Abandoning Ship

speedynurse, ADN, BSN, RN, EMT-P · Mar 23, 2020

Sometimes - you need to do what’s best for you and your health. A job comes second. Nursing can be a rewarding profession, but not if you destroy your own health in the process of it. Also, the best thing about it is there are so many options! Sounds like you found one that will work better for you.

Serhilda, ADN, RN · Mar 23, 2020

Leave, and to hell with lining up another job first too. Find something far away from direct patient care and run. Don't feel an ounce of guilt. I sure wouldn't. You don't owe the general public your life.

Tirednurseandmomma14, BSN · Mar 23, 2020

I can relate. I am really struggling at work and all I am exposed to in the ER. I have had many days where I cry on my way home and say I didn't know I was signing up for this. I am so fearful to get this virus and pass it on to my family. Take care of yourself first- you are always dispensable as a nurse.

brandy1017, ASN, RN · Mar 24, 2020

With your age and comordities of recent cancer and asthma I would think your employer would waive you taking care of corona virus patients. Have you talked to employee health about your concerns and asked for a disability accommodation? Or at least to use a PAPR vs just a TB mask.

I would look into this before giving your notice.

Kooky Korky, BSN, RN · Mar 24, 2020

Instead of feeling guilty, why not applaud your intelligence and good sense?

Get out. Get FMLA or just quit. Best wishes.

brandy1017, ASN, RN · Mar 24, 2020

On 3/20/2020 at 12:56 PM, Trampledunderfoot said:
What about family members?
I am currently caring for my great aunt with a compromised immune system who is in her 90's and another family member who is older with asthma.
They are of the group that have been ordered to stay home and not expose themselves, while I work at a prison, currently with no COVID-19 cases, but with the potential of a very nasty outbreak.
I care for these family members, and we are pretty much all of our family that is left. I cannot live else where, and have no one else to care for them.
I hate the thought of going without work and income, and since I am young and very healthy, hate the thought of "abandoning ship" when there are nurses like OP out there who shouldn't have to be exposed.
But what about my family?
If they are ordered not to be exposed and go out, while I am bringing hordes of germs home to them and must do things like cook their dinner, how do I make this work?
If I quit, or cut back my hours, will I never be able to find a job again because of my history of taking off when the healthcare system needed me most? On the other hand, how can I live with myself if the only family I have left dies because of me?
What if you showered and changed clothes before you see your family and wear a mask if you have one. If you wash your hands or wear gloves wouldn't that be OK? You can use alcohol or bleach to wipe down door knobs, handles etc. I think some basic supplies like bleach wipes are starting to come back to the stores in limited supplies. Heck I even saw toilet paper today. LOL
Alot of us have either young children or elderly family we take care of. These are some steps we can do if we can't self isolate like the health care personnel of China did.

Safety Coach RN · Mar 24, 2020

On 3/17/2020 at 4:45 PM, cin808 said:
I'm coming to realize that I am not cut out for this profession (54 yo, licensed for 12 months). We are faced with this crisis and I am not up to the task. I've been sick with URI 3 times in 11 weeks--I'm catching everything. Cancer tx ended 17 months ago and it's taken its' toll. I'm dealing with some GI issues and I'm terribly out of shape. I am also very concerned about catching this virus. I feel that if I catch it, it will be the end for me. I have asthma and am prone to pneumonia.
It's hard to accept this reality. Of course I'm feeling awful about leaving my fellow nurses behind. I'm just off orientation feel a sense of loyalty to them but I'm just not ready to die. They are mostly much younger and from what I can tell, much healthier.
I will be jobless and poor but hopefully alive and if I can recover from the sense of guilt for failing and abandoning my coworkers, I hope to resume private duty cases and sub school nursing.
I'd love to hear your thoughts.

You have to take care of you, first and foremost. If you can’t do that, then what is there to feel guilty about? We can’t really fault any nurses that are high risk for COVID-19 or have someone at home that’s high risk.

Wlaurie, RN · Mar 24, 2020

I wouldn't give up nursing if you enjoy it. Not everyone is cut out to work at the hospital or other fast paced jobs. I'm working private duty/home health with 1 patient making pretty decent money. It's pretty low risk of infection and slower paced relative to other Nursing Jobs I've had. There are other nursing jobs out there, just start exploring and talking to other nurses like you're doing here.

rymanell, BSN, RN · Mar 24, 2020

I felt the same way at 54. I was a med-surg nurse for 3 years and decided to look at other Nursing Jobs. I learned a lot as I applied and interviewed. There are so many different opportunities and so many schedules available for nurses. I ended up at the same hospital in case management and I love it! The other job that I came close to accepting was public health. That would obviously be challenging in these times, but I think I would have liked that too. I really like working a normal 8-4:30 m-f and no weekends or holidays. It is also nice working with patients without physically taking care of them. I hope you find something you enjoy and feel safe doing!

