Good Bye to Nursing for me...

[healer27]

Well, the start of a new year and I'm kissing nursing

good bye after only 5 short months. I graduated in may and started at a hospital in august. My very first preceptor was a nightmare, on my 3rd day on the floor she said I was too slow and put me down in front of other

nurses or whoever was in distance of hearing her. At one

point she even said, "well, I have her she know's nothing I have to show her everything." So being enthusiastic I decided NOT to let it get to me and proceeded to take her C*ap for another couple of weeks. At which time I was moved to a different floor with a preceptor who was great and I learned alot from. PRoblem was at this hospital IF

I wanted to stay I'd have to take a evening position. SO I left a found a hosptial closer to home on days. Well, once again I have the preceptor from hell not only that but the managers In my opinion are nitpickers. ON my first day on the floor they wrote up a nurse who was in charge of making sure all the phones were back at the end of the day, for not having a phone returned. (someone took one home accidentally).. I found this ridiculous, it's a busy med/surg floor with an 8:1 patient ratio and they are worried about PHONES???? I could go on and on about the other horrors but it would be to long.

Long story short I've decide to quit. Luckily I don't NEED the job to support myself or I wouldn't be able to leave. my hubby makes a decent salary. I do feel bad placing all the financial burden on him but I'm planning on just picking up a admin position somewhere. I don't care if I'm making half the money I jsut want to be happy. I'm so SICK of being stressed going into work, stressed coming home, worrying about this, being stressed on the floor. To me its just not worth it. My hubby is worried that I'll change my mind and want to come back to nursing but won't be able to after leaving 2 prior positions. bUt seriously I can't imagine feeling this way.

I also just found out I'm expecting my first child and I really can't imagine the stress level as well as not eating/drinking/peeing an entire shift is good. So I'm gone. I give up, I give in, I just feel like I can't do it. I'm thinking I'm just not meant to be in nursing, or i woudn't have just kept inheriting bad circumstances and preceptors from hell.

Well, I'd love to hear if anyone else has left nursing? come back and any other thoughts you all might have.

Hope this is a good new year for all.

[yellowtulip2004]

Absolutely, keep your nursing license active. There are so many different options in nursing....even employment where you don't have to deal with supervision.

I had always wanted to be a nurse six age 6. Some of you may remember the Dr. Kildare program on TV - I watched it all the time. I first became a LPN years ago, then in 1999 I finally finished my RN (raising 2 small children, caring for my mom with dementia, going through a divorce, and several other issues). Talk about stress....it was through the roof. Like you, I started at a University working in the OR (my choice) and my preceptor was very knowledgable, but make me look stupid in front of other professionals (which is NOT professional). I've done home health, community service nursing, and LTC ADON (when I left my job was divided among three people)....need I say more......I, too, have found a lot of nurses to be very vindictive and unkind. These attitudes made me not want to work in those environments.

However, the other posts are correct. I worked too hard, under too may difficult circumstances to "give it all up". I maintain my license and do prn nursing assessments for a vendor which contracts with insurance companies. I'm hoping to work for more vendors this year. It "keeps your feet wet" and makes you actually feel like a nurse. The independence and flexibility is great.

You may also want to try medical transcription at home for a while...especially while taking care of a baby. There are so many options. I keep God number ONE in my life.....and he is AWLAYS there is any situation to help me through. He will help you too.

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

I'd be happy to talk with you further....just private message me. Keep smilin'.

[guestnurse]

I've been a nurse for 10 years and I think it's all about finding the right group of people to work with. I had been in some places where there were the nurses from H*** but there are also those units where everyone works together as a team and wants to see every nurse succeed. You just haven't found the right unit or hospital. Best of luck but nursing is a great profession if you work with the right people. The people at the hospital I work at are like a second family to me and if I"m ever down or need someone to talk to they are the people I call first.

kellienurse

[pagandeva2000, LPN]

I called in sick for work today, myself. Was just too tired to deal with the drama. I do believe that nursing is my calling, however, I will NOT let this career kill me. I am tired, and feel guilty because there are so many needy people. I am really thinking about home care on a permanent basis, so that I can place my attention on just one person. I just know that I cannot heal the masses with the stupid stipulations that management places on us.

