Ready to Call it Quits

Nurses General Nursing

Published

I have been wrestling with this for a long time now, but I think it is time for me to get out of nursing. I really hope that I will be able to escape this torturous career and get back into school. If only I knew then what I know now then I would never have entered nursing school to begin with. I know that many here are going to disagree with me and tell me that nursing is the most pure and rewarding job in existence, but I could not disagree more. Nursing as a whole is one of the worst careers out there in my opinion. Most of us are expected to provide pt care, clean the floor/unit, take out the trash, answer the phones along with doing anything else that pops up during our shifts. I am not one of the people that loves their job so much that I am willing to do these other chores with pleasure. I work ER and find that the majority of the pt's are rude and unappreciative for the care that we provide, not to mention drunk or doped out of their minds. I am just not sure what this world is coming to. People seem to be getting dumber by the minute. Every day I am amazed at the ever evolving stupidity of the people that I deal with on a daily basis.

I personally hate going to work and hate the job that I have to perform. I have worked as a staff nurse and as a traveler and I find that the people are pretty much the same anywhere I go. I know that many people go into nursing for the exact reasons that I did..... Job stability along with the ability to work three days a week and make decent money, however it just isn't worth it. Perhaps if I get away from the bedside I will feel better, but I doubt it. Nursing along with anything to do with healthcare is the most backstabbing, stressful and unappreciated work that there is. Nobody ever wants to focus on the good we do, only the occasional mistake that someone makes, or they want to blame the nurses and doc's for whatever complaint that they are suffering from. Sorry about the long post and the ranting, but I feel like I just had to vent. Being a nurse isn't as great as it is made out to be in school. People can sugar coat it all they want, but real world bedside nursing is miserable.

Specializes in ED, ICU, PSYCH, PP, CEN.

I love nursing and my ER job. However, I agree with everything everyone has said. It is backbreaking, unsafe work. Almost never get a break. Until nurses learn to come together and demand better working conditions it will never happen.

Last week I watched a charge nurse completely yell at and demean one of our nurses. Had her in tears for no good reason. And the much aligned nurse just took it and wouldn't go to management because she needs the job. So sad.

I have worked in a couple of ERs that had a great, supportive attitude. Unfortunately am not in one now. But this will change soon enough.

Merry Christmas and a happy, healthy new year to all my allnurses compadres out there.

I'm sorry that it's been such a negative experience for you, but it's not that way for all of us because it's not FOR all of us. I could never be an office employee or an accountant or a teacher of children, because those just don't hold any interest for me. Nursing is my professional life and I cannot imagine doing anything else. I don't diss you for getting out, just please don't assume that it's like this for everyone. I spent many years in the ER, and while I burned out I loved the years I was there and am grateful to have had the opportunity to do it. Now I'm in home health. Just as stressful at times and can be frustrating, but this past week I have received so many hugs from my home care clients and Christmas wishes! Everyday I came home with a new gift from a client, as well as coworkers and supervisors (we have been told we can accept gifts as long as they are inexpensive). I've done simple things like teach someone how to manage what seems like an entire pharmacy's inventory of meds and gotten hugs of gratitude because I made it manageable. Yesterday I did an eval on a fresh CVA pt who was sent home, and the daughter was about to tear her hair out. I asked her if she wanted me to arrange for a hospital bed, and I thought she was going to cry in relief.

It sounds like nursing isn't for you, but it sure as heck is for me. I wish you well in whatever you do in life.

TraumaRUs gave several options for changing your scenery. Many make their working lives bearable by changing their scenery when it starts to get to them. That is how they manage to get through an entire career in nursing. We are lucky that there are so many avenues that nurses can follow when they want and need a change. I don't blame you for wanting to leave nursing. But please if you do go into another line of work, do yourself a favor, and keep your nursing license current. You never know what the future may hold and that nursing license may become necessary. Good luck. Hope you find some situation where you can be content.

I have a question... Why is there complaints of nursing shortage when management are the ones who are cutting down on nursing staff?

Specializes in A myriad of specialties.

Gosh it's amazing how many of you feel the way I do!

Been nursing for 22 years and, with the exception of two jobs, have never been happy with the career. I stay due to the great pay and benefits at my current position; the environment in which I work can be and has been very hostile and abusive and I am so very tired of it.

If I pursued another interest, I'd have to find the funds and time and it's not feasible for me right now due to financial restraints. If I can, I'll stick with it another 8-10 years when my husband retires and drop down to half-time. Meanwhile like so many of you, I just take one day at a time and thank God I have a job.

I have been wrestling with this for a long time now, but I think it is time for me to get out of nursing. I really hope that I will be able to escape this torturous career and get back into school. If only I knew then what I know now then I would never have entered nursing school to begin with. I know that many here are going to disagree with me and tell me that nursing is the most pure and rewarding job in existence, but I could not disagree more. Nursing as a whole is one of the worst careers out there in my opinion. Most of us are expected to provide pt care, clean the floor/unit, take out the trash, answer the phones along with doing anything else that pops up during our shifts. I am not one of the people that loves their job so much that I am willing to do these other chores with pleasure. I work ER and find that the majority of the pt's are rude and unappreciative for the care that we provide, not to mention drunk or doped out of their minds. I am just not sure what this world is coming to. People seem to be getting dumber by the minute. Every day I am amazed at the ever evolving stupidity of the people that I deal with on a daily basis.

