am wanting to leave nursing

If at all possible, take a break. If you have vacation time, use it. Or the Family Leave Act, that was a decent suggestion.

Over the years I've found it to be true that people are creatures of habit. It is hard for us to imagine any way different than our own. Nursing is so varied, and so rich, that I can't help but feel that you are closing your eyes to many possibilities, because you might have to give up your "expertise" in oncology or in floor nursing in order to explore them. Some excellent suggestions have already been made: Hospice, for one, would use your skills and is *so* different from institutional nursing! If it is "politics" that is getting you down, be aware that Home Health and Hospice allow you to pretty much avoid the office most of the time, and I have never worked for a Home Health agency that wasn't supportive when I needed them. You work out of your car and your nursing bag, and the patients are usually very appreciative. It's very holistic.

I remember going through a similar time in ER. I dreaded work. It was making me physically ill. I had a family to help support, and I was so tired! Ultimately, I took a job in Home Health. And then, a year later, I got a license from California and moved my family out here, and it was the best thing I could have done. I knew I couldn't deal with floor nursing stresses, so for years I worked Home Health, then Telephone Triage, then Clinic -- and with the exception of one Triage job, they were all lovely jobs with lovely co-workers where I made pretty good money. In the last 2 years, I've *finally* gone to floor nursing on a Med/Surg floor, because I wanted to travel and none of the companies would hire me without that floor nursing experience. The big shock was the horrible schedule! So, after 18 months, I now work the Float Pool with total control over my schedule and making 25% more money

Life is a risky business, but some risks are infinitely more rewarding than others. I feel for you so much! So many of us have been where you are!

I know exactly how you feel. I've been an ER nurse for 5 years....went right into the ER out of nursing school. I had worked there 6 years as a receptionist beforehand. I'm totally burnt out and no longer have the desire to be a nurse. I've been thinking of what else I could do and make the same money, and unfortunately, there's not much out there. So now I'm looking at the idea of changing the "type" of nursing I do. I'm looking into PACU or amb surgery. It's a shame we dont hear "thank you" or get any praise at all for what we do. Not to mention, get paid enough. I came into work the last 2 nights I worked and the first patients I came into contact with, laid me out because of the "hours" they had been waiting, etc, etc, etc. I just stood there looking at them and thinking to myself "why do I do this?" My fiance's father recently passed away and he is from Egypt. We are looking to move there so he can take over his father's business....maybe that will open up a new path for me.

I started traveling 2 1/2 years ago thinking that would help, but it hasn't. All I can say is keep your chin up, and I will do the same. I'm still looking......

I'm kinda in the same place for alot of reasons. I appreciate reading everyone's posts.

Take a long hard look at all this great advice. Especially the thought that you may be clinically depressed and it isn't just nursing that is effecting you.

Take care of yourself and try to focus on how much you mean to your patients. My 11 year old nephew has cancer and has been through so much. Nurses are heros to him.

steph

I have to say, as someone currently studying to be a nurse, this is an ineresting topic.

I've work in law enforcement for 5 years and can tell you, the grass isn't much greener elsewhere. In my job, I've found that as badly as people thing police treat the public, they often treat each other ten times worse.

There is so much backstabbing, mistreatment, and verbal abuse on my dept. it's disgusting. When you go to ask your supervisor a simple question and for an answer you get "What the F--- do you want?"

Or if you make a simple mistake, "What's wrong with you? Are you F---ing stupid?"

That's the norm with a lot of people there.

Anyway, that's just the tip of the iceburg. After a lot of soul-searching, I decided nursing was something I'd enjoy, and the nurses I've talked to here have been really encouraging. When I hear of people's experiences like this, it makes me nervous, but then I also think I've been through so much in my current job, some of these situations in nursing might not bother me as badly.

Tim

((((((Reese)))))) Warm hugs to you hon. I think you have a very wise hubby who loves you enough to be happy that you are OUT of an environment that was making you miserable. Be thankful that you have him to come home to and cry to if need be. Use this time to search your heart for something else more suitable for you. When one door closes to us, another one always opens. Sometimes things occur for our own good because we aren't wise enough to say "Enough is Enough!" I wish you well dear one.

(((((((((Reese)))))))) I can't express my feelings for all you've just experienced better than cheerfuldoer has. Sometimes life makes decisions for us when we aren't able. I echo her thoughts completely and wish you all the best in whatever direction you go. There's something out there for you-- please don't lose hope or faith in yourself.

all the above suggestions are great ideas. I did oncology nursing for 4 years before that patient census for transfered to another floor. I loved doing it while I was doing it. But, after I no longer took care of the cancer patients I noticed an extreme lessening of my stress. My biggest concern was just exactly how much were we really helping these patients and I kept asking the doctors to give stats of recoveries vs deaths. Never got any responses from the doctors.

Home health and hospice are one on one and you get to follow up and actually see how the patients and families respond to you interventions, teachings and personal care. Very rewarding, lots of paperwork though.

Hang in there. It sounds like you're a very compassionate nurse.
Also, there is working the an oncology office giving out patient chemo. Lots of options. You'll do well. God Bless

(((((HUGS)))))))))))


I really hope everything works out for you.

Noney

Reese, please take some time to renew yourself. Life has handed you a unexpected curve, so just follow the curve for awhile. I think seeing a counselor is great, maybe you can file for work related compensation. I too have been in this situation. I should have quit too, but was so worried about health benefits for a family member, I stayed too long. I am now looking into other options that will allow me to do nursing and have a life. I think HH is a great option for you. Hospice too if your heart is really into oncology nursing. Let us know what is happening with you. It sounds like your hubby is a gem.