Quitting Nursing permanently

[BurntRN1]

How can we quit being a nurse forever? Do we just have to inform BON and voluntary surrender the license? I'm just burnt out and I feel like nursing is not for me. I don't enjoy it and everytime I come home, there's always worries if I've done all my work perfectly. Also, i don't want to sign the agreement with BON order because it's not worth fighting for, the pressure, the stress and not being happy. I just want to surrender my license without agreeing to do classess, working under supervision and other BS. Can we still work as an elderly sitter, taking care of their needs without a license? I mean, non-medical caregiving jobs like doing household needs and their companionship.I need some advice based on what you know.

[NotMyProblem MSN, ASN, BSN, MSN, LPN, RN]

A private duty job with or without a cna/rn license pays better than I get paid. I know some friends working a private duty, although they work more hours but less pressure, they make $$$ in one week than I'm currently making in two weeks. But you have to be in a big city. Also, I just called the BON in that state confirming that I can work as a private caregiver or companioship including meal preparation, as long as I'm not holding any license. I just have enough with people I'm working with, the pressure and the stress. It's physical and mental draining.

So, why no just take the classes, keep the license, and just look for another job outside of healthcare? Years later, you may decide to try nursing again. Get the license back in good standing first, then leave to pursue something entirely different, if that's what you truly want. Just because you have a nursing license, it doesn't mean that you have to work as a nurse.

Another key point to consider is that other individuals may be jealous of you having an RN license. Until you've actually eyeballed their pay checks and walked minute for minute in their shoes leading up to payday, I wouldn't believe a word they told me if I were you. Right now, you're at a higher level than they are...too big for your britches, they may think. People love to see others brought down to their levels. You have the greater potential for advancement than they do and I'm sure they know this. As an RN, you could work your way up to Chief Nursing Officer of a hospital, then the $$$, compared to $$$$$$, won't look so impressive, will it?

Think long and hard about what you're about to throw away.

[caliotter3]

If you find that you can make it as a private caregiver, more power to you. But realize that giving up your nursing license through revocation or surrender (also revocation in some states) can have negative consequences in the future. You will always be forced to disclose that you lost a professional license under negative circumstances, and that could cost you a job or a security clearance, etc. Not a step to be taken lightly.

[RNperdiem, RN]

Is there an "inactive" license status for your BON? If you ever need to work as a nurse again, you would be in a better position.

See if caregiving is how your friends describe it. Personally, if you don't like nursing, why do you think a very closely related, lower paying field will be a better move?

[oldpsychnurse]

Unless the classes are extremely expensive or time-consuming, I'd take them and get my license in good order. You paid dearly for that license and you should try to hang onto it. If it's not good for anything else, it shows that you had the brains and determination it took to get it. Employers like that, and you can always explain that you didn't find the work appealing so have decided to try other things. If it helps, look at it more like a letter of recommendation when you go to find other employment. Good luck to you.

[greenandsilver]

BurntRN1, is this your first job? It sounds like maybe you need some perspective. Wait until you have six months to one year experience at this job then you can apply for other positions that will be more compatible to you. Getting that first experience can be tough but you can get through it. Buy a calendar and strike off the days and you will be surprised how fast they go by. If you are worried your work isn't completed when you get home, you need a different system. Are there any nurses who would be willing to share their worksheets with you. The major points of any nursing day are assessments, vital signs, treatments, medications, prns, checking for new orders periodically during the shift, reassessing pain, can anyone think of anything else? Work out a flowsheet will room for all of these to be crossed off as you do them and your day will be much easier. Just remember perfect shifts are rare. Are you able to move to a different part of the country where nursing is better paid? You always have options, remember that. You worked hard for your license and if you are in a job with low pay and no benefits, once you have the experience you can move up and out. If you are worried about not getting references from your job, if you are a new nurse you can still use instructors, preceptors, co-workers. Are there any volunteer opportunities that would be able to get you references? I would look into that as well. Good luck. I don't thing taking on home care after all your hard work will be satisfying. You could look into home health if you have a good driving record. They always need nurses it seems.

[Rocknurse, MSN, APRN, NP]

Want a tip? Do not surrender your license. It is incredibly difficult to get it back. There is no need or requirement to do that. You have the option to just let it lapse if you are not practicing. You never know down the road what may happen in your life and when you might need a job urgently. Surrendering a license is madness in my opinion. I had a friend who did that and then many years later regretted it when she found it almost impossible to have it reinstated and is still struggling to do so.

[kbrn2002, ADN, RN]

You don't have to surrender your license to not work as a nurse. That seems to be a bit of an extreme measure. Before you consider voluntarily surrendering your license, which I don't believe can be undone, please look at all your available options. You may be able to place it on an "inactive" status, you might just keep it as it is and pursue non-nursing jobs where whether you are a licensed nurse or not is immaterial. Please keep in mind that the BON is not your friend, don't turn to them for advice. Reach out to a lawyer or another professional knowledgeable about nurse licensing issues before making any decisions that can't easily be unmade.

[DNTcode]

I fully understand how you feel.

