I HATE nursing! (long)

julieK · Mar 24, 2005

I'd never thought of this until last night at work- one of the women I work with in the neuro ICU worked for a number of years as a nurse on a cruise ship. Don't know if that appeals to you, or how difficult the positions might be to find, but it would certainly be different than what you're doing now!

I think they require either ER or ICU experience.

Julie

dlchap78 · Mar 24, 2005

I have been a nurse for 7 months and work in ICU. I had many nurses try to steer me away from starting there but I was determined. Since starting I have suffered from anxiety, stress and overall feeling that I can't give good care. I really don't think that it would be beter anywhere else. I feel that 2-3 pts are difficult, let alone 5-6. One of my coworkers explained to me the other day that any kind of nurse can be stressed out no matter where you work. Usually the better nurse you are, r/t pt care and compassion, the more stressed and anxious you are starting out. I am not trying to give advice b/c you have been experiencing this longer than I have. I appreciate that I am not the only one that feels stressed and that there are other nurses that give good advice. So thanks to everyone that replies to these messages. And I hope that you find your way. I am starting new stress management techniques and also getting things in line to go to grad school. :)

julie978 · Mar 24, 2005

Public health: check out the salary first, but epidemiology, health inspector (like with Jahco or thru the health dept for ALF or nursing homes etc), or tattoo parlor inspector. Lots of jobs in the regulation of health care...you help patients, but not working directly with them....

g'luck

Dormkare1 · Mar 24, 2005

Hi Tirednurse, I am feeling the same way. No anxiety just not sure where to go next. Currently in dialysis and am enjoying it to some extent but am constantly looking for something else. Does that say anything? I live in a rural area and is very difficult to "try a new area" of nursing. Am married and husband does not want to relocate. I think this is a mid-life crisis!!

enfermeria · Sep 2, 2005

I currently making about $55,000 a year....I'm willing to take a 10,000 pay cut for any job that does NOT involve patient care. Any suggestions would be GREATLY appreciated!

My mom do "utilization review" in a state in Southeast US (can't tell where for confidentiality purpose). She review medicare/medicaid those kind of stuff that I don't completely understand. She got only 23.5/hr... not too bad...That would make about 40,000 and somethings a year.

It is a office job...8-5 M-F. I know you would make more being staff nurse in hospital

JentheRN05, RN · Sep 2, 2005

Hi - I've read through this long thread. Here's a question I pose to all of you.

Is it safe to practice while taking an anti-anxiety med? Which med do you take? I have suffered from anxiety so severe that not only do I have panic attacks I also have developed an ulcer. I avoid taking anti-anxiety meds at work because I fear that it is wrong somehow. I have a Rx for Xanax. Is there something else that would level me out rather than keep me constantly worried that taking xanax is wrong while caring for patients? Help me out here. My doctor is very open to suggestion, but because of my anxiety levels he's actually told me to quit nursing altogether, and that was before I ever graduated. I love nursing. I just need to have less anxiety in it! HELP!!

leopold · Sep 2, 2005

I've noticed that there are a lot of research jobs out there for RNs. Some through hospitals, others through companies. Might be worth a look.

gr8rnpjt, RN · Sep 2, 2005

Infonurse, you can work in the insurance business with 2 years nursing experience and salary range right now is mid 40's to low 60's depending on experience. Not a bad gig, and its weekends and holidays off, steady daylight, and no one dies.

