Burned out and hate nursing

Nurses Stress 101

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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?

Specializes in Clinical Research, Outpt Women's Health.
My nursing philosophy is best summed up by a line from Kipling: "Trust me, today's Most Indispensables, ten thousand men can do your work or mine." I quit the nursing field for good this week. Too many abusive patients, too little rest, too much beating your head on the wall trying to make a difference. I am so happy to be out of it all. I feel like a war veteran just come home from the trenches. (Awesome! I managed to live through it!)

What do you plan to do now?

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Specializes in Public Health, L&D, NICU.
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.

Wow, you hit the nail on the head! My last manager drove me away from bedside nursing. If she had not been there, I'd still be there.

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Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.
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?

That's all very sad. I hope you find something that makes you happy.

I love being a nurse.

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Specializes in MedSurg, OR, Cardiac step down.
I really don't know what to do I don't like med surg and I work on such a crazy unit where there is no team work no nothing. I got offered a part time day position at detox pay is 31/hr. however the med surg position is 42/hr. I don't know what to do

Where is this m/s job? are they hiring? :)

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hi all my advice is just get out or fight the bastards and if you do that be prepared for a lot of flak because nursing is full of horrible people

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OP, any updates?

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Specializes in ICU.
I'm sure every nurse has felt burnt out at some point in time but just remember why you chose this profession. Even though you feel your at your wits end remember you have made a positive difference in someone's life and probably don't realize it! Stay positive you can do this :)
Speaking for myself, making a positive difference in someone's life had no bearing on the fact that I was miserable, sleep deprived, and would be constantly watching the clock. "Okay, only 11 hours 15 minutes to go." hoping and praying that I wouldn't crash my car when I fell asleep at the wheel driving home. If you've reached the breaking point, then nursing shouldn't be a jail sentence that must be endured just to make someone's stay at the Hilton more pleasant. Once a nurse, always a nurse? NOT! After working the past 10 out 15 Fourth of July Holidays, THIS one I enjoyed!
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I felt the same wat after 3 years. I found a awesome job working for a Healthcare IT company, it involves travel but I get to work from home. If your looking for something like that I would recommend looking into healthcare IT or Telecom nursing. Both you can work from home.

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Specializes in ICU.

Around here, I think those jobs go primarily to IT people, rather than RNs. Very few ads for jobs in that field here.

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Whoa... you took the words right out of my mouth. I just feel like a pill-pusher and a servant. I don't feel like I'm making an actual difference.

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Specializes in Assisted Living Nurse Manager.

I work for a company doing medical review. I sit at a desk all day in my own corner of the world. I do have the option of working from home. I love my job!

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I work for a company doing medical review. I sit at a desk all day in my own corner of the world. I do have the option of working from home. I love my job!

THat sounds like a dream! Hire me!

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