Nursing was turned into hell by some management graduates (or more so undergrads... like that would actually matter if they have master or only bachelor anyway), who actually in the best case scenario - walked down the hospital hallway and that made them qualified, rubber stamped and certified experts on "how to manage hospital". Have no idea what is it about (no matter how much they are convinced they do), people who will be sitting in disciplining appointment across the table with nurse who received awful complaint and they never actually see patient for more than two minutes, if ever. They do not know what it takes to be a nurse and deal with patients,

On the other side - it is hard to fight it, when patients are picking up doctors, hospitals, nursing homes solely on some internet grading (that does not reflect anything real and valuable - do you ever question how certain hospitals shockingly placed in top 50... while the really good ones did not make it at all...), which doctor has brightest smile or based on what color scheme and wallpaper was used in their rehab... well if those factors are the most appealing to the potential patients... the ignorants with bachelor degree in management and accounting and economy will rock the world. And they will rock it hard and well till the tipping point...

More and more people is frustrating with fact, that nurses nowadays are trained in - SCD's first, then MRSa, then "did you got Flu shot this season???", are you suicidal? and then maybe do the compressions and medication - the real saving the life thing.

That we have to pay dues to our boards... who tell us when we call them to "google it" or do it yourself online - on nursys (which has no phone number so you can't call them at all) and when there is issue your nursing board tell you - it is third party... we do not care, but we do not do that - use the nursys...or "did you tell the worker that license can't be transferred to Oklahoma??? (yea, like shouldn't your worker tell me, not that I should know more about their comfy chair job???)

About constant CEU's

Trainings one have to go to work on their days off.. in the most inconvenient times

BSN degree and then I am sure in future MSN... nurses practitioners are more and more prevalent at bedside... how funny is that?

Increased demands on charting, tasks, and responsibilities, with equally decreasing benefits, rights and protections...

Managers who can't do basic bedside thing for one, ONE patient, telling you how should you manage whole floor by yourself and with smile on a face and nod yes to everything! After of course you sacrifice your day off for some extra training that your employer requires so they are on good terms with Jaico for example.

Yeah... Joint Commission is another excellent example of important part of nursing :)

Instead of stepping on the neck the smart ass administration and making them responsible, they just announce their visit... and for few days in few years hospital is miraculously fixed up, fully staffed...

But maybe better because with ignorantism rulling the world... it would be always a nurse who would be in loss, getting witchhunted and responsible for everything.

So yes, I understand your burn out.

I myself think of - just find different job. Something completely, completely different. Accountants after few years can reach six figure salary. Teller can work themselves up to manager positions... Yet nurses stay same... no matter what you do, how important it actually truly is, and how miraculous we are to tackle that all down despite of all the obstacles thrown under our feet by leadership, administrations, commissions, legal bodies, nursing bodies, patient themselves, our salary does not reflect that, our salary does not increase, and I think our benefits are one of the lower tier ranks.

For me unfortunately I am medical field addict, and I really am not able to change the path.

But if you are considering it, all power to you.

Just do not give up your license yet, you may one day realize you want to go back. Or things I described above unexpectedly got sort out by new Bernie Sanders, or who knows... you might find yourself in bad situation, and there could be nice nursing job working for some really nice doctor.. and you might regret giving up your license.

You may look at how to keep your license inactive... and under what conditions you cold reactivate it. That's all. Just research it, do not do any harsh and premature decision.

Good luck to you!

[sadielazer]

Just burn it in effigy and mix drinks on a beach! Time kills us all the same, enjoy yours.

[RNOTODAY, BSN, RN]

I'm not saying work as an RN if you detest it-- however, having your license revoked-- is not good, it's like a dishonorable discharge from the service... it follows you. Plus? You worked hard for it. In addition? You * might* want to , or NEED to work as an RN , along with the $$ it provides. If you don't want to say , I understand, but could you elaborate on exactly what " classes" the BON wants you to take that's got you wanting to run??

[RNOTODAY, BSN, RN]

I can understand not wanting to work as an RN for however long, or every-- but please. Think . What's the harm in just HAVING it?? You don't have to work as an RN now. BUT if you " surrender ", which will in all actuality be a REVOCATION, you can never get it back, and it's a black mark on your record... I know a nursing license doesn't come easy, all of us know, so do you... could you elaborate more? I might be able to advise you more !!!

[Guest343211]

Don't even put it on "inactive" status;" b/c you may want to use it in the future--and you can if your reactivate; but there is a record that you had it on inactive. That alone doesn't mean something terrible, but it hurts you in having a competitive advantage. What's more, you can continue to volunteer as a nurse, and keep some ground in terms of exposure to healthcare.

Fortunately there are many different things today for which one can use a nursing degree. Explore them, but do not surrender or even place it on inactive. When you want to return, and you just may; future employers will wonder why it was on inactive status. Pay the money every two years. Keep up your CEUs, do some volunteering, and begin searching across all different nursing, healthcare, and business venues. And yes. You can work as an Uber driving too. :)

I know nurses that work on Norwegian Cruise Line.

Seriously, best wishes.