Finally Left Nursing!

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I have been a nurse for about 6 years. I have worked in an IMCU, corrections health, emergency department, and tried out a primary care clinic. I have desperately tried to make nursing work for me. Throughout my years of nursing I have been over worked in each setting, and have seen my home life and mental health deteriorate. I am the only financial supporter in my family, but I knew that I could not work in the field much longer. I made the decision so take a gamble and take a seasonal job doing construction/utility maintenance for $18/hr with no benefits hoping that it would lead to a full time position. I planned this move for about 2 years saving money to be able to make this work. Well I made the move, landed a full time position, and I couldn't be happier! I had no idea how good life could be outside of nursing. The field of nursing took over my life more than I knew. It is still difficult for me to let go of my nursing license because I worked so hard for it. But now I am home on weekends, get holidays off, and I spend more quality time with my family. While I am with my family I do not have yesterdays work in the back of my mind. If nurses were treated better and no overworked I would probably still be a nurse. So, for those of you looking to get out of the field... with careful planning it can be done. 

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Glad to hear you have found something that is better for your mental health. If you're not ready to completely let go, have you ever considered picking up whenever you want in private duty? With your situation, you can pick your case (refuse a case you don't want) pick your days, hours etc. I feel privileged myself to finally be in a position where I choose my environment. I can nope my way out of a case if it's not good for my mental health. Just a thought. Congrats!

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Specializes in PCCN.

Congratulations!? I hope to be in your shoes someday!

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Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).
10 hours ago, McStudMuffin said:

 I planned this move for about 2 years saving money to be able to make this work. 

What an innovative concept, McStudMuffin.

Planning.

If more people made plans, there would be less allnurses'  threads of desperation.

Congratulations and the best to you.

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     Years ago, I knew an RN who gave up her nursing career to become a letter carrier.  At the time, it was inconceivable to me why a nurse would voluntarily choose this.  Now, however, as a seasoned, albeit, jaded nurse, I see it as a brilliant career move!  Plenty of exercise, fresh air, less stress, fewer annoying/toxic coworkers, no crazy hours, no Code Browns, no entitled patients, and federal benefits (used to be)!  Sign me up!

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16 hours ago, Orion81RN said:

Glad to hear you have found something that is better for your mental health. If you're not ready to completely let go, have you ever considered picking up whenever you want in private duty? With your situation, you can pick your case (refuse a case you don't want) pick your days, hours etc. I feel privileged myself to finally be in a position where I choose my environment. I can nope my way out of a case if it's not good for my mental health. Just a thought. Congrats!

Yep I am considering going back on an “as needed” basis. Corrections health was my favorite of the nursing jobs that I had, so I will probably go back as on call there. I believe in Oregon in order to renew my nursing license I have to work 950 hours every 2 years. This pretty much means for me working a shift every weekend. I have enough hours to renew for this next time from working full time, but at some point my license will probably drop. I would love to keep it by working on call, but it’s a huge commitment to do so in Oregon. 

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Specializes in Dr of vet med, ER/ICU/Vet Anesthesia/Practice.

Have pushed for over 30 years to get admin to listen to ........and take care of the nursing staffs...........St Judes and others know.....what nursing staffs go through and actively acknowldge the billion levels of contributions nurses make in the welfare of thieir patients and the hospitals.......

 

We must** take care of our nurses ..........their is a huge range of responsibilties from techical to family to emtoinal support to monitoring to on and on and on.........exhausting, diff judgements, assessements....teh responsibiltiies off the chart..........tip of the iceburg.....

 

WE

 

 

MUST.......start to take care /listen to .....the needs of our nurses and reasonable job and caseloads...............and schedules..........

 

 

 

don't get mad at me because we know we couldnt last 5 min in your shoes........

 

 

 

NO expectatoins

 

 

we must

 

begin to acknowdledge our nurses and give them the respect

 

 

RESPECT and support

 

 

they have earned....

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"Corrections health was my favorite of the nursing jobs that I had, so I will probably go back as on call there". 

Can I ask, are you a male? Is this setting safe for females? I am hearing about short-staffing in some prisons where nurses are expected to fill in as prison guards? Crazy!!

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Specializes in Community Health, Med/Surg, ICU Stepdown.
10 hours ago, 2BS Nurse said:

I am hearing about short-staffing in some prisons where nurses are expected to fill in as prison guards?

OMG! I am laughing trying to imagine myself as a prison guard. Things would be out of control pretty quickly...!

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Specializes in ED, med-surg, peri op.
On 9/20/2021 at 3:37 AM, morelostthanfound said:

     Years ago, I knew an RN who gave up her nursing career to become a letter carrier.  At the time, it was inconceivable to me why a nurse would voluntarily choose this.  Now, however, as a seasoned, albeit, jaded nurse, I see it as a brilliant career move!  

A few years ago I knew a nurse that quit to work at a garden store. Honestly sounds like bliss right now. Taking care of plants instead of people. Plus have you even seen a customer get mad at garden store? Always seems so calm and peaceful!

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11 hours ago, 2BS Nurse said:

"Corrections health was my favorite of the nursing jobs that I had, so I will probably go back as on call there". 

Can I ask, are you a male? Is this setting safe for females? I am hearing about short-staffing in some prisons where nurses are expected to fill in as prison guards? Crazy!!

I indeed am a male. Safety in a corrections setting I think depends on the corrections facility, and the protocols in that facility. As far a an RN position goes in a corrections setting, my experience is that safety is equal for both males and females. Females and males may be treated differently by the inmates, but I do not think safety is comprised. I worked in a maximum security jail (not a prison) on the night shift, and at all times with any inmate interaction there was always a corrections officer with me. I never felt unsafe. At least where I worked, there is a whole academy that corrections officers have to go through in order work in that role. I've never heard of nurses working as corrections officers. That would be nuts. I can't speak for prisons though I guess that could be a whole different ball game...

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

Good for you. I hope you are happy and wish you all the best!

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