I HATE nursing! (any suggestions)

[Nursinghaze]

It's nice to find someone else out there that feels the same way. I've hated nursing since before I graduated college. I've been a nurse for 2 years and have hated every job I've had (5 different jobs including ER, MED/SURG,PREOP/PACU,OFFICE NURSING, AND ORTHO. Hated every single one of them. And I've come to the conclusion that it's not the job but the career. It's gotten to the point that I dread going to bed at night knowing I have to get up in the morning and go to work. I've quickly gone from being sympathetic and compassionate to finding it hard to muster up even a remote piece of compassion when doing anything. It's not to say that I don't do my job. I do my job to my full potential but it's terrible to have that kind of attitude while doing it. Perhaps it's different elsewhere, but where I've worked, a majority of the patients have been demanding and completely unreasonable. And in the long lasting reputation of doctors, they continue to be disrespectful and condescending. Not to mention I get paid peanuts for doing what most people wouldn't. I'm desperately looking for a way out but feel my bachelor's degree and schooling will have gone to waste. I've tossed around the idea of going to grad school for an MSN but I continually tell myself, "What's the point? If you hate nursing so much, why get a master's degree in it?" Not really sure what else to do though? This career has given me a bad outlook on people and society and has made me into a person that I don't even recognize or like. I've considered teaching, counseling and even pharmaceutical rep (to stay within healthcare) but I'm not sure about the last one as you'll still be dealing with doctors and their God-like attitudes.

When young people come to me and tell me their plans to become a nurse, I'm completely honest with them and tell them how it has been for me. And I don't want to be the reason they question whether or not to go into nursing. Chances are, they'll probably love it and be great at it and I'm contributing to them questioning whether or not they should do it in the first place.

Does anyone have any suggestions? I'm 24 years old and I feel like I'm letting myself and patients down by staying in this career that I despise so much? I'm almost to the point of being fed up with the entire healthcare industry.

[medsurgrnco, BSN, RN]

Why did you originally think you wanted to be a nurse? What is different in your actual nursing work from what you expected? Is there any type of work related to nursing or healthcare that you could see yourself doing that could possibly work out? Before you obtain more education, do some career testing at your local college and investigate potential careers thoroughly so that you don't end up in the same situation again.

[graceomalleyRN, RN]

I agree with the poster who said, "It's okay if nursing isn't for you."

But I *also* agree with those who suggest you ask yourself, "Why did I get into nursing in the first place?" Sometimes the motivation gets lost in the doldrums of working in the wrong area.

Frankly, as a nursing student as of this fall, if I HAD to work in the 5 areas you have worked in, I would've stayed in the Literature program. Because those areas do not sound like my cup of tea, either!

There really could be another area of nursing that you'd enjoy. Or elsewhere in the medical field. Or in a completely different direction altogether!

You're still incredibly young and intelligent! The world is your oyster. Figure out where you want to go and then don't let anyone talk you out of getting there. You can always change your mind, you know.

My very best wishes,

Michelle

[RN1989]

You already have a bachelor's which means that you can pretty much get a master's in anything that you want. Or you could even use your bachelor's to transition into another bachelor's in a different area.

Get out now before your physical and mental health is more adversely affected. Contrary to some popular beliefs - leaving nursing is not failure or a cop-out. It is called self-preservation. No one should try to force themselves to do a job that they dislike since everyone who works spends more time at work than at home.

[hisblueskies]

I can understand where you are coming from. Nursing was a second career choice for me and I underestimated the hard reality of what it involves. I too have had several jobs in the 3 years since I got my BSN. I am planning on going for a Masters in education. I would love to become involved in patient teaching or running the education program for new nurses in a hospital - I definitely want to get out of direct patient care. I give you credit for trying nursing and even more credit for realizing what you are doing is not right for you. Don't give up yet - there are many options out there and I'm sure you will find the right one for yourself.

[hpcat]

Thank you for being honest - I think there's a lot of folks in nursing who can't admit to themselves that they hate it. I'm a nursing student, and I've had enough clinicals to recognize when a nurse needs to find new career - they're miserable with their work, their patients, their coworkers and themselves.

Education is never a waste. Do some research, I'm sure you can find a career that utilizes your medical background without the traditional patient contact or clinical work. Nursing informatics is hot right now, if you like computers. Insurance companies, law firms, medical supply companies, pharmaceutical companies... if you need to, look for a career counselor to help you make the transition.

I originally wanted to be a social worker, I have a BA is social sciences, and I realized when I finished that many of the people I wanted to help didn't want to make changes in their lives, many of my fellow social workers had personal issues that brought them to the field and made it difficult for them to be professional, and it was hard to find a job that paid enough for me to support myself. Fortunately, nursing seems to cross over into the social work field on many levels, so it's bringing me the satisfaction I was looking for with more variety, more money and more opportunities.