[blueiwahine]

I feel the way alot of you do...I'm a new grad...only been working 7 months at the hospital...I've had great preceptors...and can honestly say I've learned so much...much more than I ever did from school... but I just don't know if I am meant to work in the hospital...I love my patients...but the hospital BS is just too much, as well as working short nurses all the time. I hate the thought that patient care is compromised due to this. I know there is somewhere I will fit in with nursing...just have to find it. I'm trying to make a year at the hospital...figure it will look good on the resume before I start looking somewhere else...but have to admit each day is trying and I want to quit everyday...

[simplminz]

I agree with the other respondents to keep your license active. You never know when you might need it to fall back on it.

I wondered when I read your post where your educator was while you were being precepted? Was there not anyone from continuing education following you to find out how things were going? Do the preceptors not have any training? I think too it's important to take a good hard look at yourself. I agree with you, there is no excuse for being treated badly by a preceptor at any stage in your nursing career, but especially bad when you are first starting out. I will say it is very hard to precept a new nurse let alone an experienced nurse in a new, unfamiliar area. This is not an excuse for her behaviour, but it adds stress to her day too. I always think it's important to consider how I may have come across to cause problems in a relationship.

I think you were fortunate to find a position on day shift. I have always believed, and even as a new grad many years ago, that I had to do my time on the off shifts before I could move on to days. In every profession people have to work their way up to the more desirable position.

Med/Surg nursing is rough, I think more now than when I started out. If you think your heart is really in nursing try to find a small hospital, start out on a med/surg unit and if you have to work an off shift so be it. Getting at least 3 years of that kind of nursing experience is worth it's weight in gold. Don't let those old crabby nurses ruin all the hard work you put into educating yourself. Maybe you can be a changemaker for the future of nursing.

[Becca608]

At the moment though I feel like I have this "cloud" of mean people that have appeared at each job so I want to give it some time for I go reapplying for a new job.

It was really disheartening too read your post since I am just starting second semester. This is a second career for me and I have no illusions.

It doesn't matter what field you are in, there is always that potential for a 'cloud' of mean people. What I have learned through much heartache and many tears is that some-people are:

a) Small-minded little tyrants [EVIL][/EVIL]. Those who have power are afraid to lose it and those who have little power want more.

b) Bitter because they have no life.

c) Resentful because you are in a better position because you have made the right choices.

d) Resentful because you are in a better position because of positive life circumstances that they have not experienced (usually because of thier own bad choices)

Eventually, time catches up with these people. Just remember them and be grateful for those who are kind and be kind to those who will one day be where you are now. Don't let a few selfish, mean, bitter, tyrants steal away your joy!!!

peace in the Force, jediwitch

[Nissa]

I am very sorry to hear of your experiences as a new grad. in nursing and want to congradulate you on your pregnancy. I have been a RN for 27 years and a APRN for 21. I worked for a very short time at the bedside, moving on to trauma and surgical ICU's prior to getting my advanded degree. I, too, had struggled with many of the issues you described. My career had many "stops and starts due to family and my husbands career (traling spouse syndrome).

At present, I am still stuggling with a new move, teen issues and a husband who travels approx. 90% of the time. I am looking for employment as a APRN that will fit the situation......it is never easy and I have made mistakes. I am determined and confident and if nothing else want you to know that from reading your piece I sence this about you also. I strongly believe there is a place for you. The intellegence and skills are transferable to so many career paths. Keep exploring, reading, talking and learing.

In practitical terms, keep your licence and any certification you may have. It is very difficult to re-acivate.

I wish you and your wonderful family the best.

