Goodbye, fellow nurses

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Hi, I am happy to announce that after many years of being miserable as a nurse, I am LEAVING! I've worked at crappy, unprofessional, smelly, ghetto, you name it nursing homes the past 5 years.I was just waiting until my kids began school to leave.I worked so long and hard to finish nursing school, and like many others, believed the lies my teachers told me about how great a field it is.Yeah, right.I tried to get a "desk" job as a nurse, they all want years of experience in a hospital.Hospitals don't hire ADN nurses, although I already have a non nursing Bachelors, I did not want to spend more money getting a BSN OR MSN.

My husband doesn't get it really, thinks I'm crazy to leave, but hes not a nurse!

I am interviewing now for some great jobs in the corporate world, no weekends, holidays, nights, urine, CNA's who think they are nurses....need I go on, I'm sure I'm not alone.

Taking a GIANT pay cut, but I am so happy! That's priceless.

While I find it an odd first post, I also think the OP is SPOT ON when it comes to getting out of a profession she doesn't like, if she can. She said what she didn't like, why she was leaving, which is perfectly reasonable and understandable.

What I DON'T get is all those posts from people saying how she shouldn't be so negative, that nursing is FABULOUS, that people like her shouldn't have been a nurse in the first place....man, talk about rude and judgmental! Because nursing is the end-all-be-all for YOU, she's somehow got something wrong with her?

People here haven't met the OP, don't know her in the slightest, but are picking apart her choice to leave nursing for something else. Can't say she'd miss that kind of colleague, for sure.

Why not just say "good luck" and leave it at that? Why color a "good luck" with unpleasant remarks? Instead, why not ask if she had any advice for those who are just starting out (as many here are) and not scoff at her decision?

Strange thinking---and commenting---IMHO.

Now, to the OP: if you decide to come back to this thread of people who are shocked apparently that you want out.....what are you going to do now?

I wish the OP well. But in response to your question, of why nurses couldn't keep the negative opinions to themselves. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. The op could have simply stated that LTC is not for her and she is leaving nursing but decided not to. So there is no reason, others cannot state their opinion in response to hers.

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Specializes in CCM, PHN.
I'm amazed by how many blatantly negative opinions people on this site have about nursing (although working in a nursing home I can't blame you for feeling how you do).

Keep in mind though, all of you who hate the job, that it is your experience. Some of us love the job. Arguably this is either because our personalities were more compatible with it or we just had better places of employment, but either way it's a subjective opinion. So please, instead of saying "nursing sucks" and the like, just say it didn't work for you for whatever reason.

For me personally, it was one of the best decisions I've ever made.

To the OP, good luck to you. Sorry you had such a terrible experience in a potentially wonderful field.

Nursing sucks

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I wish the OP well. But in response to your question, of why nurses couldn't keep the negative opinions to themselves. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. The op could have simply stated that LTC is not for her and she is leaving nursing but decided not to. So there is no reason, others cannot state their opinion in response to hers.

While I really do agree with you in spirit that everyone has a right to his or her own opinion, I can't help but think how inappropriately placed they sometimes are. Remember the old adage, "opinions are like butt-holes (paraphrased); everyone has one"? Doesn't mean they really are always appropriate to spread, is all....and that's MY opinion, I guess! :)

The OP was sharing a happy moment in her own thread she started, whether anyone liked her wording or not, and while "everyone has a right to his own opinion" I don't particularly agree that they have a right to drop it everywhere they feel like, and dump dirt on someone else's parade. IMHO. And maybe I'm in the minority on that, I don't know.

Guess I will stick up for someone's right to say how they feel over someone else's right to say "your feelings don't matter, or they're wrong, because this is how *I* feel".

That's all.

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Specializes in CCM, PHN.

No seriously OP, BIG UPS to you for having the courage. I've been voluntarily not working since March and DREADING going back. Exploring non-nursing options as well. Live long and prosper, good luck and happy trails. You're an inspiration.

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Specializes in geriatrics.

Agreed. Nursing itself can be very fulfilling if you enjoy people and wanting to make a difference. I also enjoy learning, and the human body is really interesting.

The soul sucking part is working short, missing breaks, endless forms, and being told you're not working hard enough. Budget cuts, few job options, and living with the fear of unemployment.

While there are options, it's not easy to change specialties or travel. The freedom nurses had is not like it was 10 years ago. So when you consider the pros and cons, it's easy to see why people feel the way they do. The existing culture is enough to drive anyone away from nursing.

I enjoy certain aspects of nursing. I don't hate it. Like The Commuter, any job I've had is a means to an end, so I make it work. I'm a free spirit, so I'd much rather be traveling and going to school. Work tends to get in the way of life.

Good luck to you OP! Keep a PRN job for some options if you can.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.
Agreed. Nursing itself can be very fulfilling if you enjoy people and wanting to make a difference. I also enjoy learning, and the human body is really interesting.

The soul sucking part is working short, missing breaks, endless forms, and being told you're not working hard enough. Budget cuts, few job options, and living with the fear of unemployment.

While there are options, it's not easy to change specialties or travel. The freedom nurses had is not like it was 10 years ago. So when you consider the pros and cons, it's easy to see why people feel the way they do. The existing culture is enough to drive anyone away from nursing.

I enjoy certain aspects of nursing. I don't hate it. Like The Commuter, any job I've had is a means to an end, so I make it work. I'm a free spirit, so I'd much rather be traveling and going to school. Work tends to get in the way of life.

Good luck to you OP! Keep a PRN job for some options if you can.

Well said.

Happy trails, OP.

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Specializes in PACU, ED, IRR...

I wish you the best in your endeavors. I hope your next career, you will choose more wisely and investigate, what you really want to do. It is a shame to waste your time and energy in a profession, you clearly do not like. With your critique of the profession, have you considered sports writing or becoming a gossip columnist? Everyone can't be a nurse

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Want to also say good for you, hope things work out to make you happy. Also want to suggest that you maintain your nursing license in an inactive status. You never know how the picture may change in the future. You want to be able to reach for that license if you need to. Good luck.

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Specializes in LTC.

Hospitals don't hire ADN nurses........maybe in your area. Here in my area, ADNs, even new grad ADNs, are getting hired en masse. Good luck in your new career though. It's not for everyone. :)

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Good for you..but idk what area you are in but in buffalo most hospitals around here do hire adn nurses, all of catholic health systems do..my sister got a job as soon as she graduated. Best of luck to you in the future and finding happiness!!

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Specializes in LTC.
Good for you..but idk what area you are in but in buffalo most hospitals around here do hire adn nurses, all of catholic health systems do..my sister got a job as soon as she graduated. Best of luck to you in the future and finding happiness!!

Almost all of the ADN students at my school have jobs lined up at hospitals before they even graduate. I guess it really just depends on the area, the position, and the hospital.

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Almost all of the ADN students at my school have jobs lined up at hospitals before they even graduate. I guess it really just depends on the area, the position, and the hospital.

Yes I agree nurses are in demand in my area and especially ADN since they have better clinical experience

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