I HATE bedside nursing

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Ok maybe I just don't care for it too much, but I feel like Im suffocating. I have been in this position for about 10 months now and I cant wait to hit the year mark so I can get out! I feel I might not be cut out for it in the long term because there is just way too much dramatization on insignificant things that add stress to my life which is unnecessary. One nursing attendant reported me to the manager over a trivial issue which had already been solved. I have never been reported to any manager like that ever before in my career. Perhaps she hates me but having to sit in his office and go over matters that have been settled regarding cleaning a patient is beyond me. Especially when the patient was cleaned and the matter was settled. I did not make a med error, none of my patients died, and no one fell. Why I had to remain in his office for nearly 30 minutes after working 12hour night shift is just silly to me. I guess it's the protocol but Im sick of it. I hope I am not over exaggerating but I am feeling more and more like bedside is not for me but I dont want to quit before my year is up. I want to have a solid year so I can move on to do other things that require that much experience. I am so tired and frankly I'm getting bored and unmotivated. How do I rectify this?! Please help. Thanks

Specializes in Anesthesia, ICU, PCU.

My suggestion is to set weekly and slightly longer term goals for yourself.

By the end of each week, have some dinner planned with family or friends, go ice skating, go to the movies, get ice cream, go to a seminar, spend the entire night alone eating Ben and Jerry's and watching the entire Star Wars saga (just planned my Wednesday for next week!) -- but make sure you have it planned so you can look to it during your tough weeks at work. Having something in the short term to give you that push out the door and keep you motivated through the day helped me get through the first (and hardest) 15 months of my job as a nurse.

For longer term goals, try to accomplish something. Study for and become certified in some nursing specialty. Get involved at work (committees, volunteering). Research continued education that might interest you. Find programs in that area and apply to them. Research new nursing shifts/positions that suit your interests/preferences. Having goals like this really helped me solidify the notion that "this job isn't the end" and if I truly can't stand it after giving it the old college try, then I can just look elsewhere.

I truly believe it takes about 1-2 years to really get your feel for any professional job (not just nursing). Not because that's what everybody around me told me, but because they told me and then I lived it for myself. I absolutely hated bedside nursing (shoot, I still sort of do), but it got so much more mentally manageable as soon as I reached about 15 months and got off night shift. Most importantly for me though was setting a pursuing short and long term goals.

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I work for Medicare QIO as a quality nurse and I liked the job that it doesn't feel like a job to me as I work in front of the computer which I usually do even if I'm not working and I'm making more money than if I was working in a hospital (But I still do work bedside per diem). There are a lot of opportunities outside hospitals. I have friends who are making over 100k annually doing home visits under insurance companies (great benefits and hours too as long as it is under a big insurance company and not the small private ones ) You could work for quality department, appeals and grievance department for insurance companies (requires at least 1-2 years experience typically). You could go to utility review or case management (usually requires BSN with 3 years experience). So yeah just do your 1 year and do your thang!

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Specializes in LTC, Rehab.

I may have missed the exact description of what you got in trouble for, but it sounds like it was what has become all too prevalent in today's world, and not just in nursing: a focus on minute details, and/or following some textbook example or rule TO THE LETTER, even if it doesn't make any difference in the big picture. Where I work we are being overloaded with ridiculous requirements when basically insignificant things happen - that's all I'm going to say on it, but it's absurd. And do I have to say this? There are only so many hours and minutes in each shift. The corp. I work for doesn't seem capable of grasping this basic fact.

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Welcome to nursing! No matter what role you play or area you will always have someone that will be there to complain. It is unavoidable.Even if you are in management the staff will complain about you to your supervisor. The patients' family can complain also, it is part of healthcare . Nursing assistants are just as serious about their work as we are. Sometimes nurses talk down to them, and make them feel insignificant because they are not nurses. It is better to try to get along as a team in the long term. Always think, what part did I play in this. Good luck , in finding the field of nursing you like. Med surg is just a starting point, but it is a step no nurse should ever skip.

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Specializes in LTC, Rehab.

