I hate being a nurse

ruby_jane, BSN, RN · Nov 29, 2017

So, the good news here is that you've hit the six-month mark. So perhaps you can move into another unit? Or find a day shift? Not to minimize your anxiety -- you described my first year in the ICU to a T -- your night shift is not helping. Patient load may be lighter but I found that my jacked-up circadian rhythm worsened the anxiety I felt.

Look, inpatient work is not for everyone. If you can stick it out for a whole year you'll be in a much better place career-wise. If you can't....consider home health, school nursing, community nursing or anything else where you're a little more in control of your schedule.

Best of luck. It's unfortunately normal to feel anxious the first couple of years in this profession. Hang in there.

meanmaryjean, DNP, RN · Nov 29, 2017

I would also advise you to 'leave work at work'. And by that I mean, when you get in your car to go home, say- out loud- "I am leaving work here. I am now going home and am not going to entertain thoughts of work until I walk through the hospital doors again". Repeat as often as necessary. It really does help.

HannahMarine30 · Dec 11, 2017

I can relate somewhat as I am a cardiac ICU nurse and only been on the unit 6 months. Grad in May of this year. Their are nights I get chest pain from the stress, the fear of mistakes I may make...the only advice I can offer is trust your instincts and ask for help if you feel in over your head. They won't give you a medal for being brave and you'll be too scared to make any decision. Learn to balance trusting the skills you've learned with a healthy dose of humility and try not to kill anyone. That may sound funny but if you go in with the intention of doing a good job, slowing down to think, and asking for help when you need it, chances are you will become more confident as you become a safer nurse. I've made mistakes since I started but you learn from them and move on. I believe I'm God so in terms of trusting Him, I think that really helps me keep everything in perspective. I am a Christian first, everything else is secondary. Keep your head up, nursing is an awesome responsibility.

edilleyrn · Dec 11, 2017

I've been a nurse for 2.5 years. I did medical surgical for six months and then got hired into a pediatric ICU. Both were stressful, but for different reasons. I felt more like a nurse in the pediatric ICU. But either way, if you aren't in love with your job, then anything stressful is going to be miserable. I am actually doing pediatric home health now. I only take care of one patient, and it's the same patient every day (usually). Way better, honestly. I wouldn't stick it out in the hospital unless you are desiring a MSN or DNP. Even then, you may not even need hospital experience for certain degree programs. You can try home health as I do. Or you can try working with an insurance company. You can try hospice care. School nursing. I'd say a lot of these are less stressful. Hospital work is both physically and mentally stressful on your body, especially if you're working the night shift. Like i said. Only six months of experience before I got a new job. Try it out!

Kmc12 · Dec 11, 2017

I'm very interested in school nursing. I feel like mentally that would be a better option for me. I'm about to hit my 6 month mark, but I don't feel like I have enough experience to try and switch to something so different than what I'm doing. But this job has been very mentally draining on me! I want to love it, but I'm really struggling to

Accolay · Dec 11, 2017

Have you been practicing self care?

Just kidding.

It's hard to give advice to someone about their situation not knowing all the variables. Let's deal with the problem. Aparently the residency program went ok and you weren't anxious until closer to the end of orientation. What's the change? You're the boss now. Holy crap! What exactly is causing the anxiety? Is it talking with patients? Is it fear of making a mistake? Is it because you don't know the answer to every question you, the patients, their families, the doctors ask? Are you worried someone is going to die on you? Is it too many tasks? Perhaps a combiation of all of the above and more?

My only advice is to remember that this is only a job and that you are in control, difficult since your anxiety wont let you feel that way.

The grass is always greener... why would school nursing not cause you anxiety?

Either way, you're not the first nurse who has decided it isn't working out.

What doesn't kill you makes you stronger? Good luck.

hnwarden · Dec 13, 2017

I'm a new grad too and I feel the exact same. Wish there were more options for nurses with no experience other than bedside...

