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At a low point- very disillusioned with nursing



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Sep 18, 2007 06:26 PM

At a low point- very disillusioned with nursing


I am so frustrated with nursing right now. I just want to give up. I tried acute care and didn't find it to my liking, to say the least. So, I tried a non-clinical job outside of acute care and it is not working out either. This is my third job in 16 months as an RN. I have been searching for another job and I'm finding it very difficult. Nursing shortage? Nope, not in my area. What clinical experience I do have in acute care (10 months) is counted as nothing since I didn't make it to the magical "one year". Recruiters would rather look at brand new grads than me since it has been about 5 months since I've been in acute care. The jobs that I have been offered to interview for are med-surg, midnights, both of which I swore I would never do again.

It's just not worth it anymore. Nursing has brought me nothing but stress and unhappiness from the very moment that I started nursing school. I just kept chugging along, hoping that it would get better. Well, life is just too short for this. I need to get out while I still can.

Thanks for listening. I'm not looking for answers, I just needed to vent.


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22 Comments
No. 1
from Fiona59
Old Sep 18, 2007, 06:34 PM

Default Re: At a low point- very disillusioned with nursing
It's a wise person who knows when to say "enough" and move on.

I have friends with degrees in Science working for insurance companies and in law offices.

If you can afford to take the time and think about what you enjoy, do it.

Good luck with your future.
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No. 2
from deeDawntee
Old Sep 18, 2007, 06:36 PM

Default Re: At a low point- very disillusioned with nursing
I am soooo sorry that you are having so much difficulty. You have been through so much. Getting in and making it through nursing school, passing NCLEX, getting your first jobs.....those are HUGE hurdles! You deserve so much credit for making it through all of that.

Your happiness is everything. There is absolutely no reason why you should do something that makes you miserable. I completely agree with you.

I would like to share a little of my story with you, if that's OK. I had 6 different nursing jobs in the first 2 years or so I was a nurse. It took me that long to find my niche. I really believe that given how much time and energy you have put into being a nurse that you should just keep looking. There are so many areas where nurses are needed that aren't widely known or advertised.

Good luck and all the best to you.
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No. 3
Old Sep 18, 2007, 06:59 PM

Default Re: At a low point- very disillusioned with nursing
It is not unusual to go through several jobs until you find one in nursing that you can settle on. Got to remember, this is not taught in nursing school. I would give it another try, nursing is so difficult because of the stress involved. For example, teachers, they deal with stress also, but they usually support each other and work a m-f dayshift. Huge difference. Best of luck.
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No. 4
Old Sep 18, 2007, 07:06 PM

Default Re: At a low point- very disillusioned with nursing
FWIW, it took me almost NINE years to find out where I belonged in nursing---right here in my 42-bed ALF. I did a little bit of almost everything (ICU, mother-baby, care management, staff development) and a lot of some things (med/surg and geriatrics). but I never felt at home until I found this last position, which is the one I hope to retire from...........some day! While I haven't held this job as long as I have others---three years is the longest---I'm almost 2 years in and still enthusiastic about what I'm doing.

Again, it took me a lot of years and a bunch of jobs to figure out my niche in nursing, and to be honest, I almost gave up too. Now I'm glad I didn't.

Best of luck to you!
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No. 5
from leslie :-D
Old Sep 18, 2007, 07:13 PM

Default Re: At a low point- very disillusioned with nursing
kat, i don't have any comforting advice.
wanted to let you know that i very much feel your disappointment and frustration.
and for that, i'm so sorry.
best of everything to you.

leslie
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No. 6
from SMK1
Old Sep 18, 2007, 07:28 PM

Default Re: At a low point- very disillusioned with nursing
Originally Posted by KatRN,BSN View Post
I am so frustrated with nursing right now. I just want to give up. I tried acute care and didn't find it to my liking, to say the least. So, I tried a non-clinical job outside of acute care and it is not working out either. This is my third job in 16 months as an RN. I have been searching for another job and I'm finding it very difficult. Nursing shortage? Nope, not in my area. What clinical experience I do have in acute care (10 months) is counted as nothing since I didn't make it to the magical "one year". Recruiters would rather look at brand new grads than me since it has been about 5 months since I've been in acute care. The jobs that I have been offered to interview for are med-surg, midnights, both of which I swore I would never do again.

It's just not worth it anymore. Nursing has brought me nothing but stress and unhappiness from the very moment that I started nursing school. I just kept chugging along, hoping that it would get better. Well, life is just too short for this. I need to get out while I still can.

Thanks for listening. I'm not looking for answers, I just needed to vent.
I'm sorry to hear you are having a tough time. I know you aren't looking for answers, but maybe you would enjoy a different form of nursing such as teaching at a program, CNA school or teaching ACLS/BLS and other classes? Or school nursing all of which are bit more autonomous. Or get out all together. You have to be happy or at least be able to tolerate your job.
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No. 7
from HealthyRN
Old Sep 18, 2007, 09:51 PM

Default Re: At a low point- very disillusioned with nursing
Thanks for the advice and support! I am feeling better after getting in a good workout. I will probably give it another shot, it's just frustrating. I feel like I made some poor decisions already in my career. I never should have left acute care before my year was up in the first place and now I'm back at square one looking at a med-surg position. Oh well.

Mjlrn- What is ALF? Just curious...
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No. 8
Old Sep 18, 2007, 10:01 PM

Default Re: At a low point- very disillusioned with nursing
Originally Posted by KatRN,BSN View Post
What is ALF? Just curious...
ALF = Assisted Living Facility
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No. 9
from Gwenelle
Old Sep 18, 2007, 10:14 PM

Default Re: At a low point- very disillusioned with nursing
I'm just a student in my first semester - but my goal is to be a Surgical RN - is this med/surg that you keep saying just that?? If so, I'm totally excited to know they let youinto the surgical suites as a new grad!

On a side note - I had heard that ALF's treat their RN's with much respect and admiration... maybe that would be a good fit for you. Never know till you try!

Best of luck!
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