I dont want to do this anymore!!!

Happy-ER-RN, RN · Apr 26, 2006

I have been feeling the same way lately. I wasn't really sure I wanted to be a nurse while I was in school and I am having trouble with my job now. However, I am supporting my husband (through school) right now too, and when I told him I wanted to quit he said that he would support me in whatever I do. Maybe you need to remind your husband that it is his job to support you in whatever you need to do. He should want you to be happy, and if he doesn't then that is his problem, not yours. Is this a husband issue or a job issue? I don't know.

I have also hated all of my jobs after about a year, and I have discovered that it's not the job, it's me. I have actually had some really great jobs and I have always worked with really great people. I am just one of those people who is not in to the rat race. I would rather be outside soaking up the sun and living life. Unfortunately that is not how life is for most of us, I just haven't accepted that yet! I think I just want a job where there is windows.

I hope you can find something that makes you happy. Life is WAY to short to spend any length of time being unhappy.

RNOTODAY said:
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.........

CrunchRN, ADN, RN · Apr 26, 2006

I decided hands-on hospital nursing was not for me by the time I graduated. I have been able to find very good nursing jobs in the non-hospital areas for 13 years now. Go for anything interesting. Be enthusuastic. Emphasize what you want to do and not what you don't want to do when interviewing.

As to your spouse - I am sure he is just concerned about keeping the bills paid and that type of financial insecurity. I have always gotten a new job before leaving an old one so that it would not impact our financial situation. The financial insecurity is very difficult to handle. If you could reassure him that you would not quit until you got a new job then I bet you would find him much more supportive.

Best of luck to you.

mchrisrn · Apr 26, 2006

I have been a "bedside nurse" for almost 30 years now. I have to go so fast at work sometimes that I get chest pains also. It takes at least 24 hours to "get over" a 12 (14) hour shift, much less 2 in a row. I work med-surg. The patients arent even dying or anything (usually) but even when theyre NOT "going bad", theyre getting blood, in pain, short of breath, throwing up, 3 admissions at once from er, constantly needing cleaned, and no PCAs. I have been looking for a "non-clinical" job for almost a year. Almost got a research job but I believe they found someone younger or with more degrees. It isnt as easy as you all say it seems, to find a non-clinical job. Even in my own hospital, they want a BSN, or experience, which you cant get if they wont hire you. I have a diploma only and am trying to avoid BSN school b/c of our kids college tuitions right now. Have you found insurance companies to work for that give you good hospitalization? I carry the hospitalization for my family b/c of my husbands job. Have you found insurance or other companies where you dont need a BSN? Do you think employers dont want to hire such an OLD nurse?? Good Luck all with your siutations. After 30 years in nursing I still can't sleep the night before my shift and am nervous about what could happen and how short-staffed we will be the next day!

control · Apr 26, 2006

I think having a BSN makes it easier, but it's not impossible with an associate's degree. Diploma may be a bit more difficult, but experience may trump that. Not sure though....

I said this in PMs, but one good thing to do is join a professional organization, like your state's chapter of the ANA (here it's LNA) or a specialty area's professional organization e.g., public health nursing. Organizations often have links to jobs in the area, and you can meet alot of people to network with (one of the reasons I like this message board).

Also, comb the classifieds and post your resume on something like monster.com.

If you're unattached and don't mind, make sure you note on your resume or cover letter that you're willing to relocate. :)

Finally, check with government agencies like the National Institute of Health or the Indian Health Service. They often have positions available in education. And of course there are insurance companies and pharmaceutical companies, too.

Someone mentioned school nursing....yeah, not likely, because so many school districts are practically broke these days.....

