You’ve thought about shifting into a different nursing role or career all together. You fantasize about it, especially after really hard days.
You know those days when your patient’s family feels you’re doing enough or the doctor you’re working with nonchalantly mentions to the patient who can’t even walk, “of course you can fly tomorrow to your granddaughter’s wedding”.
And then you go home rant to anyone who will listen, get some sleep, spend time with family and the cycle begins anew.
How long have you done this cycle? Wanting to find something different but not really taking the next step.
I did this for more years than I care to admit. There were always just enough “good” days to justify my staying and playing my role.
Every time I would really look to do something different, I would rationalize my situation. I’m too old, I don’t have the energy to change, I know this job.
Really, I was just too scared to show up and be seen.
What are your obstacles to change?
I have spent my career flying under the radar. Being a good employee, staying out of trouble and towing the line. But when you do that, you condition yourself to stay small and not move out of your comfort zone.
And when you don’t move out of your comfort zone, you, well, your light starts to fade.
I would become resentful and then, let’s just say my “small self” took center stage.
- That’s it, every time I discharge a patient, I get another one, I can’t catch my breath!
- This is the last extra shift I’m picking up, why are we always short staffed?
- I’m not going in there by myself, it’s not safe!
If I wanted something different then I really needed to DO something different, starting with a mindset shift.
I knew I wasn’t in the right place but had never really let myself explore because I was so use to not asking myself any deep questions. I was so envious of nurses who would travel or decide to take a job in another country.
I felt I had to be responsible, stable, people counted on me, didn’t they? I just lived vicariously through TV shows about real risk takers and the occasional reality shows about people with poor communication skills, drinking heavily and then trying to solve problems.
I know. I just can’t help myself!
I decided I had to make a change and It WAS going to be uncomfortable and it WAS going to be scary but I was tired of other people calling the shots in my life.
I wanted to help people but in a capacity that was more in alignment with my true self.
I took some on line personality tests, got some good insight on my pros and cons of my personality, I know you thought I was perfect!
After much deep introspection, talking to strangers on the street and flipping a coin I decided to become a coach to help my brothers and sisters in arms find their true MISSION.
Some questions to ponder…
What do you dream about doing?
What would inspire you to change?
What is your superpower?
What nursing skillset could you transfer into a new career?
Don’t stay in your comfort zone, take it from me, there’s nothing to be gained by being a wallflower.
People are waiting for you to show up! Start exploring crazy possibilities to get your juices flowing, you don’t have to act on them but you do need start giving them some real estate in your life. See what shows up, follow the synchronistic breadcrumbs!
We have so many more opportunities these days to live life on our own terms.
So, take that cooking class, start drawing again, learn a new language!
Dive deep into the things you enjoy and see how the path starts to open up.
I hope this episode brought you some joy!
Hang in there!