Fed up of Nursing and only a year in

ionatan · Nov 19, 2013

Sorry to hear you are so burnt out. Don't you think you should look into a different job? Perhaps even a different type of nursing? I wouldn't give up on it just because your current job sucks. I'm not sure what all you dislike about the job so far, but it sounds like the facility you are in may have a difficult patient population.

Carrie_MTC · Nov 22, 2013

I agree, look into some different types of nursing before you give up completely. One of my close friends who worked the floor with me in the hospital felt the same way, and thought she didn't want to be a nurse anymore. She found a job as a breast cancer specialist, and is there to assist patients going through treatment on what to expect. Maybe bedside care isn't for you, there are many things you can do with a your license, consider your options.

awalker1015 · Nov 28, 2013

OP I could have written your post three years ago while at my first job in the hospital out of nursing school. So I left my facility and joined a private specialty practice. I love my job now. And the pay is better. I didn't dislike bedside nursing, but rather hated the dangerous conditions the facility had nurses working under. Every time I went to work I felt I was at risk for losing my license due to unsafe conditions such as high nurse:patient ratio in a high acuity unit, lack of management, and lack of support in general.

See what else is out there. That is the beauty of nursing. It has many options!!!!

**RosesrReder, BSN, MSN, RN** · Nov 28, 2013

OP I could have written your post three years ago while at my first job in the hospital out of nursing school. So I left my facility and joined a private specialty practice. I love my job now. And the pay is better. I didn't dislike bedside nursing, but rather hated the dangerous conditions the facility had nurses working under. Every time I went to work I felt I was at risk for losing my license due to unsafe conditions such as high nurse:patient ratio in a high acuity unit, lack of management, and lack of support in general.
See what else is out there. That is the beauty of nursing. It has many options!!!!

That sounds wonderful and ideal however these days one is lucky to get the crummiest job in the market without having to hand over your first-born.

Times have changed.

EsMo18 · Nov 29, 2013

I completely agree. I was a paramedic in the military and civilian world but nursing was always my dream since high school. I was excited right out of nursing school when I was hired for my first job... hated it. Transferred after a few months to a different department... hated it. Decided to try a different hospital and took the only position available, which was med/surg... I hate it. I have dreaded coming into work for years and I've been a nurse since 2008. I am at the point where I am not happy with nursing at all. I don't know exactly what I expected but THIS is NOT what I expected. I was optimistic when nurses could get a job anywhere doing whatever they wanted but there aren't jobs opportunities like that anymore. I have contemplated going back to school for something else but I have no idea what I would like to do. I've thought about going back to school to be a paramedic or at least being dual certified as a medic and RN. I'm also tired of going to school. I have 3 more classes to finish my BSN but I have no motivation to do it and see no point since I am so unhappy in nursing. I'm definitely at a loss... so no you aren't the only one that feels that way.

RaggedtoRadiant · Nov 30, 2013

My heart goes out to you. I spent most of my nursing career feeling overwhelmed with difficulty slowing down after work. Nursing is incredibly stimulating to the mind, body and emotions.

As a veteran of burnout x2 I eventually came to understand just how essential it is to start some kind of structured program to manage your stress and overactive mind and nervous system. If I had done this it would have saved me a lot of emotional and physical suffering.

There are many different approaches out there, check online and see what fits in with your values and beliefs. Find out exactly WHAT is causing you stress and then you can deal with the individual stressors; its probably a combination of your own stressors, the work environment and maybe the patient environment. Good luck.

naptimeRN · Dec 2, 2013

I feel ya! I've been an RN for a little over a year working on the med surg and tele floors and man do I already feel the burn. While I secretly struggle with anxiety anyways, the ridiculous understaffing is a huge factor in why my stress level is through the roof. Another reason being that I was forced into being charge nurse recently when I am low man on the totem pole on my shift. Makes no sense and is unfair and I very much dislike the duties of charge nurse so now absolutely dread going to work but that's another long, disappointing story lol. Point is, you are not alone. I was no longer super anxious when working the floor (being charge is another story again) but I still would feel burn out. Working in a hospital is stressful as is. We are surrounded by sick people, irritable patients, families, coworkers, doctors. We are constantly having more responsibilities and such thrown upon us. Understaffing is an epidemic at many hospitals. I at times wonder if it's being a nurse I dislike or the hospital that I dislike. I truly think it's the whole hospital environment. Feeling stuck though because not many openings where I am in anything other than hospital jobs. I hope you find happiness in a niche. Don't feel bad you aren't loving this whole thing so far. I know I'm not in love with my career choice. . At least not yet. But here is to hoping better things are to come. .

iluvgusgus · Dec 2, 2013

Some days I think it is ok, some days are nightmares and I wish there were a way out. I got kicked hard in the stomach the other day and spit at by the same pt. I think we should get a cash bonus every time we are assaulted, physically and verbally. I honestly dont know why nurses put up with the conditions that we do for the pay that we do. Why do we put up with understaffing? Why do we put up with ghetto CNAs who cant get off their cells who hide in the linen closet and dont answer their phone or do anything they are asked to do? Why do we let MDs talk to us with such condescending disrespect at times and why do nurses do it to each other? So much responsibility, no authority. Maybe there needs to be different roles added to acute care, have responsibilities divided up differently, or just more nurses! Hospitals can afford them, they make millions in profits every year.

rnrg · Dec 12, 2013

That sounds wonderful and ideal however these days one is lucky to get the crummiest job in the market without having to hand over your first-born.
Times have changed.

This is so true. I couldn't have said it better myself.

Ruby Vee, BSN · Dec 12, 2013

I've been an RN for a year and I'm ready to call it a day already. Does anyone else feel like this? I feel constantly overwhelmed and can never seem to wind down from work. I dread going to work. I've had a few particularly bad shifts recently including nearly having a drip stand bashed into my head it missed me my millimetres.
Anyone got any advice on how to like my career again?

The first year of nursing is miserable, and everyone knows that. What some people don't know is that it takes more than a year for some folks to get through the misery. It took me nearly two years. I was overwhelmed all the time, and I was so miserable I'd cry all the way home, and sometimes all the way to work. I'd lay awake all night ruminating over the patients I'd had, wondering if I'd made all the correct decisions and if I'd given the 2200 meds. A few bad shifts may be all it takes to push you over the edge. I'd say give it more time.

Take care of yourself. Try to leave work at work as much as you can or, silly as it seems, give yourself a half hour to worry at a specified time and then stop yourself from thinking about work when that time is over. Have an after work routine that soothes you and helps you transition from work to home. Take a hot bath, walk the dog, read quietly or have a glass of wine. Be religious about taking your "me time" after work. Make time for beloved hobbies, friends and family on your days off. Make something OTHER than work your focus so that you have an identity outside of work. This forum has plenty of threads on combatting burnout -- you may find suggestions in them that will help you.