Good Bye to Nursing for me...

nurseangel47 · Jan 1, 2007

Hi, Healer27: I, too, have had it with nursing for many of the same reasons you stated above. After trying to find my "niche" in the world of nursing, I have become disheartened with the many things that have turned my original nursing ethics upside down: corporate buyouts of even the smallest LTC facilities making the bottom line THE most important aspect of "care", which is minimal considering how you have to scrimp and scrape and ultimately provide UNSAFE nursing attention to the vast amount of patients;

the disrespect/insubordination of CNAs to nurses;that bottom line as mentioned previously...all of these have led to the years in nursing as a living nightmare at times. I wish I'd stayed in the hospice I was once employed. I truly felt that it was the only area I fit into and enjoyed more than any of the other areas I've tried.

I recently took a job in a doggie day care center! On a part time basis. I LOVE it! Don't make squat, but am happy and feel love from all the dogs in my charge. I love all animals. I had to put my beloved dog down this past July and am still grieving over losing her, though I know in my heart it was her time, due to her numerous health problems.

I honestly thought that nursing would be something that I could handle. I had a passion for it that saw me through nursing school a long time ago. I attended nursing school while raising small children. So I definitely had a gumption as huge as my love for my own family!

I am trying to take a break from nursing due to arthritis and hope that I can supplement our income enough with the part time doggy day care job without going broke. It is something I must do for myself. I may have to obtain private duty nursing job with an agency to allow for the money factor. But that would be preferable to being so stressed all the time, mentally, emotionally, physically. You are right. It isn't worth it in today's world of nursing.

And for all who view this. Know that I am aware I sound callous, bitter, burned out...

But nursing isn't for everyone. I feel that with the changes in nursing over these years that I've tried to practice have played a vital part in deciding to leave the field, at least in a full time position.

I take my hat off to all who persevere. I have tried. I feel like I gave it that good ol' "college try". Who can say I haven't? 20 yrs is an awfully long time ....

I wish you much luck, healer27, in your quest for calming the storm in your soul...for I, too, am attempting the same.

TazziRN, RN · Jan 1, 2007

I'm sorry nursing is not working for you. Sounds like you got unlucky in your first jobs.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jan 1, 2007

Congratulations on the pregnancy!

Further on down the line, it would be wise if you simply gave yourself another chance in the field of nursing. Don't throw all of your education and efforts to waste because of some stress and a few crappy preceptors who didn't believe in you.

You will succeed as a nurse if you find the inner strength and believe in yourself.

GardenDove · Jan 1, 2007

Don't let your license expire, be sure to keep it up. Enjoy your baby.

healer27 · Jan 1, 2007

To the commuter - thanks about the pregnancy I'm pretty excited. Maybe in a little while I'll try to break back into nursing but for now, I'm just toasted and need some time away.

To nurseangel - yeah, like you I worked my backside off to get through school, pass the nclex. etc... I just feel like I deserve some happiness and peace for at least a little awhile. I thought I'd be tough enough to let stuff roll off me to, but guess not. NOt a fact I'm proud of but it is what it is. I need some time away..

nursekatie22, RN · Jan 1, 2007

Wow, that's really depressing for a new grad to hear! I'm sorry things didn't work out for you and I hope my experience is better...

Gromit · Jan 1, 2007

I agree, DON'T let your license expire. Maintain your CEUs. You obviously had a very rough start -and thats a shame. Nobody gives away these licenses, you worked very hard to get it. Yes you can always go back -even though your 'work record' in this field would be a bit short and of course, rocky. The shortage isn't going anywhere and maybe a good break is something you need -since by your own admission you can afford to do so, you should.

I know first-hand that a lousy environment can make for a hellish experience. Give it some time and concentrate on whats truly important (congrats on the impending addition to the family) -life is far too short to be miserable!

