Finally decided to quit nursing

[jennjen512]

Hi everyone. I have been a nurse for over 7 years and for the past year I have debated getting out of the profession for good. I had just finished the week long hospital orientation for a new job and was to start clinical orientation Sunday. Between Friday afternoon and Saturday afternoon I was having big doubts about the job, then I realized that it wasn't the job itself that I didn't like. I hate hate hate being a nurse. I called the unit manager on her cell phone Saturday afternoon and told her my decision and that I would not be coming back. I am scared to death because I have no income at this point but at the same time I have a sense of relief and peace about the whole situation.

[Woodenpug, BSN]

Congratulations on a wise decision! I truly would prefer working short staffed than with someone who "hates nursing."

Please, do not listen to those telling you that nursing has other opportunities. I have worked with too many administrative and educational nurses who hate nursing. They obviously hate nursing and want to prove that nursing "sucks" to their pupils / subordinates.

On the plus side, I know someone who "hated nursing," but became an assistant manager, then started her own succesful small business. You passed nursing school, and survived years in practice, you can succeed in many other fields.

Good luck, and thank you, for not staying in nursing.

[Merced]

for me it took almost a quarter of a century & some serious soul searching (not to mention the death of 2 family members) to realize I was in the wrong career. In my case, it was IT I bailed on. Needless to say, even being financially back up against the wall I'm not interested in sticking my head back into that particular meatgrinder - get the shakes just thinking about it.

Know what you mean about feeling so much better about a situation - it was just such a relief not to ... more being subjected to continual harassment by managers & co-workers. No more being under continual electronic scrutiny. No more doing work that always seemed to be totally useless & meaningless. Happy sigh!

As for me - newly minted CNA & working on prereqs to move into an LVN/ADN/BSN program, while looking for a paying gig - and, looking forward to the change!

----- Dave

LOL - all the times I have had daydreams of sitting in front of a computer screen to earn money, rather than trying to keep a high number of sick people happy.

After all these years, though, I have found that the one thing I can NOT tolerate is boredom, & that's one thing that nursing rarely is. Also the 1 or 2 people who smile & are happy because of me, does in the end make up for all the awful stuff.

I am now teaching, & it is always so fascinating to me to have people from accounting, I.T., etc, coming into nursing - always for the right reasons, & they will improve the field for everybody.

[Merced]

I love being a nurse so its hard for me too understand other nurses who hate the profession altogether. When I was in nursing school i was very passionate and really enjoyed it. Iam not an insecure person so I was confident with what I knew and didn't knew I felt like nursing school was a bootcamp to be coming a nurse. I always thought to my self that I only get to go through it once so enjoy it. My mother has been a nurse for 45 years and is retiring this month. I don't know if its in my blood or something but I have pride in what do. I have worked in hospitals for 12 years. Six years as a Cna and ward clerk. I spent 2 years in medical records after I injured my back and was taking my prereqs for the RN program and going on 4 years as a nurse on med/surg and tele floor. I love what I do and try and do the best job I can everyday. I don't like the politics and lack of management support and disorganized enviroment I work in but you know what iam a nurse and I'd dont care where you put me I can take care of my patients ( iam not talking about unsafe ratios or anything just being able to handle my own)With that being said if you know in your heart that nursing is not for you, then thank you for leaving cause I want to work with passionate and motivating people. I hope you too find your passion. Good luck to you!

I think this is a really beautiful post - thank YOU

[ANurseDivided]

Uh...since when? Have you seen all of the unemployed new grads? Healthcare is NOT secure anymore, and please don't take this the wrong way, but you are spreading a falsehood by state the bolded.

And if one DIDN'T want to be a bedside nurse, CRNA, nurse manager, or NP, then why on Earth would they want to be a nurse in the first place???

It sounds like you may have had a plan of what you wanted to do when you became a nurse but unfortunately, many do not or rather maybe they change their minds once they got too far in. I think that is great if you know exactly what you want to do...

I kind of feel that healthcare is probably more secure than many other professions but that is my opinion. I get about 10 calls a week from agencies calling about open nursing positions...so there is a need. I think that the problem lies in the fact that employers want everyone to be already made...meaning experienced. No one wants to train anyone anymore which is unfortunate.

[jennjen512]

When I first became a nure I did truly like it but I don't know if I have changed or the job itself has changed or maybe even both. This was not a purely emotional decision. I have been wanting to quit for about a year now and kept letting myself get talked out of it. The manager actually said she respected me for telling her this early on instead of waiting when I know that it is no longer for me. I have worked in a clinic setting as well as agency and I just don't see myself doing it any more. Case manager jobs are next to impossible to get here. I have enough money set aside that I can support myself for a couple of months and be just fine. I already have interviews set up for next week with a dme company and an insurance company. I really don't know where I will end up but in the end everything always works out. It isn't fair to me, the patients, or the facilities for me to continue to work a job that I no longer want to be in. I may end up back in nursing at another time, but for now it is time for me to exit.

[RN In FL]

You did what I hope to have the guts to do some day. I hate nursing too- there arent any other settings to go into except bedside- which is the worst. Best wishes to you and congrats on getting your life back.

