Good Bye to Nursing for me...

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Well, the start of a new year and I'm kissing nursing

good bye after only 5 short months. I graduated in may and started at a hospital in august. My very first preceptor was a nightmare, on my 3rd day on the floor she said I was too slow and put me down in front of other

nurses or whoever was in distance of hearing her. At one

point she even said, "well, I have her she know's nothing I have to show her everything." So being enthusiastic I decided NOT to let it get to me and proceeded to take her C*ap for another couple of weeks. At which time I was moved to a different floor with a preceptor who was great and I learned alot from. PRoblem was at this hospital IF

I wanted to stay I'd have to take a evening position. SO I left a found a hosptial closer to home on days. Well, once again I have the preceptor from hell not only that but the managers In my opinion are nitpickers. ON my first day on the floor they wrote up a nurse who was in charge of making sure all the phones were back at the end of the day, for not having a phone returned. (someone took one home accidentally).. I found this ridiculous, it's a busy med/surg floor with an 8:1 patient ratio and they are worried about PHONES???? I could go on and on about the other horrors but it would be to long.

Long story short I've decide to quit. Luckily I don't NEED the job to support myself or I wouldn't be able to leave. my hubby makes a decent salary. I do feel bad placing all the financial burden on him but I'm planning on just picking up a admin position somewhere. I don't care if I'm making half the money I jsut want to be happy. I'm so SICK of being stressed going into work, stressed coming home, worrying about this, being stressed on the floor. To me its just not worth it. My hubby is worried that I'll change my mind and want to come back to nursing but won't be able to after leaving 2 prior positions. bUt seriously I can't imagine feeling this way.

I also just found out I'm expecting my first child and I really can't imagine the stress level as well as not eating/drinking/peeing an entire shift is good. So I'm gone. I give up, I give in, I just feel like I can't do it. I'm thinking I'm just not meant to be in nursing, or i woudn't have just kept inheriting bad circumstances and preceptors from hell.

Well, I'd love to hear if anyone else has left nursing? come back and any other thoughts you all might have.

Hope this is a good new year for all.

Specializes in PICU, surgical post-op.

I started out in PICU as a new grad, and wanted to quit off and on throughout my orientation. I think, if we're honest with ourselves, we've all felt the same way. I had 2 preceptors. One was sweet as anything, and still calls me to check up on me even though she no longer works on our unit. The other was a real "toughie" with a reputation for being exacting. She never used to precept anyone, so I was scared out of my mind when I found out she had specifically requested to have a hand in my training (I had worked as a tech there before, so everyone knew me). Can I tell you something? Despite the fact that she made me want to run right out the door, she taught me so much. Once I got home at night and dried my tears, I realized that, no, I didn't actually want to quit ... I wanted to be as good a nurse as she was. She has since passed away, and I am so thankful that I got the opportunity to work with her like I did.

Point being, maybe feelings of frustration and wanting to quit are actually the run-of-the-mill new grad feelings in disguise. Try to sift through the emotions of being the rookie, and maybe things will seem a little clearer.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
it strikes me that way, too. it amazes me, though, that someone who quit three jobs in six months seems to believe that her problems are everyone else's fault. (and that there are so many members willing to go along with that theory.) i'm not blaming the victim here, but surely she should at least take a look at her own contributions to the problems she was having!

ok, i feel better--that's my take on it, too. all the compassionate, understanding responses make me feel like a real cynic--are you guys that gullible? haven't we worked alongside this person?

also, if you're unhappy in nursing and you're staying for the salary--it's not worth it; not for you, not for me and not for our patients. you don't want your kid's burned-out, unhappy third-grade teacher sticking around because it's a liveable wage, do you? if you can't get happy, you have to change something.

the first year of nursing is a difficult year; i loved the job but dreaded going in--i didn't realize how stressful it was until "things" got better--and by "things", i mean me. after a year of learning from more experienced nurses, i managed my time more efficiently, i knew the hospital ropes inside and out, and i had a couple of special pals at work to crack jokes with and use as a sounding board for ideas and complaints. i found nurses who had some quality i wanted and i studied what they were doing. i looked especially at good nurses who had been there a long time, were happy, and planned to stay--they all shared similar personality traits. we all get frustrated--you need to surround yourself with people who can talk you down from the ledge, instead of letting you kill your career.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in CVICU, PACU, OR.

lupin,

Thanks for the info!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in CVICU, PACU, OR.

russ11,

Thanks so much for those words of wisdom! Before nursing I was very timid. To make it in nursing I've learned that I need to be firm but polite also and this is something that I work on everyday. I think it's even more difficult being assertive when you're young AND a new nurse. I try to observe how the more experienced nurses interact with difficult patients, doctors, etc. and learn from them.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Research, ED, Critical Care.

