Good Bye to Nursing for me...

glb1960 · Jan 31, 2007

Just another thought to add to this saddening thread. I learned early that many of the nurses I admired had some similar traits, which I try to emulate. I describe them as having very thick skin and very tender hearts. The thick skin serves well with management, crabby doctors and poor co-workers while the tender hearts are reserved for the sick, hurt, scared and needy patients. I might suggest you try some of these qualities on for size to help you handle your stresses in your life, nursing or otherwise.

Good luck, Gary

Miss Ivy · Jan 31, 2007

I agree with what others have said. You got off to a really rough start. Give yourself a break but keep your license. You may very well want to get back into it again. And not all places are like what you experienced. Maybe, instead of being in a hospital, try a different area of nursing. You might find your niche yet.

Good luck to you and enjoy that baby. Times goes by really fast.

NicoleRN07, RN · Jan 31, 2007

I'm Sorry That You Had Such A Bad Experience In Your First Few Months Of Nursing. It Is A Stressful Job, And Having Bad Preceptors Don't Make Things Any Better. My Advice To You Is To Keep Your License Current And Give It Another Try When You're Ready! It Really Is A Very Rewarding Career, And I Hope That You Decide To Try Again Someday! There Are Wonderful Preceptors Out There!! Good Luck And Congrats On Your Pregnancy.

lovejana22 · Jan 31, 2007

i hate to hear this, i know two nurses that are quiting one after two years and one after only a few months. i am in nursing school and when i hear these stories it terrifies me! i read in a dear abby column about back stabbing nurses. now i will be the first to admit you have crap where ever you go, sometimes you have to just deal. one of the reasons i started school (i have always wanted to be a nurse) was if i was going to take any sh*& i was going to do it with more pay......:chuckle and with something i always wanted to do!! good luck with your baby

Jo Dirt · Jan 31, 2007

Just a suggestion, but rather than throw away all of the hard work you went through becoming a nurse, why not look for a nursing position in a Doctor's Office of some sort. You might not make as much money as you would make in a hospital setting, at least you could still make use of your degree. You didn't make it through nursing school for nothing!
Whatever you choose to do, Good luck!

First of all, I've seen several posts telling stressed out nurses to go into an area like home care...WHAT????? I just left a nightmare of a home health job! They thought they could start taking in 10 admissions a day, keep up their existing clientelle (sp?) and do this all with one RN (me). Then when the state comes in and throws the book at them they try to hang you out to dry. But the really funny part is when the state inspectors actually sided with me and the LPN who had been trying to hang on, and the state hung them out to dry for being severely understaffed! I've left and things are no better. There were rumors they were hiring three RNs to do what I was expected to do by myself but when I talked to one of the office workers the help has since backed out of the deal and they are back to square one. Just one of the reasons I'm no longer at that job.

And it seems like people suggest to just "go get" a job at a doctor's office or other low stress place. I know there is a nursing shortage, but if the jobs aren't available you can't just take them. Jobs that always seem to be available are usually always available for a reason.

chaoticnme · Jan 31, 2007

Motorcyclemamma, these are just suggestions....For me....I really meant maybe pick up some prn home health work....Actually i did home health full time, I didnt like it at all, prn wasnt as stressful at all... Before anyone take a job they should research it....and when they interview for it, stop and watch or look at the place, ask people if they like it there etc.....You can do just about anything prn if its a safe place to work....it all depends on the place....she could do prn. Yes jobs sometimes are available for a reason, I agree. Thats why i would talk with whoever I am interviewing with and ask what they really are expecting from me in the job position I am applying for.

Kashia, ASN, LVN · Feb 1, 2007

There are many areas to use your experience in and no you are not going to ruin your reputation because of either of those hospitals. They are not organized enough to work like that, I mean hospitals and medical system is rather dysfunctional! hehe. And sorry to say there are to many nurses that have their own agenda/dyfunction. But there are good people to work around, just have to find them...and who knows maybe later you will want to work part time in OB....wonderful you are having a baby. Best of luck to you

Wonderful you are having a baby

honeyz · Mar 3, 2007

Well,,,, if your hubby can support you without resentment.....hey go for it. I would pick another career anyway. :rolleyes:

. Good luck

Miss Ivy · Mar 3, 2007

I agree with those posters who suggest prn work. That way you can work when and where you want to work.

smarter · Mar 3, 2007

:madface: some preceptors are not real charmers. we should all take a look at ourselves. you know there are different levels of learning. don't be so hard on the new employee. you want them to stay don't you? i think if we would all relax a little the work place would be much better. and you managers, get out there and help. the units are busy enough. try and work together!!!!

sewnina · Apr 5, 2007

There are other areas of nursing to work than the hospitals. I have been a nurse for 17 years and was really burned out (am the primary bread winner so couldn't just leave). Now I am teaching at a BSN program and almost through with my Masters and planning to continue on to my Phd. After the baby's born maybe you'll feel like picking up a shift now and then...Nursing is not all bad, just sometimes a few bad apples...

elizabeth321 · Apr 7, 2007

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.

Sounds like you shouldn't be nursing.......good luck!

Liz