Renee73 · Apr 26, 2006

mchrisrn said:
I have been a "bedside nurse" for almost 30 years now. I have to go so fast at work sometimes that I get chest pains also. It takes at least 24 hours to "get over" a 12 (14) hour shift, much less 2 in a row. I work med-surg. The patients arent even dying or anything (usually) but even when theyre NOT "going bad", theyre getting blood, in pain, short of breath, throwing up, 3 admissions at once from er, constantly needing cleaned, and no PCAs. I have been looking for a "non-clinical" job for almost a year. Almost got a research job but I believe they found someone younger or with more degrees. It isn't as easy as you all say it seems, to find a non-clinical job. Even in my own hospital, they want a BSN, or experience, which you cant get if they won't hire you. I have a diploma only and am trying to avoid BSN school b/c of our kids college tuitions right now. Have you found insurance companies to work for that give you good hospitalization? I carry the hospitalization for my family b/c of my husbands job. Have you found insurance or other companies where you dont need a BSN? Do you think employers dont want to hire such an OLD nurse?? Good Luck all with your siutations. After 30 years in nursing I still can't sleep the night before my shift and am nervous about what could happen and how short-staffed we will be the next day!

How many of you all that have non-clinical jobs have BSNs? I am wondering how easy this will be with a two year degree???

control · Apr 26, 2006

gdean1 said:
Good heavens, be a little creative. I'm not a nurse yet and even I know there are far more options that different units in a hospital. How about case manager for health insurance companies? How about state surveyor? How about pharmaceutical or medical equipment rep? How about legal consultant? You may also want to talk to a career coach. Not a recruiter or placement agency but someone who can work with you to understand why it is you don't like doing what you are doing. It sounds like it may not be nursing you don't like but working. If that's the case, if your husband doesn't divorce you after this career change he will after the next. School nurse? Instructor? Think outside the box.

I think there is this belief by some nurses (maybe not here, I dunno) that a "real" nurse is at the bedside, and only the fittest survive. The rest of us are supposed to be weak losers.

Really it's just burn out (IMO) and some people jumping into careers for the wrong reasons (money, job security, respect, etc.). It's not about being lazy or not wanting to work. I am a hard worker and give everything I do 110% of my effort. You just haven't found your niche yet.

My parents "encouraged" me to go to nursing school for the money and job security.

But if you spend most of your time in life at work, you may as well like what you're doing to some degree.

All of those jobs you've listed are good suggestions, but if you're trying to save your mind RIGHT NOW, I.e., find a new job STAT, then some of those are unrealistic.....LNC is really the one I'm talking about. That's like a year of school OR a couple thousand dollars alone.

OliveVinesRN · Apr 26, 2006

RNOTODAY said:
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.........

Just wanted to let you know that I empathize with you. I feel your pain. I feel the same way and I've prayed on it many times. I don't believe it is you. Because if you're like me, you love the times when you actually have time for the patient and can sit down and talk with them and let them know you're there for them. It's in your nature, that's why you went into nursing. But, the politics of the job make your job that much harder. And it make you hate it, am I right?

I really want to go back to school and convert to social work or something. Because I really like touching people's lives. But the way healthcare is becoming a business, it pisses me off with how patient care is now an itemized issue instead of being the bottom line. These hospitals are forever becoming fixated with how much money they can save by not hiring enough nursing staff and how they can get away with it. I wish the state boards of nursing would really start standing up for us and push for a change. Until then, good people, that are truly deep down good nurses will continue to leave the profession.

Don't let anybody tell you that you NEED to leave. You leave because you want to and not because of some judgemental person telling you to. Some nurses swear that they are Florence Nightengale and they they are perfect and nothing can shake them. Don't feel bad if you don't claim that and don't feel bad about hating the direction in which healthcare is going.

Good luck and I hope you come up with a decision that is good for YOU and nobody else. You gotta love and look out for you because no one else will do it for you.

control · Apr 26, 2006

Renee73 said:
How many of you all that have non-clinical jobs have BSNs? I am wondering how easy this will be with a two year degree???

Maybe we should start a poll on the polls board....

