How Do You Know When It's Time to Hang It Up?

gloryfied · Apr 5, 2013

I'll be frank with you. You will know when it's time. Everyone has a boundary or limit they reach. Some is instant, it occurs to them in the work place, in the moment and some gradually. If you feel this way now, unless anything is being done to make it better, eventually you'll get to that decision. It's sort of like being in a marriage that is very roocky and problematic, you may think about divorcing but not know when or how to initiate that journey, but if marriage counseling, couples therapy , prayer, whatever isnt being done to turn the situation around, eventually could be monthss from that moment or years, the end result will not change. Divorce will be the resort.

so in your case. you can keep wearing out till you finally have none left then leave, or strengthen up and understand that the issues are on the patient care side, and that realistically isnt going to change anytime soon so you have to make decisions from your end and what you know you need.

You may not be with that steady income any more, that is the truth, and you may not live as comfortably as you are now financially, but you will have your sanity back, and learn to live healthier and better. It's a matter of choosing what you need now. So many nurses I see so stressed out and worn out, being worked, instead of working, letting the money make them, instead of making the money. Best of Luck.

*personal healh has no price. In the end, we are not taking all this with us. To care for others you have to simply care for yourself first.

salvadordolly · Apr 5, 2013

I got disabled about 10 years ago, I won't get into the details, but I believe a lot of it had to do with stress and noc shifts. I was off work for a few years and felt like I "got my marbles back". I really didn't know how burnt out I was. I went into apartment management so that I could have free rent and cut my expenses once I got better. I really didn't think I would ever go back into nursing. Every time I would go for a hospital interview, I would succumb to severe N/V/D. I just couldn't do it. Every time I would think about nursing, I wanted to puke! I knew I was done. I gotta tell you though, it was really rough financially! It was hard to get hired in other jobs, because they all just couldn't get why you want to leave nursing (people think it's such a great profession-eesh!). Anyway, I got pregnant with twins at age 40, so I went back to nursing. It took over a year to get a job because I was off for those few years. Finally, I looked in a different direction. I went into home health, have been there a few years and really like it. Oh, there are still problems, but I can deal with it. Take some time off, things will seem clearer then. Maybe go for a change of venue, like a clinic or home health. I value the few years I had off, it changed me somehow. I have known other nurses that needed sabbaticals to get some type of perspective back after all the stress. Many have come back, but found a niche that they could deal with better. Hospital work is the roughest and it's only getting worse. Good luck to you.

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide · Apr 6, 2013

What great wisdom! You've given me some real food for thought and introduced some concepts that I'd never considered before. Thank you for your well-articulated perspectives :)

I'm thankful that I don't work in a hospital. BTDT, had the nervous breakdown to prove it. That was 7 years ago, and quite frankly I'd have to be literally homeless and starving to ever work in such an environment again. I know nursing is cutthroat everywhere we go; some places are just worse than others. I will say that my current employer is the best I've ever worked for---I've had support, encouragement, and when necessary, accommodations made to help me continue in this very responsible position. But in the fragile state I'm in, even moderate amounts of stress are devastating, and that's why I'm afraid it's time to go. I can't go through the rest of my working years eating Ativan like candy......

Nacki, MSN, NP · Apr 7, 2013

Sorry to hear about what you are going through Viva. I've been following your post about your job situation. I haven't been a nurse as long as you (only 12 years), but know what you are going through.

I knew I was done when I had a student one day and couldn't bite my tongue about nursing. I couldn't sugarcoat it. I told her the realities that no one told me before I went into nursing. From that day on I knew I didn't want to pursue this profession for the remainder of my working years.

Since then I have started 2 businesses doing consulting and I will soon publish my own book. I am well on my way to branching out into another career.

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide · Apr 7, 2013

What kind of consulting?

Ginger's Mom, MSN, RN · Apr 7, 2013

Viva, I have been reading your posts, several things jump out at me. You love nursing and are a talented writer. You are a people person, and do not like adm details. You are challenged as far as standing, lifting,etc. You like to work without someone micro managing you.

