I hate nursing..

Nurses New Nurse

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I graduated in December, and have been working on an inpatient oncology unit since. I DREAD going to work each week. The days I do have off, I'm too tired to enjoy. I'm not overwhelmed or any of the typical things you'd assume. I just don't like it!

Is this normal for new nurses? Does it pass? Were most of you in love with nursing from the get-go? Maybe I need a new are of nursing?

I just don't know what to do, I'm already pondering starting up a new degree program.

Specializes in ICU-CCRN, CVICU, SRNA.

I dont think so. I feel the truth in the posters words-IT IS NOT HER ATTITUDE. Nursing is a sandwich career that is always strugllung with its self-image. It is an ill-defined profession with very blurry boundaries. What we are supposed to know and when we are supposed to not understand anything because we are not MD.

Im finishing my sec. bachelor in Biology and then I think Ill say goodbye after 2 years ICU. Didnt mind some aspects of it but overall I feel like I have 4 different jobs in one and I only like one of them.

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I will admit it here; I hate nursing too. And it takes a lot to admit it. I had such high expectations in nursing school. I was so inspired and excited. I worked really hard and graduated at the top of my class. Now, here I am almost 3 years later and I am demoralized and question my decision often.

I have only worked on one floor and I can honestly say I had never run into such mean-spirited people in my life. No, not all. There are some nice people I work with but enough to make life miserable. Nursing is a second career for me and in my first one I never had interpersonal problems with co-workers but here. . . so it makes me think it is not me, but them. I hate giving report to mean people. For example, I worked yesterday, had 5 patients and discharged 3 of them! One of them the order was written at 5;00 and I got them out by 6pm. So I had a full admission at 6;30pm and another one coming. Had 3 diabetics to give insulin and six oclock meds and finishing up. But the nurse I gave report to was mean and ugly because I didn't get enough done to satisfy her on the admission. The money is OK and I should appreciate I am employed but I can't believe this is what I was so excited about initially.

u echo my feelings. Reality world of nursing is terrible. very terrible. i hate it. but i keep telling myself its just the floor. maybe if i transfer to a different floor within the hospital i will like it. and to prove to myself its just the floor, every now and then i would put in to work on other floors and its always different. i just hope its not different because i am not a regular on those floors. the politic behing nursing, management, charge nursing drama plus coworker drama makes me sick!

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Specializes in ICU, MS, Radiology, Long term care.

I appreciate reading the posts from people who are relatively new to nursing and those who have changed careers and have problems with the double standard and unrealistic demands of the job in hospitals.

Do you think there is a disconnect between what is taught in school and what the job really demands? I would suggest that nursing schools are not aware of the true working conditions in hospitals, but the statement itself seems unrealistic. Nursing schools work in cooperation with hospitals. The needs of both are fulfilled by the student nurse. Could it be that nursing schools nurture the ‘care giver and compassionate’ side of students, knowing they will be in for a huge disappointment, but hoping the students fresh attitude will soften some of the older nurses who have been abused for years?

It would be interesting to know how many nurses become inactive vs. new nurses per year. I think the health care system is broken and the way nurses are used is a symptom of a larger corporate culture that places profits before people. Is greed as ubiquitous and accepted as the norm in every level of life? I hope not, but also know I can only control me.

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Specializes in ICU-CCRN, CVICU, SRNA.

I think the nursing school would never tell the truth to the students because they themselves are profit driven. Probably half of the students would sign out if they understood the abuse they are in for. Some suggestions to fix the system. Make BSN entrance degree. Have a clear career ladder and incentives for nurses to further their education. Nursing as it is now could probably stand to be split in two different professions in the hospital. I have MSN nurses with wealth of knowledge working side by side with nurses who have their diploma and they both make the same wage and are treated the same by the hospital. I know I might get backlash for this, but this shows that we as nurses do not value education. If we do not treat our profession with respect and do not take pride in our education, how are other profession to respect us.

example Speech pathologist - entrance-Masters

Physical therapy-entrance Doctoral degree etc.

