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Discussion

Hate nursing job

Hi, I am in the navy, have been a nurse for 3 years. Did psych, oncology and then surgical, I hated it so much because they stuck me on the surgical floor when I said I needed a less stress environment, I resigned my commission. I am now helping the nursing research dept. I do not want to stay where I am, so I am moving to florida. I want to see if I fit anywhere in nursing, but everybody wants one year experience. I hated feeling like a servant and got grossed out by ostomies. On the surgical ward I felt like I was never accomplishing anything and all they did was complain and never were grateful. I didnt care whether they were in pain or sick, I wanted them to leave me alone. I became depressed and lost 15 lbs, went on medication and have never slept good. I need help, please!!

Featured Replies

Hello lvsmith:

Were you an RN prior to your service?

Well, is there another career path you might want to check out? It does seem odd that you pick a profession where human contact, caring, empathy, professionalism, and humor play such a strong and intregal part of just "being".

I wish you luck and hope that you find a place where you "belong"

Respectfully,

athena

I don't find it odd that your chose nursing. I find the following an odd comment...

a profession where human contact, caring, empathy, professionalism, and humor play such a strong and intregal part of just "being".
There's not a nurse on this board that doesn't find nursing challenging at times. I am a very easy going compassionate person and had to leave floor nursing after 32 years because the patients and their families seemed to get worse hour by hour and I could not take it anymore. I cannot imagine being in the service and not being able to change jobs and/or locations. I Thank You for serving our country and for knowing when to get out. There's nothing worse than a burned out nurse. Perhaps you could try home health? private duty? a smaller dept like cath lab? radiology? PACU? (they're asleep!) could be the respite you need Good Luck.
  • Author

Thank ya'll so much for listening. I was not a prior nurse, but I was prior military, so I should have known (but I guess I chose to be blind). I have no idea what I want to do, I am interested in so many things but have lost confidence in my abilities. Most of the higher up nurses act like they hate life and do not care about YOU, they are all in it for THEM and to better THEIR career. They would not even listen to my doctor when she asked them to move me to a less stressed environment (more than once).

  • Expert

When you were planning to become a nurse ... what type of work did you envision yourself doing? If you think back and examine those expectations and hopes, you might find a clue as to what led you to nursing in the first place. That knowledge might help you resolve your current dilemma.

  • Expert
I didnt care whether they were in pain or sick, I wanted them to leave me alone.
If you're looking for a nursing specialty where your patients are likely to 'leave you alone,' then try continuous care hospice nursing. The patients tend to be actively dying and, therefore, cannot 'bother' you because they cannot verbalize anything. However, you must be empathetic and anticipate their needs for comfort and pain relief. Also, you will only have 1 patient at a time.

Nursing in practice is nothing as I thought it would be when I first developed interest in this field. I thought that I would be able to sincerely help others and develop open and warm relationships. You know... the ideal crap that nursing school teaches. Actual practice has been nothing short of terrible. People are inconsiderate, rude, selfish, unappreciative, and quick to find ways to win big in lawsuit dollars. There has been much hype with "the nursing shortage"... I should have known... that this "shortage" is simply because this field is tiresome and unrewarding.

  • Expert

Maybe part of your underlying problem is your depression. Perhaps you need to take a longer look at that dx with your pcp. Many people need to have meds adjusted until they find what is right for them. Get a handle on your depression and you should find it easier to deal with your everyday life. Good luck to you.

  • Author

I actually worked with palliative care patients on the oncology flor. I had a patient that I really got to know and was upset when she died, these patients were different. The oncology patients were nice and appreciated you. I got forced off the floor to get "med/surg" experience because that is what the navy wanted.

I think without a year of floor nursing under your belt you're probably going to be pretty limited no matter where you move to. Have you ever thought about post partum/nursery? I honestly think that although going into medsurg right out of school is the most logical choice, it is by far one of the more challenging floors to be on for new grads and without proper structure and support it's not an environment we do well in. Too bad it came down to you quitting...I hope something works out for you.

  • Expert

Hi there and I do apologize if I offend you. I think maybe treating your depressive symptoms might help you to realize that when depressed, NOTHING looks good. The reason I say this is because you have tried several different types of nursing and you haven't liked any of them. The other side of this coin is that maybe nursing is just not for you. I hope you get some help and can see your way out of this. Until then, I wouldn't make any big decisions.

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