Nursing is a terrible job!

Nurses General Nursing

Published

This has been a red letter week! Monday was my birthday, I turned 50. Along with dealing with that, I lost my job.

I had applied for a new position on the preceeding friday, and was told the job was mine, once they got my references. Unfortunately, my references were my unit manager, shift supervisor and a nurse I work with regulary. I was quite shocked when I was informed that I was turned down for the new job due to those references. I knew these people for years. I had spoken to them about looking for a position with better hours so I could go back to school for my RN. They all agreed that would be best and that they would give me a good word on this job. Instead I return to work was suspended for 3 days then fired for petty reasons. In 28 yrs I have been fired 2 times, this makes the third.

I worked in the factories for 23 yrs before going for nursing. Half that time in Quality Control, a job which is high stress and one that leaves you with few friends due to having to correct other peoples work. I have never been as attacked by anyone as I have been since I got my licence.

I have come to the conclusion that nursing is a cut-throat job and the only way to survive is to become as petty, mean, and back-stabbing as everyone else. I refuse to change my personality to keep a job. I am seriously considering leaving nursing. At my age this will not be an easy thing to do, but, my choises are limited. When people I trusted and considered friends, stabbed me like that I just want to go back to where people are nice, considerate, ands compassionate. Not just putting on a show.

Try to find some other references of people you know that you have worked with before. Take a little time, maybe something part time until your feelings pass. yes its hard to get over the feelings but it will come. you sound like you have the compassion to continue nursing maybe just need a little break . good luck

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Specializes in Geriatrics.

Since I posted this, I have seen 2 other threads on basically the same problem. It just seems to re-inforce the fact that nursing is a bad place to be. I thank all who responded to my post, I wish you good luck. I am going to start looking for a new career. It may take a while to find one. But, I have to survive with my head held high.

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Specializes in O.R., ED, M/S.

Don't give up on nursing as of yet until you exhaust all avenues. There are so many areas where you can use your expertise. Nursing has an appeal that many find inticing and you should be able to find your niche somewhere. Nursing school is so hard now a days and to give it up only after 3 years would be a waste. Take a deep breath and look around for something you might find interesting, your license can open a lot of doors.

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imo, just saying a person is not eligible for rehire is damaging enough,

good point.

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Specializes in med/surg.
This has been a red letter week! Monday was my birthday, I turned 50. Along with dealing with that, I lost my job.

I had applied for a new position on the preceeding friday, and was told the job was mine, once they got my references. Unfortunately, my references were my unit manager, shift supervisor and a nurse I work with regulary. I was quite shocked when I was informed that I was turned down for the new job due to those references. I knew these people for years. I had spoken to them about looking for a position with better hours so I could go back to school for my RN. They all agreed that would be best and that they would give me a good word on this job. Instead I return to work was suspended for 3 days then fired for petty reasons. In 28 yrs I have been fired 2 times, this makes the third.

I worked in the factories for 23 yrs before going for nursing. Half that time in Quality Control, a job which is high stress and one that leaves you with few friends due to having to correct other peoples work. I have never been as attacked by anyone as I have been since I got my licence.

I have come to the conclusion that nursing is a cut-throat job and the only way to survive is to become as petty, mean, and back-stabbing as everyone else. I refuse to change my personality to keep a job. I am seriously considering leaving nursing. At my age this will not be an easy thing to do, but, my choises are limited. When people I trusted and considered friends, stabbed me like that I just want to go back to where people are nice, considerate, ands compassionate. Not just putting on a show.

Depressing, isn't it, that's the norm in nursing.

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Specializes in medicine and psychiatry.

It's beyond depressing. The worst thing is that there is such a state of denial among nurses with regard to the gravity of the problem.

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Specializes in Geriatrics.

It's now been 2 weeks and the only places that have replied to my resume' are agency. I have been looking in all the employment sites, newspaper and talking to friends. Jobs are scarce at this time of year. I keep looking but have no idea what I want or why.

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I have heard that they often get mad at anyone leaving, or wanting to leave, so they will pull these sabotage stunts. Our unit supposedly does it and starts finding ways to 'write up" nurses who have expressed a desire to leave the unit for any reason. I find it irreprehensible ethically to try to do this to any employee who has been loyal and faithful to the job.

I agree legal recourse is due -- make them document and prove their claims -- I doubt they will be able to do it.

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This has been a red letter week! Monday was my birthday, I turned 50. Along with dealing with that, I lost my job.

I had applied for a new position on the preceeding friday, and was told the job was mine, once they got my references. Unfortunately, my references were my unit manager, shift supervisor and a nurse I work with regulary. I was quite shocked when I was informed that I was turned down for the new job due to those references. I knew these people for years. I had spoken to them about looking for a position with better hours so I could go back to school for my RN. They all agreed that would be best and that they would give me a good word on this job. Instead I return to work was suspended for 3 days then fired for petty reasons. In 28 yrs I have been fired 2 times, this makes the third.

I worked in the factories for 23 yrs before going for nursing. Half that time in Quality Control, a job which is high stress and one that leaves you with few friends due to having to correct other peoples work. I have never been as attacked by anyone as I have been since I got my licence.

I have come to the conclusion that nursing is a cut-throat job and the only way to survive is to become as petty, mean, and back-stabbing as everyone else. I refuse to change my personality to keep a job. I am seriously considering leaving nursing. At my age this will not be an easy thing to do, but, my choises are limited. When people I trusted and considered friends, stabbed me like that I just want to go back to where people are nice, considerate, ands compassionate. Not just putting on a show.

I worked 8 months in home health and saw firsthand what you are talking about. If I was like some of the scum I had to work around, I would be afraid to walk out to my car at night.

I'm at a place now where that garbage doesn't fly as bad.

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Specializes in School Nursing.

hang in there sweetie ! you'll find another place to work where they treat you as you deserve to be treated. don't let this get you down.

praiser :heartbeat

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