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Me too. Now, that ive been through the end of the tunnel, the light is not even that better. I've spoken with some of my friends who are teachers, accountants, mechanics, etc.. they all seems to like their jobs and happy. Not frustrated and bitter like some of the RNs i've work in the past. What happened to being a Florence N? Is this behavior change normal? I think someone should do a CASE STUDY on this and find out!!!!! I think nursing schools should be upfront with their students about the working conditions of being a nurse and not just profit driven. I dont think our working conditions is not going to get better anytime soon. Sorry...Especially with the current recession, its just going to get worse ($$$$ talks).

My solution, transfer to a unit that you like best with less backstabbing nurses who eats their young (goodluck on that!). Or go back to school, get your Masters degree (NP, CNS, etc.) equals less dirty work, less patient contact, work regular 8 hour job, lots of RESPECT, have your own office, happy stomach and smiley bladder, and less B*****.

Sorry for being too honest.

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Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
i think the nursing school would never tell the truth to the students because they themselves are profit driven. probably half of the students would sign out if they understood the abuse they are in for. some suggestions to fix the system. make bsn entrance degree. have a clear career ladder and incentives for nurses to further their education. nursing as it is now could probably stand to be split in two different professions in the hospital. i have msn nurses with wealth of knowledge working side by side with nurses who have their diploma and they both make the same wage and are treated the same by the hospital. i know i might get backlash for this, but this shows that we as nurses do not value education. if we do not treat our profession with respect and do not take pride in our education, how are other profession to respect us.

example speech pathologist - entrance-masters

physical therapy-entrance doctoral degree etc.

there are two ways to get nursing knowledge -- education and experience. don't discount the value of experience.

(and i have an mba)

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Specializes in med/surg, hospice.
I will admit it here; I hate nursing too. And it takes a lot to admit it. I had such high expectations in nursing school. I was so inspired and excited. I worked really hard and graduated at the top of my class. Now, here I am almost 3 years later and I am demoralized and question my decision often.

I have only worked on one floor and I can honestly say I had never run into such mean-spirited people in my life. No, not all. There are some nice people I work with but enough to make life miserable. Nursing is a second career for me and in my first one I never had interpersonal problems with co-workers but here. . . so it makes me think it is not me, but them. I hate giving report to mean people. For example, I worked yesterday, had 5 patients and discharged 3 of them! One of them the order was written at 5;00 and I got them out by 6pm. So I had a full admission at 6;30pm and another one coming. Had 3 diabetics to give insulin and six oclock meds and finishing up. But the nurse I gave report to was mean and ugly because I didn't get enough done to satisfy her on the admission. The money is OK and I should appreciate I am employed but I can't believe this is what I was so excited about initially.

I worked at a place like that too. I have always worked in customer service (nursing is a 2nd career for me too) and was never treated badly by coworkers. I still like being a nurse but feel a little jaded now. I'm looking for a new "niche"

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Specializes in ICU-CCRN, CVICU, SRNA.

I agree. experience is important, but it is a part of every profession as well as education. MBA is great as well as the many nurses who obtain their JD's. It might be just my opinion but I think if nursing required higher education we would command more respect and probably have better working conditions. Who knows..

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As a 2nd career nurse 40 years old worked in several business/corporate environments, I have encountered resentment from peers because my nsg school only produces book nurses, so theres strike 1, oops you cant start an IV You'll learn it on the job, lets turn on you and kick your teeth in while you are on the floor, preceptor sends you on your break, oops NP notices that one of my patients has abd pain, get back from my break, I get chewed out by the preceptor for not treating the pt as a heart attack, (grant it vitals were in range) most of the nurses now will not even acknowledge me, at the end of the shift, the clinical instructor debriefs the class, then grills me in front of the class, as the semester progresses its not getting any better, confidence is down, I am asking techs for assistance, techs gang up and tell me "They dont pay us to precept nursing students" big joke. At the end of my practicum the best advice I received was it doesnt matter what you know, all you need to know id to survive in this jungle. Needless to say I really wanted to work within that unit, but after all of that it burst my bubble. So I have my license, I remain inactive, work for medical device companies, do inservices bring pizza, give out ceus, and get treated well 95% of the time. I meet several nurses on the business end who had enough of the abuse and chose to take their career to another level. I do get the irrational urge to pursue the bedside a few times a year but when I read threads like this it reminds me of the bad taste the experience left in my mouth. Now pushing 44, have hbp/ metabolic syndrome and my body does not respond to running with my hair on fire as I was able to do only 3 years ago.

