Help? I regret this career choice?

kflood · Feb 10, 2015

I completely understand. I graduated 2 years ago (2nd career, I'm in my 40s) and have limited myself to community-based clinics, flu shot clinics, etc. in order to avoid the all or nothing 12 hour shift with no breaks, overnights, etc. I want hospital experience, but have found it impossible to find a normal day or evening schedule that allows one to have balance. I am an introvert, highly sensitive, and need breaks and time to recharge. I am extremely compassionate, good with patients, and very smart, but doing it for that length of time fries me! During clinicals I was almost crawling out of my skin at the end of what turned out to be a 13 hour day. So, I get it. Consider applying in places other than hospitals. You can still get excellent experience in other aspects of nursing. Alternative environments can include: community-based health centers, residential treatment centers, non-profit organizations (many do seasonal flu shot clinics, health fairs, etc.), Planned Parenthood, school nursing, and even home-health and hospice. Home health and hospice prefer hospital experience, for good reason, but it IS possible to find a place that will mentor you and train you. Emphasize your skills, play up your strengths, and tell them you'll commit to so many years. Some agencies will train you, believe it or not. I found one, and am just waiting for their licensing process to be complete, as they are new in the area. Other ideas: Naturopathic clinics and alternative medicine settings. If they do anything involving infusion therapies or injections, you can use your skills while also learning about other modalities. ALSO -- health coaching. Are you into fitness or health? Like to teach? Many nurses become health coaches, or are hired in settings with a corporate wellness program. In the meantime........ Volunteer like crazy to put something on your resume. Hospice volunteer, health fairs, whatever. Get creative. Being a nurse doesn't have to mean just one thing. Best of luck to you.

kflood · Feb 10, 2015

Being an adult involves, actually requires, knowing one's self and one's limitations. Self care is critical in nursing, otherwise you run the risk of turning into just another statistic: A burned out, overweight, stressed out, addicted to sugar/coffee/booze, etc., angry slave to a system that doesn't really work all that well. Functioning well as an adult requires self-knowledge. It demands an approach to self care that is practical, realistic, creative, and accountable. "Ndoht," this comment makes no sense whatsoever. It isn't helpful or supportive, and in my opinion, illuminates a lack of sensitivity, a limited education, and/or a general lack of emotional intelligence, all of which are required for a successful career in any helping profession. Shame on you.

kflood · Feb 10, 2015

Another perfect example of a stressed out nurse who thinks being a nurse requires suffering and sacrifice. Sacrifice, sure, to some degree, but it doesn't have to be miserable, and being miserable and tolerating it doesn't make you more of an adult. Life and work don't have to suck, people. There are loads of peer-reviewed journal articles that address the risks of working long hours without a break, working awake overnights, etc. Not everyone is tempermentally suited for that kind of environment. It's okay. All it means is that you find a different environment. It might be more challenging, as our current healthcare culture isn't particularly supportive, but that doesn't mean it is impossible.

skydancer7, BSN, RN · Feb 10, 2015

Hi! I can TOTALLY relate. But the thing is, you are having breakdowns dreading things that have not happened yet. It might be the wrong career choice, and in that case there are multiple threads addressing this issue (seems pretty common, I have searched for them myself many time!).

The other thing is, you might not HAVE to get a job in the hospital with evenings, weekends, nights, etc. One of my first RN jobs was at an outpatient surgery center: no weekends, no holidays, fairly chill... NO need to be a martyr.

The cool thing is, there are so many different kinds of nursing, you might just find something that sucks less than what you are describing. You don't necessarily HAVE to start in med/surg, either; look for residencies in other areas. I am in the operating room, and that is where I started from day 1.

Best of luck, I totally empathize. I am finally used to OR nursing after 5 years, and have a job that doesn't require me to be a martyr. A little bit of weekends and a little bit of call, but not too much. It can be done!!

caliotter3 · Feb 10, 2015

It is alright to decide you do not want to work as a nurse, although it would make more sense if you at least tried to find a position that is acceptable to you. Recommend you keep your nursing license in an inactive status as you pursue another career, just to be on the safe side. Then your nursing education would not be a complete waste after all. Good luck with your future endeavors.

simse18 · Feb 10, 2015

Have you considered respiratory therapy, physical therapy, case management, or school nursing? The nice thing about nursing is the fact that the opportunities are endless. I hope you find what you are looking for...I have always said, "It takes a special person to be a nurse".

Loo17 · Feb 10, 2015

I work 3-12's a week. Currently I am on a 6 day stretch off. I have plenty of time for a social life.

CT Pixie, BSN, RN · Feb 10, 2015

Find a job at a bank. Weekends and holidays off. It sounds like nursing isn't for you and that is alright.

My 22 year old daughter who works at a bank would disgree with you. She works EVERY Saturday. So she never gets a whole weekend off. Yes, most holidays the bank is closed.

And gone are the days of 'banking hours' 9a-3pm, no weekends. Most banks are open 7 days a week with extened hours for most days.

fiba · Feb 11, 2015

You have heard "horror" stories so you are basing your future on that? You "can't even find a job"? You just said you don't want to do it...plus you don't have your BSN yet let alone your nursing license.
The transition from kid to adult is a challenge. As you go out into life you begin to have to give up certain things that you did when you are a college kid. Nursing pays pretty well..for a REASON. You can't go out all night then work a 12 hour day making life and death decisions. If you want your weekends and all that, but also want the money then I don't know what to tell you. What are you willing to sacrifice? And don't use words like "martyr" and "horror"..there is no need for the drama. It is a career that to do requires sacrifice. Only you can decide what you want to do. You could work at Starbucks or something and get your nights and weekends off maybe? You don't graduate with a BSN and walk into a 80K a year job in management.

I really feel it for the OP, I am in the same boat in a way with criminology, but I am starting to find out this is the reality, being an adult is no easy thing. All jobs have their cons and pros, just thought I would add my two cents, since what she feels is what I feel about what I studied.

Seeing the comments about trying out the field first before just quitting really does seem like the sensible option, then if you hate it get out at least you know firsthand, not based on other people's comments.

dishes, BSN, RN · Feb 11, 2015

@katie6126, start by looking at what you like to do, you say you are a bookworm, what kind of material do you like to read? Do you like doing literaure searches? Have you ever considered working as medical librarian? It is a weekday job that is (mostly) free of horror stories.

TheNGTKingRN · Feb 11, 2015

Nursing informatics???

Yes please go create software for nurses and other health care members. Since you have experienced the trenches firsthand, you know what will increase efficiency when it comes to information technology at the bedside.

ode2BeRN · Feb 11, 2015

I'm sorry you that you feel this way about nursing. I started out as new grad in the operating room. I was lucky enough to have found a job that trained new grads in the OR program. I am now working at an outpatient surgery center that is hospital based. I work M-F from 0645 to 1515, no weekends, no on-calls, and I get holidays off. There are options out there for RNs other than working as a "floor nurse." Unfortunately, starting out working in floor will pave your way to other RN opportunities.

Good luck!