I have a very unpopular idea about this, and I'll post it there.

rnsrgr8t · Apr 26, 2006

I am so sorry things have been so difficult for you. I have been a nurse for 7 years (went back to school after 5 years to get my PNP). I too had a similar experience working in the hospital. I got depressed, was anxious all the time and would dread going into work each day. I got out of the hospital enviroment and worked in a pediatric primary care office. It was busy but not very stressful or anxiety provoking. Once I was able to gain my confidence back and feel comfortable in my abilities, I went back to school. I now work in a hospital again as a PNP but I am in a supportive enviroment and I enjoy it now. What you describe tells me you are just not in the right enviroment for your personality. Good Luck!

gr8rnpjt, RN · Apr 26, 2006

mchrisrn said:
I have been a "bedside nurse" for almost 30 years now. I have to go so fast at work sometimes that I get chest pains also. It takes at least 24 hours to "get over" a 12 (14) hour shift, much less 2 in a row. I work med-surg. The patients arent even dying or anything (usually) but even when theyre NOT "going bad", theyre getting blood, in pain, short of breath, throwing up, 3 admissions at once from er, constantly needing cleaned, and no PCAs. I have been looking for a "non-clinical" job for almost a year. Almost got a research job but I believe they found someone younger or with more degrees. It isn't as easy as you all say it seems, to find a non-clinical job. Even in my own hospital, they want a BSN, or experience, which you cant get if they won't hire you. I have a diploma only and am trying to avoid BSN school b/c of our kids college tuitions right now. Have you found insurance companies to work for that give you good hospitalization? I carry the hospitalization for my family b/c of my husbands job. Have you found insurance or other companies where you dont need a BSN? Do you think employers dont want to hire such an OLD nurse?? Good Luck all with your siutations. After 30 years in nursing I still can't sleep the night before my shift and am nervous about what could happen and how short-staffed we will be the next day!

I am living proof that insurance companies will hire with no degree. I have only a diploma, and have worked for several different insurance companies. I initially had 2 years of bedside nursing. I changed companies a couple of times for more money and better benefits. It is funny, but I am now with a major university medical center with its own health plan. I can now go back for my BSN for free, and I am seriously considering it (at age 48!) I say, there is nothing holding any of us back, just update your resume, network, put your resume out there and you will find your dream job!

Hellllllo Nurse, BSN, RN · Apr 26, 2006

I have been a nurse for 14 years. I empathize with all my colleages on this thread. Nursing is one tough job.

I laughed when I read the post about feeling like a "glorified pack mule" I have described nursing the exact same way.

I was miserable in nursing for years, looking for a way out. I finally found my niche- travel nursing.

I don't believe in the theory that if you hate something, you should get more degrees in it so you can be further away from it.

Most of my instructors in nursing school were bitter nasty people with PhDs in nursing.

They hated nursing and were miserable, but figured if I get a BSN, an MSN a PhD, I won't be wasting the time and money I've already put into nursing.

I think there are quite a number of people with advanced degrees in nursing who just really hate nursing.

If you hate hospital nursing, as I did, I think it's great to look for a different kind of position or change careers.

Life is too short to be miserable.

control · Apr 26, 2006

Hellllllo Nurse said:
I have been a nurse for 14 years. I empathize with all my colleages on this thread. Nursing is one tough job.
I laughed when I read the post about feeling like a "glorified pack mule" I have described nursing the exact same way.
I was miserable in nursing for years, looking for a way out. I finally found my niche- travel nursing.
I don't believe in the theory that if you hate something, you should get more degrees in it so you can be further away from it.
Most of my instructors in nursing school were bitter nasty people with PhDs in nursing.
They hated nursing and were miserable, but figured if I get a BSN, an MSN a PhD, I won't be wasting the time and money I've already put into nursing.
I think there are quite a number of people with advanced degrees in nursing who just really hate nursing.
If you hate hospital nursing, as I did, I think it's great to look for a different kind of position or change careers.
Life is too short to be miserable.

I'm glad my role model prof didn't seem miserable or unhappy, and she had a PhD. Personally, that's not for me. I would like to start on an MPH soon.

Also, just because you have a BS in nursing doesn't mean you MUST study it in grad school.

eta: poll was moved. sorry!