To me two opportunities would be good for you, one is home care, lots of patient interaction lots of flexibility. You would be best as a nurse who does visits not the case management. Second who be an educators with you writing skills and knowledge you would have much to offer.

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide · Apr 8, 2013

Viva, I have been reading your posts, several things jump out at me. You love nursing and are a talented writer. You are a people person, and do not like adm details. You are challenged as far as standing, lifting,etc. You like to work without someone micro managing you.
To me two opportunities would be good for you, one is home care, lots of patient interaction lots of flexibility. You would be best as a nurse who does visits not the case management. Second who be an educators with you writing skills and knowledge you would have much to offer.

Thank you for this. :) I've thought of doing home health or hospice, and you may very well be right---I do love the one-on-one with patients! I don't know if I'd be qualified because my actual nursing skills are pretty rusty, but it's not like I couldn't regain them with a refresher course. And yes, I'd probably do best as the visiting nurse, not the case manager....been there, done that, have a permanent dent in my ear from years of holding a phone to it.

It just occurred to me that in this job, I've developed some major networks. People from all the home-health and hospice agencies come to my facility to work with my residents, they consult with me, we shoot the breeze, we're friends. Maybe it's time to explore a little......

Ginger's Mom, MSN, RN · Apr 8, 2013

Your home care skills are fine, it is basic nursing assessment. The more complex tasks any home care nurse would have to be inserviced ( such as IV's or wound vacs).

You know how to do a physical assessment and when to call the doc. You know basic wound care and you know medication management. I don't think you need a refresher course for this based on your postings.

Marshall1 · Apr 9, 2013

I identify with what you and other posters are saying...I hope you are able to find another path, a better suited to you path, in the near future. Nursing and life in general, is difficult..especially for women and even more so for a woman who has the added battle of a mental health illness and all that goes along with it - the doctors appointments, sometimes lab appointments, therapy, medications, side effects of the meds...piling that on top of a job, a personal life...its often times more than one woman, even a wonder woman, can take. I use to think working in the hospital, especially in a critical care type unit, was the "be all end all" and the only way to nurse..but as with most things in life, time, experience, changes in me and in the healthcare system have made that notion an idea of the past. I currently work in an office, part time, and it is easier than the hospital by far..but is not for me..so I'm seeking something else that I think will fit more to what I need in life - both personally and professionally - to be able to give the best of myself without giving myself away completely. If that makes sense.

Writing for nursing journals, working in mental health, education, home health (which some offer mental health services), hospice..all those venues are something you could consider and I feel certain would be a success at. Hang in there - I know that's easier said than done sometimes.

allnurses Guide · Apr 9, 2013

I think any job where you are responsible not only for your own results but those of other people has the crazy built right in. There are people who thrive in environments like that. Some of us are just not wired that way. We internalize every perceived failure as a real failure even when it's not, and see only two realities - perfect or ******.

The ideal solution would probably be to back away for a while until the skewed reality settles down and then make a profound decision about your future. It's amazing what a leave of absence can do for you.

I'm the last person who is averse to taking anxiolytics, but if you don't feel the panic other than surrounding your work issues, your solution for that will have effects on the part of your life that doesn't cause panic attacks. Sort of like when a dancer forces themselves to dance through an injury . . .yes they finished the performance but then must deal with the aftermath of ignoring their body's pain signals.

I've moved back and forth from high stress to low stress jobs a few times, and never once regretted it. You would be a great Home Health Case Manager, DON in a home health agency, or an educator. I hope it's an option for you to seek a less pressure-filled environment rather than hanging it up for good because of this job. You have a lot to give left in you, too. (((Viva)))

Nacki, MSN, NP · Apr 9, 2013

Viva

I have gone into copywriting & marketing consulting

My other business, ironically, is career consulting for nurses who want another career or want to start their own business.