How do I know when/if I should quit nursing?

thecool1Nscrubs2no · Apr 28, 2015

Hi there,

To be honest nursing staff issues are not going to change anytime soon. Try a job away from direct care just to give yourself a break. See how that goes. Even as you move away from bedside there are still issues as to getting work done(workload most of the time is still high) and everything is being based on performance scores, NCQA, Core Measures, Benchmarks...so yes its stressful as all those metrics are how reimbursements occur for operational cost of organizations and how staff gets paid. So places will continue to work short....as many are unsure how they are going to keep paying full time staff....as reimbursement measures tighten. So hold on tight as we continue on this journey as health care effects nursing staff....so until health care can become stabilized in some form we remain at risk. Also within 2016 outcomes will be a big thing.

caliotter3 · Apr 28, 2015

I would try a different area in nursing before looking for another profession, otherwise, your husband has the right idea. The longer you stay in one line of work, the older you get, and the harder it is to make necessary changes.

Lev, MSN, RN, NP · Apr 28, 2015

There are med-surg units that are staffed and with manageable ratios. I work PRN for one such unit. Ok sometimes I have 6 patients on nights, but everything else is good. If you crave a better ratio, why don't you look into an ICU position or maybe OR? If you get ICU experience, you can go to lots of areas of nursing such as IR, cath lab, and PACU. With med-surg experience, you may be able to get an endoscopy or preop position. There are less stressful areas of nursing out there where you can be a nurse and not a secretary or a transporter.

caliotter3 · Apr 28, 2015

And don't forget, there is also one of the slowest-paced areas of nursing, if you need a change of pace: extended care home health, where you take care of only one, usually stable, patient with mainly routine care, for a designated shift. Your duties can range from virtually watching a stable infant sleep on the night shift, while their parents rest, to providing care for a more acute patient, just home from a hospital stay, while they recuperate for a specified time. On the other end of the spectrum are long-term care patients in the home on ventilator support where you can work caring for the same patient for years at a time (and many nurses make a career of caring for the same patient). Some get bored and move back to more acute areas, and others say they will never leave the best kept secret in nursing, because you can't beat caring for only one patient. Something to consider.

allnurses Guide · Apr 28, 2015

Hi, I am an ADN on my third year of working as a med surg RN. I did my first year at one hospital, whose staffing became so awful I felt no choice but to move on. I had GREAT coworkers, but for some reason management decided we could each handle 8 pts and not need any techs. We ended up moving and I applied for a ton of jobs and quickly got a couple of offers. I chose a med surg position, liked the feel of the environment. Management told me about the low turnover rate, their nurse: pt ratio goals (ha ha!) and it sounded good and is very close to my house.
We have brief periods where we have 5:1, but usually 6 or 7. Usually not enough techs. Not always a secretary or a charge nurse without a team. We don't always have transport to run the pt to tests.
I have improved so much since becoming a nurse. I manage my time well, I am organized. I am always willing to help my coworkers, and they help me. I feel I have decent critical thinking, basically handle or appear to handle stress well. But I don't enjoy this very much. I hate being expected to be nurse, tech, secretary, etc. I cannot do all of it. I struggle with wanting to please my patients and their families, some of whom will never be happy with their care.
In staff meetings they talk about patient satisfaction scores. Please talk to me once you give enough staff... ugh. We had about 6 nurses quit recently. A couple were just bright and excited new grads less than a year ago. Disheartening to see them run into the ground taking 7 pts at a time sometimes without a tech.
So now I have experienced staffing issues at 2 hospitals. I know I don't want to med surg anymore. I am not sure if I am just stressed and anxious in THIS situation, or if I am truly not suited to be a nurse, but my anxiety level is through the roof. I want to do anything else, even for less money. I joke about plumbing or truck driving... but I am not joking. I am a veteran, lived and worked nonstop in Baghdad and I found it less stressful than some days on med surg. I find that upsetting. I should be able to handle this stress, but I am not doing well.
My husband tells me to not wait 10 years before I decide I really don't want to be a nurse. I think I should try another area, and then make a decision. Any ideas?

Have you looked into other areas of nursing - mayne you could do something less stressfull? How are your IV skills? I am in school for ADN to BSN bridge now and am thing of doing some moonlighting as a home infusion nurse. The ones I've met all seem pretty cheerful and make decent money. You also might fit in to something like dialysis or Labor and delivery.

Just some thoughts

Hppy

Libby1987 · Apr 29, 2015

I would try another area, infusion nurse suggested above would be a place I would start if I had recent med surg experience. You might need to get PICC certified.

crj96 · May 2, 2015

My story isn't the same, but I have had that same feeling in the pit of my stomach that you described. I've driven home from work and wondered why I didn't just decide to work at the local grocery store. After all, their employees seem SO happy and I'm crying my eyes out some mornings!

When I decided it was time to move on, I put in applications everywhere that a job caught my eye. I knew what I didn't want to do, but really had no idea what I DID want to do.

I'll be starting a new job in a week at a much better hospital for less pay, but I'm okay with that. Once I knew it was time to make a change, I just started looking.

Marshall1 · May 6, 2015

I left the hospital setting in 2009, worked in hospice/home health..decided in late 2014 to return to working in the hospital. Huge mistake - the staffing issue had only grown worse since I left along with some other things. It was shocking honestly as this particular hospital was considered one of the best in the area to work & for care...the care has declined due to poor staffing & a turn over in management that ended up being turned over yet again & some managerial holes still needing to be plugged. I am not a new grad & not afraid of hard work or having to take a heavy load of patients when needed but this time around, for the first time in my nursing career, I was genuinely concerned about the safety & well being of the patients & staff, my depression/anxiety increased, my attitude in general began to suck & my days off were being spent thinking way too much about going back. I was able to find a part time job which I hope will end up FT in the coming months at an MD clinic. It's a drop in pay but no weekends, holidays, nights, staffing issues, long shifts..I'll still get to use most of my nursing skills & more important I already feel a huge relief at having found this position & having submitted my resignation to the hospital. I know people say "never say never" but I can say with 99.9% certainty I will not return to bedside hospital nursing ever. I hope you are able to find something soon. I know exactly how you are feeling. Good luck.

Rokufox · Jul 25, 2015

Hospital nursing sucks. It sucks the energy out of you faster than you can replenish it.

Jensmom7, BSN, RN · Jul 25, 2015

I left hospital nursing for good in 2005, and frankly, can't imagine ever going back to it.

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide · Jul 25, 2015

That's the same year I left hospital nursing. Never looked back, either. I can't even imagine working under the conditions nurse work under these days...it was bad enough in my day!