Burned out and hate nursing

[RN1023]

Since I was a little girl, I have always wanted to be a nurse. I wanted to help people. I wanted to heal. Now 4 years out of nursing school, I HATE nursing with a passion. I am a med/surg nurse with a BSN.

Reasons I hate nurses (in no particular order)

1. Most days I feel like a pill-pusher. I don't feel like I make a difference.

2. Doctors feel they are perfect.

3. Patient satisfaction scores.

4. Patient sense of entitlement. (see #3)

5. Family at the bedside dictating what they want...like I am their personal servant. I have to comply (see #3).

6. Lack of appreciation mized with how much more work can they give us.

7. Nights, weekends, and holiday. I don't want to give everything I've got only to see no return in work satisfaction.

I don't want to be a case manager. I don't want home health nursing. I really want to be outside of the hospital. Quite honestly, I want to be away from people. I would be quite content to work on a computer and have email interactions. Preferably work from home. Any suggestions?

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

Look for a job that has a more competent manager. A good manager makes all the difference. Based on my many (many, many, many - etc) years of experience I have come to absolutely believe that nurses don't leave jobs, they leave managers. Conversely, a really great manager can make even the toughest environment a very satisfying place to work.

[hopesgramcracker]

Wow RN1023 you really put into words what many of us are feeling. I am just an LPN but I do work on a med/surg floor at a hospital for a year and a half now and I feel your pain. I think that HouTx hit the nail on the head with management. I have been struggling to get support from my manager since day one and I can't get it. I was recently written up and will probably get another one tomorrow due to lack of support that I am supposed to have that leaves me liable. We give, give, give, and then give some more without acknowledgment from management and then when something goes wrong we hear how inadequate we are and how someone needs to be held accountable....and of course there is never any mention of the welfare of the patient in the matter, only the problem it poses on the hospital. This profession is very stressful by itself and even worse when bad management is in control and unfortunately if you say anything you get retaliated upon. You have a bachelors degree invested in nursing and I am sure a crap load of student loans, don't get too discouraged you went into nursing for a reason. This field has many different positions and I am sure there is something out there for you that will allow you to feel fulfilled. Have you considered working for an insurance company or administration?

[noyesno, MSN, APRN, NP]

I feel the exact same way. With a BSN and three years of experience there's got to be something else you can do. School nursing? OR? Maybe go part time until you can find something else. Perhap, take a break altogether.

[BSNbeauty, BSN, RN]

Nurse informatics!!!!

[BSNbeauty, BSN, RN]

Telephonic nursing.

[RN1023]

I have a great manager, and I love the people I work with. I hate nursing.

[martymoose, BSN, RN]

Interesting- I had come to this conclusion last night while pondering what the OP is pondering. That that was some of the problem. wants to be a hard a-- , and I think is willing to step on all of us to make themselves look good to the ceo- hence all the things that OP is talking about.

Curious- OP- is your hospital a Magnet hospital?

[RN1023]

Not magnet yet, but they are trying to be.

[martymoose, BSN, RN]

Nurse informatics!!!!

sounds great , but how would one pursue this with out an IT background,more school?

[martymoose, BSN, RN]

All I can say is RN1023 I feel for you, am with you- I think this every single day, and wonder how I can get out of it, but the options are so limited where I am. I guess we just have to keep trying and looking for other options..

[RN1023]

I don't mind school, but I will need a job after graduation. I have no IT experience.