I gotta get outta this place, can you help?

barefootlady, ADN, RN · Jan 29, 2004

Do some deep soul searching and decide what area you have at least some interest in persuing. Research requirements and decide if you want to do what is necessary to meet them. Then go for it.

I am sorry that you have had such a negative experience. Remember there is a remedy for the employee who is stalking you. Discuss this with manager and follow policy on work place harassment.

Good Luck on your quest for a new career. Keep us posted on what happens.

Dragonnurse1, ASN, RN · Jan 29, 2004

I know what you mean. I was getting frustrated too and thinking of changing but the decision was made for me when I had a reaction to latex.

But I digress - a PA in a private md's office might be nice or even in an ER. Here we have NPs and PAs working with the ER doc each night. They work 12 - 14 12 hour shifts each month.

Don't think tech would be fun. You would have to take call and if you have a family that could be a bummer.

:idea: How about CRNA? 6 figures to start ?

sjoe · Jan 29, 2004

"Physician's Asst., MRI tech, Ultrasound Tech or Physical Therapist"

These positions are NOT comparable to each other.

To be a PA, you would have to go to school for probably 4 more years.

Entry level for Physical Therapist is an MA in Physical Therapy--5 years or so.

I'd say go for the Ultrasound Tech. Much shorter school, interesting new equipment always coming online, short time spent with each patient, NOT having to deal very much with nurses, etc.

(And while you are making changes, how about a more grownup username?)

Shotzie · Jan 29, 2004

Why leave nursing???

Just leave your current position and type of nursing.

*Try school nursing where you have all the holidays off and all summer off and there are NO physicians.

*Get a position as a research nurse. Every research nurse I ever knew had a great relationship with their MD's...if the MD'a are bad, the nurse - who is in control of the data collection -could make him look VERY bad.

*Check out a position in utilization review or case management...office hours, clean work, little patient contact.

*Look into telephone triage. it's a "niche" position and takes someone with good skills and communication abilities. In many large call centers the triage nurses are the "cream of the crop" and nake top dollar (not true for doctor's offices).

*What about working as a nursing instructor? Most LVN programs and some ADN 's do not require you to have a masters degree.

One of the things I really love about nursing is it's great flexibility. If you leave, you will be starting at the bottom of the salary food-chain. If you stay in nursing you will be paid for your years of experience and can still do something completely different that what you are doing now!! :kiss

roxannekkb · Jan 29, 2004

Originally posted by Shotzie
Why leave nursing???
Just leave your current position and type of nursing.

*Try school nursing where you have all the holidays off and all summer off and there are NO physicians.
*Get a position as a research nurse. Every research nurse I ever knew had a great relationship with their MD's...if the MD'a are bad, the nurse - who is in control of the data collection -could make him look VERY bad.
*Check out a position in utilization review or case management...office hours, clean work, little patient contact.
*Look into telephone triage. it's a "niche" position and takes someone with good skills and communication abilities. In many large call centers the triage nurses are the "cream of the crop" and nake top dollar (not true for doctor's offices).
*What about working as a nursing instructor? Most LVN programs and some ADN 's do not require you to have a masters degree.
One of the things I really love about nursing is it's great flexibility. If you leave, you will be starting at the bottom of the salary food-chain. If you stay in nursing you will be paid for your years of experience and can still do something completely different that what you are doing now!! :kiss

Well, I actually worked in telephone triage, and it was certainly not top dollar. The pay was lower than for clinical nursing. And in my particular job, it was almost as stressful as hospital work because all of the same liabilities were there--inane manager, less than supportive co-workers, the same sort of back stabbing and tattling that goes on anywhere, the customer service garbage, having to meet certain statistics (ie, spending the shortest amount of time possible with a caller) and so on. There was this constant surveillance, and monitoring, and overall condescending attitude towards the nurses--who were the backbone of the company.

The turnover there was higher than at any hospital I have ever seen, as well as people calling in sick.

