Has anyone thought about getting out of nursing?

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I have noticed alot of my friends (and myself) are really getting tired of all the politics, weekend and holiday work, stress, and lack of support from directors in the nursing field. About half of the nurses I know are strongly looking, not for just another job...but another profession. I am curious how many other people are looking for something new. If so, any ideas? I have a bachelors, and I am not opposed to grad school.

My daughter just graduated with her accounting degree, her starting salary is very close to mine after 20 years of nursing. She is in the master's program now and her income is expected to triple in just a few short years, at which time she plans to quit and raise her kids, maybe work free lance, etc. when she wants to, etc. Well, rather than getting just a bsn, msn, I have opted for the msn/mba to see if that offers additional opportunity and money. You have to consider that while nursing is changing and will continue to change, some of the problems won't go away and those of us who are fighting for change are being ignored, blackballed and beat up on by our "peers", so why not leave? I would normally be the first to say stay but I have decided that while I want to make a difference, be heard and help the profession, I don't want to loose my self esteem, respect, and license to do it.

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My daughter just graduated with her accounting degree, her starting salary is very close to mine after 20 years of nursing. She is in the master's program now and her income is expected to triple in just a few short years, at which time she plans to quit and raise her kids, maybe work free lance, etc. when she wants to, etc. Well, rather than getting just a bsn, msn, I have opted for the msn/mba to see if that offers additional opportunity and money. You have to consider that while nursing is changing and will continue to change, some of the problems won't go away and those of us who are fighting for change are being ignored, blackballed and beat up on by our "peers", so why not leave? I would normally be the first to say stay but I have decided that while I want to make a difference, be heard and help the profession, I don't want to loose my self esteem, respect, and license to do it.

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Has anyone considered another side of nursing? There is a lot to expand on. Office nursing, consulting, school nursing and I can think of a lot more. Nursing is so deversivied and sepecialized you can almost pick and choose what you want to do. I am the asthma care manger and asthma educator of our clinic. Lots of autonomy and I only report to two people. The allergist I work with and the head of care managment. I couldn't ask for any better job. Yes I've done med surg, woman and childrens health both in the hospital setting so I've been there. But when I got sick of the politics I never thought of giving up nursing just moving to another side of nursing.

P.S No weekends, holidays or nights

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Has anyone considered another side of nursing? There is a lot to expand on. Office nursing, consulting, school nursing and I can think of a lot more. Nursing is so deversivied and sepecialized you can almost pick and choose what you want to do. I am the asthma care manger and asthma educator of our clinic. Lots of autonomy and I only report to two people. The allergist I work with and the head of care managment. I couldn't ask for any better job. Yes I've done med surg, woman and childrens health both in the hospital setting so I've been there. But when I got sick of the politics I never thought of giving up nursing just moving to another side of nursing.

P.S No weekends, holidays or nights

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Specializes in Research,Peds,Neuro,Psych,.

I agree wholeheartedly with Jeanie. I too have a "day" job (research). No nights, no weekends, PAID holidays, no call, no overtime. Lots of autonomy and I report to a PA and the MD who heads our division. I love my job. I left the hospital because it made me miserable. Before you leave nursing, consider alternative nursing jobs.

[ June 20, 2001: Message edited by: BeachNurse ]

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Specializes in Research,Peds,Neuro,Psych,.

I agree wholeheartedly with Jeanie. I too have a "day" job (research). No nights, no weekends, PAID holidays, no call, no overtime. Lots of autonomy and I report to a PA and the MD who heads our division. I love my job. I left the hospital because it made me miserable. Before you leave nursing, consider alternative nursing jobs.

[ June 20, 2001: Message edited by: BeachNurse ]

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