I HATE nursing! (long)

carolmaccas66, BSN, RN · Nov 21, 2010

Agencies will probably take u as u have 2 years experience, (don't know what country ur in so don't know their requirements). U can then choose days/hours & the areas u want to do, though you might not get totally out of bedside nursing. But many agencies are branching out into different areas, ie: community work, or maybe you can work in a Drs office. Then the days u have off r ur own, u can ask not to be called in & you can have more time for yourself to de-stress a bit. I'd dust off that resume (CV) and start contacting all of them now. U sound like u need to leave that hospital setting for good.

Ambitiouz · Nov 21, 2010

In the same boat, and I am only a new grad. It seems it never gets better. I have already started taking business classes to back myself up and get out of the field if I am unable to find a better niche. Don't feel bad about stating your dislike.
See, people are conditioned, in nursing school, to put up with abuse. If they don't put up with abuse, they are told "It takes a *certain* person to be a nurse" or.."You have to have what it takes". It's all brainwashing, so now you feel guilty for stating your dislike of the field, which is actually quite normal.

You couldn't be more right about being conditioned to put up with abuse. I'm a new grad myself and I i work on a unit with a lot of new grads at my job feel the same way but none are talking about it because of being made to feel guilty.

efda3 · Nov 22, 2010

You couldn't be more right about being conditioned to put up with abuse. I'm a new grad myself and I i work on a unit with a lot of new grads at my job feel the same way but none are talking about it because of being made to feel guilty.

It took me a second to realize it. Most are in denial, IMHO. Who wants to admit that they were duped into working hard for a profession where abuse, harassment, bullying, and disrespect are to be accepted? Sometimes nurses deal with that reality by living in denial. Everyone has their own ways of coping, I suppose.

I think a lot of it has to do with the media/gov't as well.

sironside · Dec 5, 2010

I'm fed up with nursing as many of you are. At least on the med/surg floor. Been doing it for 19 months since graduating. I'm in the process of getting a job in the OR in another hospital if my references check out, so there is still hope. One of my biggest problems is disrespectful and beligerant A&O pts. Had one last week. I work too damn hard and don't make enough to deal with that kind of BS. I'm extremely compassionate, and I will bend over backwards for patients who are truly sick. But a pt with an I&D to his pinky finger who insists his dressing needs to be changed because there is a small spot of blood on it (it was changed 3 hours before this complaint) and who tells me I'm a bad nurse because I won't give him a sleeping pill "NOW!" and 0430, I cannot tolerate. I refuse to be manipilated and disrespected in such a manner. I'm now on anti-anxiety meds because I'm so busy trying to catch up my work and other's (interdisciplinary as well!) while dealing with such pt mistreatment. I haven't really recieved any insults to my intelligence by doctors or other nurses, not even when I first started this career. I am, however, tired of gossip central at the nurses station and the rumors borne by these nurses that I am sleeping with doctors simply because I am thin, intelligent, and respected by the doctors I work closely with. We're not in middle school folks. Try and keep it professional for the 12 hours we are stuck together. I'm also tired of management. Bottom line: too many changes, too little time. And no respect for nurses. What do they care about? Patient satisfaction and expansion. How about employee satisfaction? Make it a goal, at least? My favorite part: I've been a MS nurse for almost 2 years and have been begging my managers for the last 8 months to allow me to transfer to another specialty. I've been an outstanding employee. What do they do? They take 3 new grads that had scholarships through the hospital and placed them in specialty areas (OR, ER, and ICU) upon graduation. I was a scholarship student too, but I had to go through MS. And for those of you who want to tell me to "do something else," rest assured, I have been trying for almost a year. No one can afford to quit their job and just "look for something else." Let's be practical. I'm also tired of being sick with the flu and colds 5 TIMES over just the past year in addition to being hospitalized for 3 days for a kidney infection (worst pain) from not being able to empty my bladder often because of busy nights at work. I had 6 call outs because of being genuinely ill and my manager tells me I cannot call out anymore until April or I will get written up. It won't matter if I have an MD excuse. Really? Really?! The combination of stress and being exposed to all kinds of viruses from bedside nursing has shot my immune system.

Thanks to all who read this. I really needed to let it out so I can face another night in the Unit from hell. Maybe venting will help prevent me from crying before I go into work, which has been happening fairly frequently lately. Wish me luck in the potential transition to OR.

joanna73, BSN, RN · Dec 5, 2010

What about public health? Telehealth? Clinic? Or sales? There are many areas you could move to that do not require direct bedside care. Dr or dentist office maybe? I have a nurse friend who also was sick of bedside and went to work in sales for a pacemaker company. Good luck.

enchantmentdis, BSN, RN · Dec 5, 2010

Sorry if this post is a bit long, but how about just a bit of patient care?

Take this scenario: You are guaranteed 40 hours of pay each week at your full rate of pay, and each night from 2-10:30 or 4-midnight all you do is sit at home and wait for triage calls to come in and you occasionally go out for a pt visit. And no, you are not taking phone calls from the patients--a phone service is and the RN is asked to go out only if the service cannot remedy the situation or if the pt has a change in condition, dies or falls. I am doing this now and receive only 0 to 3 calls each night and work no weekends. After paying my dues for 16 years in large hospitals absolutely despising caring for patients, i now have a job i love, mainly because i handle one, not MANY, problems for ONE patient at a time and often i never see that patient again because we have a census of over 300.

Here is an example of a typical night i had recently. Checked in at office (didn't have to but i live an hour away so i sync my computer in there first); received a request to replace a foley; read my emails, got in car and drove to ALF; while there got a call that another pt had sob, called MD for first pt, replaced catheter; doc on computer took only 10 mins because the call nurse only docs to the problem we fix; head to next patient--next patient sitting up having dinner and smiling--med tech just wants to know if she can give the already ordered roxanol and ativan at night when pt gets sob and anxiety. Med tech very apologetic, but said she just wanted to speak to a nurse in person about the meds. Told her no problem that's what i am here for. Bear in mind, by 5 pm i have seen only 2 people for about a half hour each time and documenting on care plan for 10 mins each visit.

The rest of the evening went like this: I kept my cell phone volume turned on high and kept it near my body--not one more call the whole night! I even called the phone triage center to make sure they had my number right and to ask if they tried to contact me--nope, this is how a typical night is, the dispatcher said. I went out with my buddy who works from 4-midnight in the same capacity, had dinner at an upscale restaurant, laughed until i peed, and both of us could not believe that the phone never rang. We went back to her house, watched sit-coms and played with her dog the rest of the night.

Why have i been having such a great time, you ask?--because of great case management of symptoms is why; which i used to do btw. The case managers where i work start work at 0830 and end around 5 pm, and boy, do they do an excellent job of making sure pt's have meds, dme in place, and are comfortable before the case manager ends her day. I couldn't believe this position actually existed, and the manager begged me to take it. This is what she said within moments of meeting her. " Around 2-6 pm when the case managers are still seeing their patients, we are getting calls for simple things like changes in symptoms r/to wounds, catheters, requests for different meds for changes in syptoms; and of course deaths. Basically you will get full time pay to take just a few visits each night--can you help us out?" I could not believe my good fortune.

Consider home health or hospice nursing as an on call nurse; you will rarely deal with icky situations and most likely you won't see the same patient twice. Most family members are extremely grateful and just need to talk to someone to get validation that they are doing the right thing by having the patient at home. Also, the MDs who work for our company always answer their cell phones and orders are immediate. Meetings are also very rare, maybe one meeting per month for call staff. And, it is common to not know many of the employees, since you are rarely in the office, so there are no politics. So, if you like not seeing patients or co-workers very often, you might consider this type of nursing, especially if you are confident in you ability to use your nursing skills independently.

enchantmentdis, BSN, RN · Dec 5, 2010

Hi - I've read through this long thread. Here's a question I pose to all of you.
Is it safe to practice while taking an anti-anxiety med? Which med do you take? I have suffered from anxiety so severe that not only do I have panic attacks I also have developed an ulcer. I avoid taking anti-anxiety meds at work because I fear that it is wrong somehow. I have a Rx for Xanax. Is there something else that would level me out rather than keep me constantly worried that taking xanax is wrong while caring for patients? Help me out here. My doctor is very open to suggestion, but because of my anxiety levels he's actually told me to quit nursing altogether, and that was before I ever graduated. I love nursing. I just need to have less anxiety in it! HELP!!

I sympathize with your situation. I have an Rx for seroquel and ativan for sleep issues relating to hyperthyroidism, but have not taken them for fear of a drug screen. Also, these meds do effect thinking and alertness, especially in the first few weeks; and driving a car can be an issue at first. I can not afford to take these meds while working since i get very sleepy and feel horrible the whole day. Now that my thyroid has been irradiated after developing hashimoto's thyroiditis, the anxiety is less severe and i am less depressed, however, i am up several times a night due to typical menopause symptoms--itching, frequents trips to void, and general insomnia, and it is tempting to take the ativan; but my company states a drug screen will be done if you get a needlestick, any injury whatsoever, or are in a fender bender while working. It is sad that the BRN is just for patient's protection. Where is the help for nurses. I now handle the above issues by refraining from drinking liquids after 8 pm and maybe two to three times a week take cough syrup to stay asleep--coricidin hpb is pretty good; then i go a week without taking any. I just can't affort to be on any psychotropics or narcotics in this economy, just in case i lose my job, and need to submit to a urine test for another job.Patients also complain to management if the nurse looks tired or loopy. Good luck to you. Be sure to have your thyroid checked. Leaving nursing is probably not the answer.

sironside · Dec 9, 2010

enchantmentdis, that sounds awesome, but it's a rare opportunity. Most telehealth and phone triage positions are not full-time and they require at least 3 years of experience. I have 1.5. Looked into case management and those require years of experience as well. But reagardless, I just got a job in the OR and I start January. I'm very excited and feel that this is a better fit for my detail-oriented personality! MS is horrific when taking care of 5-8 pts because you work through your 12 hours aware that it's impossible to know everything about every single pt and with the possibility that something important may be missed. Wish me luck and thanks for your insightful post. Maybe when I am no longer able to stand for 10 hour shifts in the OR, I will think about what you're doing!

Good luck to all of you!

Owensaunt · Dec 10, 2010

You need to get into another department. Look into informatics or research.

I really really really need some nurses' advice. So I've realized something about myself lately...I hate nursing. I think I always knew this in college, but I guess I thought things would get better when I was actually NURSING and making money in return....well its been two years as a nurse and nothing has changed. I think the major problem is my anxiety, I'm just one big ball of anxiety the minute I hit those hospital doors....and its taken a major toll on my mental health. I hate patient care and the bedside...and it has nothing to do with the way my unit is run....its a perfect unit with lots of support....I just can't get away from the fact that I hate taking care of people and just the normal stress of the job!!! I am so desperate to get out of this field, but I feel so trapped, and I'm also saddened about the concept of throwing my 4 year nursing degree away. I've recently decided the best thing to do right now is get my master's degree in Informatics, that way I can take a non-bedside-nursing positon....but this still leaves me with having to work for two or more years as I attend a part-time program. The thought of this scares me! I can't imagine two more years like this! I am really at my wits end, it seems like every idea I have to get out has a problem that I can't get passed. I am willing to take a major pay cut (and barely scrape by paying for rent, etc) and work in a office or telephonic nursing setting, but that leaves me with either 1. working 8-5 M-F, therefore no time to take night classes for informatics or 2. not enough experience to get these telephonic nursing positions! The only thing that is keeping my at my current job is the flexibility that is available for me to attend grad school this fall, and the fact that they will pay a good portion of my schooling....other than that I'm miserable with everything about it! I feel so mentally drained, the anxiety has totally killed me. I show up so early to work, and I'm freaking out the whole time I'm there...I hate this and I'm about to go crazy!!! (if I'm not already there yet!) I'm about to give up my dreams of getting my master's degree and settle for some type of office job that doesn't pay nearly as much as I am making now, but at least I'll have my sanity. I guess I am asking for some suggestions...what type of jobs are out there, I swear I think I've looked everywhere but two years doesn't seem to be enough experience. I currently making about $55,000 a year....I'm willing to take a 10,000 pay cut for any job that does NOT involve patient care. Any suggestions would be GREATLY appreciated!

