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.........
[There are a lot of non- hospital nursing jobs with good pay and benefits. I don't think I know too many people who absolutely love thier jobs either. I work for an insurance company, it is on computer and phone all day but steady daylight weekends and holidays off. ]
How do you find a job like that?? I also am frustrated with nursing and I've only been an RN for a year. I would love to do the insurance thing ---Please share any info---I am also interested in Legal nurse certification but the Biggest advertiser "milano or whoever" is too expensive!!!
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!
No offense but I really don't want to end up like you in 30 years! WHat I mean is I don't want that kind of anxiety before work.... aren't we supposed to love going to work?? I work in a rural hospital and feel stressed because A: I don;t feel like I'm learning anything new
B: I feel inadequate when new things do arise,
? I get sick of babysitting staff.
? I never know what will come throughthe ER after Midnight(That's when floor nurses have to take over & do both)
the husband said something, the other day, while we were discussing my "issue".he said "why is everybody else handling it, why cant you?" I dont know what to say, it sounds like hes saying I am a quitter. He knows (or thinks) I am a really good nurse, and tries at every turn to encourage me to work as one, but how does he really know if I am a good nurse... Plus, if I am, I am out of fear of making a mistake, not because I love it! I am still going to work, for now, trying to make the best of it, hoping it will just click one day, and I will be at a place in my mind where I can NOT almost get a panic attack over working a regular day......Just wanted to check in, and thanks again for all the words of encouragement, advice....commiserating.....BTW.I applied online for a "nurse reviewer" position for a major health insurance carrier.hoping to get a call.......
Being a nurse reviewer is no piece of cake, either.
I worked as a UM Nurse/Case Manager for a major HMO for 4-1/2 years, and the stress and turnover in our department was horriffic as the focus of our work shifted from that of quality to productivity. When I began having 2-3 migraines a month as a result of Management's unrealistic expectations, I got out. My decision to leave wound up costing me just about everything I own, but I don't regret it. I'd rather be poor as a church mouse, than to have to spend 12 days a year in bed with an ice pack on my head and throwing up as the fruits of my labors.
Not trying to be a wet blanket here. Just trying to warn you that the grass is not necessarily greener on the other side. Regardless of whether or not you get that call, I wish you all the best. As for me, I am waiting for my application to take the Mail Carrier's Exam to arrive in the mail. Being terminated from my last nursing position without notice (or merit) three weeks ago was the last straw for me. I don't want to do this anymore, either.
I worked in a LTC for the Intellictally Challenged for awhile and decided that it was no longer for me however I did like to work with the Intellictally Challenged, so I found a job as a Nurse Consultant for a company that runs 18 CLAs. I still do some hands-on nursing, but mostly paperwork.
Not much new to add, except to say RNOTODAY, Thank You! for starting this thread.
Yesterday was clinical orientation, starting my senior year of a BSN. I walked back out to my car, got in and shut the door and heard myself thinking....I do NOT want to do this. I don't want to be a nurse!
I've worked hard to get here. I moved my children to a new city to get into an RN program. I know I can't stop now. I'm a single Mom and I've thrown everything I've got into getting this degree. But I find myself jealous of my oldest child who is delivering pizza's for a job.
I'm so relieved to see others that feel this way. I thought maybe I was a 'loser' for not LOVING bedside nursing. I'm good at it, my clinical instructors are always thrilled. Its just that I'm not thrilled. I'm also happy to see that there are other options than bedside nursing. I knew there had to be, I just wasn't sure how readily available they were.
Thank you to everyone who posted! It gives me the oomph to keep going this year, knowing that bedside nursing isn't the only option.
What is going on here? It is SO depressing to read about so many of you unhappy in your jobs. Does anyone have anything encouraging to say about nursing? I recently decided to apply to nursing school and these posts are making me so nervous. Right now I have a dream job-- I teach high school psychology-- I work 6:30am to 2:30pm and have very little work to do outside of school...even with perfect hours, perfect co-workers, perfect location, etc. some jobs are not all that they are cracked up to be and I really believe that I have a passion for nursing... AM I CRAZY???
Original Poster: Thanks for this thread. I'm a 20 year nurse who got my BSN at 32.
As soon as I hit floor nursing I knew it wasn't for me. I got ulcers, had terrible anxiety issues. I'd get awards for care but I couldn't stand the stress of working short and mean spirited co-workers. We moved and even in a new place, it didn't get better. I put together a long term plan to seek out the best job I could find FOR ME. We needed my income and I couldn't just walk. I also couldn't afford to abandon my nursing degree.