I personally hate going to work and hate the job that I have to perform. I have worked as a staff nurse and as a traveler and I find that the people are pretty much the same anywhere I go. I know that many people go into nursing for the exact reasons that I did..... Job stability along with the ability to work three days a week and make decent money, however it just isn't worth it. Perhaps if I get away from the bedside I will feel better, but I doubt it. Nursing along with anything to do with healthcare is the most backstabbing, stressful and unappreciated work that there is. Nobody ever wants to focus on the good we do, only the occasional mistake that someone makes, or they want to blame the nurses and doc's for whatever complaint that they are suffering from. Sorry about the long post and the ranting, but I feel like I just had to vent. Being a nurse isn't as great as it is made out to be in school. People can sugar coat it all they want, but real world bedside nursing is miserable.

I, too, agree with everything you have to say. It's bad enough that management expects us to care for people with so limited resources. Then you have to put up with such PITA. Most of the patients we get always seem to have a chip on their shoulder toward the nurse. They see the nurse as a punching bag to take all of their frustrations out on. If we acted the way some of these people acted, we would be tarred, feathered, and banned from nursing. I got into nursing because my heart yearned to provide care for people in their darkest hours. I don't want gratitude, nor a smiling face. I just want respect and do not want to be the target of so much disgust and hate. I wonder is that too much to ask for?:angryfire

I want to thank everyone for their responses. I actually almost didn't post this because I didn't want to start any arguments on the forum with my views. I am just fed up with the whole system and I know that it clouds my views at times, but at this point I have a hard time thinking of one good thing about nursing.

I see posts on here about how management is turning hospitals into hotels or doing this and that. I actually have no problem with that, but hire the appropriate staff. If you want someone to go around fluffing pillows and handing out blanket after blanket, sandwich after sandwich etc... then hire some staff specifically for that job. Nurses in general are BUSY doing nursing care and honestly don't have the time to do things like this all night long. Honestly, in the ER many of the pt's that I see are only there for a blanket/pillow (that they will soon steal upon discharge) and free sandwiches. I know that I shouldn't dislike them and I have no idea what happened to put them in that situation, but I just can't help but resent them. Pt's like this tend to be the most demanding and unappreciative and it burns me up.

I am not and never will be a Florence Nightengale style nurse. I am here to care for pt's not do the job functions of 3-4 people. At this point being a nurse is a job for me and that's it. Management can take their precious Press Ganey and ram it up their "fabulous"..... well you know where I am going with that, lol.

Maybe you should consider changing the field you work in. I work in a assisted living and its great. All the nurses are happy and most the patients are like family. The pay is a little lower for nurses and cna's but may be worth the hassle. I worked in a nursing home for awhile and found the environment there was stressful constantly. Nurses and cna's are over worked and tired. Made for a very bad environment.

Maybe you should consider changing the field you work in. I work in a assisted living and its great. All the nurses are happy and most the patients are like family. The pay is a little lower for nurses and cna's but may be worth the hassle. I worked in a nursing home for awhile and found the environment there was stressful constantly. Nurses and cna's are over worked and tired. Made for a very bad environment.

Are there actually licensed nurses working in assisted living?

There have not been any nurses working at the ones where my pts have lived.

While I can't say I detest my job, I certainly think nursing is a particularly demeaning career for professionals. I don't agree with the 'just change your area of nursing' advice.

If you hate ER you will just as likely hate Med, Surg, Peds, or whatever, because the basic culture and job description is more or less the same.

My advice is to change your profession completely. Go back to school and do a different degree, choose a profession where you will be respected for your knowledge and treated like a professional.

Specializes in Gyn Onc, OB, L&D, HH/Hospice/Palliative.

I can only say, I pretty much like most of the pts I take care of, even the psych cases, drug seekers, high strung , I don't really have a problem with any 'type', most people I find something interesting about, and can basically ignore or deal w/others.

I even like all of the nurses, PCA's on my unit,(as people) people are people. I'm social,I like people, all kinds ,weird, freaky,whatever... I pretty much even like my job..... a lot(minus redundant paperwork of course) I like teaching, assessing ,tasks, hands on , trouble-shooting,etc.

I love being a nurse

I just hate and deplore a lot of the working conditions that prevent me from doing what I love.

The system is broke, as a nurse I like to fix things

I'm afraid I can't fix this, and I'm getting a little too old to fight

Specializes in med-surg 5 years geriatrics 12 years.

I agree with everyone; sounds like you need to try another specialty or facility before you throw in your cap. I love med-surg but when I've had enough I go back to geriatrics { my second love ** for awhile. And I remember what happened to me and treat others the way I wish to be treated. There are good facilities and good jobs; you just have to find them. I've learned A LOT from travelers I've woked with. Local travelers know the places to work and those to avoid.

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