I Dislike Nursing:

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Specializes in Med Surg.

Ever since I was really young- all I ever wanted to be when I grew-up was/is to be a registered nurse. I've even taken a part-time nursing assistant position (three times a week) at a local hospital after my first year of nursing school- because I felt the more interactions I've had with the patients and staff the more comfortable I'd become at it. Big mistake! I hate it even more now. But no one knows it because I NEVER complain and ALWAYS treat all the patients with the outmost respect, kindness, dignity, promptly answer all call-lights, do my diaper changes on time, work well with the nurses. Therefore, management and everyone else I work with always assume, compliment and express how much of a great nurse I will be. Unfortunately for me I hate this field to the corps, I hate dealing with feces, urine, vomit, lifting people and having to work on a floor where I am the only nursing assistant- having to be responsible for so many clients who are complete care. I am so burned-out and so done that sometimes I want to commit suicide. I hated the whole hospital scene from the moment I started orientation last year, but hoped that my feelings would change after a few months, sadly, they haven't changed, DON'T think they ever will. This job depresses me so much I can't begin to tell you how ill it makes me, my anxiety level rises to the roof each time I have to go to work. Now that I have graduated from ADN nursing school, thank God! But, I don't want to have anything to do with this profession call nursing. I am presently studying for the NCLEX in order to be licensed but I don't really want to practice nursing, at least not in a hospital setting. Another thing that saddens and disgusts me is the lack of supports among nurses which was shocking to me, the constant back-stabbings, and the endless gossiping make me sick to my stomach. I work so hard to get to this point, finishing nursing school was a challenge while raising a family and now I really despise it. How do I break this news to my husband and close relatives? I never thought I could hate a job as much as I do this one. Every one always tells me that one day I will be rewarded for doing what I do, but I don't see it happening. Finally, another point I would like to make is that at my local hospital, there isn't a major difference between the NA's and the RN's job's description other than maybe the RN's pay check. PLEASE HELP ME at liking and appreciating nursing for what it is.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

:welcome: Welcome to our internet family!

I don't really have any advice to offer. The fortunate aspect about nursing is that it is a flexible career pathway. A nurse can truly despise all of the jobs he/she has ever had, but find an enjoyable niche. Don't give up so early.

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How about nursing informatics? There are many fields of nursing out there. You really need to speak to someone about the way you feel. Congratulations on completing your degree. It's a great accomplishment!:yeah:

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Have you talked to anyone about your anxiety? It sounds like that might be beneficial? I don't have any really good advice but I hope you are able to find something that works for you.

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Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.

One of the reasons why people go up the ladder in nursing via CNA, LPN, RN and beyond is to expose themselves to the field and they get to see from a peripheral point of view if they really wish to enter into this field. At least you got to see some of this now, than later.

You will have more options as an RN than you would as a CNA, but most do have to pay dues by doing a few years at the bedside; however, there are many that have not really had to do that for long, if at all. What you are seeing is the real world, but it does not always have to be that way for you. You may enter into a workplace where nurses do work well together, or at least can put their differences to the side for the best interests to the patient. I was fortunate enough to have been able to do that, at least thus far. The clinic I work for is wild with a voluminous amount of unappreciative patients, but the nurses work hard together to make it happen, and this is what makes me want to go to work there. Otherwise, I would have thrown in the towel awhile back.

I do want to know what you mean, though about not being much difference between the RN and CNA outside of the paycheck. It is true that there are many lazy licensed nurses. However, having an open mind can allow you to see how this may happen...unsensitive managers, dangerous nurse:patient ratios, burn out, unappreciative physicians, patients, nursing supervisors, etc... Are you saying that nurses are asking you to perform skills outside of your scope of practice?

I would at least take the exam and then see for yourself what may be out there for you, but if you know for a fact that nursing is, in fact, not for you, you do have the right to change your mind and go into something else. It is just that you made it this far, and owe it to yourself to give it a go. It may not be so bad. I wish you the best, no matter what decision you ultimately make.

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Specializes in district nurse, ccu, geriatric.

Barlan, if you are struggling with your profession that much that you have contemplated suicide, you definitely need some professional counselling. Maybe nursing is not for you, I thought the same thing for a while. When I worked in critical care, I despised my job, even though none of the nurses knew it. I was good at my job, but always on edge, and extremely depressed. I had professional counselling that the hospital organised and I left critical care and I haven't looked back. Hospital nursing is not for everyone, there may be other areas more suited to you. Again, for you to mention suicide, please seek help.

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you should probably go back to school and find another profession.

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Specializes in Dialysis, Long-term care, Med-Surg.

I will pray for you. Please seek help from your Pastor, or someone you can trust that can give you wisdom regarding this situation.

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If your present hospital has a lot of back stabbing, I would look elsewhere for work. Period. Nobody wants to work in those kinds of condition. Also, I would ask yourself what it was about nursing you thought you would like. Something obviously attracted you to the profession. Then I would look around at other jobs, either in the field of nursing or not, that fit with your interests. A good career counselor (your school could probably connect you with one) could help you out. You sound like you are worried that you will let people down if you don't go into nursing. You shoudn't worry about that. It isn't for everyone, and its ok to not want to do it. Just having a degree (any degree) will give you more options. It sounds like you feel very stuck by your decision to go into nursing, by people around you expecting you to be a wonderful nurse, and by having completed your studies in nursing. None of that means you are stuck in nursing, least of all in a lousy environment. This isn't about pleasing or disappointing someone else.

Finally, I think you should talk to some people who are happy in their jobs, whether in nursing or something else. Find out what they did to find something that worked for them. It could be a huge help to you. Nursing may or may not be for you, but whatever job or career you choose there has to be an adjustment when your ideals and your dreams and expectations for the job meet up with the reality of it. I have a feeling that is a lesson that you may need for any career you pick.

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Hey, think about this for a second --- being a nurse's aide and being a nurse are different.

Do not make any major changes until you pass the big test. Then, do whatever you want. Your licensure is for life. Get it. Then, in a calmer moment after a long vacation, think this whole thing over.

What you have been doing has given you a good look, but it is not all there is to nursing.

>>>>>

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i started a nursing program in 1996 and quit because of some of the same things you describe. i did a clinical rotation at a va hospital in virginia and saw how some of the staff treated our veterans and decided that there was no way in hell that i would ever be a nurse--if this was what nursing was all about. by quiting i made the biggest mistake in my life, but with age comes more maturity and more life exposures. i went back into nursing several years later and now work mother/baby and teach childbirth education classes and hope to one day become a certified lactation consultant. i love my career(it's not just a job to me).

my point, maybe wiping feces/urine/lifting people isn't the type of nursing that is suited for you. there are lots of opportunities from school nursing, teaching(health ed in schools), occupational health, etc. so many avenues!!! i used to have anxiety every time i went to my job on the med/surg unit, but now that i have found my niche, i look forward to going to work every single day!!!!

good luck and please don't give up..like with anything new comes anxiety and stress.

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First of all, I really think you should speak to a professional counselor re: anxiety and suicidal ideation.

Second, nursing has sooo much more to it than cleaning poop, vomit... You can do flight nursing, school nursing, health Education, outpatient, OR nursing, and the list is endless. If it were me, ONLY after seeking counseling help, and looking AND rotating in all these areas (maybe you can ask a school instructor to get you in for a day in the OR....), only then would I consider a different profession. You have put so much time and energy into this career already, you deserve to be happy.

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