Nissa

[volli]

Dear Healer 27, I am so sorry to hear of your dissolution...May I suggest OR nursing? I have been a perioperative nurse for 20 years, and I am not going to say it is a cakewalk, and haven't reached the burnout point at times, but I still enjoy it and it gives me such a sense of reward at having the most direct impact on patient care and their outcome. There is a new program through the Association of Perioperative Nurses (AORN) called Perioperative 101. It is designed to train/mentor/recept the novice nurse in perioperative nursing. We have three new grads right now that we are training, we senior nurses are enjoying it so much, and I believe our "newbies" are too! The workforce of OR nurses is an aging one, and we need new blood and new ideas to carry perioperative nursing into the next generation, heck...when we OR nurses get old we want to make sure we have someone properly prepared to take care of US when we come to the OR table! Don't give up on your hard work and well earned nursing degree! WE NEED YOU. Please contact me via e-mail if you are interested, or go to AORN's website. Hey look at it this way...we OR nurses only have one patient at a time, someone else is giving meds and doing I/O, and the patient never complains! At a minimum, DON'T let go of your license! Good luck, I hope my message will inspire you. There are good nursing jobs out there. Volli

[shelly_oncRN]

To all who are thinking of leaving......

I can totally sympathize with you - I have seen plenty of new grads (and not so new nurses) treated like c**p on wards. I have been nursing for 25 years and have even left at one point to go to college to become a teacher. I soon came back. Not because I love the abuse! The one good thing about nursing is that it is such a good base to build from. Especially over here in the good old US of A. I have been here for 5 years (previously in UK) and am amazed at the diversity your RN can bring you. Do some research - there are plenty of jobs out there where your training will be appreciated and you will get a good rate of pay. Nursing is not just about a 8:1 patient ratio and incompetent managers!

I left floor nursing about 2 years ago to work in a private doctors office - I love it. I am not rushed - I can spend 2 hours talking to a patient if I so choose - there are stressful times and very busy times but I get so much more job satisfaction. I go home at night knowing that I made a small difference in some-one's day - instead of spending 12 hours racing around and going home wondering what I didn't get round to doing! - and what the next shift would say about me for leaving to them.

My sister also trained as a RN - but let her license laspe and cannot work as a nurse without repeating her training. She is now stuck with very few options and a husband who is about to be out of a job.

Just check out your options and be absolutely sure before you loose your license - you may find a brach of nursing that is just right for you.

Good luck, and whatever you do- be happy with your decision.:innerconf

[SpaceshuttleRN]

Congratulations on the pregnancy. I agree you should hang on to the license. You may find that after you have your child/children in school full time, that you may want to give it another shot. Please don't take this next comment the wrong way, but sometimes it is easier to go into nursing when you have had a chance to mature a little. Not that I am saying you are immature, only that as we get older, we get a little tougher and can take a stronger stand. I know when I was younger, I let a lot of the "nurses from hell" get to me also. Now I stand up to them. Some people should never be asked to be preceptors, those are the ones who forget that they were not born nurses, they had to learn just like everyone else. You don't graduate from nursing school knowing everything about nursing, you learn a good part of it from the experience of others. It's unfortunate that they treated you so poorly. A good preceptor would welcome you with open arms and not expect perfection. There is no such thing as a perfect nurse, or one who knows everything, we are continually learning. All new grads deserve to be treated with respect. Good luck, and think about giving it another chance down the road. The world needs good nurses, and you sound like you have the right ideals.

[rpv_rn]

dear healer 27,

congratulations on your new addition.

one positive aspect of nursing is the variety of jobs, hours, & facilities that are open to you. have you thought of working part time or per diem?

when my children were small, i worked 2 - 3 days / week. it was enough to keep my skills up. if you don't need the benefits, per diem provides you with the independence of working or not. keep in mind, however, that there may be minimum hours / month that you must work.

just something to consider.

best wishes to your family!

[mikethern]

Do what I do. Work part time. I don't enjoy nursing but the money is too good to pass up. I'm good at my job but there's no sense in working full time since I don't enjoy it.