I hate my job :(

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Specializes in ICU, OR, Med-surg, Cardiac, ED.

I've been working at a rehabilitation hospital for almost a year now. I absolutely hate it. I have for most of the time I've been here. I don't know if bedside nursing isn't my thing or if it's the patient load (usually 8) or if it's just the company I work for. I have, on several occasions, felt like I made a mistake going into nursing period. I've expressed my concerns to my coworkers and they have told me that I just need to find somewhere else that makes me happy. That I'm only feeling this way because of this place and this specialty. I have no idea what specialty I want to switch to, though. I tried psych for a couple of months and didn't like it. I've done home health for a little while but it doesn't pay well. I've been looking on indeed for some ideas and almost everything on there in my area is home health. Someone... Please help me :(

P. S. I'm a fairly new nurse so I don't have enough experience to apply for many of the interesting positions I see available. Plus I only have an ADN. So that definitely doesn't work in my favor either. I'm trying to get things in order to go back to school sometime soon.

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What have you liked and disliked about the jobs you've had so far?

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Specializes in ICU, OR, Med-surg, Cardiac, ED.
What have you liked and disliked about the jobs you've had so far?

I like my current job on the days I only have 6 patients haha but I don't like the management and the way they do certain things. But I guess that comes with every job, right? I didn't like psych because it was too... Too much drama. Also, they put me on the adolescent unit a lot and I don't particularly like working with children/teens. I like home health but the company I worked for didn't pay well and I paid more in gas than I did on my bills.

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Specializes in Case manager, float pool, and more.

Sounds like you need a change. and holy smokes, 8 pts! Where I am we have a 4:1 ratio on days and 5-6:1 on nights. Except on ICU,ER and Psych units. No wonder you are feeling that way. Sounds like you've had a few bad experiences but there are good places out there.

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Specializes in ICU, OR, Med-surg, Cardiac, ED.

Do you also work rehab or are you on med-surg? I swear it's what's burning me out. I've only had my license for 15 months and I'm already reconsidering my career :(

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I would start looking into other positions with a lower nurse to patient ratio. I certainly wouldn't go back for a BSN if I was thinking I hated nursing in general and not my current job specifically.

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Specializes in Case manager, float pool, and more.

I work float pool. But those pt ratios are a bit high IMO. If you are able to take a few days off to think about your goals, that might be of help to weigh the benefits vs burdens for you and your goals/situation.

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I have an ASN. I make 6 figures working from home. You are on the right path, searching on the job boards, but you need to think outside the box/ hospital. Consider working for a temp agency. That how I got my foot in the door for case management.

Best of luck, it's a jungle out there.

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Specializes in ICU/community health/school nursing.

Eight patients... OY.

It may not be that nursing isn't for you. It may just be that acute (or stepdown) nursing isn't for you. I hated the ICU - my preceptor used to say "The ICU's not for everyone." I really disliked her but she was right - I loved public health and school nursing, where I am not medicating 40 years of bad health choices, or lifting patients. The good news is that you have 15 months of experience. Does your local hospital system have outpatient clinics or urgent care type setting? Good luck!

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Specializes in ICU, OR, Med-surg, Cardiac, ED.

Honestly I think it's just my current position. It drains me and makes me rethink my whole life when I go home after every tough day (which is 99% of them). I've been wanting to go back to school but just haven't had the money for tuition because my husband lost his job and finances have been tight.

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Specializes in ICU, OR, Med-surg, Cardiac, ED.

I considered float pool and prn but I need health benefits and most that I've looked into don't offer them.

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Specializes in ICU, OR, Med-surg, Cardiac, ED.

I've definitely considered case management but all the positions I've seen were for more experienced nurses 3+ years

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