Broke My 6 Week Contract

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I broke my 6 week contract today. I am still waiting to hear from my recruiter about what kind of consequences I face at this point. Last week I wanted to break the contract and she asked me to give her 2 weeks to avoid a fine charged to the agency. I hesitantly agreed. However, have not been sleeping. Still feeling completely miserable about nursing, and now I am sick. I guess that's not a big surprise. Being the person that I am, I went into work this morning thinking I could make it through my shift despite being sick. I lasted about 2 hours before turning sheet white and running to the bathroom. I think it was a mixture of being sick, my anxiety issues in nursing, and lack of sleep. I was sent to a neuro unit, haven't worked neuro in a looooong time. And the first thing that happens right before I get report, a patient falls. Of course it's going to be my patient. And the charge nurse looks at me and says....i guess you'll figure it out. And this is why I can't do this anymore.....I just can't. I really give props to the nurses that can handle these things day in and day out without one wrinkle in their forehead. It's really time to take care of myself.

Specializes in Peds, PACU, ICU, ER, OB, MED-Surg,.
Sounds to me you would rather sabotage yourself then take care of yourself. You need medication. I suggest you listen to your doctor and the advice on this board and get some.

Way Harsh!

Follow up on the case management job. There are all kinds of nursing, bedside may not be for you. Take care of yourself or you are no good to anyone. There are different ways to work on anxiety then just medication. Meditation, exercise, counseling etc. :redbeathe

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Specializes in MS, LTC, Post Op.

Its a hard decision to go ahead and get treated for generalized anxiety disorder. I agree with the above poster that by not getting help for this, you are sabatoging yourself.

What if you quit, go to work at wal-mart and dealing with the crap there has the same effect?

Take care of yourself, physically and mentally! Do whatever you have to do, but do it soon because it sounds like your mentally and physically at the end of your rope...and you deserve better than that!

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Specializes in ER.

I've worked in hospitals like that and they will make you feel like a useless nurse and a poor person. The charge nurse should have been sympathetic, and assisted you in finding the appropriate paperwork. Instead she took a snipe at you. You haven't been to that unit before- she shouldn't have an axe to grind, you are there to help. I think you may have anxiety issues, but there are definitely external stressors at work.

Sometimes hospitals get travelling nurses because they can't keep anyone else.

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Specializes in Clinical Research, Outpt Women's Health.

I think people are way over psychoanalyzing this! If you switch to a CM job abd your anxiety goes away them yahoo!

I wouldn't even consider counseling or drugs until I tried that 1st.

Anxiety is not an abnormal reaction to the hospital setting for many people!

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Thank you for being understanding. I do not agree that I need meds. I have nothing against them, and I know that they have done wonders and changed peoples lives for the better, however, I think I know myself and that there are other things I can do to help myself. I am not against seeing a therapist. I plan to find one and work through issues, but it helps to have insurance so that will be in the near future. Thanks for all the replies. I am feeling good about the upcoming weekend and spending time with my friends and family :)

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I have almost 4 years exp. in inpatient care. Mostly tele and step down.... I just want some form of relief or clarity.

Wow! I think it's amazing you stuck it out this long! Give yourself credit for that!! You can confidently tell yourself that took on the challenge and gave it your best shot! No shame in deciding that you'd rather do something else. If you ask, most people can tell you one or two jobs out there that you couldn't pay them enough to make a career of. But it might be something that you wouldn't mind so much! It sounds like you have a chance to try to find something that suits you better and where your strengths can shine! Go for it!

"Whatever doesn't kill you, makes you stronger".... but that doesn't mean you need to continue suffering if there's a reasonable alternative!

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Sounds to me you would rather sabotage yourself then take care of yourself. You need medication. I suggest you listen to your doctor and the advice on this board and get some.

I don't think it is really wise for you to decide I "need medication". There are many very important reasons that some people do not go on many medications. Either way, thanks for responding.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, DSU, Ortho, Onc, Psych.
I broke my 6 week contract today. I am still waiting to hear from my recruiter about what kind of consequences I face at this point. Last week I wanted to break the contract and she asked me to give her 2 weeks to avoid a fine charged to the agency. I hesitantly agreed. However, have not been sleeping. Still feeling completely miserable about nursing, and now I am sick. I guess that's not a big surprise. Being the person that I am, I went into work this morning thinking I could make it through my shift despite being sick. I lasted about 2 hours before turning sheet white and running to the bathroom. I think it was a mixture of being sick, my anxiety issues in nursing, and lack of sleep. I was sent to a neuro unit, haven't worked neuro in a looooong time. And the first thing that happens right before I get report, a patient falls. Of course it's going to be my patient. And the charge nurse looks at me and says....i guess you'll figure it out. And this is why I can't do this anymore.....I just can't. I really give props to the nurses that can handle these things day in and day out without one wrinkle in their forehead. It's really time to take care of myself.

Good for you! You are THE MOST IMPORTANT THING! Not the agency, not the patients, not the hysterical quite-often dismissive doctors (who I wouldn't want to be like EVER), not what your family or spouse thinks.

If this job is making you feel physically ill, just tell everyone you are leaving it FOR YOU. Bugger what their attitude is. So what if the agency 'gets a fine'? Let them deal with it - the agency manager is just trying a guilt trip on you sweetie; I have had the same thing happen to me (they are notorious for all this 'we have to pay for your so-called mistake/s'! Don't let them bully you.

Of course you need an income - just apply for anything that comes along & really get out there on your job search. My niece was doing a double degree in teaching & absolutely loathed it. She gave it all up (got pregnant anyway), but she decided to work in a supermarket as a checkout girl. Of course we were all disappointed, but she makes virtually the same money as me and only works (usually) 3 days. She has no stress, no meetings, doesn't have to study, does not work overtime (cos of her kids), & is quite happy. Maybe you could do something like this in the interim.

Remember it is YOUR sanity, and YOUR LIFE not anyone else's!

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.

"Sounds to me you would rather sabotage yourself then take care of yourself. You need medication. I suggest you listen to your doctor and the advice on this board and get some."

That's quite a harsh and judgmental statement. Not to mention against terms of the website. We don't give medical advice. And if it's given, hopefully no one follows the medical advice of strangers.

Kudos to the OP for hanging in there and attempting to work out her situation. Medication was the answer for my anxiety issues but that doesn't cause me to assume that it's right for everyone.

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