I hate nursing

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I may get yelled at or get the usual "find another profession" comments. But I have to say it.. are there any LPN's who love their job? I have been a LPN for 12 yrs and i have hated every moment of it. I noticed that Im subjected to nursing homes, abuse clinics peds and home health. I moved from up north only to relocated to florida and get paid far less for a job that is worse. Never wanted to be a nurse it was a family trait. All the women in my family are nurses. I have no life no husband no kids and i spend almost every day at a place i hate. I have been working on my RN and at this point I dont feel like its worth it. I have tried hospitals and I have tried other avenues. I left the profession only to return and realize you can leave the job but you will NEVER stop being a nurse. So Im not sure what to do is my RN worth it or will I be just as miserable? I was never a smoker I find my self smoking and unable to sleep. I cry before work every day and get a upset stomach before my shift. and this is at every nursing job i held. Im sorry if this sounds negative or sad or just complaining. i know the senior nurses are gonna read me my rights. But I need to know if anyone feels the same way?

Additional info: I was recently attacked by a patients husband during a home healthcare assignment. I have anxiety PTSD and really just dont like or trust people any more nursing has been nothing but sad experiences for me. My friends and family im sure are tired of my complaints and most people say " just leave" they will never understand....you dont just leave nursing its in you.

Since you are suffering from PTSD, why don't you talk to psychologist? It could be beneficial.

I see a psychiatrist twice a week...I I'm learning about body buffers and how nurses allow people to invade their space without even knowing it!

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You can "just leave". If you see nursing as an abusive type of situation then maybe you should look at ways to get out and make a new life for yourself. Almost like how an abused wife leaves a husband (and vice versa).

In this day and age, most of us agree that as adults we need to take ownership over our feelings and destinies. Do you agree?

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You can "just leave". If you see nursing as an abusive type of situation then maybe you should look at ways to get out and make a new life for yourself. Almost like how an abused wife leaves a husband (and vice versa).

In this day and age, most of us agree that as adults we need to take ownership over our feelings and destinies. Do you agree?

Just leave? If you get a chance to read the past post I stated that I take care of my parents and I have been a nurse for 12 yrs I have been a nurse since I was 20 yrs old ( there i dated myself ) with the recent economy I KNOW I have a Career that most people are fighting for struggling through school to have...I know what I have I can get a job anywhere. But to pick up and find a new career at this stage in my life has been difficult especially since I don't really know what to major in. Something I will just as easily be able to find a job once I graduate

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Specializes in VA, Ortho, Med/Surg.
Neezy I feel compelled to respond. My advice is to get out of nursing, take baby steps and find something you love and figure out how to make it a reality. I've been a nurse twice as long as you and I can relate to your struggle. In all honesty, I wish I hadn't made the decision to become a nurse. Don't get me wrong, some parts of my career have been extremely fulfilling, but yes I regretted becoming a nurse almost from the very start. I do my job very well, but I am as burnt out as a crispy critter. This profession has chewed me up and spit me out too many times to count. Sometimes I look at the 'business people' and the 'bean counters' and become jealous. Although I feel honored to take care of my patients, I look at the 'other side' and wish I didn't have the overwhelming stress of people's lives in my hands and that my job didn't feel so...I don't know the word for it. But I am encumbered, I have so many loved ones that are counting on my paycheck and insurance, I can't leave nursing. I don't think I'll ever be able to leave at this stage in my life and I'll be in this profession until I die or retire (whichever comes first). So again my advise is to get out now, before you marry and before you have children that depend solely on you. Although I feel privileged to have met and cared for so many lovely people and that I have had so many unique experiences, I do wish to work without the particular stress, pressure, and BS that comes with the nursing profession.[/quote']

I think it's actually very sad that nurses have to be brought to such anguish and despair for trying to do good in the world. It's pretty obvious why nurses end up hating nursing. Doesn't it USUALLY come down to understaffing? Who complains when they have 5 patients total in LTC? I hear you all thinking, "WTH? WHO EVER GETS 5 PATIENTS IN LTC?" And your RIGHT ON. That's my point. Even if we had 10 patients total in SNF it's better than 30. Maybe nursing homes should be smaller? Maybe 30 patients TOTAL? There are plenty of nurses to go around to fill many more nursing homes. Employers care more about making money in this world than giving GOOD customer service. Our seniors and vets deserve the BEST OF CARE and as nurses, we can't give it. We are forced to quit and complain because it's not that we don't like what we DO at our nursing jobs, it's the consensuses that we are OVERWORKED and UNDERPAID. It's always the same complaints. So what can we do about this? Nursing Homes or SNF are like cattle houses and everyone knows the residents are NOT given the care they need because we have to RUSH RUSH RUSH to get our jobs done. That says we don't really care about old people and vets. Well WE do, but ELSE doesn't. These are our grandmas and grandpas who are sitting in wet diapers at the end of the hall without a sweater on, shivering because no one has the time to toilet them. IT'S NOT OUR FAULT!! Whoever gets elected Nov. 8th needs to hear from NURSES AROUND THE GLOBE and make our complaints heard. Football players and musicians get to do what they LOVE for UNREAL amts of money. How come we can't? Something is wrong and it needs to change. But how?

