Time to throw in the towel...

NewbieNeedsHelp · Nov 22, 2012

I've cried like...at least 4 times in 2 years ha. Usually because I was stressed and overwhelmed, once because of an unusually gory code. If you never cried I would be worried. We are after all people. Right after my dad died I thought every tall 60 year old man looked like him and had some of the same personality traits as him....and I would cry a little. Every ETOHer I get now I think of him and I really want to treat those patients with a lot of love... Try and refocus the energy into something that makes u a better nurse instead of making you doubt urself! You seem like a good dude

DoeRN · Nov 22, 2012

I know I don't post much and what I do post I gripe about being unhappy. Have you started looking at other avenues? I know everyone says hang in there, have activities outside work etc. But if work stresses you out then it is hard to focus on anything else. You may have a hobby but then comes the time for you to go back to work.

I finally had to realize that there are other things I can do with my nursing degree. I'm going back to school to expand on that degree. You don't have to be unhappy. Have a plan in place. Trust me knowing that I will be doing something different helps me go in to do direct patient care. It isn't for everyone and I'm one of those nurses who doesn't like it. But I'm doing something about it.

AWanderingMinstral · Nov 23, 2012

I have worked in both nursing research and health insurance and they were both reeeeeeeeeeeeeeally boring. I realized, at both 25 and 35, that I want to do good work and see the world. Having been a Peace Corps volunteer about a decade ago, I applied to Doctors Without Borders and, after the application and two interviews, I was accepted. So, I think I'm going to do that and, hopefully, it will be a springboard for something bigger and better in global health. Thanks, Newbie and doe, and I hope that you both had wonderful Thanksgivings. I was at work.. : )

Clementia · Nov 23, 2012

Good for you. Congrats on getting out of bedside nursing. It's got its high points, but it is an awfully draining profession. I hope your new career path works out well for you.

Anna Flaxis, BSN, RN · Nov 25, 2012

Bedside nursing was really demoralizing for me a lot of the time. I love the critical thinking of nursing, and the opportunity to apply critical thinking in a caring capacity. However, as a bedside nurse, I felt a great deal of pressure to push the critical thinking aside in favor of tasks- fetch this, fluff that, wipe this, empty that- and to do those tasks as quickly as possible and with the utmost of compassion. I am not a tasky nurse. I'm a big-picture nurse. I hated being a tasky nurse, and often felt relegated to the same role of a waitperson, housekeeper, or personal assistant rather than a healthcare professional.

I am much more content in my role away from the bedside. I do direct patient care, which I definitely want to do, but there is little to no role ambiguity. It is far more satisfying for me.

I haven't completely ruled out bedside nursing in the future, but if it ever comes to that, I will enter into it with a whole different attitude than I did as a new grad.

Wishing you luck in your future endeavors! DWB sounds exciting! Keep us posted on your adventures!

AWanderingMinstral · Nov 25, 2012

Bedside nursing was really demoralizing for me a lot of the time. I love the critical thinking of nursing, and the opportunity to apply critical thinking in a caring capacity. However, as a bedside nurse, I felt a great deal of pressure to push the critical thinking aside in favor of tasks- fetch this, fluff that, wipe this, empty that- and to do those tasks as quickly as possible and with the utmost of compassion. I am not a tasky nurse. I'm a big-picture nurse. I hated being a tasky nurse, and often felt relegated to the same role of a waitperson, housekeeper, or personal assistant rather than a healthcare professional.
I am much more content in my role away from the bedside. I do direct patient care, which I definitely want to do, but there is little to no role ambiguity. It is far more satisfying for me.
I haven't completely ruled out bedside nursing in the future, but if it ever comes to that, I will enter into it with a whole different attitude than I did as a new grad.
Wishing you luck in your future endeavors! DWB sounds exciting! Keep us posted on your adventures!

Thank you, Stargazer, for the supportive response. You articulated exactly how I feel about bedside nursing. It's a matter of completing a list of tasks. I've found that you can complete 99 of 100 tasks and it's the one you didn't do (well enough) that negates all of your other efforts. It seems like it's never enough...whether you're made to feel that way by a patient, a co-worker, or an administrator. I am confident that I will NOT miss the bedside. Be well!

DSkelton711 · Nov 29, 2012

I could really feel the frustration in your post. I can't really give any good advice because I am at a crossroads myself. I just wanted to wish you the best in whatever path you choose. Do something that you can be passionate about, that brings you a sense of accomplishment, something you don't dread. Take care!

anotherone, BSN, RN · Dec 4, 2012

Although I have no social life and often feel like an emotionless zombie, your post reminds me why I hated day shift and prefer nights. ( less interactions with pts,visitors and staff and chaos). In general, less oppurtunities to feel "not enough for only doing 99/100 fast enough" I hate the feeling of even thinking about giving into a whiny customer (sarcasm) over what is actually the priority. Or having some uneducated moron imply or say i am a bad nurse for not getting ice cream fast enough. ugh a few times i have felt on the verge of tears at work due to frustration and feeling overwhelmed . Mostly i just get annoyed and have to control not tears but a snappy comment!

CrunchRN, ADN, RN · Dec 4, 2012

Please tell us what it is like being part of Doctors without Borders. That sounds really interesting.

Talon · Dec 5, 2012

Please know that you are not alone in how you feel about bedside nursing. It's never about how much you were able to accomplish during a shift and how well you prioritized, but ALWAYS about what you didn't do. It's ALWAYS about everyone else's priorities not getting met, but it's YOUR license on the line. After 13.5 yrs as an RN, I'm out too, never to return. Wishing you much good luck on your new path. Let us know how it turns out.

Sadala, ADN, RN · Dec 15, 2012

Please tell us what it is like being part of Doctors without Borders. That sounds really interesting.

This! I was just listening to a broadcast about that organization working with refugees in the Congo. Only it was the french version and I don't want to butcher THAT name since I don't know how to do those accent marks and all...

Don't forget about us when you start working with them because I'm sure whatever you are able to share would be fascinating.