Well, it is what it is. Just a revelation.

[missladyrn]

I have come to a real conclusion. I just don't like nursing. I kept telling myself that I just need to get through the first year, find a better job, get more experience. But here it is. I have 3 years of experience and have tried a few different areas and I still don't like it. In my entire life, I have never had a single job I did not enjoy until I became a nurse. I enjoyed waiting tables, working in a coffee shop, scooping ice cream, being a cashier at a supermarket. I have always enjoyed going to work, being productive, and doing my job. Nursing is terrible. The stress and workload is unmanageable. I dread going to work and count the minutes until I can leave. Now that I have a baby on the way, I know I need to get out. But alas, this revelation is to going to help me pay my bills so I am stuck for now. I need an exit strategy.

[BostonTerrierLover, BSN, RN]

Calling in sick, and going to spa?

Calling in sick and going to sleep?

Calling in sick and putting applications in everywhere?

Many ways to find happiness.

[VICEDRN, BSN, RN]

Miss lady- My favorite expression is "it is what it is" I say it so often that people parrot it at me when they see me. Don't know what to tell you, only you know what path is yours to take. I started my application to grad school with three kids, one of which is a newbie infant. Lots of online coursework awaits me. Good luck!

[BrandonLPN, LPN]

I would still argue there's a nursing job out there more suited to you. There's so many different things a nurse can do. And most of them bear little resemblance to each other.

[Riseupandnurse]

After many years of nursing I took a career aptitude test just to see what would happen. I found out my dream career would have been as an architect. :) But I also got a lot clearer on what I liked and didn't like. That helped me come up with an exit strategy WITHIN nursing (but it could have been outside it as well) that helped me face each day. Just a suggestion.

[N1colina]

After many years of nursing I took a career aptitude test just to see what would happen. I found out my dream career would have been as an architect. :) But I also got a lot clearer on what I liked and didn't like. That helped me come up with an exit strategy WITHIN nursing (but it could have been outside it as well) that helped me face each day. Just a suggestion.

Hey just curious, what was your exit strategy? And in what area of nursing did you leave for it?

[joanna73, BSN, RN]

Self reflection is important, in order to determine your values, likes, and dislikes within any career. During the past 5 months, I have been engaging in self reflection on a daily basis, as I need to make some decisions about nursing. As in: Should I continue with nursing, or pursue another degree? What are my values? What does my "ideal" workplace look like? What am I willing to tolerate? Not tolerate? How frequently do I want to work? Breaking it down this way really helped me. I also make lists frequently. Sometimes reading your thoughts in print will make everything more concrete. Out of all of this, I have decided that I definitely need to travel soon, and that I only want to work part time, in a completely different city. Relocation is in order.

[elprup, BSN, RN]

Self reflection is important, in order to determine your values, likes, and dislikes within any career. During the past 5 months, I have been engaging in self reflection on a daily basis, as I need to make some decisions about nursing. As in: Should I continue with nursing, or pursue another degree? What are my values? What does my "ideal" workplace look like? What am I willing to tolerate? Not tolerate? How frequently do I want to work? Breaking it down this way really helped me. I also make lists frequently. Sometimes reading your thoughts in print will make everything more concrete. Out of all of this, I have decided that I definitely need to travel soon, and that I only want to work part time, in a completely different city. Relocation is in order.

Exactly a great idea! Thank you for the guidance

[joanna73, BSN, RN]

You're welcome. Thank you too everyone :) Happy new year....new year, new life. Decide what makes YOU content. This is different for all of us.

[BlueDevil,DNP, DNP, RN]

Life is too short to spend any more of it doing something that is a great source of angst and stress. If this is not just a vent, but a self reflection that you are genuinely unhappy with your career choice I would start by cutting expenses drastically. Time to ebay and Craigs List all the stuff you don't need. and I mean NEED. Pay off all debt, and eliminate all non essential services. Cut the grocery bill down to nothing but basics. Stop eating out and going out for entertainment. Get rid of car payments. Refinance the house at a lower interest rate, if possible. My family has always lived on about 1/3 of our income, and we live very well by anyone's standards. Learn to live on a shoestring budget, 1/3 to 1/2 of what you are now. Hopefully you can afford to quit soon and go after what it is that you really want! Good luck.

[joanna73, BSN, RN]

Exactly. For example, I will be quitting my job this year, without another job. I've researched the nursing job market, and I'm not overly concerned about finding another job. However, I am willing to relocate. I've also carefully examined my finances to determine my budget and the worst case scenario. I've decided that I will take at least two months off to travel, but in preparation for this, I've been saving and picking up extra shifts, so when the time comes, I'm ready. Life is too short to do something you don't like, but...a strategy is essential, and it makes going to work easier.

[BrandonLPN, LPN]

I went part time (3 8hr shifts a week) recently and I'm loving it. I have no kids, own my house and my car and paid off my student loans already. So it occurred to me: why do I need to work full time? I can live quite comfortably on PT hours. And if I really need to, picking up a couple shifts is usually an option. If you can afford it, maybe just having some extra time off will refresh your mind and body.

[brown eyed girl]

You have discovered the trade-off.

The fun ice-cream-scooping jobs carried little responsibility and you were paid little for the work. But in the long run, lack of enough money to lead a comfortable life brings its own stess.

Nursing is high stress with a lot of responsibillity and a license required and is much better paid.

Which one matters more to you if you cannot have both?

Preach!