Not excited about nursing--feels like a bad joke

[Cola89]

I haven't been a nurse for long (only a couple years), and it's different from what I thought it would be. Not really sure where the problem originates, but I have had a lot of trouble getting excited about the profession. Only a few months in I started to feel like nursing (and all healthcare) is more like a machine and that so many patients' suffering is prolonged, not helped, whatever because of various factors (ie: non-compliance, bad practices, over-emphasis on profits, etc, etc).

Then I started to see the whole thing as a joke. Kind of reminds me of how when I worked in fast food and my managers used to get all UPSET and in a tizzy if the orders weren't produced "fast enough". ---like I'm just spinning my wheels. And for what?

Before anyone accuses me of being heartless, I am not. I am actually a thoughtful person. And I am good at what I do according to my patients and even their families.

My managers do not complain about me, even though I am slow with some of the admissions and discharges.

I don't see the point of the rudeness of other staff or the snobby nature of those going on to NP school for a "real degree" (ugh, really?) I have noticed a culture of some health care workers demeaning other health care workers (oh, like an RN is sooo much better than an RRT or that an NP should get her a 55 licked by all mere RNs, lololol).--- and I say "for what?!!" The whole atmosphere of healthcare workers treating other healthcare workers like crap for silly reasons (after all, we all work FOR the hospital).

If I'm already this unamused and almost burned out, should I quit nursing? Like I said, I've only been a nurse for a couple years, and I am already thinking the job (and pay) isn't worth the stress, lack of respect.

[DoeRN]

Completely understand. I've been a nurse for 7 years almost 8 and I feel this way all the time. I'm getting another degree outside the medical field. Nursing isn't for everyone but I do have moments where I enjoy what I do. It took me getting off the floors to actually somewhat appreciate it. But I still don't like it enough to do this type of work until I retire in 26 years.

Sent from my iPhone using allnurses

[CBlover, BSN, RN]

Sounds like a lot of us. I can completely agree with your post. Nursing is not all what it's cracked up to be. I'm famous for telling myself, "It's a job. It helps pay the bills. I don't really have to love it to keep at it." I'm like you, there are times when I feel like I love what I do, but for the most part the whole "system" burnt me out a long time ago. I've been at it for 5 years and the bottom line emphasis ($$$$) has only gotten worse and worse. I just make a point to be happy, do my best to make my pts happy, have fun with coworkers, laugh and have a good time, and could care less what the big dogs think since that's the whole cause of burnout to start with. If I were you, I'd maybe look into some other nursing avenues rather than fly the coop this early. Nursing is such a diverse profession. I hope you find your niche that you can at least half enjoy. I understand the feeling.

[Guest219794]

Sounds like you work in a toxic environment with a bunch of jerks.

No profession would be much fun in this situation.

[maxthecat]

Another reason that we need to have some part of nursing education equivalent to the old diploma schools. Those graduates knew exactly what the job entailed before they graduated.

[nnm519]

You really are not alone. I have not had the best experiences as a nurse so far. Not the patients. They love me and I love them. I constantly have people tell me I am their favorite (who knows they could tell them all this! LOL). The whole nurses eating their young and backstabbing all the while pretending to be your friend just has me burned out. Then the never ending paperwork and making sure you have the requirements to meet insurance really gets old (really who needs the normal oxygen level documented in 4 different place....at least with my company it is always documenting the same thing in so many different places. Then seeing the patients suffer due to insurance not paying or not having insurance... It is heartbreaking work! HOWEVER there is SO much to nursing besides bedside care. Before giving up assess what you are wanting out of your career and focus on finding a place that suits you. Not every place will be the same. You could just as easily have these frustrations in any career path. Also focus on the good! Why did you start? Have you had any touching experiences that really made you say, "this is why I do it"? Too much negativity will get your mind in the wrong place.

Currently I do home health. One patient / one nurse. I don't have co-workers and I don't see the bosses too often. I am making a difference in my patients life because other wise they could not stay at home and possibly would have to re-locate for care. I was able to go back and complete my BSN and this job was ideal because I had down time where I could read or study. I am now applying to graduate schools to get my FNP.

Don't be defeated! Be the change you want to see. Make the change. :)

[WKShadowNP, DNP, APRN]

I'm sorry you are dissatisfied. Yes. All of those problems exist. Healthcare is more a business than it used to be. I love, absolutely love my profession despite this. I honestly feel it is my vocation.

However, I find that anywhere you go you will find the same human element of greed, gossip, and general pettiness that exists. My suggestion is to find something that sparks a passion in you and do it as well as you possibly can. Nursing is not something to undertake lightly. I hope for you that there is an outlet that speaks to you. I think you just haven't found it yet.

Good luck to you!

[Horseshoe, BSN, RN]

You might try an area of nursing which doesn't require bedside care.

I work part time in endo and part time in an ambulatory surgery center in the OR. These jobs are far different from the hospital environment. For one thing, no nights, no weekends, no holidays.

There are many areas of nursing. Some don't require ANY bedside care. You might find another area which would fulfill you.

[Libby1987]

These posts always make me sad.

Nursing was a lot harder when I graduated, though easier by today's standards. It was just harder for me because I was 1) new 2) my heart was someplace else. Now that I've reached a comfortable and confident level, have had a rich full personal life and could reduce my hours and still keep the lights on I'm actually having fun with it.

[Dial9first]

NP is relatively new. NPs I know were nurses for a least a decade. I do not understand how one can just complete more study and become an NP and believe they will be real successful. Am I missing something?

[jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B]

NP is relatively new. NPs I know were nurses for a least a decade. I do not understand how one can just complete more study and become an NP and believe they will be real successful. Am I missing something?

There are schools that have programs where one becomes an RN, then straight to NP and you don't need experience as a nurse first. Hence why those graduates have little clue about nursing as a bedside experience. And wonder why everyone doesn't do this.

NP's are practioners. Therefore they don't need to work at bedside. Or so the schools say.....

OP you could go into an entirely different field of nursing. From school nurse to Home Health to Hospice to Urgent Care...even Case Management or Informatics. All viable options.

Look at your company website and see what other positions are available in house. You may just find something the piques your interest.

Best wishes!

[Rocknurse, MSN, APRN, NP]

Here's how I dealt with it, being a 23 year veteran. Find an area of nursing that interests you, or even excites you. For me that was ICU and now it's being an NP. Do it well. I mean, really excel at it and learn on your off time so you can teach others. Get a certificaiton in your field. Make it work for you. get a job you want rather than a job that's available. Make your attitude such that you have pride in yourself and your achievements so that when you go into work you feel good about being there. Seems like you need a change of scene. I've had a lot of jobs and done a few different things, and I will say that it's not much better anywhere else to be honest. It's more about how you view it and deal with it. I fell into nursing, and at times not enjoyed elements of it, and struggled with some aspects of the profession. However, I always kept moving and never stopped going to school and now I feel good about being a nurse and feel that there is a lot left for me to do. Nursing has been good to me and afforded me a life I would never have had otherwise. Don't give up...just find a better place.