Ambersmom, BSN, RN · Dec 13, 2017

Kmc12 said:
You took the words right out of my mouth. This is exactly how I feel, only this is my first nursing job. I can't imagine doing this much longer. I cry before work and think about just not showing up at all I feel so miserable sometimes

Have you talked to anyone, like your pcp or a therapist? In their first years of nursing most nurses feel stressed, and at times overwhelmed. From what I read, yours sounds a bit more excessive. I would suggest seeing if you can take a couple of weeks off to break the stress/anxiety cycle and think about your options. Stress is hugely detrimental to the ability to critically think, not only for your patients but for yourself and it can literally blind you in the sense you may not see the forest for the trees. Good Luck

SadRN77 · Dec 20, 2017

I have tried nursing in so many different places and fields. I hate it all over. I am desperate to get out. I am in grad school for Management. Hoping to get out. People think before you do this. Disregard for you, expectation you will drive through a 10 in blizzard to get there (got into a car accident because I was intimidated to come in during bad weather), missing holidays and weekends with your family, pay that is not phenomenal, mean doctors, mean fellow nurses, understaffed. You name it I am ready to crack. I told my husband I am letting my license go at the next renewal. I will live in poverty rather than continue with this madness. Trust I have done this 10 miserable years. Several different states I have worked it is all the same. Think and investigate before you do this. Cause now no one want to hire me for anything else, and I am just burned out and miserable.

SadRN77 · Dec 20, 2017

Hard to do when you have anxiety. I am at work when I am not there. I have to get out and I see very few options except just stop working.

heks · Dec 21, 2017

I completely understand where you stand. I have been a nurse for 5 years and I'm done with it. I struggle with enjoying work. I cry often, I have gotten to the point of wanting to get in my car and never come back. I'm constantly stressed, just thinking about going to work makes me extremely anxious and even angry at times. I wish my husband made enough money to support the household while I get my life sorted. I want to go back to school, but can't afford it. I think about quitting every day. I keep searching for transfers to another unit or another job or any other position. This is my second job, I have always been an ER nurse. I'm burnt out to the point of hating nursing in general. I can have a good shift and still be completely drained. I have tried just about anything to motivate myself, but can't shake this feeling of dread just thinking of going to work. I hate the staff, the demigod doctors, the manager...just everyone that I have to deal with every shift. I'm so done and I'm counting the days to finish my contract next September so I can do something else with my life. I have been sick for months, and between panic attacks, anxiety and physical pain, I just don't think I can endure this much longer. Im a certified vet assistant but that doesn't pay the bills so not even an option at this point. I wish I could just go into an office job, more like a consultant or an easier 8 hr shift job. Just need to stop feeling like I'm drowning.

I wish you the best of luck. Its not easy feeling like you are throwing your education away. As I'm planning to do with my life, I would recommend you a change of setting and/or career. Its the best thing you can do for yourself.

Wvurn15 · Dec 22, 2017

I am 2.5 years in and still feel the complete dread and nerves before every shift. I work in an ICU at a teaching hospital so you can imagine I also get some pretty sick patients. I still sometimes cry before work dreading it, I lay in bed and Google threads like these to make me feel better. Nurses truly are the punching bags for EVERY LITTLE THING. I love learning about the body and what I learn at work, but I absolutely hate a large amount of the hands on, the nerves of being expected to know what to do in certain critical situations that I've never dealt with, and most of all dealing with difficult people. I'm also extremely uncomfortable being only 2.5 years in and being surrounded by all new grads on night shift and being one of the most senior. It's terrifying when I am still trying to learn myself. I sometimes still feel stupid even though I graduated my BSN with a 4.0...I am about to be PRN as I am starting FNP school, which I am hoping will be much better suited for me not being at the bedside, where too often I'm being a waitress, wiping poop that has soaked the whole bed, missing Christmas with my family, or thumping on chests of 80 year old full codes with ESRD, CHF, COPD, etc etc.....I have my fingers crossed that this will make me happier. I don't even know if I can last doing just PRN for these two years but I feel stuck.....you are not alone though and I hope you find a path better suited for you also!!