Doesn't matter where u go

Town & Country · May 2, 2004

Well, if your facility won't let you transfer, look elsewhere.

I don't actually know for sure how to get into Case Management, but if you are an RN there are options. School nursing, travel...you say you don't want to be away from your expectant Moms, but it sounds as if that is just what you need! I think you need a change....

....if I were you, I'd take the travel job right now, and later on, look at a different place to work besides L & D.

I think you are burnt out on it and need a change!

JMO, and good luck to you.. :)

missmercy · May 2, 2004

My heart goes out to you!! Our profession is so demanding, so stressfull!! What "called" you into nursing in the first place? What was it that made you want to be a nurse? Did you start out in OB/L&D? Some one said that they had noticed you had worked in "high stress areas" might I suggest that they are all high stress these days -- different KINDS of stress mind you -- but stress nevertheless.

Having never been where you are, I don't have any earth shattering advice -- would encourage you to stay with the counseling, dont give up on the meds, look back and see what it was about nursing that drew you to it in the first place and see if there is an arena where that aspect is dominant. Nurses have oodles of options these days, from L&D, to LTC, from Hospitals to home care, from legal advisors to specialized surgical assistants. Health departments are often looking for nurses to help with well baby clinics, WIC programs, immunizations, health advisors etc.... I would suggest you widen the scope of nursing you are thinking of and see if one of the "out of the box" type nursing jobs might be abetter fit for you. Don't give up!! Keep trying! If nursing isn't what you want, don't kick yourself!! Hey!! Life is too short to keep doing something that you hate!! Find something that gives you joy, or satisfaction and then GO FOR IT!!

What kind of dogs do you have? You sound like they are pretty special to you -- ever thought of working in a veteranary clinic? My pal left nursing for vetting and LOVES it!! Just a thought.

You are in my thoughts -- hang in there!! We care

Tweety, BSN, RN · May 2, 2004

All the geographical cures and job hopping isn't going to help you, until you take care of the underlying problem. Unfortunately while people here can support you, we can't fix you. The "nothing works, I've tried everything" kind of attitude is very symptomatic of depression and self-defeating.

Best wishes. I hope things get better.

mattsmom81 · May 3, 2004

If you can, call all your friends, call in a marker or two, and find a less stressful, part time position you can handle. Try a non nursing job if you must...but there WILL be a pay cut so I suggest you explore part time nurse positions first. I say part time so you can focus on feeling better. You need to do the work to find out WHY you are feeling so bad...find a therapist you trust (plus a good diagnostician ...might be physical problems too...I was depressed,hypothyroid, chronic pain and a few other medical issues too...LOL) Make the exploration your primary job.

Please don't give up. I do recognize the despair in your posts as I've been there, as have many on this board. I got through by taking one day at a time, setting a goal every day to do 'something' to better myself, and actively NOT falling into the self defeating trap. If you're overwhelmed, try meditation and reassure yourself that 'all I have to do is breathe' right now. Positive reinforcement, good circle of people all help too. Not trying to be trite...all these things needed to be pointed out to me when I was down..so I could see some options... God Bless and hugs to you.

Remember agencies are very forgiving generally....even with bad references agencies will generally give a nurse a chance. And you can always find a few nurse friends who will give you a good reference if your employers refuse to. Don't let the turkeys get you down...many of us have been fired and we do survive. Many here have survived depression and other conditions of the like. PM us if you want.(((HUGS))).

smk1, LPN · May 4, 2004

maybe school nursing? or could you be an instructor for classes such as CPR, ACLS etc.. or a CNA instructor? maybe working for an insurance company or starting your own independent contracting business. These are just a few ideas but maybe something here will help. Good luck and take care of you first and foremost!

moia · May 4, 2004

Do you need to work?

Can your husband support the family for a few months?

If the answer is yes..resign your position with a note from your doctor that states you are on stress leave. I don't know what kind of benefits you have but I do believe your country has a human rights code that includes post traumatic stress disoreder which appears to be your issue.

You need to walk away from critical care nursing as you can no longer cope with the stress.

If you absolutely return to work because you are your familys only support then you need to resign the position you have and request a transfer..your doctors will be very helpful and you must go to human resources and let them know your situation and what your doctors have decided will be best for you.

You need to call HR and arrange a sit down meeting WITH all your medical documentation and MORE IMPORTANTLY you MUST fill out an incident report for workmens compensation. Your distress is caused by your work..fill out the incident report and fully describe the day you were so completely anxiety ridden you could not enter the hospital . Describe your panic attacks about your terror that you will make a fatal mistake or the terror you feel that your coworkers may make a mistake you will be unable to fix. Your entire problem is work related...compensation needs to know.

