I got out of nursing and I've never been better!

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I know there are many people here who want to leave nursing and I want to share my experiences.

If you're seriously considering leaving, do it. Nothing is worth giving away your mental or physical health.

While working as a nurse, I was miserable for all the reasons people complain about here too. I was sick ALL THE TIME -- colds, flus, gastroenteritis, you name it, I'd get it. I was sick at least 2 weeks out of every month.

Since leaving nursing last year, I haven't been sick ONCE. Nothing. I've never felt physically or mentally better.

It was not easy to leave. I spent many fruitless months searching for the right profession to go into. I had to apply a lot of creativity and do a lot of networking and legwork to break into my new profession. Considering the alternative though, I felt I had no choice. I'm so happy that I put the time and effort into it, and its paid off well for me.

I'm working as a Consultant, applying my medical background to cases of medical and insurance fraud. Everything is great about this job and I love it.

YOU ARE WORTH THE EFFORT. DON'T STAY IN SOMETHING THAT MAKES YOU UNHAPPY. LIFE IS TOO SHORT!

Peace and good luck!

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I'm working my way out of it, too. So far, the only thing I've found I can do from home is medical transcription and I hear the pay sucks. But right now it's my only option and a good one compared to having to go out somewhere.

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This is great advice for me! Thank you!

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I have been out for about 6 months now. Really feel like myself again. You don't always have to leave for good. Sometimes getting out for a while gets your perspective back. Then you can return and be the nurse you want to be. I know, I have done it several times.

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That may be true for some... but for me my perspective has been that I never want to return. To each their own!

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glad you found your niche, michelle.

best of everything to you.

leslie

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Hi - I am considering entering the nursing field and these types of posts are good for me to read because I assume that most nurses love their jobs because I know of a few who do. Is it every area of nursing that is so horrible? What area did you come from? I was thinking of being a L&D nurse but I go back and forth. I don't really want to kill myself in school again (I already have a degree) to get in a job that I'll have to most likely work nights, weekends and holidays and I could end up unhappy.

Would you say there are more unhappy nurses than happy ones???

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Hi - I am considering entering the nursing field and these types of posts are good for me to read because I assume that most nurses love their jobs because I know of a few who do. Is it every area of nursing that is so horrible? What area did you come from? I was thinking of being a L&D nurse but I go back and forth. I don't really want to kill myself in school again (I already have a degree) to get in a job that I'll have to most likely work nights, weekends and holidays and I could end up unhappy.

Would you say there are more unhappy nurses than happy ones???

Toots71506, I grew up with my mother who was an RN and very unhappy with her work. Even that didn't dissuade me from doing it though. I only saw the positive before entering Nursing, but my perspective is much different now. I don't know if there is anything I could say that would give you the ability to know whether or not you will like Nursing.

At least, if you do not like it, you will have the education and experience to do something else with it. I've found that employers find it to be a valuable and desireable background.

I worked in many different areas of nursing and liked some better than others, but the underlying problems remained the same and I was only degrees happier in certain jobs. I am really happy now. I know a job shouldn't make or break whether or not you are happy, but I can't help how I feel. When you love your job, I think you can't help but be a happier person

My experience was not that nurses were happy in their job, or loved it, but that they tolerated it or didn't mind it, at the most. I've only met very, very few who truly loved it. They are special individuals and I will remember them warmly forever.

Best of luck! Just keep exploring!

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Specializes in Government.

The amazing thing about nursing is that there are so many options. Bedside care isn't for everyone and it often isn't something you can do for a lifetime. I've been able to transition from hospital nursing to community health which is as unlike bedside care as I can possibly imagine. Yet, it is still nursing, I make a great living and get to do meaningful work. The range of things you can do with a nursing background is wonderful.

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I also worked in both the hospital and the community. However, my experience was that the same issues and problems were still present. Like I said, I may have been degrees happier, but nowhere near as happy as I am now. I'm glad you found your niche within nursing, but know that it's not going to be an option for others.

This isn't related to Quickbeam, but I just want to say that I think other nurses sometimes put pressure on each other to stay in nursing, even if they are not happy.

There are other jobs out there! Happiness is so much more important.

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

Sometimes, it is not leaving the bedside that can solve the problem. For such a so called noble profession, nursing is very political and insincere. If we are not trying to cover our butts for the unreasonable demands of administration or regulatory agencies, the paperwork done is filled with lies for many for the same reason...to cover ourselves for livelihood that we worked so hard to achieve. I have been in nursing for some time, but actually became a nurse last year. Being in the foxholes with them, I see the challenges, frustrations and unfortunately, I really don't see changes coming for the positive. At this time, I don't see myself leaving nursing, but, I see myself remaining in areas similar to where I am, (the clinic), because it is not as backbreaking or heartbreaking as the floors.

I am glad to see that you gained the courage to say that this is clearly not for you, and then did something about it. I wish you the very best!

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i agree pagandeva2000. thanks!

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