I tried perdiem psych, occ health, rehab, mgt....was ok at all of them but I wasn't happy. I applied for every single government nursing job my state had to offer. I finally got my current job as a community health RN 8 years ago. I love it. It uses my skills, I sleep at night, will get a great pension and no more ulcers. Most importantly, this job plays to my strengths. I'm a seasoned public speaker and work well independently. Combined with my nursing background, it is a great fit. I did take a paycut, long since made up for in raises.
Look for a job that works for you. I promise you, something is out there. You often have to dig around for a non-clinical job...they are sought after by a lot of people. 50 people applied for my current job.
Oh, P.S. I work in a state where most of my fellow nurses made more $ than their husbands. Most were under extreme pressure to stay in nursing for the financial advantages. I make more than my husband but we were easily able to make the sacrifices so that I could go to a lesser paid RN job. Cheaper than buying a new stomach!
for psycteach: you are seeing a real world side of nursing here. If I was you, I'd work as a CNA for a while before jumping ship. Make sure you really want to do this. I happen to love nursing and even enjoyed much of patient care. However, working 12 hour shifts, nights and Christmas are a reality for a lot of nurses. Good luck to you.
I lasted 6 weeks in two different hospitals. I, too, found that it was not what I had gone into nursing for. I think the major contributing factor was the lack of support and orientation from the other nurses. As far as "other" positions that hospitals, ie. dr.'s offices, clinics, the ones I've talked to want experienced nurses. Sooo, my choice is either do what I hate for a year or don't to nursing. I did read yesterday on here about Pediatric Services and I would love to do that, but there isn't an office in my state.
I'm sorry for you, because I just don't think I could be a nurse and dislike it as much as I did and yet have to do it. My husband has been very understanding and has not pressured me at all.
A part of me still believes that if I ever worked at a hospital with an orientation with a preceptor of more than 5 days I would have the confidence to return. Right now, I'm still on hold.
What is going on here? It is SO depressing to read about so many of you unhappy in your jobs. Does anyone have anything encouraging to say about nursing? I recently decided to apply to nursing school and these posts are making me so nervous. Right now I have a dream job-- I teach high school psychology-- I work 6:30am to 2:30pm and have very little work to do outside of school...even with perfect hours, perfect co-workers, perfect location, etc. some jobs are not all that they are cracked up to be and I really believe that I have a passion for nursing... AM I CRAZY???
I'm a senior nursing student and I remember feeling how you feel and honestly I ignored ANY negative comments! BUT, I now wish I had let some of it sink in, because my first day of med/surg clinical all I could say to myself was "this ISN'T what I pictured" & "I HATE this!"......
soooo, I know med/surg is NOT for me, but I will search out an area of nursing that IS for me (I'm thinking E.R.), because I've come to far to give up!....so although I'm not a happy camper w/ my med/surg clinicals I just keep my eye on the prize and hope that I'll find my niche when I'm done!.....
i've been a nurse since 1975 and still working. my mom is a retired nurse and when i was 14 [really] i worked as a nurses aide along side my mom every other weekend. it's how i learned to love nursing. please do yourself a big favor and get some low level experience before making such a huge decision. call me old fashioned but i think nursing is a vocation. one other thing- i'm encouraged by nervous new grads-it's a sign they comprehend the seriousness of the job.
When I read this post, it mirrored me so much. I have been in nursing for 12 years and really haven't "enjoyed" the nursing profession. I did a student nurse preceptorship one Summer & worked in the newborn-nursery/ mother baby unit and absolutely loved it. I knew when I graduated from nursing school, that's what I wanted to do! Well 12 years and 6 jobs later, I still haven't moved to mother-baby b/c there is never any openings. I've done everything (Med-surg, tele, oncology/renal, stepdown- cardiac, icu, uhc insurance), & now I'm in case management. I must say that my nursing career has been full, and I have experienced a lot. Nursing is very stressful. When I was working nightshift I would go into work a total ball of nerves b/c I used to worry about making a mistake, or doing something wrong, or fear of being yelled at by the doctor. But I grew thick skin over time and read as much as possible to educate myself wherever I went.
I know where you are & how you feel. I've read many of the posts here- have you tried changing shifts? I found night shift so much easier. Even though you are in an odd ball shift, the pace is much slower, and the working group is much closer ( I thought). If you are considering a career change, do it now while you're young. No offense to the older folks!
Have you thought about insurance sales? Nurse liason for a skilled nursing facility? Home health coordinator? DME/Medical equipment sales. I saw that you work in OR, some companies like Ethicon, Johnson & Johnson need reps to teach doctors new equipment/or devices in OR. I was looking into rep for KCI- wound vac, or for IV/Tube feeding pump rep. I don't know where you are located but you could certainly look around.
I still haven't found my way after 12 years, but I'm still trying to find it..... Good luck to you.
RainDreamer, BSN, RN
3,571 Posts
Yeah, I did. I'm still on orientation, but I do like it a lot better. The nurse to patient ratio seems to be better too.