some infamous bad behavior divas need a more direct approach... once 'god's right hand man' (a neurosurgeon) was "off the chain" about something and began screaming at me about a hospital policy. (i wasn't even involved with his patient just happened to be there)

i said "you may talk to your wife and children like this or maybe your office staff but not me ...i'm not the cause of your problems and i am not going to be blamed for them and i certainly don't have to put up with your bad behavior." and i walked off. much to his dismay a short time later he realized i was the only person in our whole departmant who was trained to monitor the icp monitor he wanted to insert in the er...our hospital has a policy that prohibits inserting icp monitors in the er but allows exceptions when the patient is critical and there is a nurse available who is certified to monitor it. on this day the patient was not critical but he did not want to wait(had dinner plans) while the patient was transferred to the or or neuro icu. my cn left it up to me and then made him ask me if i would be willing to assist him and monitor his patient even though it did not fall into the exception clause of the policy...i agreed, i was polite but avoided his attempts to "chat" and only gave short answers to direct questions during the procedure . to this day he goes out of his way to be nice to me .... and usually looks for me anytime he has a patient in our department...

the longer you tolerate bad behavior the worse it will become. i'm a firm believer that in all aspects of your life "you get what you settle for"

had the exact same situation once - and only once. after that i and my team were golden with all the docs....

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hello,

I havnt read the whole thread, and I'm not an RN, but as soon as I read that you were expecting a child I said "oh definatly", i dont know that much about preganancy and such but all the stress and holding to go to the bathroom, probably not proper nutrition during that time and so on i think would have negative impact on your child, regardless of the job and the pay, people come first, and i think the patient you have the highest priority to is your baby.

As far as nursing, it doesnt sound like you dislike the job, but more those you were working with made it unenjoyable, so it might not be bad to keep that option open and see if there are any other places you could work as a nurse or that would require an RN that you would prefer, though I have to believe you know far more about this and all the different ways you can use an RN then I do.

Congratulations on the baby!

- jason

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.

There are so many encouraging posts here from people! I am also a new LPN and while I have not personally experienced many of the behaviors, I was witness to many of them. You would think that with the nursing shortage, that we would hang closer together for support, but that is not the reality for the bully and the harasser. I hope that the OP has been encouraged by all that you all had to offer.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Where is the OP?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

Being she is pregnant and ostensibly still working, perhaps a wee bit busy. But the advice here may apply to anyone in a similar situation.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ob high risk, labor and delivery, postp.

just a couple thoughts

first I hate that saying "nurses eat their young" because it generalizes about all of us and presents a poor image, I try my best to help new nurses and mostly i think it helps, but sometimes you do get someone who thinks they all ready know it all and won't listen to you at all

i think maybe the reason older nurses are mean sometimes is that they are just completely burnt out, and other professions are not overworked to the degree that nurses are..someone used school teachers as an example of being more professional..well i think they don't have to work for 8 or twelve hours straght while standing on their feet and not eating or drinking at all, meanwhile getting grief from all sides

also i know where i work some older nurses are unhappy because we get a lousy 3% raise each year while new staff comes in at a great salary AND a huge hiring bonus, while seniority means nothing

my advice to "goodbye to nursing for me" is to RUN not walk back to school and pursue a different vocation. I wish I had been smart enough to do that, I really enjoy caring for patients (well most of them anyway), however, I am fed up with our nursing organizations and administration which don't even deserve the title of nurses, they don't help us (the bedside nurses) but knuckle under to the business world while we struggle in the trenches, I have worked med surg and obstetrics for over 25 years, now I have injured my back and i'm in constant pain, still working (with supposed light duty which to my hospital means -call for help if you need it) and a complete regular assignment, I'm fighting with workers compensaion just to have the limitations which the doctor ordered (the same doctor the HOSPITAL sent me to) My entire life is a shambles. So now even if I wanted to I really can't get a different job, I can't sit stand or walk for even ten minutes without pain, and nothing treatment wise has helped me, other than narcotics which preclude my working even more, In short, if I had it to do over again, even though I truly believe that I've been an EXCELLENT nurse, I would definitely go into something else. Its not worth being disabled believe me. And if anyone would like to notice..it is now after 4:30 and I am supposed to be at work at 6:30...insomnia is yet another problem caused by my back pain. I have three bulging discs, an annular tear, facet degeneration, spondylsis, etc...

Oh yes, and to support the idea of how nurses treat each other. My nurse manager somehow spread the word to my coworkers that "they can't find anything wrong with her" and "i guess we have to believe her..she says she's in pain" said sarcastically, so that even though my MRI showed significant degeneration and other problems , only a few of my coworkers are supportive of my problems at all, while most think that I am making them work harder to pick up the slack caused by me, I have reported incidences of rudeness and outright hostility to my boss to no effect, I dread going to work and as for my home life,...well on days I work I pretty much am bedridden for the remainder of the day, and I can only tolerate light activity on others, so my husband and my planned 25th anniversary trip is out of the question

So, just let that license go, go back and get a degree in accounting, there are so many things you can do with that and you won't be at risk for infection (i went through months of testing and treatment after getting blood in my eye during surgery despite having a protective facial mask) or injury ( besides my present back injury i was injured before while taking a bed apart for delivery and hurt my neck twice while moving patients and my chest once while moving a patient) And all my hospital does is harass me and help the insurance company in trying to deny my benefits.

