Just wondering if anyone likes their job?
I’m a wife and mum of three with a mortgage and all that. I’ve been a nurse for 15 years, straight out of Highschool to uni. I’ve worked in different areas, I’m just finding lately (the last couple of years!) that I can’t stand going to work. I’m considering going back to uni for complete career change.
BUT! Will I just hate any job I have? Is it silly and irresponsible to keep changing jobs hoping to find one I like? Is it a ‘millennial’ thing to have to like your job? Shouldn’t I just be happy to have a job that pays the bills and stop complaining about it? I’m lucky to work with some very passionate nurses, and although I do a good job, I’ve never felt that way. I hear that phrase “do what you love and you’ll never work a day in your life” and I think, really? Does anyone like their job?
I’d love to hear others thoughts on this!
Thanks!
18 Replies
I feel for you. I often wonder if my job dissatisfaction is more wrapped up in the sheer amount I have to do across home/work etc. and not actually that I dislike the work
I had a job for 20 years. It evolved, was interesting & I enjoyed the respect from colleagues. Then it changed. The last 3 years were horrific. Partially because I'd been doing it so long I couldn't muster interest anymore (new management as well) We change, we get bored. It's no longer a one career life.
First, consider other areas of nursing. E.g. Uni teaching, pharmaceutical reps, etc. If you want a compete change & are unsure what to, try the professions out before committing to a degree. Entry level in the industry will give you an idea. Too many people jump into a degree without any real idea of the industry.
Tbh I wouldn't expect passion, but enjoyment is enough. A very lucky few find a job they're passionate about. But I wouldn't stay if I dreaded going to work.
I'm going for a complete career change. I hate my job, been doing it for too long and it's monotonous now.
It dawned on me that even if I move into this new field and don't like it within a few years - that's okay! I don't HAVE to have the same job my entire life. Its not a waste of my time because I have my entire life still go go. I'm allowed to want to try new things. You are too :)
AND extra qualifications means extra fields to fall back on if you ever find yourself desperate for work.
I hope this helps!
Out of curiosity what is your new position/study
The only job I didn't hate was when I worked as a bar maid in a small town and had very nice regular customers who were like family. Otherwise I hate dealing with sooky customers or arrogant work mates. I wish I could work with animals somehow but so do half the kids leaving high school so a 40 year old woman has no chance.
Hey!
I’m a nurse too. I’m going back to UNI to upskill and change areas.
I hate the way the industry has changed and I dislike the current environment. We’re nurses turned into slaves.
So yes, you can change careers, and you may be happy or even passionate about it.
A few of my nursing friends switched out, 1 is now a para legal and they handle mainly deceased estates and living wills, another is teaching nursing to high schoolers - completing their cert 2s.
They both enjoy their jobs, and are passionate about other aspects of it as well.
Wondering your studying? And what type of position do you hope to obtain
Master of nursing. - Nurse practitioner :)
I’m wanting to work with women’s health nursing and forensic nursing. Haven’t quite decided which yet as I’m only just getting my toes wet.
I don’t want to nurse on the wards anymore, but I still want to keep clinical skills, so this was the next step for me.
There's lots of options for you as a nurse to take a sideways step, rather than out of the profession all together - my cousin is a nurse and works in an IVF clinic (she needed 9-5 work), I have friends who've nursed and moved into positions with MCH, lactation consultants etc. School or medical practice nurses. You could even look into medical transcription - you'd be perfect.
Not as much if you live rurally
I absolutely LOVE my job. Been there for 6 years and I do customer service. The pay is amazing, flexible hours, lots of room to get promoted as time goes on.
Oh this sounds just like me, I know the areas I don’t want to work in and that leaves my options pretty small the remaining fields.
I am often gobsmacked at all the people say do nursing, it’s great pay and opportunity, I disagree to
An extent, and want to steer anyone away from nursing in general.
I wish you all the best in finding a new career, as my lack of job satisfaction is affecting my overall mental health atm. So I am currently looking into courses
I LOVE my job. I get excited on Sunday because I go to work on Monday. Sometimes I get to work early or leave 15 minutes later just because I enjoy what I do so much. Sometimes I work at home on my own just for fun. Been in this job for 11 years.
Great colleagues, amazing boss, interesting fast paced environment. Pay isn't great but its fair and average for my industry. I studied visual arts and marketing.
I studied what I am passionate about so to me "working" feels like a hobby I get paid for.
Tbh I could easily leave this position and find another one at a higher pay but Im well aware that the work environment (great boss and colleagues) might not be in a new job. I rather not play with fire.
I would leave if I felt like you. How awful to dread going to work? :( find something you enjoy, I think my position is a bit unusual in that most people don't love their job as much but if you are spending so much time at work it has to be something you are ok doing.
Find why you dread your job. Is it the job or the people you work with.
Consider studying something you would love to do.
Consider cutting back your hrs on this job and picking up a second job that is something you like to do.
Good luck lovely!
I'm a bus driver and I really enjoy my job.
I was in a job for 20 years. I thought I loved what I did. Turns out I didn't because of the people I worked with but I couldn't see it until I left. (Administration/Personal Assistant to 4 different managers, all of who ended up stabbing me in the back) Now, I've been in my current job for 6 years and I absolutely love what I do (Practice Manager in a Physio Practice) I am finally being respected, not only by my boss, but by the staff and clients. Mind you, I ultimately tell my boss what to do every day so he calls me "the real boss!".
I guess it comes down to the people you work with, rather than what you do. Having people around you that support and encourage you makes your day a whole lot better. I hope you find that in your new job.
I love my job, I'm a personal carer in a very small and rural nursing home and am extremely passionate about aged care. Being such a small home you get to know the other staff and residents extremely well and form amazing friendships.. honestly I forget I get paid to do this sometimes because I just enjoy myself so much at work, sure it has its heartaches and bad moments but the good far outweighs the bad for me
I love my job. I went back to uni at 30 and did a teaching degree. I’m 37 now and. Can honestly say that what I have now is 100% better than before my degree. I don’t get upset going to work that’s for sure.
I think it’s unrealistic to think you’ll love 100% of every job. I dislike the admin requirements and the huge amount of assessment and reporting we have to do. The expectations on teachers are like never before and it is incredibly hard and long hours....
But..... I LOVE the kids and my colleagues are great (although still workplace politics)
I’m also a nurse, last couple years have been managing Home Care Packages. Love my job, utilise my nursing skills, still helping people every day, get to follow up and see through client care. Have learnt lots of new skills as well. Well paid and Very rewarding.