I think I'm done with nursing.

[MBrickle]

I've had a tough few weeks of self-reflection. My mind has gone back and forth over my preferred career path, and, ultimately, I think I'm going to bow out gracefully.

I am a career-change RN. After receiving two bachelor degrees in non-nursing fields, I realized what I had really known all along - nursing was for me. I worked hard, I worked full time, I put myself through school, I was at the top of my class....andddd...I got a pedi home health job. My ADN isn't worth the paper it's written on in the Northeast.

THEN, I blew my back out. Massive herniation, 6 months off work, and pain to end all pain. I deal with workers comp, I rehab (luckily no surgery) and I get back to work this past June.

My DREAM is to be an acute care nurse. I love working with high-acuity and in a fast-paced, think-on-your-feet environment...as someone who as always craved more 'excitement,' this is for me. BUT, I have an ADN. And even with a BSN, hospitals aren't hiring you unless you have previous hospital experience (usually already in the specialty you are trying to break in to,) and you can't get experience of any kind because nobody will hire you to begin with. Add to that a back injury, and I'm further limited to PICU, but preferably NICU as I really do not want to temp fate with my back...and REFUSE a future filled with spinal fusions and all that jazz.

I tried to convince myself to be an FNP. I even toyed with PA school, but I'm so frustrated by all of the courses that I will have to re-take since I am past my 10 year expiration for most schools.

I'm frustrated. I would be a STELLAR ICU nurse. I really would. I have fought so hard to get here and it's taken years. I just don't think I have much fight left in me. Moving isn't an option as my husband makes more than double what I do and has a job with a large pay potential.

It is just so discouraging to see that travel nurses are getting hired all over the place because they are cheaper from every angle. Local nurses need the jobs! I'm just over it at this moment. I am just treading water and getting sick of it. Hard work has officially gotten me nowhere and there is no silver lining in sight.

Just needed to rant/vent/sulk/express my frustration

May as well go back to my pre-nursing legal career where I made the same money, didn't have to do nearly as much work, and wasn't in a field that constantly tempted me to do more and be more, but knowing that the goals I have in mind are pretty unattainable.

:::END PITY PARTY:::

[Orion81RN]

I'm a wonderful, warm nurturing nurse to my patients. However, I am seething on the inside with the unbelievable, unrealistic demands placed on us. But you know what? My patients would NEVER KNOW I feel this way. So those nurses you had whom you are speaking of may very well be the same ones coming to this site venting about hating their job.

[afjgnp]

Rhi007: you are lucky that you have co workers that are so supportive. I have had job where they are less than friendly.Same with the patients.

[Marshall1]

The VA hires LPN's and ADN's and they do work them in the units - or at least the VA I was at did..things may have changed...anyway try here:

http://www.usajobs.gov

You never know - maybe there is an acute care job out there just for you

[ThePrincessBride, MSN, RN, NP]

If nursing is so awful....why are you in it? To the OP: it is frustrating when import nurses get the jobs and locals don't and I'm also a career change nursing student; I did child care and found that was much harder on my back. Ultimately you need to put yourself first and because you've seen both worlds.

To the user that said there are no positives in nursing, I beg to differ! We work our ass off yes but there are only no positives if you think that way. I've found that I have a whole new family I can lean on for support or talk things over, go out for drinks, clubbing etc I enjoy the interaction with different cultures and I'm continuously learning...how are these not positives? Maybe it's just the US but Australian hospitals are very positive environments.

Your job is what you make it.....I have a tattoo that says 'what doesn't kill me only makes me stronger' yes it is a thankless, work your ass to the bone job but there are the LOL's and parents that are greatful for what we do

We? Who is we? You are a nursing student. Have you even worked as a nurse's aid? I worked as a sitter for fifteen months and now have two jobs as a PCA (nurse's aid), and let me tell you, nurses have HARD jobs. The TV is broken? Ask the nurse. Wrong food tray? Complain to the nurse. I have chest pain? Talk to the nurse. So much falls onto the nurse, even issues that are not relating to nursing practice, but because healthcare has become a business, nurses are forced to become super nurses and do anything and everything to get great patient satisfaction ratings.

Until you have worked out in the field as a nurse or have had lots of healthcare experience working closely with nurses like I have, you are in no position to really comment about the state of nursing. Sorry.

[marieelizross]

Sounds to me like your desire for acute care is very strong. Leaving nursing may give you some time and distance from the acute disappointment you are feeling. Trying to orient into a difficult specialty within the acute care environment is very difficult. I've seen many nurses trying to break into the operating room in the past four years and many quit early or quit late. My advise would be to look outside the acute care setting for information, perhaps to the professional organizations. In addition, there are, more than likely, preparatory courses you might consider, even if you have to relocate temporarily to do them. The last thing I would say is perhaps seeking the advanced degree while working in a different area would be worth the effort. Try networking with some educators in the university setting that ladders ADNs into BSNs. It may not be as difficult as you think.

At any rate, be kind to yourself and take some time for yourself.

Bless you,

Marie

[TheBlackDogWaits]

I've had a tough few weeks of self-reflection. My mind has gone back and forth over my preferred career path, and, ultimately, I think I'm going to bow out gracefully.I am a career-change RN. After receiving two bachelor degrees in non-nursing fields, I realized what I had really known all along - nursing was for me. I worked hard, I worked full time, I put myself through school, I was at the top of my class....andddd...I got a pedi home health job. My ADN isn't worth the paper it's written on in the Northeast.THEN, I blew my back out. Massive herniation, 6 months off work, and pain to end all pain. I deal with workers comp, I rehab (luckily no surgery) and I get back to work this past June.My DREAM is to be an acute care nurse. I love working with high-acuity and in a fast-paced, think-on-your-feet environment...as someone who as always craved more 'excitement,' this is for me. BUT, I have an ADN. And even with a BSN, hospitals aren't hiring you unless you have previous hospital experience (usually already in the specialty you are trying to break in to,) and you can't get experience of any kind because nobody will hire you to begin with. Add to that a back injury, and I'm further limited to PICU, but preferably NICU as I really do not want to temp fate with my back...and REFUSE a future filled with spinal fusions and all that jazz.I tried to convince myself to be an FNP. I even toyed with PA school, but I'm so frustrated by all of the courses that I will have to re-take since I am past my 10 year expiration for most schools.I'm frustrated. I would be a STELLAR ICU nurse. I really would. I have fought so hard to get here and it's taken years. I just don't think I have much fight left in me. Moving isn't an option as my husband makes more than double what I do and has a job with a large pay potential. It is just so discouraging to see that travel nurses are getting hired all over the place because they are cheaper from every angle. Local nurses need the jobs! I'm just over it at this moment. I am just treading water and getting sick of it. Hard work has officially gotten me nowhere and there is no silver lining in sight.Just needed to rant/vent/sulk/express my frustrationMay as well go back to my pre-nursing legal career where I made the same money, didn't have to do nearly as much work, and wasn't in a field that constantly tempted me to do more and be more, but knowing that the goals I have in mind are pretty unattainable.:::END PITY PARTY:::

The impression I get from this post is that you are so frustrated with your lot in life that you are ready to give up and stop trying. However, to quote my late dad, "You can be 40 with a (insert choice accomplishment) or you can be 40 without one. Either way, you're still going to be 40." In other words, who cares how long it takes you. If you want it, do it. Volunteer to get your feet wet in a CC unit. A tough economy, like any other tough circumstance, will always weed out those without the grit. Maybe keep that in mind? Sometimes, immediate gratification shouldn't be gratifying at all. Just saying.....

[anotherone, BSN, RN]

You are the one who knows yourself best. You only have one life to live. Why do something that makes you miserable?, just to not be a quiter or "stick to it "or some other martyr reason?? At least doing it for the money , job security, health insurance or you actually like the job , now those are good reasons . because of a dream you had long ago? useless. no shame in giving up. It is just a job!!!! working in a phyisical job with tons of pain just to stick with it, when you dont want to or have to, is pathetic imo and potentially harmful in the long run.

