How do you know when it's time to move on?

I have been an RN on a med/surg floor for just over 1 year. I feel comfortable, still not 100% confident, but I am BORED. I feel like I'm not being challenged. I've had 3 of my own patient codes and have participated in 1 other, and I love the rush that comes along with them.

I spend my nights wiping butts, passing meds, and babysitting geriatric patients. I KNOW I'm better than this. So although the thought of moving on petrifies me, I think I'm ready. ICU? ER?

I guess what I'm asking, is are there specific goals or guidelines I should meet before I take that next step? I want to be a competent, efficient nurse before I take the next step.
I appreciate the replies! Last edit by Joe V on Dec 18, '13
So go apply for jobs you don't think are beneath you. Your goals and guidelines are probably listed on the job postings.
Well I have to say I think you are going to get some interesting replies to your post. If you are bored and fell Med Surg is not good enough for you try something else. Perhaps having ACLS & PALS may make you look more attractive.
Quote from NYNursingStudentI have been an RN on a med/surg floor for just over 1 year. I feel comfortable, still not 100% confident, but I am BORED.I feel like I'm not being challenged. I've had 3 of my own patient codes and have participated in 1 other, and I love the rush that comes along with them.I spend my nights wiping butts, passing meds, and babysitting geriatric patients. I KNOW I'm better than this. So although the thought of moving on petrifies me, I think I'm ready. ICU? ER?I guess what I'm asking, is are there specific goals or guidelines I should meet before I take that next step? I want to be a competent, efficient nurse before I take the next step.I appreciate the replies!
As you continue in med-surg, you will probably get the chance to expand your skillset when you work as a charge nurse or precept newer nurses. Now is the time to do your homework and look around to see what else there is in nursing, so if you do want to move to a different specialty, you know what you are getting into.A word of warning, there is a lot of overlap. In ICU, I spend lots of time charting, giving meds, wiping butts, and babysitting agitated patients too.
It's time to move on when you feel like it is. I agree really research the area you are interested in. Maybe speak to folks that currently work in that unit. That way you get a realistic picture and not a fantasy version of the ER or ICU.
You've had 3 of your Med/Surg pts code in only 1 year? I have to say, that sounds like a high rate. I've been a nurse for 20 years in many different settings. In Med/Surg codes are rare.A good way to avoid codes is frequent rounding, and careful observations of pts.
Do you hear how arrogant you sound?
Quote from NYNursingStudentI spend my nights wiping butts, passing meds, and babysitting geriatric patients. I KNOW I'm better than this.
Have you thought about working toward your MedSurg certification? What about stepping up to Charge role? Becoming a preceptor? Developing an inservice? Getting involved in a performance improvement project? Active minds are never bored (thanks grandma). In terms of your career, those 'extra' activities and the skills & knowledge that come with them will be far more valuable for advancement than learning another set of specialty tasks.
The problem with being bored is that general, or specialized, nursing care will be basically the same thirty years from now, as it is now. It would be a shame to change jobs for this reason and find that mostly what changed was the faces and names of your coworkers.
I started off in med-surg and nights as well. It was a great learning opportunity as well and much like you I felt not challenged so I moved on. I really love critical care for many aspects however in retrospect, I know what the real problem was. It was nights. Once I went to days there is literally not one boring moment in any floor I work (float pool). Days is where all the action is. We usually have more ancillary staff to take care of the basics and as a nurse you are more available to fulfill other roles such as intradiciplinary rounds, incorporating family into the picture, etc.I am moving out of here soon and starting back on nights (only shift available) in another state, I am dreading it so much but I have to eat.Much luck to you!
I work in ER now, and believe me, it's not all codes and traumas. There is a lot of humdrum there, with the same old drunks coming in, the same old drug seekers. I worked ICU in the past, there are a lot of repetitive tasks there, and LOTS of incontinent patients. Ventilator pts don't get up to use the BSC!