It has run through my mind especially lately, that it might be more important to file for bankruptcy and work at burger king, than to continue in this hE double hockeystick that nursing is.

I'm so jealous! :-)

There ARE other settings nurse can go into. Working with an HMO, such as Blue Cross Blue Sheild, Aetna, Cigna (case-managers, pre-auth nurses).....There are so many opportunities for nurses outside of the clinical setting. Occupational Health Nurse for major plants, such as GMC. RN's with clinical experience can become a pharma. sales rep and travel. RN's can also work for DoD overseas...excellent pay. The list can go on and on. As nurses we must learn to "re-invent" ourselves, within our profession.

[RN In FL]

Hi JennJen512Finally someone who feels the same way that I do. I am almost embarrassed to tell anyone that I really do not like being a nurse. I don't even like to tell people that I am a nurse.I do feel that nursing is not for everyone. I truly feel that nursing is engineered for a nurse to work at the bedside, be a nurse manager, CRNA, or NP. If one does not want to do either one of those jobs then you are stuck.I so badly just want get away from the bedside but it is so hard. The nursing profession makes it seem like there are so many opportunities available for nurse but I would have to disagree. If you don't have the experience then guess what you are not leaving the bedside. I feel so trapped.I go to work everyday dreading going there. I try not to have a bad attitude but I'm fading fast. I don't want to take another bp or push someone in a wheelchair or help someone to the bathroom.But it is unrealistic for me to try to change mid course now as I have been a nurse for 12 years and I'm 37 years old. Let's face it, healthcare = job security. But don't think for one minute that I have not thought about doing exactly what you have done.

There ARE other settings nurse can go into. Working with an HMO, such as Blue Cross Blue Sheild, Aetna, Cigna (case-managers, pre-auth nurses).....There are so many opportunities for nurses outside of the clinical setting. Occupational Health Nurse for major plants, such as GMC. RN's with clinical experience can become a pharma. sales rep and travel. RN's can also work for DoD overseas...excellent pay. The list can go on and on. As nurses we must learn to "re-invent" ourselves, within our profession.

[Palliative Care, DNP]

I absolutely can not stand bedside nursing anymore either! I am going prn in April and count down every single shift I have left until then. I find it absolutley miserable and dread every single shift. I am about to begin a DNP program and hope becoming a NP is what will make the difference:twocents:

[NickiLaughs, ADN, BSN, RN]

There are nursing jobs out there completely different. When I was DONE with ICU just a few weeks ago. I was lucky enough to have a friend doing case management so I put in my notice and went there.

So basically. Now I sit at a desk look at charts for an insurance company and see if the admission was appropriate or not. Write a little note and off to the next one.

Some people complain about the stress. Honestly, I see my son every night and tuck him in and read a story. I don't come home covered in blood or traumatized from a horrible family or wondering if I remembered to do everything. It's so much better than what I was doing before.

Before you completely get away from nursing, try a completely different end. I'm so glad I did.

[martymoose, BSN, RN]

There ARE other settings nurse can go into. Working with an HMO, such as Blue Cross Blue Sheild, Aetna, Cigna (case-managers, pre-auth nurses).....There are so many opportunities for nurses outside of the clinical setting. Occupational Health Nurse for major plants, such as GMC. RN's with clinical experience can become a pharma. sales rep and travel. RN's can also work for DoD overseas...excellent pay. The list can go on and on. As nurses we must learn to "re-invent" ourselves, within our profession.

I keep hearing this all the time- it must be regional. I comb the want ads every week. Even if there is a job offer, its for a BSN (although I am finishing that up anyhow) Some of the Pharm rep jobs wanted " blank years experience and PROVEN track record"

When making decisions to change or quit one's job, lots of thought goes into it hopefully to make the best decision.

I even thought of occupational health- as I came from working at GM, but in my area there are no more industrial jobs( ie- Kodak is even going bye-bye) .I guess I just have to have the guts to move away and get a new life.

Op best wishes to you in doing that :-)

[Wave Watcher]

If I hadn't of found School Nursing I would have quit with less than 2 yrs under my belt. I HATE floor nursing. I will go hungry before I go back on the floor. BUT I found my place......in the schools....M-F, weekends/holidays off/summers off.

You will find your place as well. May not be nursing but you will find happiness in your work.

I wish you the very best!!! You can do it!!!

[weluv3]

I'm with you!! I'm getting out as soon as I can! It's been a miserable past 5 years for me, starting with nursing school up to now.

It's not the patients that I hate, it's not the hard work.. it's FIRST the other catty nurses that I've encountered EVERYWHERE, who are just horrible! It's the short staffing, the impossible tasks to perform in the time frame we're given, it's the lack of resources, and ultimately the stress level, and the fear of being thrown under the bus by everyone.

I'm a very positive and happy person who just does NOT fit in. There is always someone who is right there, wanting to knife you in the back. I'm going to a profession where I work basically alone.

BEST of wishes to you! And I admire your bravery!!!

Your specific sentence above about you being a very positive and happy person, struck a chord with me. That is me. I am a very happy, energetic person and I am waiting to hear back on acceptance to nursing schools. This scares the poop out of me that I am going to be saddened that I won't "fit in"