jmeng · Dec 30, 2010

OMG...i feel like I am reading my own post! You are not alone. I am on exactly the same boat. It's been 4 years for me and counting...I made a mistake of buying a condo and have reached to the point of not caring of losing this property for sake of sanity. Everyone keeps telling me it will get better...but it never has. It has gotten worse year after year. the only way i can make myself keep in this field is by changing career and floating around. GET OUT!!!!

nurse1109 · Dec 31, 2010

I am very anxious and frustrated with this career as well. It has now been 3.5 yrs into my nursing career and I have not once been happy. I feel like I have made a big mistake but then I feel guilty and I do want to like it. I am just tired and stressed all the time. I am fed up with no breaks and no lunches and all the physical requirements. I don't care how many "body mechanics" you learn 2 small 130lb women are not made to transfer non wt bearing 250lb ppl! I just feel like I worked so hard through college to give this up (math and science were not my thing but I worked hard for As). If I think about what I truly enjoy learning about it is English Literature and History. I feel like maybe I was more cut out for a job in Education, I am very detail oriented and organized. I just feel like I don't want to be trapped in this job feeling like someones servant (not just in reference to ungrateful patients but hospital administration as well). I have considered my BSN but I don't feel like good managers just get their job because of their degree, it takes experience. A BSN is a requirement but not a guarantee for administration/mgmt. My family has been driven crazy hearing me obsessive over what to do. Some say teach nursing school, but I feel a good teacher has a passion for their subject and I don't think it would be fair to hopeful students to have a cynical view of this profession. So I recently in the last few months took a position on a less hectic unit and now we have adequate staffing and guess what? Good old budget cuts mean no raises and nurse to patient ratio is cut so that is back to no break or lunch for me....and I can forget about leaving on time. I feel like my options are: 1) Suffer, make a decent paycheck but turn into a bitter person, 2) Pursue a non-bedside job like MDS Nurse where I am not worked like I am in a factory I will be a respected valuable member of the health care team. (Actually nursing Is worse than factory, my husband does it and he always gets his breaks and lunches and holidays/wknds off) . 3)Start working on my degree in something else such as teaching (although I would plan on job-shadowing and research prior to going to college for something I may hate) although teachers are loosing their jobs in this economy and the pay is not great, but I have $ and am miserable now! Like I said I feel trapped and guilty. My grandmother told me this should be a ministry I should not have these feelings about working to help other people. (she was also an English teacher who had summers off, and was offered more money to take an early retirement).

Oh and I have work outpatient surgery which physically is much better. But it has its downfalls as well. Reimbursement is better outpatient so Drs will try and squeeze anyone in they can even if they are not "healthy". Even though you "close" at 5pm I have spent many nights at work until 9pm because someone takes that long to pee or for the spinal to wear off or there anesthesia to wear off enough to have decent VS. Drs don't care, they will add on a case at 4pm and tell you that you are lucky to have a job. I worked one day in primary pacu with one other nurse and me to recover 18 outpatients in one day. I was fed up with crazy, that is why I left.

I am now starting to think there is no "good" nursing job, I know there is never a perfect job but at least when I graduated I had hope it would not all be crazy.

joanna73, BSN, RN · Dec 31, 2010

Just to give you all some perspective, because I can totally appreciate where you are coming from. I am new to nursing, but I worked retail and hotel mgmt for years. Basically, the same politics, overworked, burnout, etc, etc. I guess the key is to find some aspects you enjoy, and try to hold on to that. The grass really isn't greener on the other side, unfortunately.