One more comment - you probably don't actually hate bedside nursing; it's probably the overbearing management that you hate. I kind of try to separate those in my mind. Yes, I have problematic residents, but I also have ones that are mostly great to deal with.

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I too am DONE with bedside nursing. I have been an R.N. for 11 years. I had some good times, some bad times. That's normal. When the thought of going to wok makes you want to cry, it's time for a change. I am back in school to work behind the scenes in HIM. Very excited. However, if I were you I would remember the first year sucks for everyone. I promise the second year gets better. I would advise to finish 1 year at current job then before giving notice find a new hospital or situation then give 2 weeks notice. Then try to stick it out 1 more year to see if you are really unhappy or the first job was just a bad fit. I wish you success.

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Specializes in FNP- BC, Med-Tele, PCU, Home Health Case Manager.

I just finished my 1 year in the hospital on an extremely toxic M/S/PCU floor and I still hate it. I've gained a lot of experience and skills that I understand is crucial to your foundation of nursing skills...but I can't do it anymore. Thought about switching specialties first in the hospital but the only way it seems to do that is do another residency and the thought of being trapped in another contract is miserable to me...and I'm ready to try something outside of the hospital.

Was just offered a job in HH which I have been interested in for quite some time, so scared but looking forward to the change, plus even though there will be some days I work more than 8 hours because I had to come home and chart, at least I can do it in my sweats with my baby sleeping at my side.

I've been on medical leave the past 2 weeks for emergency appendectomy... And going back this week...so scared to give my 2 weeks notice but its also bittersweet!

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I will never understand the games and the politics and the harsh people in nursing and this really irks me everytime I read about it. How is it that people go into health care, a field where CARE is a priority and the mantra for the job, and are rude, playing games, bullies, etc. Why do so many nurses make such an effort to make other peoples' lives hell? It bothers the heck out of me. I am starting nursing school in January because I love the thought of helping others and anything to do with health care and medical things since I was young, but on the side of being excited have had to almost prep myself to deal with these awful people. It really bugs me that this is such an expected thing.

Every workplace has its people, but you would think nurses, or most, might be on the brighter side. I cant even count the number of nurses that were rude while my dad and my father in law were in the hospital and it left my mind boggled.

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Specializes in Cardiac, ER, Pediatrics, Corrections.

I too, dislike bedside nursing. Hence, why I am a correctional nurse :)

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Specializes in Pediatrics.

Hi, I think that everyone here is limiting you... you can still be in the hospital and not have to do most/all of the things that "floor" nurses do. One of our peds med/surg nurses couldn't stand being the middle man between social work and surgery and sedation and home health and on and on and on so she is moving to peri-op. What about day stay, if your hospital has that? It could just be the demands of your unit that you don't like.... transferring within a hospital (if you're willing) is probably easier than finding a job in a different place

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Bedside nursing is not for everyone. Don't let anyone tell you just because you're not a bedside nurse that you're not a real nurse. What other areas are you interested in? I would apply for something else now. I worked bedside for two years and I hated it. I love my new job in public health. My only regret is not starting this job sooner.

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Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
I will never understand the games and the politics and the harsh people in nursing and this really irks me everytime I read about it. How is it that people go into health care, a field where CARE is a priority and the mantra for the job, and are rude, playing games, bullies, etc. Why do so many nurses make such an effort to make other peoples' lives hell? It bothers the heck out of me. I am starting nursing school in January because I love the thought of helping others and anything to do with health care and medical things since I was young, but on the side of being excited have had to almost prep myself to deal with these awful people. It really bugs me that this is such an expected thing.

Every workplace has its people, but you would think nurses, or most, might be on the brighter side. I cant even count the number of nurses that were rude while my dad and my father in law were in the hospital and it left my mind boggled.

Since you are just starting school and haven't been a nurse yet, you really have no idea about games, politics or harsh people in nursing. I assure you, they're not as prevalent as allnurses posters would have you believe, but if you go looking for them, you'll find them. Why not go looking for nice people and supportive co-workers instead?

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