The Last Straw....

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Hi guys,

Sorry if this is a bit long & ranty, but here goes.....

Haven't visited for a while (2,500 threads, 26,000 posts - no, I won't be trying to catch up!!)

I'm getting out of nursing. Since becoming a single mum 9 months ago, I've realised this profession is just making me more & more burnt out. I'm sick of being abused by patients & doctors from both sides, not having a social life because I have to work every weekend when my ex can have the kids, & finishing work every day feeling like I'm just barely keeping my head above water.

The last straw I referred to? Public hospital nurses here just received a package increasing their pay, & our admin promised they'd "look into" increasing ours as well. They came back last week & said NO - no big surprises there.

So I'm going to uni to do a business degree. Found out on contacting the social security people last week that what I am entitled to, plus what I get in child support, is $30 per week less than what I am making working.

So tell me why I'm doing this again??!! I'm quitting work, going to uni full time for 2 years (accelerated program, including summer schools), & 3 years after I graduate will be making double what I get as an RN with 15 years experience.

And that's with NO weekends, NO night duty, NO cleaning up pooey bottoms, NO leaking stoma appliances at 2am, and about a 90% less chance of being dragged through a lawsuit because I'm human & tired & we all make mistakes at one point or another.

Well, that's my story. Thanks for listening.

Ruth

Your scenario is all too common. I don't blame you considering the situation you have described and the opportunities available to you. It is common for people, mainly women, to leave nursing for other higher paying jobs and for others to choose another profession with more respect, better working schedules, and more money.

This is why I go almost ballistic in some of my posts here. Nursing in the USA composes the MAJORITY of healthcare providers in this country. There is strength in numbers, 2.7 million and losing some everyday. We have an association but no one is interested in being a member and being active. We talk about how "bad" it is but no one does much that is meaningful and effective in mass. Some areas have had enough and have turned to union activity to help make things better. There is much bickering among us over many issues.

The issues causing the problems in nursing have been identified but we have no well organized effort to address them that includes enough nurses to really make a difference. The issues that nurses need to learn about are not interesting to nurses. It is easier and "safer" to sit back and complain rather than put forth the effort to initiate change. We need professional behavior and nurses to begin to think as mature professionals interested in true autonomy and self-regulation. It is a daunting task we face but face it or be snuffed out are our choices.

I am not sure I understand fully why the inaction on the part of our profession as a whole. I am sometimes accused of degrading nursing and putting nursing down--point is we are going to have to initiate change OURSELVES, no one is going to do it for us.

Specializes in RETIRED Cath Lab/Cardiology/Radiology.

Ruth - do what ya gotta do, follow your heart, and all that. Can't argue your logic, won't try to. Sounds like going to uni will work well for you. I wish you the best in what you do, hope it's everything you want it to be.

Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

((((((((Ruth))))))))))

I hear your frustration and don't blame you.

Specializes in Corrections, Psych, Med-Surg.

ainz writes: "There is strength in numbers"

ONLY if those numbers are working together, rather than trying to cut each other into pieces, put each other down, and play grade-school games (discussed in MANY other threads).

To date, nursing "numbers" have shown little ability to do this.

Good luck to you, OZ.

Hit the nail on the head sjoe.

Specializes in Med-Surg, Trauma, Ortho, Neuro, Cardiac.

Good luck. Sounds like Oz has some good social security for full-time students. Don't blame you a bit for taking advantage of that.

Oz, I can relate. My kids don't live with me due to nursing schedules and until recently I had the same situation...couldn't get or keep a relationship because actually DATING was out of the question....

Good luck. Interested to know: what are you studying??

Barbara

Specializes in ORTHOPAEDICS-CERTIFIED SINCE 89.

Follow your heart, and best wishes.

Specializes in Gerontological, cardiac, med-surg, peds.
ainz writes: "There is strength in numbers"

ONLY if those numbers are working together, rather than trying to cut each other into pieces, put each other down, and play grade-school games (discussed in MANY other threads).

To date, nursing "numbers" have shown little ability to do this.

:o Very well stated, sjoe. For me, all the viscious infighting and bullying has been the most stressful part of nursing (not rude doctors or cold, controlling managers). It's so sad, because if we just pulled together, we would be an invincible force.

Specializes in Case Management, Home Health, UM.

:kiss More power to you, Hun. I'm currently out on a Medical LOA, and am giving serious consideration to quitting this business all together, too...unless I can do Agency work, IC or Telecommuting. I'm tired of being micromanaged and used and abused by all parties, too..and as someone once told me: "Make it work for you "..and that is exactly what needs to be done.

Lastly, you should be very proud of yourself, for taking the first step out of a very miserable situation. The best of luck to you, and keep us posted, ok?

Wishing you and your new baby allllll the happiness in the world (((hugzzz)))

ps-love your sign line..so true :)

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