Maribeth · Apr 16, 2020

You are so brave for staying as long as you have! You want safety for your colleagues, and if they had your medical history I am sure you would advise them to stay home. You deserve no less. You did not cause this mess. You are not able to cure this virus even if you did stay. What if you get sick? That would help no one. Stay safe and return after it is over. They will need healthy and rested nurses after the crisis.

vetnrse · May 2, 2020

On 3/17/2020 at 3:45 PM, cin808 said:
I'm coming to realize that I am not cut out for this profession (54 yo, licensed for 12 months). We are faced with this crisis and I am not up to the task. I've been sick with URI 3 times in 11 weeks--I'm catching everything. Cancer tx ended 17 months ago and it's taken its' toll. I'm dealing with some GI issues and I'm terribly out of shape. I am also very concerned about catching this virus. I feel that if I catch it, it will be the end for me. I have asthma and am prone to pneumonia.
It's hard to accept this reality. Of course I'm feeling awful about leaving my fellow nurses behind. I'm just off orientation feel a sense of loyalty to them but I'm just not ready to die. They are mostly much younger and from what I can tell, much healthier.
I will be jobless and poor but hopefully alive and if I can recover from the sense of guilt for failing and abandoning my coworkers, I hope to resume private duty cases and sub school nursing.
I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Hey, I picked the wrong profession 35 yrs ago. Never happy. hated it actually, the documentation, CYA on paper more important than pts, backstabbing coworkers, unappreciation, long hrs, hazardous work, always a risk for illness and blood borne / body fluids and respiritory pathogens, psych pts attacking nurses, been spit on, *** on, peed on , vomited on, scratched at , yelled at, back injured, all while trying to help pts. on and on. last minute on call supervisors begging you to come in and then playing games and terminating you next day( no I was not at fault) supervisor didn't like that I called him out on errors. on and on. No job is worth your health and well being detriment. They will drain you until nothing left. many obviously like this profession and good thing cuz we need good nurses. I'm not one of them and that is probably the only thing I would do different in my life. Is pick something I love. If you do stuff that you like the $ will come. I was always scraping with nurse pay.; could never pay bills, went bankrupt, . No I did not work in hospital. I hate even going in hospitals. I did agency and school nursing perdiem. even when working full time at this couldnt make ends meet , single mother and high rent. had to pay a ton of taxes as independant contractor . Anyway, so glad retired now, no pension, living on meager SSI . and medicaid. couldnt afford rent so had to live in van and camper for 2 yrs essentially homeless. So lucky now I found at wonderful pet/housesitting rent exchange. And I do additional dog walking , pet sitting in town. I love what I do. Always planned to be a vet since I was a kid, but did nursing cuz it was quicker and have a medical mindset. Happy now with what I do and you can be to. Better to get out of it now and do what you love. Thankyou to all the nurses that this profession is cut out for even though its not for all of us. Dont be afraid to change

brandy1017, ASN, RN · May 2, 2020

On 3/17/2020 at 4:45 PM, cin808 said:
I'm coming to realize that I am not cut out for this profession (54 yo, licensed for 12 months). We are faced with this crisis and I am not up to the task. I've been sick with URI 3 times in 11 weeks--I'm catching everything. Cancer tx ended 17 months ago and it's taken its' toll. I'm dealing with some GI issues and I'm terribly out of shape. I am also very concerned about catching this virus. I feel that if I catch it, it will be the end for me. I have asthma and am prone to pneumonia.
It's hard to accept this reality. Of course I'm feeling awful about leaving my fellow nurses behind. I'm just off orientation feel a sense of loyalty to them but I'm just not ready to die. They are mostly much younger and from what I can tell, much healthier.
I will be jobless and poor but hopefully alive and if I can recover from the sense of guilt for failing and abandoning my coworkers, I hope to resume private duty cases and sub school nursing.
I'd love to hear your thoughts.

You have nothing to feel guilty about! You have to do what's right for you. If anyone should feel guilty it's the corporate bean counters who chose not to stock adequate PPE and the govt likewise between FEMA and the CDC lowering the safety bar basically to protect hospitals and nursing homes from liability over inadequate PPE! Then to hear of the threats, intimidation from ripping masks off coworkers to firing doctors and nurses who stood their ground. They are the ones who are absolutely disgraceful! They should feel guilt and shame! Most importantly, they are the ones who should be held accountable!

I applaud the good and decent healthcare systems that made the effort to have adequate PPE such as PAPRS, are providing hazard pay and choosing to pay nursing staff for sick time or furloughs! If only the majority had such high standards!

It's to your credit that you persevered and finished your RN while dealing with cancer. I hope you can find other work in nursing or elsewhere. Please put your health first, and if you need to file for disability don't feel bad about it.

Disability could provide you income, health insurance (medicare after two years, sooner if your assets are low enough to qualify for medicaid}. Also it would make it easier to discharge your student loans. I don't know your personal situation, but it is something to consider. If this would apply to you, it can be a long process, upwards of a year or more, without income coming in. Rejections are not unusual, but if you use a lawyer your chances will be higher. My advice is to consider all your options!

Best of luck to you!