Leave now and don't look back. I just called out of work-by the way_ so that will be another demerit. Question.."would it be worse to work when I know I am obviously in no condition to do so?"

Okay enough "streaming conciousness"

Good luck to you.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hi just wanted to check in with everyone and say thanks to all the supportive responses.

As far as the title seeming "melodramatic" it is what it is and that's just what came out of my head, didn't mean it to be that way. But if you feel the need to pick it apart

that's your perogative.

I also just wanted to share with everyone that nursing is a second career for me. I worked for 13 years prior to this at a large telecommunications co. So I understand about working with difficult people and THOUGHT I had developed a pretty thick skin. But apparantly not THICK enough.

At this time the decision to leave nursing is just a personal one. I'm SURE I didn't do everything perfect and never stated that I did. After all I'm only human.

Honestly, being pregnant the stress at this time just not worth it to me. I would really rather work for much less

in an environment where I can go to the bathroom or have a sip of water when I need to and just overall in life be happy.

Part of the problem for me to was never being able to leave nursing at work. So your technically there for 12 hours but usually for me being newer anyway I'd still be there 1 hour past shift to catching up on documentation. Not only that but your still thinking thinking and rethinking your day following your shift and again for me worrying, dreading and not looking forward to my next shift just worrying. Honestly, it has always scared me too that you can be sued and lose your livlihood over a $50K salary.

Again all of this combined at this point in my life I'm just not there. And to this degree it is my fault because I should have realized all this in school, but I didn't. But again I'm not perfect and stuff happens. I will keep my license up and look into options outside of the hospital.

In any case thanks to all who posted back for your insights and suggestions.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in critical care transport.
just a couple thoughts

first I hate that saying "nurses eat their young" because it generalizes about all of us and presents a poor image, I try my best to help new nurses and mostly i think it helps, but sometimes you do get someone who thinks they all ready know it all and won't listen to you at all

i think maybe the reason older nurses are mean sometimes is that they are just completely burnt out, and other professions are not overworked to the degree that nurses are..someone used school teachers as an example of being more professional..well i think they don't have to work for 8 or twelve hours straght while standing on their feet and not eating or drinking at all, meanwhile getting grief from all sides

also i know where i work some older nurses are unhappy because we get a lousy 3% raise each year while new staff comes in at a great salary AND a huge hiring bonus, while seniority means nothing

my advice to "goodbye to nursing for me" is to RUN not walk back to school and pursue a different vocation. I wish I had been smart enough to do that, I really enjoy caring for patients (well most of them anyway), however, I am fed up with our nursing organizations and administration which don't even deserve the title of nurses, they don't help us (the bedside nurses) but knuckle under to the business world while we struggle in the trenches, I have worked med surg and obstetrics for over 25 years, now I have injured my back and i'm in constant pain, still working (with supposed light duty which to my hospital means -call for help if you need it) and a complete regular assignment, I'm fighting with workers compensaion just to have the limitations which the doctor ordered (the same doctor the HOSPITAL sent me to) My entire life is a shambles. So now even if I wanted to I really can't get a different job, I can't sit stand or walk for even ten minutes without pain, and nothing treatment wise has helped me, other than narcotics which preclude my working even more, In short, if I had it to do over again, even though I truly believe that I've been an EXCELLENT nurse, I would definitely go into something else. Its not worth being disabled believe me. And if anyone would like to notice..it is now after 4:30 and I am supposed to be at work at 6:30...insomnia is yet another problem caused by my back pain. I have three bulging discs, an annular tear, facet degeneration, spondylsis, etc...

Oh yes, and to support the idea of how nurses treat each other. My nurse manager somehow spread the word to my coworkers that "they can't find anything wrong with her" and "i guess we have to believe her..she says she's in pain" said sarcastically, so that even though my MRI showed significant degeneration and other problems , only a few of my coworkers are supportive of my problems at all, while most think that I am making them work harder to pick up the slack caused by me, I have reported incidences of rudeness and outright hostility to my boss to no effect, I dread going to work and as for my home life,...well on days I work I pretty much am bedridden for the remainder of the day, and I can only tolerate light activity on others, so my husband and my planned 25th anniversary trip is out of the question

So, just let that license go, go back and get a degree in accounting, there are so many things you can do with that and you won't be at risk for infection (i went through months of testing and treatment after getting blood in my eye during surgery despite having a protective facial mask) or injury ( besides my present back injury i was injured before while taking a bed apart for delivery and hurt my neck twice while moving patients and my chest once while moving a patient) And all my hospital does is harass me and help the insurance company in trying to deny my benefits.

Leave now and don't look back. I just called out of work-by the way_ so that will be another demerit. Question.."would it be worse to work when I know I am obviously in no condition to do so?"

Okay enough "streaming conciousness"

Good luck to you.

:eek: wow.

I hate the term "nurses eat their young." I've generally had an okay time in nursing school, but unfortunately there are enough of "those" nurses out there to make it a term.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment