Good Bye to Nursing for me...

twotrees2 · Jan 19, 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.

in al honesty if i had to do it full time i could not handle it - i am blessed in i pick when i work - where i work and who i work with as well as what days ( i have health issues and i dont have to work days i am already down physically - ) i enjoy working at the nursing home- with my dementia residents - and with staff but the bureaucratic BS has really gotten me over the yrs- i am to vocal advocate for staff as well as residents so it has gotten me in a tad bit of hot water at times but the lord has blessed me keeping me where i am needed. i am sick of being told to lie ( oh but its not lying they say - i say BS - its lying by omission to not chart certain things that may cause red flags for state - ( honesty have been told this in last few months since state has been in numerous times with resident family complaints - ) and get taken to the office near every day i go in over what i have charted - but thankfully they really have no basis to reprimand me so its al verbal vague threats and i double dare them to try getting rid of me due to charting - i also have kept a very good notebook of dates times and names of what i have been told so if they try to stick me maybe i will be able to prove my case - but even if i cant i will continue to chart what should be and pray god keeps me secure and stable......... scary that its turned immoral in some workplaces- as someone said and many have said on other threads - its all boiling down to the bottom dollar lately and it is making the job really hard to even look at let alone work in -

yannadey, LPN · Jan 19, 2007

congrats on the pregnacy, & sorry you had to quit, but there are other areas not involving floor nursing that you could look in too.

I quit nursing for about a year then went back did a week of orientation in LTC changed my mind from being full time to PRN, too much nit picking about every little thing & back stabbing, the staff was getting written up & suspended over paperwork working 12 hr shift is hard enough

now I work every other wkend (work 24hrs get paid 40hrs)

& I still need to destress

my hubby also has a good paying job

WinksRN · Jan 19, 2007

I think you just dont want to work...There are so many areas of nursing you havent even tried, Clinic, homecare, camp nurse, school nurse, I cant believe your just giving up, but I respect your decision, I know its not for everyone. But the fact you mentioned your husband has money makes me think you dont really want to work hard because of that. I'm not saying this to be negative because if my man were to take care of me I would be in a clinic or school somewhere. But I wouldnt quit altogether. Hope you miss it once you're gone we need ya.

twotrees2 · Jan 19, 2007

Dear Healer27,
at home . . . and yesterday I finally heard these long-awaited words from my mother, who was truly hostile to my choice of nursing as a profession three decades ago: "I'm so glad you made the choice to become a nurse!"
You'll find your niche . . . .

i know how you feel - just at thanksgiving i went through similair with my beloved grandfather while he died and when my grandmother said she was glad i was there and my choice to be anurse was the right one and that i was a good one at that was something id been waiting tohear for yrs!! she tried talking to my dadbut he is still on the fence lol - guess he will have to get sick adn see me take care of him first haha. glad you got that validation - noting could mean more,.,,,

oignurse · Jan 20, 2007

Congragulations on your pregnancy. Do not, I repeat do not, let your license lapse. Keep up your CEU's. When that baby gets older and begins school, you just might find yourself looking for a nursing job. Maybe a school nurse where your hours would coincide with your child's school hours or a clinic. So sorry you had terrible mentoring. Not everyone has the ability to nurture and teach and encourage which is what a good mentor/preceptor does. :nurse:

fuzzie · Jan 20, 2007

Jeez....after reading about 3 pages, it sounds like the majority of nurses are catty ******s.

I'm male and beginning school next fall. What is wrong with so many of these people who are in a 'healing' profession. GEEZ.

Lisanyrn · Jan 20, 2007

You are not alone. My first experience was in the ICU. My first preceptor was the same way. She was so nasty. Being a formed teacher I couldn't believe that this girl was actually allowed to "teach" new nurses. I ended up speaking to the manager about it. There were actually a few nasty nurses who had just been there too long and were burnt out and were taking it out on the new nurses. Unfortunately, because of the high turnover in ICU there wasn't alot of experienced preceptors to teach. But, I did find a few really nice and smart preceptors that I requested to be with. I simply told my manager that if I wanted to succeed and really learn, then I needed to be precepted by someone who actually liked what they did and actually WANTED to teach me. It ended up working out in the end and I was there for 6 1/2 years. I have now been a preceptor to new nurses for about 3 years now, and always try to remember how I was treated and will never talk to a new nurse or treat a new nurse how I was treated. I see nurses around me treat new nurses bad. There was a quote I heard that ""Nurses eat their young". It is true that there are mean ones, but I promise there are nice ones out there that do want you to succeed and will help you get there. Please don't let a few bad eggs spoil it for you. I know its hard, trust me, I wanted to walk out the door many times! You just need to find the right place. Your first year or two of nursing is going to be hard anyways. You just need to get through it. Good luck!!

rserafin · Jan 20, 2007

I fear exactly what you just discussed! I fear not finding my niche within the nursing field, being stressed and unhappy on a regular basis, and unfulfilled. I graduate this May and I only pray that I have a fairly good beginning experience. I'm scared I'll screw up and become sooo discouraged. Plus I'm not sure what area of nursing is right for me!

Gromit · Jan 20, 2007

Jeez....after reading about 3 pages, it sounds like the majority of nurses are catty ******s.
I'm male and beginning school next fall. What is wrong with so many of these people who are in a 'healing' profession. GEEZ.

Overworked, burning out, and all the while the 'powers that be' are heaping more duties and responsibilities onto the pile that already exists. There is NO prospect for relief in sight (good enough for you?). Your beginning school next fall. Thats cool. But comment on your observations once you're doing the work -should be interesting to see how your perspective relates then compared to now. The whole "healing profession" thing is pure ideology. When you boil through the fat, its still a job -and it can be a bear at times.

I'd be the last person to dissuade anyone from becoming a nurse (hell, I LIKE being an RN, and while there are ogres, I do work with a great bunch of folks on my floor. However, I've floated to 'floors from hell' as well. Ours is a pretty tough floor due to the patient acuity level, but our team works so well together that its not a bad place to be.

4daughters · Jan 20, 2007

To our gentleman friend - I am thrilled that another male is joining the profession of nursing - I believe that men can strengthen nursing - they stand up for their rights much more readily than most women - most of us female nurses feel guilty and do not speak up - we are, after all, in a caring profession! Let me point out, however, that we really aren't catty ******s - there are a lot of great nurses out there; it's just that we often feel overworked and under-appreciated, especially with the way the healthcare system has changed over the years. The nursing profession is suffering an epidemic level of burnout. So, no offense intended, until you've walked a mile in our shoes, don't be too hasty to judge. :nurse:

fuzzie · Jan 20, 2007

To our gentleman friend - I am thrilled that another male is joining the profession of nursing - I believe that men can strengthen nursing - they stand up for their rights much more readily than most women - most of us female nurses feel guilty and do not speak up - we are, after all, in a caring profession! Let me point out, however, that we really aren't catty ******s - there are a lot of great nurses out there; it's just that we often feel overworked and under-appreciated, especially with the way the healthcare system has changed over the years. The nursing profession is suffering an epidemic level of burnout. So, no offense intended, until you've walked a mile in our shoes, don't be too hasty to judge.

You and Gromit are right, of course. Believe me when I tell you that I don't feel that way about nurses, in general. I have several nurse friends that are incredible people. I apologize for the flip remark.

I am aware (although inexperienced) of many of the problems in the profession today that gromit pointed out. I share in some of those conditions in my job, in addition to the emotions that 4daughters speaks of...overworked and underappreciated! There is NO value placed on those of us who work to CARE for people. Emotional labor is what we do, and there is not one iota of value placed on it...management places the value only in the tasks that we do!

Gromit · Jan 21, 2007

agreed, but when I think of all the hats I've worn over the years (from working in printing -paste-up all the way to running the presses and even a little bindery experience, Paramedic/firefighter (ems) safety coordinator and just before nursing, driving trucks (tractor-trailer)) I can't think of any one job where people appreciated you, or said 'thanks' or anything like that. (I know most would probably point to EMS and say 'what about that one' but the fact of the matter is you are generally only called for bad things. Though I will admit to having received a few kudos, the same is true for nursing). Job Satisfaction, however, I can say that they all had their good sides as well as their downsides. Can't say I've ever gone into a job with the idea that the public I was serving would be greatful -at least that wasn't my reason for entering (grin). But of all the jobs I've done, nursing is probably one of the most difficult to work in. The only one I burned out of was EMS, but that was for a variety of reasons -including my jaded ideals at the time -which were unrealistic and of course reality can be a harsh mistress...