MARIAN202 · Jan 1, 2007

Please Stay

It Will Get Better

WE NEED SOMEONE LIKE YOU TO TRAIN THE NEXT NEW NURSE

YOU HAVE A HEART

caliotter3 · Jan 1, 2007

Many of us end up in the "toilet bowl", so to speak. I'm sorry it did not work out at first. For now, relax, and concentrate on your child and husband. Give yourself some time to establish your family and some mental equilibrium. But like some of the other posters suggested, please, please, do not let your license expire, keep up with your CEU's. Today, you are feeling very down and discouraged about nursing. But as life tends to throw us curves, you never know when, heaven forbid, in the future you may need that nursing license to keep a roof over your family's head and food on the table. You might lose your husband or his ability to earn the livelihood. Or, in the course of things, you might want to go back and try again under more manageable circumstances. That nursing license is always your ace in the hole for making it in life. So give yourself time and keep the license active. And remember, there are many of us who are around to offer you support and encouragement. Feel free to access this board for someone to talk to, about just about anything. Good luck.

GardenDove · Jan 1, 2007

When I got out of nursing school 13 yrs ago, I remarried and moved to a rural area. The nursing shortage ended 6 months before I graduated and hospital jobs became scarce for new grads due to cutbacks. I didn't need to work because of my remarriage, and inspite of the fact that I had 4 sons, we decided to have a baby. I got a job at a small local nursing home to get my feet wet in nursing. It was an easy transition. When the baby came I took off a year or so, then went back 2 days a week, then had another baby, took off, then went back 2 days a week.

Then my husband died when the second baby was 16 mos, I took off time from nursing to deal with our restaurant and being a widow with two babies. After I sold the restaurant I took a night or two a week at the nursing home, then I took a very part time homecare job. Then when the baby was 3 I got a part time hospital job.

My point is that you can ease into nursing, you don't have to go the traditional route. I then got a per diem at a closer hospital and eased into an FTE there. Now I'm in the ICU and doing just fine, still learning. So, keep your options open, you may be surprised where you end up.

BrandyNP · Jan 1, 2007

Well, the start of a new year and I'm kissing nursing
good bye after only 5 short months. I graduated in may and started at a hospital in august. My very first preceptor was a nightmare, on my 3rd day on the floor she said I was too slow and put me down in front of other
nurses or whoever was in distance of hearing her. At one
point she even said, "well, I have her she know's nothing I have to show her everything." So being enthusiastic I decided NOT to let it get to me and proceeded to take her C*ap for another couple of weeks. At which time I was moved to a different floor with a preceptor who was great and I learned alot from. PRoblem was at this hospital IF
I wanted to stay I'd have to take a evening position. SO I left a found a hosptial closer to home on days. Well, once again I have the preceptor from hell not only that but the managers In my opinion are nitpickers. ON my first day on the floor they wrote up a nurse who was in charge of making sure all the phones were back at the end of the day, for not having a phone returned. (someone took one home accidentally).. I found this ridiculous, it's a busy med/surg floor with an 8:1 patient ratio and they are worried about PHONES???? I could go on and on about the other horrors but it would be to long.
Long story short I've decide to quit. Luckily I don't NEED the job to support myself or I wouldn't be able to leave. my hubby makes a decent salary. I do feel bad placing all the financial burden on him but I'm planning on just picking up a admin position somewhere. I don't care if I'm making half the money I jsut want to be happy. I'm so SICK of being stressed going into work, stressed coming home, worrying about this, being stressed on the floor. To me its just not worth it. My hubby is worried that I'll change my mind and want to come back to nursing but won't be able to after leaving 2 prior positions. bUt seriously I can't imagine feeling this way.
I also just found out I'm expecting my first child and I really can't imagine the stress level as well as not eating/drinking/peeing an entire shift is good. So I'm gone. I give up, I give in, I just feel like I can't do it. I'm thinking I'm just not meant to be in nursing, or i woudn't have just kept inheriting bad circumstances and preceptors from hell.
Well, I'd love to hear if anyone else has left nursing? come back and any other thoughts you all might have.
Hope this is a good new year for all.

I'm sorry about your experiences with your preceptors. I used to work PRN on various units and several times I witnessed how vicious some RN's could be towards new nurses. I always went out of my way to help a person (RN or not) who was new to my unit. Karma will have a way of catching up with those people who behave badly towards others.