Help me, I chose wrong career!

[tarotale]

Hello, first, I show my regret ahead since this is not a positive happy post. Little background of me, I am 6 months young RN, working at medsurg tele unit. Throughout nursing school, I thought that nurse were the best, that we were so awesome and elites of society; not to the degree of docs or lawyers, but you get my point. Once I became an RN and started working... Oh boy was I in for a surprise...

We get overworked, underpaid, under appreciated, often ignored, treated like sack of trash by admin and management, horrible compensation for highly liable work, bad backs, stress, etc name it. Then I am forced work all holidays without diffs, pay for own insurance. My brother who works at computer related cloud company makes almost 80k a year with 3 yrs, free insurance, free laptops, promised raises, free stuff like iPad, spends free company money for clients, and I am here paying for my own insurance, salary freeze due to bad management, crappy pto, no holidays, etc.

Honestly I hate how under appreciated we are and how we can't do squat without doctors orders, the way we are treated, it depresses me and I can't stand nursing. Let me be more honest with yal and say that I can't stand bedside care anymore either. I lost all my passion and it just does not bring any joy at all to see or care for my patients. I will do add that I work at most notorious unit that is known to burn nurses quickly and where no one ever wants to float to and where lots of floated nurses and pcas cry. Right now I hate this career so i need your advice.

I want to ultimately become a physician through the military (HSPS) and I do not mind caring for our soldiers and their family because I love and respect them and their services. In order to do so, I need a change in my nursing career. I am looking into 8 hour shift nursing jobs or some different kinds of nursing that is not bedside nursing. I also love the business side of the world. Making business trips, talking and interacting with clients, moving large funds, or maybe just even management side of nursing. These kinds of jobs will shift me away or at least limit me from bedside and also earn me some time for online classes for premed recs. I even looked into legal nurse consultant but they require extensive experience. The thing is, I expect a lot from myself and this does not cut it at all. We all deserve much.better than this and if the only way to increase my QOL is by leaving it, I am ready to bust my bottom even harder to achieve what I want.

I really appreciate your time for heeding to my sincerity and need of some serious advice. I am not just a hater; it's just not for me, I'm not happy, and I want to be happy. That's what all we want, happiness, and I am sure you will help me find my path. Thank you.

[VTach2013]

I think most of us go through the same thing! Nursing is a shock once you graduate and realized what you gotten yourself into. But don't loose heart. It will get better with time and once you feel more confident in your new role. The first thing you should do find a new job ASAP! (I know thats probably hard with no experience) but since you yourself said no one even want to float there... I would get out of that place real quick. The people you work with and your supervisors can make or brake the place. Next you need to come up with a plan. If its med school then start working to achieve that goal. Start taking your premed classes and take your MCAT. Whatever it is you hope to achieve start soon if your not comfortable where you are. Make it happen and good luck!

[OCRN3]

Yes floor nursing is hard, but I think if you made it this far you should make the best of it. If you really cant stand it maybe you can move on to somewhere else. Most hospitals are places where there are cliques and favoritism. If you are not a favorite or do not play by the cultures rule at any certain organization you will be outcast-ed. Doctors generally believe they are superior to most nurses unless you prove yourself as a competent nurse and don't take any "crap" from them. Management will also not bully you around if you can show them you are a valuable person to the team. Working so many years in hospitals, I seen the tougher nurses, strong willed ones survive that tough environment longer.

When I was new I felt the same way, not respected and looked down upon, but you can not let someone else dictate how you feel about yourself. You were smart enough to complete nursing school so you are smart and tough enough to handle it.

My best advice is to stick it out, it will make you stronger, you show them that you can succeed.

Im sorry to say I worked with so many nurses and doctors that just treated the new ones bad until they were proven competent. I think nursing is the most rewarding job that i have a love hate relationship with but I wouldn't choose any other career. Good luck!