I've been struggling lately with being a nurse, what it means, doesn't mean and whether to accept a job offer to return to the hospital setting. I've read posts upon posts on here and elsewhere and the fact is, by and large, hospital nursing is negative and I don't want to go back into the hospital setting. It has been a huge relief for me personally to not be working in that type of healthcare. Maybe that makes me a "bad" nurse, or a "lazy" nurse or whatever else someone else may think..maybe I won't make as much money or have the option of further education credits at someone else's expense but I am being honest. I've worked in hospitals from age 16 to age 42 in one capacity or another and, as childish as this may sound, I just don't want to be in that type of environment anymore. The hospital, as a lot of healthcare has changed and I've changed and I feel badly for the nurses I know who are working the 12 hr shifts plus report time. Most are at the hospital 13-15 hrs on an uneventful shift because of the extra that is to be done and 15 or more if something unexpected happens. I am grateful for those on here and other boards who love the hospital and want to remain working in it, I admire those who still have a burning passion to get every certification there is and don't mind dedicating much of their time/life to an employer, but me..the times has come that I'm not going to feel guilty or "less than" about not being that type of nurse or not wanting to work in a hospital. I want to work and to a point enjoying helping people, but I want balanced job where work is work, home time is home time and one isn't adversely effecting the other to the point of depression/anxiety/illness. So, I'm going to call the hospital and politely decline the offer - they can move onto another candidate and I can stop feeling sick at thought of 12 hr shifts and all that goes along with it.