Once you have filled out all your comp forms and gathered all your doctors reports...I mean ALL of them right from the very beginning sit down with HR and request accommadation.

Here is a short list of places to work in the hospital setting that are low stress

preassessment

sameday/out patient surgery and clinics

family practice clinic

work as a blood tech

work as an IV nurse

patient education

staff education

nursing/medical research

look around your hospital..you will be amazed at how many jobs exist that have minimal patient contact and minimal stress.

Personally I think you need to quit altogether and take a break from everything and let your husband pick up the slack .

You can always return to nursing in a few months to a low stress position...you need some real help and you really really need a break from having to worry about anything except who needs to walk the dogs today.

Laloba · May 4, 2004

Do you need to work?
Can your husband support the family for a few months?
If the answer is yes..resign your position with a note from your doctor that states you are on stress leave. I don't know what kind of benefits you have but I do believe your country has a human rights code that includes post traumatic stress disoreder which appears to be your issue.
You need to walk away from critical care nursing as you can no longer cope with the stress.
If you absolutely return to work because you are your familys only support then you need to resign the position you have and request a transfer..your doctors will be very helpful and you must go to human resources and let them know your situation and what your doctors have decided will be best for you.
You need to call HR and arrange a sit down meeting WITH all your medical documentation and MORE IMPORTANTLY you MUST fill out an incident report for workmens compensation. Your distress is caused by your work..fill out the incident report and fully describe the day you were so completely anxiety ridden you could not enter the hospital . Describe your panic attacks about your terror that you will make a fatal mistake or the terror you feel that your coworkers may make a mistake you will be unable to fix. Your entire problem is work related...compensation needs to know.
Once you have filled out all your comp forms and gathered all your doctors reports...I mean ALL of them right from the very beginning sit down with HR and request accommadation.
Here is a short list of places to work in the hospital setting that are low stress
preassessment
sameday/out patient surgery and clinics
family practice clinic
work as a blood tech
work as an IV nurse
patient education
staff education
nursing/medical research
look around your hospital..you will be amazed at how many jobs exist that have minimal patient contact and minimal stress.
Personally I think you need to quit altogether and take a break from everything and let your husband pick up the slack .
You can always return to nursing in a few months to a low stress position...you need some real help and you really really need a break from having to worry about anything except who needs to walk the dogs today.

Since I did not do this from the get go, I will have to start now. This is a great idea. I saw my psy today and he thinks I am ready to return to work for 10 to 20 hours a week. I called my nursing dept. manager who said nothing but I am transfering you to HR. WHO said oh no I just don't think we can accomodate you on that, you were hired as full time. I explained until the doctor feels I am ready for full time and that this is normal procedure. So I called the ethics line and my psy and my counselor and informed them of what the hospital had said. The unit I work on is still using prn and agency staff. This is great advice for in the future. HR has already informed me more than once that I was hired to do charge in L&D and will be denied a transfer for two years. BTW this is a HCA facility, who brags about their ETHICS.

Laloba · May 4, 2004

My heart goes out to you!! Our profession is so demanding, so stressfull!! What "called" you into nursing in the first place? What was it that made you want to be a nurse? Did you start out in OB/L&D? Some one said that they had noticed you had worked in "high stress areas" might I suggest that they are all high stress these days -- different KINDS of stress mind you -- but stress nevertheless.
Having never been where you are, I don't have any earth shattering advice -- would encourage you to stay with the counseling, dont give up on the meds, look back and see what it was about nursing that drew you to it in the first place and see if there is an arena where that aspect is dominant. Nurses have oodles of options these days, from L&D, to LTC, from Hospitals to home care, from legal advisors to specialized surgical assistants. Health departments are often looking for nurses to help with well baby clinics, WIC programs, immunizations, health advisors etc.... I would suggest you widen the scope of nursing you are thinking of and see if one of the "out of the box" type nursing jobs might be abetter fit for you. Don't give up!! Keep trying! If nursing isn't what you want, don't kick yourself!! Hey!! Life is too short to keep doing something that you hate!! Find something that gives you joy, or satisfaction and then GO FOR IT!!
What kind of dogs do you have? You sound like they are pretty special to you -- ever thought of working in a veteranary clinic? My pal left nursing for vetting and LOVES it!! Just a thought.
You are in my thoughts -- hang in there!! We care

Thank you so much for your encouraging ideas and thoughts. I have four dogs. A St. Bernard, a pit bull, a dob and a chow mix. Alll rescuse dogs. I use to work at a zoo before I came a nurse. HUM.......... maybe.

webbiedebbie · May 4, 2004

Laloba...I sent you an email.