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Discussion

I am giving up

Just can't do it anymore.

Came home from work yesterday in tears, which happens often lately. Could not sleep at night, worried about everything that happened at work. Had family members yelling and threatening me, was pulled into manager's office to explain things that were twisted out of context, feel totally unappreciated and unsupported. Had to question myself - why am I doing it? Most patients take everything for granted, nothing is ever enough for their families, manager is there only to reprimand and never to praise. We are working short all the time. For the first time in my life I am on anti-anxiety medications, and I've never ever felt so miserable and trapped as I feel now.

I've had enough with nursing. I am submitting my resignation today and will be looking for a job that won't be ruining my life. Sorry to sound so negative, but for me it's time to move on.

Featured Replies

Sorry to hear that. I wish you the best of luck in whatever you choose.

  • Expert

Here's a hug. (((hug))) :icon_hug: I'm so sorry to hear about your workplace troubles!

I frequently feel stressed, anxious, flustered, overworked, and panicky at work. I was involuntarily transferred to the rehab unit about 8 months ago, and I never quite adjusted to the needy patients, abusive family members, greedy managers, egotistical doctors, lazy CNAs, numerous complaints, and the customer service demands of this specific work area. I've been yelled at, threatened with litigation, and treated differently by visitors who flaunt their supposed sense of entitlement. I'm taking a planned vacation outside the state next month, but I intend to go job hunting once I return.

Good luck to you. I can empathize with your troubling situation, and will hope that you can see the glorious light at the end of the tunnel.

How long have you been a nurse? It may be possible that you need a new job with different surroundings. I am not dismissing your feelings at all; just saying that maybe you need a break, and after a period of rest, you may be able to think more clearly. I am definitely seeing that the medical profession is very taxing on all of us in one way or another. I had to begin taking Zoloft to calm my nerves, one of my friends who is manic depressive had a break and has been admitted to the psych ward, people are feeling extremely overwhelmed and tired.

I am sorry to hear that you have been having a bad time. And, I also support you if you do, in fact, decide that nursing simply isn't for you. Do what is best for your health, mind, and spirit.

I totally sympathise, you have my support in your choice. I just went per diem myself.

  • Expert

Addendum: Does anyone think the aforementioned working conditions are related to the 'presupposed' nursing shortage in any way, shape, or form? I'm seeing a common thread here: Most nurses want stability, and would remain at the same job for many years if only the working conditions were improved and the stressors alleviated.

However, many nurses are being mistreated, verbally abused, reprimanded for doing all they possibly can, dealing with demanding patient loads, and the result seems to be nothing short of crispy bacon burnout.

Hugs to you, MysticFish. You are doing the right thing. If you can, try to take some time off to rest.

Any job that forces a person to go on psych meds is an abusive pit.

I left bedside a few months ago, and I haven't looked back. I feel like myself for the first time in YEARS.

Good luck.

I'm so sorry to hear that you're feeling like that. I know that earlier this year I was on the verge of transferring to another unit or just looking for another hospital all together because I was miserable. Myself and many of my co-workers were understaffed, over worked and the demands on us were unreal at the time. We had just moved to a new floor and it was big and foreign but we were supposed to still care for our patients as if nothing had happened. I wanted to quit every day. I'd cry every day. Our director wasn't helping, the nursing supervisors were basically ignoring our pleas for help or at least adequate staffing. I stuck it out and I'm glad I did. They weeded out the bad seeds, hired more people so staffing improved and made a clear cut line as to which types of patients we could and could not take as we were trying to define ourselfs as a particular unit and we were often getting other units' dumps or patients totally inappropriate for our floor. Perhaps that enviornment isn't right for you. Perhaps you should take a mental health leave of absence for a month or two and then try again? Or perhaps nursing isn't right and you need a new career all together. Either way good luck in whatever you decide to do and your future endeavors!

Addendum: Does anyone think the aforementioned working conditions are related to the 'presupposed' nursing shortage in any way, shape, or form? I'm seeing a common thread here: Most nurses want stability, and would remain at the same job for many years if only the working conditions were improved and the stressors alleviated.

However, many nurses are being mistreated, verbally abused, reprimanded for doing all they possibly can, dealing with demanding patient loads, and the result seems to be nothing short of crispy bacon burnout.

I agree 100%, it's a shame, I think most of us would stay put, but the abuse is too much.Why don't administrators realize they could save money by retention rather than continually recruiting and orienting new staff over and over and over :idea: It's like they have junkie thinking, doing the same thing again and again expecting a different result :confused:

To the OP, do whatever you need to, life is too short,I'm glad you refuse to be abused, Best of Luck!!!

i'm having a hard time dealing with very demanding and manipulative family and patients. how do you deal with them? on the one hand, i feel like i have to be nice to them because thats what nurses are suppose to be like, but on the other hand, if i;m being nice to them, they will forever be demanding, treat you like you are their maid. i think some family members are demanding because they want to control the staff members. so do you just do what they tell you to do, or speak up your mind and risk being reported to the managements?

Nursing is a vast career. Before you throw your license out the window, why don't you explore other career options?

  • Expert
so do you just do what they tell you to do, or speak up your mind and risk being reported to the managements?
i work on a rehab unit in an upscale facility in a nice part of town. some visitors see the facility's chandeliers, custom made drapery, grand piano, pool table, nice furnishings, beautiful artwork, flat screen televisions, lushly landscaped patios, and hardwood floors before concluding that the place is the healthcare hilton. many of our visitors and family members expect head-to-toe service, as if they are at a high-priced hotel.

a family member approached the nurses station last weekend and yelled, "go to the soda machine and get me something to drink!" he also hollered, "get me some coffee and an extra chair!"

when people demand things that are not related to healthcare, i'll usually provide them with directions to the locations where these items can be found. the other nurse who was working with me, however, caved in and ran upstairs to go to the soda machine for this surly man.

if a visitor is making unreasonable demands, be professional, but do not cave into them. i'm sure these same visitors would never ask the attending physician to fetch them a soda. i'd rather run the risk of getting reported to management.

I don't blame you. I've been where you are. Many nursing jobs are like this and it's not right. Just make sure you give notice and go about things the right way. You don't want to burn any bridges.

Good luck and take care of yourself.

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