Finally decided to quit nursing

Nurses Professionalism

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Hi everyone. I have been a nurse for over 7 years and for the past year I have debated getting out of the profession for good. I had just finished the week long hospital orientation for a new job and was to start clinical orientation Sunday. Between Friday afternoon and Saturday afternoon I was having big doubts about the job, then I realized that it wasn't the job itself that I didn't like. I hate hate hate being a nurse. I called the unit manager on her cell phone Saturday afternoon and told her my decision and that I would not be coming back. I am scared to death because I have no income at this point but at the same time I have a sense of relief and peace about the whole situation.

Specializes in PCCN.
There is still a nationwide shortage of nurses and it's only getting worse. I don't know what states you mention that supposedly have more than enough. A few years ago it was in a crisis, they were importing nurses from the Philippines and Kenya to work for minimum wage, live on site, even long enough to get greencards.

Huh??? theres no shortage. Look at how many licenses there are out there.

For example- my place has CUT nurses by " increasing the ratios" They just simply arent hiring them in the first place.

Stepdown unit- now have 5 pts - acuity means nothing now.

Im sure the foreign nurses were hired as they are CHEAPER.Not because of any "shortage"

Only a shortage of nurses willing to work in the crappy conditions.

:madface:

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I don't have time to read all the comments, but I want to throw in my two cents, which is if you live in an area where you are not afraid to drive and be "out" in the neighborhoods, try home care. I went from LTC facility to homecare and the change made all the difference. Also I went from graveyard shift to day shifts (which you can almost always find jobs in home care doing). As a CNA the pay wasn't that much different, but the atmosphere was completely different. I never felt like I neglected anyone when I was in home care (except once I did something technically wrong, but thank God, it didn't hurt the patient). AS a nurse, you visit them and assess things and check on them IN THEIR HOME, and oversee the CNA's, so it's a wonderful service and you get to be one-on-one. It is often flexible and you can listen to podcasts or your own music in your car and you usually get paid for driving time/gas. You meet all kinds of nice people, who often even become like friends. You don't get this in a high turnover situation, nor do you get that in a nursing home where people are waiting to ultimately check out (it just makes you depressed you can't offer them good care or that they are even IN that situation at all). Often in home care, you work with younger people mixed in with older people, so you don't serve just the elderly. If you are looking for transition work, this may be your ticket as well. YOu can work part time while figuring out what you want to do with the rest of your life. Just go on craigslist and you will see that home care is often advertising for nurses and CNA's.

Also, one other cool job I've seen nurses do is work for insurance companies, going round to people's houses and assessing their applications (take BP, etc) and make sure they're not lying before they get an insurance policy (life). Other traveling jobs, if you don't mind a cut in pay, is traveling phlebotomist, where you do kind of the same thing, in people's homes (for whatever purposes). And it's an excuse to update your car, lol. "I need a new car if I'm going to be driving around!" Just thought I'd mention it, because a cut in pay, even to do something you are overqualified for (like phlebotomy), might be the ticket.

Best wishes to you!

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Specializes in NICU, ER, OR.

Good luck - I admire you for admitting that, it's not for you, and you won't continue as if it is... so many nurses do... and it shows...

Do you know yet what you DO want to do ?

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This isn't a reply to anyone really; its merely my description of being a nurse today. Long hours; understaffed; undervalued; too much work load; physically & mentally stressful; no social life; ill health; depression & anxiety; not enough salary to live a basic existence; no motivation or enthusiasm due to all the above......I once was so passionate about being a nurse....35 years & many experiences: 20yrs neonatal ITU & 15yrs spread around many fields of nursing; plus 3yrs in the army. I burnt out in ITU & decided to try care home nursing. OMG its a dreadful area to work with a terrible salary that is actually an insult to nurses and their qualification; considering the elderly are paying £1200 a week to be cared for!!! The private owners of these homes are ROBBERS of the elderly. How can that be justified??? How scary is it to think that we ourselves may end up in such a home in the future where there is a mix of severe dementia residents who you might just be thumped by or scratched & bitten by. The homes are unorganized, run on agency nurses and is compiled of 70% of your time spent on paperwork...... of which a lot of it repeats itself and no computer set up in the homes in this technological age of computers & that's outrageous. It's all wrong and very unfair on the health & quality of life for these elderly people. I love caring for the the elderly and love trying to put a smile on their faces and help them live a good quality life; but I despise the politics; unrealistic demands put upon nurses and the fact that you are nothing but a number to the people you work for. Your expected to keep updated in your chosen field and complete multiple courses required by healthcare authorities mostly in your own time. Once upon a time they cared about you and your on going training was always provided & paid for.... today it's up to you to pay & do it all in your own time. It's time for me to get out as its not the profession I once prided myself as being part of and my passion is completely dead..... good luck for anyone considering a career in nursing because you have to forget about your own life and just live life for them & it's by their rules only.....😣

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I've been an RN for 27 years and I am fried. I'm 48 yrs old & need another career, so I'm considering Medical Coding. Anyone else feel this way? Scared to get into another field but I really need to move on...

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any updates? i'm in year 8 now and think i can last until 10 but i know i can't do this until i'm 65. i don't know how some women do for 30 years. i just doesn't seem worth it for the stress and health affecting tension. it's not going to make me a trump millionaire anyway. i want to get into the technical industry. one that does not require decisions with life and death consequences. and i hate hate hate that nursing is SOOOO regulated! a quarter of my life is worrying about the regulations. i just want a job where i clock in and out for 30 more years without having to study or maintain hours of practice or worrying about the next complaint against me to the nursing board by a **** hole patient. and the politics! damn the politics! and i'm a male nurse! and i still get mixed into their politics and office backstabbing. i want to be just another person in the backdrop working until retirement. then he retires in mexico drinking beer by the beach just waiting for god to take him. that guy, you know? any suggestions?

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after the imports of third world nurses, new graduates and older nurses not retiring. the shortage stops

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Exactly, the supposed shortage is the higher ups no wanting to hire enough staff and instead work them into their grave so they get tired or injured at some point and leave. Then new staff are hired and the cycle repeats itself.

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I know this was posted in 2008 or 09, but I'm so glad I read this today. I feel EXACTLY the same way. I'm currently studying for a Real Estate license and plan to do that in a few months. I'm not going to quit nursing completely. (at least not at first). I'm going to get established as a realtor and do nursing on a contingent basis so that I won't loose my skills. I worked really hard to be a nurse so I don't want to loose it all together. I have to go to work in about 5 minutes and the very thought of going is depressing me. For the person who wrote the original post, I pray that you have found what you like. Nursing is not easy and I feel your pain.

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The healthcare industry is despicable. It's a cesspool. Get out and never look back.

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Didn't read all the comments--just lazy I guess! I always hate to see anyone leaving nursing--we need caring nurses so badly. But you've gotta take care of you--no one else will. If you can't do it, you can't do it. Life goes on. I wish you nothing but the best--may you find peace and happiness wherever you go!

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

I am betting 5 years ago, the decision was made. Hope the OP made out well.

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