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Specializes in Tele, Cardiac Post Op, ER.
Me too. Now, that ive been through the end of the tunnel, the light is not even that better. I've spoken with some of my friends who are teachers, accountants, mechanics, etc.. they all seems to like their jobs and happy. Not frustrated and bitter like some of the RNs i've work in the past. What happened to being a Florence N? Is this behavior change normal? I think someone should do a CASE STUDY on this and find out!!!!! I think nursing schools should be upfront with their students about the working conditions of being a nurse and not just profit driven. I dont think our working conditions is not going to get better anytime soon. Sorry...Especially with the current recession, its just going to get worse ($$$$ talks).

My solution, transfer to a unit that you like best with less backstabbing nurses who eats their young (goodluck on that!). Or go back to school, get your Masters degree (NP, CNS, etc.) equals less dirty work, less patient contact, work regular 8 hour job, lots of RESPECT, have your own office, happy stomach and smiley bladder, and less B*****.

Sorry for being too honest.

I think comparing the nurses of today to Florence Nightingale is unrealistic. She did not have all the demands that we have today in modern nursing. We wear a lot of hats, the stress gets to much sometimes, we need to vent. That is why we are bitter and frustrated.

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Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
me too. now, that ive been through the end of the tunnel, the light is not even that better. i've spoken with some of my friends who are teachers, accountants, mechanics, etc.. they all seems to like their jobs and happy. not frustrated and bitter like some of the rns i've work in the past. what happened to being a florence n? is this behavior change normal? i think someone should do a case study on this and find out!!!!! i think nursing schools should be upfront with their students about the working conditions of being a nurse and not just profit driven. i dont think our working conditions is not going to get better anytime soon. sorry...especially with the current recession, its just going to get worse ($$$$ talks).

my solution, transfer to a unit that you like best with less backstabbing nurses who eats their young (goodluck on that!). or go back to school, get your masters degree (np, cns, etc.) equals less dirty work, less patient contact, work regular 8 hour job, lots of respect, have your own office, happy stomach and smiley bladder, and less b*****.

sorry for being too honest.

it's obvious that you aren't cut out for bedside nursing. we're all happy that you're in a private office with a happy stomach, smiley bladder, no dirty work and less patient contact. really, that's where you should be. if you're unable to see the rewards of bedside nursing for the pitfalls, you shouldn't be a bedside nurse. as for respect -- i get plenty of respect from those i work with. perhaps you didn't get any as a bedside nurse because you hadn't earned it yet.

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Specializes in ICU, MS, Radiology, Long term care.
it's obvious that you aren't cut out for bedside nursing. we're all happy that you're in a private office with a happy stomach, smiley bladder, no dirty work and less patient contact. really, that's where you should be. if you're unable to see the rewards of bedside nursing for the pitfalls, you shouldn't be a bedside nurse. as for respect -- i get plenty of respect from those i work with. perhaps you didn't get any as a bedside nurse because you hadn't earned it yet.

speaking for myself, i can't know anyone's experience in bedside nursing and i have known nursing units that are exactly as ty described. my experiences are are mine alone and my perspective is influenced by my expectations and values that may not be shared by my co-workers.

this thread is beneficial to those who appreciate the place to ventilate and validate their views. i hope that by sharing these views a consensus can be found that can assist in coping with the way things are and changing nursing to be the compassionate, caring and helpful profession that it should be. but, that is only my opinion.

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