I dont want to do this anymore!!!

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I dont know where to begin. I just do not want to be a nurse anymore. I really never did, since 2nd year of nsg school, but I didn't want to quit such a big commitment,I graduated. I have no desire to be a med surg nurse, in fact I would probably stink at it. I cant imagine being a med surge nurse. Thats why I went into ER right out of school, left that, did pedi home health for a while, now I am in the OR. I liked that for the first few weeks, now I hate that too. I dont know if its nursing, me, or I just cant hack it. The problem is I need this job I have for the benefits, and my salary. Plus my husband will *flip out* if I quit another job again. But I truely believe I shouldnt be in such a profession as nursing if my heart isn't in it..but.what else can I do? Is there anything you guys can suggest career/husband wise????? I have been telling him I love this new job, everythings going great, and actually it is, except that I am a nervous wreck inside, and I am counting the hours til lunch, break, and quitting time. I actually think he might divorce me if I quit!!! (or at the least be very very bitter towards me) I dont know whats bothering me more: the fact that I dont want to be a nurse, or the fact that I will dissapoint my family. Help......any advice will be appreciated.........:o

Specializes in Acute Care.

Wow, there is no way I could possibly read through all of this.

I have to say that I ABSOLUTELY LOVE NURSING. 22 years (approx.) in I STILL ABSOLUTELY LOVE NURSING. I've done a little of everything.

1-5 years Acute Rehab

6-10 years Home health care and care of seriously ill, generally vent dependent children at home

11-16 long term care, including management (YUCK YUCK AND DOUBLE YUCK) and M.D.S. coordinator (which is kinda cool)

17-now. Back to hospital nursing Acute Surgical / Orthopedic. LOVE IT LOVE IT LOVE IT. Except for the total lack of understanding from management about just how much One nurse can do in a 12 hour shift.

I know I say it a lot but the majority of the burn out factor could be swiftly silenced with some reasonable nurse to patient ratio, time for lunch, reasonable technology and decent flippin pay. SUPPORT NATIONAL NURSES ORGANIZING COMMITTEE.

It's time for us to put our collective feet down to the crazy nuts who think they know better than we know, what's safe, what's reasonable! Period.

DO NOT give up. It's going to be ok. Just because you don't like acute nursing care, nursing is so much more than JUST acute nursing care. The job market right now doesn't help. No one wants to hire.

Keep your head up. You'll find your spot. You do however need to talk to your hub. If he just can't support you maybe there's more wrong than just your job. Sorry to say that but it's true.

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Specializes in Inpatient Adult Oncology.
RNOTODAY said:
gr8rn, purple, thanks for your response, and I agree totally about the counseling, I guess I just dont know where to go next career wise. I would LOVE a non clinical job, but not sure of the experience you would need, I have been an RN around 4 years, but not continuously.... IE: changed jobs alot... but I had one for 2 years, thats good, right??? LOL (it probably doesnt even count, it was home care).........I just wish right now I never went to nsg school......so many choices, but I am very limited in what I am *willing* to do.......I just know I cant go on like this.being all anxious inside.Sooner or later it will show in a big mistake that could hurt somebody...... that terrifies me.....

I have a friend who had been on a med-surg floor for about three and a half years, and became increasingly unhappy, she recently accepted a new job for Blue Cross, and she basically does follow up and goes into hospitals for case management work for the insurance company. I have been recieving a lot of flyers lately that they are looking for RNs that are interested in doing that, maybe it is something to consider?

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mystic33 said:
WOW!, what an interesting thread. It would be awesome to hear any updates for 2010 since this thread was in 2006. Would love to hear from the OP what changes she made including if she did quit and what her husband's response was. I would also love to hear updates from the nurses who were unhappy in their career and what changes they made.

Basically I know how you all felt back then. How are you feeling now, 4 years later?

Well, I'm in grad school for an MPH. Actually looking for a floor job or a job on an LTAC to pay my rent while I study.

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Hi control,

I am also interested in eventually leaving bedside nursing and go to a non-clinical area. what is it that you do? I tried to PM you, but I can't. let me know! thanks =)

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What do you do for an insurance company and how did you get connected with them? JLR

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Specializes in ER, ICU, Education.

You might want to start a new thread as the original post is from 2006. The OP might not see the old thread or be on the boards anymore.

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May I ask what you're doing now? I'm feeling the same way you did over 10 years ago...

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Yes, I would like to get updates from people from this thread on what alternative options they found. It can be either in nursing or outside nursing.

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