[netglow, ASN, RN]

I think that the "as long as it takes" mode responses must be from students. You guys need to start doing a little research on what's what in healthcare. Spend some time reading threads and educate yourselves on all of this, as it will be your situation soon, too!

"Just volunteer to get your feet wet in a CCU" - OK, I don't know that came from?!

Once you are an RN, you can't volunteer in a hospital as you are suggesting, StudentEtc. The idea of being a volunteer is not appropriate or really allowed in acute care, or really much of anywhere, a legal nightmare. Yes you can volunteer as an RN eg sports events, charity runs, etc. or even in disasters. But you need to not be a new nurse, then. You must have malpractice insurance, and you would be on your own, so you would best be someone who has ER exp. So, you need to have experience. Some hospitals allow student interns or externs (precious few) these days - this is what you should understand. A hospital volunteer, at least in my area is restricted to non-clinical people eg. helping family find the cafe, getting a newspaper, helping by being a runner, etc. Volunteers are not in any form allowed to enter into any duty that might muddy the waters clinically.

[TheBlackDogWaits]

I think that the "as long as it takes" mode responses must be from students. You guys need to start doing a little research on what's what in healthcare. Spend some time reading threads and educate yourselves on all of this, as it will be your situation soon, too! "Just volunteer to get your feet wet in a CCU" - OK, I don't know that came from?!Once you are an RN, you can't volunteer in a hospital as you are suggesting, StudentEtc. The idea of being a volunteer is not appropriate or really allowed in acute care, or really much of anywhere, a legal nightmare. Yes you can volunteer as an RN eg sports events, charity runs, etc. or even in disasters. But you need to not be a new nurse, then. You must have malpractice insurance, and you would be on your own, so you would best be someone who has ER exp. So, you need to have experience. Some hospitals allow student interns or externs (precious few) these days - this is what you should understand. A hospital volunteer, at least in my area is restricted to non-clinical people eg. helping family find the cafe, getting a newspaper, helping by being a runner, etc. Volunteers are not in any form allowed to enter into any duty that might muddy the waters clinically.

OK, totally off base for me to say "to get your feet wet" (it's true, I have no experience in a clinical setting), but the mentality is to build relationships. Wasn't aware you couldn't volunteer as an RN, as I've read different threads here that suggest otherwise. I stand corrected. I'm just more stuck on the idea that OP appears to be spending A LOT of time pursuing "interests/goals", but not A LOT of time considering the commitment. Seems like quite a few major roles to back out of because OP is "frustrated." Isn't life frustrating? Isn't the higher goal to learn how to be in a good "place" (read: learning how to be centered/grounded/etc) in the face of tasks/jobs/commitments that are unsavory???

[netglow, ASN, RN]

No, actually it's not. Not in nursing. And, I'm not trying to be disagreeable here. You will soon understand a few things grasshopper the more you read personal accounts on this forum and the further you go along in your edu. certain things will become clear.

[echocat, ASN, RN]

MBrickle: I feel your pain! I have been a nurse for ten years and almost every day I feel that even though I love what I do (hospice) I wonder why I do it some days.

I could rant about the idiotic management and pay cuts and staff layoffs, working on call 24/7 ... but this is your thread and your question.

It's rough out there. I have not seen signs of a nursing shortage at all, and everyone wants a BSN. Sometimes I think we have to pay our dues including taking the job that you can get for experience, hanging in there for a year, and hope that's enough to break the ice elsewhere.

I'm sorry about your back. That should be a nursing 101 topic -- that this job will take your back and then your knees.

[TheBlackDogWaits]

No, actually it's not. Not in nursing. And, I'm not trying to be disagreeable here. You will soon understand a few things grasshopper the more you read personal accounts on this forum and the further you go along in your edu. certain things will become clear.

Understood. Things are more clear than you suspect, to be sure.