurse. So, OB was kind of out of the cards for me. I also had this feeling that I needed to pick a job that other people would think was interesting and cool (you can see where this is going). I wanted people to be proud of the work I was going to do, and wanted to pick a unit that I thought was the most difficult and most intriguing to people. So, I picked a cardiac acute care floor with plans to transfer to the ICU within a year. I also thought that it would be really good experience, and even if I hated it, it would be worth it.
I quickly realized that in nursing, you have to pick something that you’re passionate about or else you will burn out faster than you would believe.
Now, I truly did have an amazing group of people helping me at this hospital. My preceptor was fantastic, smart, caring, and helped me learn so many new things. My unit director and clinicians were always there to help out as well, and the other staff were so welcoming.
However, you can only run on empty for so long.
I started to dread going to work. Not like the normal “ugh, I don’t want to go to work.” Like the “I’m pretty sure I’m going to vomit or pass out” type, and that’s not like me. I normally love being productive, going to work, challenging myself, and being busy, so I knew something was not right. I didn’t feel like this type of nursing was right for me. I didn’t feel like I belonged there.
And so, I started looking around at other jobs. Not super seriously at first, but seriously enough that I was legitimately applying for them.
Then, I stumbled across a small pediatric specialty hospital very close to our apartment. How had I never heard of it before? No idea, but I was so excited. I started applying, and then my eyes caught these words: “Two years of experience required.”
Ugh. I finally find something, and then don’t qualify? Whatever, I’ll just apply anyway. Maybe they’ll give me a chance, God willing.
The next day, I go into work. I grab my computer to begin my morning med pass, and for whatever reason, a wave of emotions just hits me. I held myself together for the most part, but I was definitely considering a cry-sesh in the bathroom. Not even moments later, I get a text.
From the pediatric specialty hospital.
Asking to set up an interview.
I have never felt such a weight be lifted off of my chest before. I was so hopeful. Definitely nervous, but very hopeful. For the first time, I felt like there was maybe a way out.
Three days later, I had my interview. That same day, I was offered the job. I put my notice in, had a really good discussion (a tearful one, I’ll admit) with my Unit Director, and am now just waiting for orientation to start in November.
Making this change was difficult, but very easy at the same time. I know that’s contradictory, but I do think it makes sense. It was difficult for me to admit that the job I chose was not for me. It was difficult to quit, knowing full well that I would be faced with rude comments and judgment from others. It was difficult to take the leap. However, the process was seamless. It all happened perfectly. The timing, the location, the type of nursing. Everything lined up in this particular and intentional way that could have only been God’s work. It was one of those things that felt unstoppable. I couldn’t have prevented it from happening if I tried, because I just felt that urge to take the leap of faith. And boy, am I glad I did.
If you learn anything from my story, let it be this: don’t be afraid to chase what you feel you’re called to do. Pray on it, fast on it, and let God guide you.
So, here’s to the next chapter as a pediatric Registered Nurse. I am praying that I’ll find my calling as a nurse in this new adventure :)
Kenn <3