[Quickbeam, BSN, RN]

I applaud the OP's honesty, too. I have an aunt who is a nurse and she told me before I went to school that she hated every single minute that she worked as a nurse. She's 70 now but married the first guy who had enough money that she could quit nursing and stay home. When he died she went back just long enough to get a pension and quit. Her life was one big bowl of bitterness about nursing.

A couple years ago I flew her out to where I work and had her shadow me..I'm a community health nurse. She loved it. She hadn't even known jobs like this exist. She actually went home and got a part time job in public health. She's like a new person.

I'm throwing this out there because there may be some kinds of nursing that you find enjoyable. Otherwise, you certainly can get a MA/MS in another field. Best wishes to you.

[rn4ever?]

Life is too short to be unhappy and miserable. If you can afford it financially, try to do other stuff that you truly like. Good luck!

[nasma]

it is never too late!!!! it is good that you realized that you hate nursing and you can not continue:yeah:. i think now you should think of the alternatives that you have. what do you like? where you see yourself in the coming few years? what is your aim in the life? based on those questions you can redirect your career and become happy. maybe you need to continue your graduate study, choosing a major that you like. anyway i wish you all the luck. Take care.

[HealthyRN]

I was in a similar situation and I know exactly how you feel. I thought I had made a huge mistake before I even graduated from nursing school. I hadn't ever even intended to practice as a bedside nurse. I chose to major in nursing because I wanted to be an FNP. I decided to take a year off to work as an RN and gain some experience. I discovered that I hated it! I went through 4 jobs in 2 years. I became very depressed about the whole situation and it started to affect my entire life.

I considered leaving nursing altogether at several points. I went through extensive career counseling (which I do highly recommend), but I just couldn't bring myself to "give-up" on my nursing career. I felt like I was stuck. I wanted to go back to school for something entirely different, but I couldn't decide what exactly and the programs that I was considering would require taking numerous pre-reqs at the undergraduate level before I could even apply to the graduate program. Money was an issue because I have significant debt from my undergrad. Last year, I did begin an FNP program, because I was certain that I would be happier with that, but I soon realized that I didn't enjoy that either. Finally, I came to accept that I just don't like direct patient care. Once I was able to let go of that and my dream of being an NP, I started to make some progress with my career direction.

There are a lot of options out there that do not involve direct patient care. I now work as a rep for a home health agency. This does not require a nursing degree, but a healthcare background is preferred. My quality of life is much better than when I worked as a staff nurse. I work Monday-Friday, flexible hours, some of the work is completed at home, and I received a 36% raise from my hospital pay. Not to mention the benefits! 10 paid holidays, 2 1/2 weeks vacation the first year (taken whenever I please), 18 days of sick/personal time. I am so grateful to have landed this job!

I've also started a master's program that I really enjoy. I feel into by default. I was in the FNP program and I wanted to drop out, but the program was very difficult to get into and I didn't want to have to go through the hassel of applying to grad school yet again. So, I looked at other programs that they offer and I transferred into a health policy master's program. I love it! It's given me a whole new perspective on my nursing degree. Even though I had a rough start in nursing, I still wouldn't do anything different. I believe that my nursing background is going to open many, many doors for me in the future.

Whatever you decide, I hope that you don't view your nursing degree as a waste. Good luck!

[jjjoy, LPN]

Thanks for sharing your story HealthyRN. The details are different, but I relate to your experience. So glad you've found something that works!!

[madwife2002, BSN, RN]

I really feel for you. Nursing is a hard job sometimes with lots odifficult tasks and there is always some sort of dilemma occurring, with either the pts, the staff, the families. I honestly do not know how I would go to work if I didnt actually like the job and feel proud of being a nurse. So to continue for two years is amazing and you should be so proud of yourself.

I wish you well in your future career what ever you chose to do, your nurse training has prepared you well for the future and remember never regret what you have done, only regret the things you have never done!!!

[HmarieD]

You should consider Home Health Care. There is little contact with physicians, and that is only over the phone, no face to face. While you may occasionally get a difficult pt or dirty home, by and large our patients are delighted to see us as we are making their lives easier by coming to their homes. Of course there is job-related stress but the pace is much different than working in a traditional clinical setting. It is also a much more independent environment. The only down side I have found is that it's easy to become close to pts when you see them in their home environment, meet their families and pets, etc, but then is having a genuine human connection really a bad thing? I have worked in Home Health about 8 years and can't imagine doing anything else. I worked in a hospital for 3 years prior to this and hated every minute of it, drove to work praying every day, and home from work crying. Good luck, I hope you find something you like.