mydesygn · Sep 2, 2005

I really really really need some nurses' advice. So I've realized something about myself lately...I hate nursing. I think I always knew this in college, but I guess I thought things would get better when I was actually NURSING and making money in return....well its been two years as a nurse and nothing has changed. I think the major problem is my anxiety, I'm just one big ball of anxiety the minute I hit those hospital doors....and its taken a major toll on my mental health. I hate patient care and the bedside...and it has nothing to do with the way my unit is run....its a perfect unit with lots of support....I just can't get away from the fact that I hate taking care of people and just the normal stress of the job!!! I am so desperate to get out of this field, but I feel so trapped, and I'm also saddened about the concept of throwing my 4 year nursing degree away. I've recently decided the best thing to do right now is get my master's degree in Informatics, that way I can take a non-bedside-nursing positon....but this still leaves me with having to work for two or more years as I attend a part-time program. The thought of this scares me! I can't imagine two more years like this! I am really at my wits end, it seems like every idea I have to get out has a problem that I can't get passed. I am willing to take a major pay cut (and barely scrape by paying for rent, etc) and work in a office or telephonic nursing setting, but that leaves me with either 1. working 8-5 M-F, therefore no time to take night classes for informatics or 2. not enough experience to get these telephonic nursing positions! The only thing that is keeping my at my current job is the flexibility that is available for me to attend grad school this fall, and the fact that they will pay a good portion of my schooling....other than that I'm miserable with everything about it! I feel so mentally drained, the anxiety has totally killed me. I show up so early to work, and I'm freaking out the whole time I'm there...I hate this and I'm about to go crazy!!! (if I'm not already there yet!) I'm about to give up my dreams of getting my master's degree and settle for some type of office job that doesn't pay nearly as much as I am making now, but at least I'll have my sanity. I guess I am asking for some suggestions...what type of jobs are out there, I swear I think I've looked everywhere but two years doesn't seem to be enough experience. I currently making about $55,000 a year....I'm willing to take a 10,000 pay cut for any job that does NOT involve patient care. Any suggestions would be GREATLY appreciated!

Have you concsidered school nursing? You will take a big paycut to do it but you have the benefit of non patient care enviroment and you have autonomy and respect for your knowledge in that setting. As far as school goes, consider your options, Therer are Informatics degrees programs that can be done online. Most masters program are designed around working adults consider other programs that have flexible class schedules. I choose to return for a different degree (Bachelor in Information Technology) DeVry offered the degree with Thurs for 4 hours and Sun for 8 hours. Iwas able to get all my courses and still able to work a resonacle schedule. In order to get out of nursing, I put school on hold for a year and worked an 8-5 adminiastrative job - I was able to gain experince in that position that allowed me to land a management job. Consider changing enviroments at the bedside to gain specialized experience (consider peds, nursery or labor and delivery) sure you may hate but having the background will make you valuable.

healer_energy · Sep 3, 2005

I have to say, from my own personal experience: please don't teach. I have had professors in nursing school that came from situations not unlike yours, and they didn't last. The pressure of nursing is at least doubled when you have six to ten unexperienced students working on your license. Possibly theory would be fine, as long as you promise not to run the students off with horror stories =). "

I have to agree with the above. I love to teach and have taught, but when I stopped also working at the bedside, I felt as though I lost my edge that would allow me to keep track of all of them. It is very hard to get a job without having to do the darn clinical piece. I don't think you could teach this in any sort of positive way if you hate the job! :uhoh21: And teaching ain't easy either. The endless prep and then keeping positive in the face of their anxiety which displays itself as criticism, stupidity and missing class. 30 eyes spotting every tiny error on your test, :imbar 30 eyes ripping apart your hours and hours of notes, illustrated formatted, etc. :angryfire Well! I guess I was right to get out when I did !

Sonya

RPNinTO · Sep 3, 2005

I graduated recently and have at times wondered if I could get through some of my experiences. I feel for you.

Could you be doing something managerial in nursing with more administrative duties?

In canada we have something called telehealth nursing, giving advice over the phone only...another job that came to my mind.

Is there any kind of career counseling you could get?

There is a place for you in nursing with your education, I know you will find it!

best wishes

aimeebee · Sep 4, 2005

Hi, sorry to hear about your troubles...I too hated bedside nursing and went through a bout of depression and anxiety. I ended up going to a psychiatrist and getting on meds, but I also changed positions. I went to work in the OR, and I LOVE it! There is still stress there but I find it's easier when you don't have to talk to the patients other than making sure you have the right person, doing the right procedure, etc. Just keep in mind there are plenty of options for nurses other than bedside nursing! Good luck and I will keep you in my prayers.

I have worked in the icu setting since i graduated, and at times i feel tired and hate it - i'm considering going to the or and need input. i noticed how you made a career change to the or and said you loved it. please tell me about the or. have to make a decision and do not want to regret it hope to hear from you soon. thanks.