Sometimes, you just really need to make a clean break. Get out of nursing completely, because a lot of the same stuff keeps resurfacing wherever you go.

huggietoes · Jan 29, 2004

Thanks for the advice as far as the length of schooling goes that is not my primary concern, I would go 10 years to find a profession that I enjoy. I have a degree in Biology so I have a majority of upper division credits toward all degrees and meet admission requirements on all. As for staying in nursing, I do enjoy meeting new people and the occasional civil or dare I say 'nice' patient so I would like to stay in an area where I would be exposed to various people just not in the particular manner that I am now exposed to them. I am leaning towards PA. Thanks again for the advice.

As far as my username, it is the name of my beloved pet and afterall you are only as old as you feel!

SmilingBluEyes · Jan 30, 2004

I , for one, like your username. sjoe, don't be so serious all time; it's ok to "lighten up".

Follow your heart. It's always the right path to take. Take good care and best wishes.:kiss

mattsmom81 · Jan 30, 2004

Huggietoes is no doubt a pet name...I think its cute too. Are ya cranky today sjoe?

I watched one of my favorite movies today...'The Color Purple'.

I found myself relating to the female characters' experiences more than I ever have and became quite emotional when I

did so.

The manipulation, condescension, punitive controlling behaviors of those 'with power' towards those 'not with power' really struck a nerve. When Celie told her stepson to beat Sophia it reminded me of how some nurses turn on one another.

Anyway, it's high time for nurses to get out of the victim mentality (like Celie did finally in the movie)She chose to leave the abuse when she had had enough.

I fully understand why nurses are leaving the profession in droves. If we can't make things better sometimes there's no point in the self destructive behavior of sticking around for more abuse. Good luck to you, Huggietoes, whatever you decide. If you can afford to go back to college, consider a pharmacy NP or PA degree....if you need to work sooner, the radiology tech to US and MRI or RT program will get you earning sooner.....best wishes!!!:kiss

huggietoes · Jan 30, 2004

Mattsmom, thank you so much for the supportive words. I love, love, love the Color Purple. One of my favorite movies and definitely amongst my favorite books, have you read Alice Walker's other novels? I also really enjoyed Possessing the Secret of Joy. Each of her books is so empowering to women. My faves from the book/movie Sofia's speech to Celie after Celie tells Harpo to beat her and ofcourse when Celie puts the knife to 'Misters' throat. I so know what you mean about relating, been feeling like a doormat lately and my job has ALOT to do with that. Your kind words have made my day, thanks again!

IloveSnoopy · Jan 30, 2004

HI Huggietoes,

I totally know where you are coming from. I find myself wanting to leave nursing too....(at times). I have thought an awful lot about the ultrasound tech. thing.....it would still let me work with patients......although its a do the exam and get out of here type thing......no taking care of frequent flyers for weeks on end...LOL. Ultrasound is really becoming a hot commodity.....now they have this 3D thing...there's just no end to the technology. In my area...the pay seems to be pretty comparable too. I seem to change my mind every other day about the whole thing though....Earlier this week....I had nothing but constant praise from a family of a dying man....days like that I could be a nurse forever.....I just don't know though. I guess I will just continue to soul-search. Good luck to you....even if you try something different...you will always have nursing to go back to...there's nothing wrong with having more than one degree. OK..I better go....take care...

Snoop'

CseMgr1, ASN, RN · Jan 30, 2004

Originally posted by roxannekkb
Well, I actually worked in telephone triage, and it was certainly not top dollar. The pay was lower than for clinical nursing. And in my particular job, it was almost as stressful as hospital work because all of the same liabilities were there--inane manager, less than supportive co-workers, the same sort of back stabbing and tattling that goes on anywhere, the customer service garbage, having to meet certain statistics (ie, spending the shortest amount of time possible with a caller) and so on. There was this constant surveillance, and monitoring, and overall condescending attitude towards the nurses--who were the backbone of the company.

The turnover there was higher than at any hospital I have ever seen, as well as people calling in sick.

Sometimes, you just really need to make a clean break. Get out of nursing completely, because a lot of the same stuff keeps resurfacing wherever you go.

I heard that! I'm in Medical Management. and the grass is CERTAINLY not any greener here, either. I plan to get out of nursing alltogether, too, as soon as the settlement comes through on my late father's estate. It's not worth the aggravation anymore.