How to know when to leave a job?

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Specializes in Home care, assisted living.

I am wondering if anyone can tell me the "red flags" you look for to indicate that it's time to look for another job.

Just posting this because even though family and friends (even co-workers) have urged me to leave my current job for the last four years. I have never really liked it, but stayed with it because I need the income and live paycheck to paycheck. But I'm stagnating and getting apathetic as an employee, and have lost the motivation to pursue another job or go back to school. I can't see myself as anything but a night shift nurse's aide making $8.00 an hour, year after year, doing the same routine week after week.

In January I plan on trying to find volunteer work as a physical therapy aide, in hopes that this will jumpstart some change in my life and give me insight into another field. Also considering pharmacy work. Just something other than what I'm doing now--I'm B-O-R-E-D.

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I usually leave a job when I hate it so much that I become physically ill at the thought of working another day. That's good that you are going to volunteer as a physical therapy assistant. Hopefully, you can get some experience and then leave your present position. Good luck

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I agree. When you can't think about going back to work without feeling ill, It's time to GO! A bad job situation steals your lifes energy. It's amazing what a positive difference a job change can make. New people to work with, new place to excercise your skills, and learn new ones. A new place for your light to SHINE! Good luck!

I usually leave a job when I hate it so much that I become physically ill at the thought of working another day. That's good that you are going to volunteer as a physical therapy assistant. Hopefully, you can get some experience and then leave your present position. Good luck
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Push yourself to make the changes as soon as possible. You will fell better. Act. The motivation

/energy will follow.

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There's a huge difference between being bored and physically sick of a job IMHO. Are you a pre nursing student? I thought you were, but if you are NOT, consider a look into expanding your skills...do you have tuition reimbursement at this facility? If so, utilize it and stimulate your brain. :)

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I found myself in the same situation. I was a manager for a fast food place and I was physicallyt getting ill because I couldn't stand working there. I didn't like what I was doing and I just hated life as a result. I wound up quitting that job last month because I couldn't take it anymore. I have a house note and all kinds of bills, but I couldn't risk my sanity any longer I am looking for a job now.

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Specializes in Home care, assisted living.

There HAVE been a few times where this job made me physically ill. When I first started working the overnight shift, I had a hard time adjusting to sleep deprivation and my friends have seen me "lose it" before. Now they're used to me acting like a zombie or a drunk.

I WAS a pre nursing student, once upon a time, but that's a long story. Dropped out of nursing school after my parents urged me to get out.

Will post more later (sleep is calling me).

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Hi Boulergirl,

This is just a suggestion, but if I were you I would sit down (when you are rested and maybe over a cup of coffee or something) and write down things that you would like to do that would make you happy or at least not dread. Also write down things that you definitely don't want to do...i.e. work third shifts. I wouldn't do anything drastic, but set up a 3-month goal that will get you out of this job and into something more. Your working there for four years shows that you are stable, start putting together your resume. If you need to take a few days off so that you can be refreshed during the day and just pound the pavement. Becoming a nurse still must be something that you are considering if you still haunting the allnurses bulletin board. Maybe your giving up on prenursing has led to the lackluster feelings that you are experiencing. Yes, sometimes your family means well, but you are the one that you needs to make the decisions in your life. No nursing school isn't easy, but if it is something that you want enough, you put up with it and work hard.

You need to take charge of your life. if you are really unhappy do something.

BTW, when I say all of these things, it is the only way for me to kick it up for me too...you are not alone!

Good luck!

Kris

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Specializes in Home care, assisted living.

Push yourself to make the changes as soon as possible. You will fell better. Act. The motivation

/energy will follow.

Good advice! My tendency is to get an idea, kick it around in my head for awhile, and talk about it--but fear sets in and I do nothing.

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Specializes in Home care, assisted living.

You need to take charge of your life. if you are really unhappy do something.

Very true. I've also decided that I will no longer tell my parents EVERYTHING I'm doing with my life. I will just move forward and make decisions on my own--as a grown woman, it's time for me to stop looking to them for approval!

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