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I think it's actually very sad that nurses have to...

Omg...you just...omg i could just clap all day for what you just said..Jesus thank you! Agreed times 1000

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I think it's actually very sad that nurses have to be brought to such anguish and despair for trying to do good in the world. It's pretty obvious why nurses end up hating nursing. Doesn't it USUALLY come down to understaffing? Who complains when they have 5 patients total in LTC? I hear you all thinking, "WTH? WHO EVER GETS 5 PATIENTS IN LTC?" And your RIGHT ON. That's my point. Even if we had 10 patients total in SNF it's better than 30. Maybe nursing homes should be smaller? Maybe 30 patients TOTAL? There are plenty of nurses to go around to fill many more nursing homes. Employers care more about making money in this world than giving GOOD customer service. Our seniors and vets deserve the BEST OF CARE and as nurses, we can't give it. We are forced to quit and complain because it's not that we don't like what we DO at our nursing jobs, it's the consensuses that we are OVERWORKED and UNDERPAID. It's always the same complaints. So what can we do about this? Nursing Homes or SNF are like cattle houses and everyone knows the residents are NOT given the care they need because we have to RUSH RUSH RUSH to get our jobs done. That says we don't really care about old people and vets. Well WE do, but ELSE doesn't. These are our grandmas and grandpas who are sitting in wet diapers at the end of the hall without a sweater on, shivering because no one has the time to toilet them. IT'S NOT OUR FAULT!! Whoever gets elected Nov. 8th needs to hear from NURSES AROUND THE GLOBE and make our complaints heard. Football players and musicians get to do what they LOVE for UNREAL amts of money. How come we can't? Something is wrong and it needs to change. But how?

Awesome feedback! I don't have words holy toledo

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HI Neezy I want to ask first how old are you? You do not have to answer but maybe you have time to change and do something else. I would also recommend that you finish your RN. This will open up more options for you where you do not have to necessarily work bedside or strictly patient care. There are many options such as nursing informatics, pharmaceuticals, and insurance is another that moves away from direct patient care. I know some nurses in insurance actually work straight from home. Nursing is a rough profession, and not only do the patients and family members chew you up and spit you out but your own colleagues can as well. I myself happen to love nursing and the profession, but there are many things I would change about it if I could. I would also suggest you try speaking with a counselor especially if you were attacked. That is a hard thing to deal with especially if you are already feeling down and depressed do to a career choice. Good luck to you and I hope you find some peace.

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You asked for a valid answer...

I LOVE my nursing job. I do home health care and it is rewarding and financially sound. I had wanted to be a nurse from childhood. It took me decades to become an LPN at the age of 47. I'm now working on my RN.

You obviously went into nursing for the wrong reason. However, if patient care isn't your thing, there are many other positions available to you. Try working in the office of a home health company. They need clinicians to schedule visits, order supplies and answer patients calls. Try insurance companies, they use nurses for a variety of reasons. Get your RN and and even more opportunities open up.

But please, leave direct patient care. It's obviously not for you. Good Luck!!!

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Continue with your RN there are other options when you do that. You can do research or a job that you don't have patient care and still be a nurse. Also you should see a therapist who you can talk to- they will help you find ways to cope so you don't suffer before and during work. Finally when your not working do something you love! Find a hobby, get a pet- do something that makes you happy so you can look forward to your off days! Nursing takes a lot of energy and emotion to do but if you leave work at work it'll take less of a toll on your well being.

You can make it through this!

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Specializes in Emergency.

I get it, and I can relate. I also was an LVN and was very disappointed that I ended up there.... but the problem for me is that I'd wanted to be a nurse since I was 5 years old! I was also attacked (but not harmed) by a home health patient that was doing drugs.... I went back for my RN anyway because being a nurse is all I know. I can't imagine doing anything else. But how did I have such conflicting feelings?! I actually got some counseling and went back to school .... over all best decision I've made. Eventually I fell into an RN case management role and it's much better and I wouldn't change a thing.

You can do this- but only if you determine you want to! Our attitude is a choice regardless of the circumstances. That has become my mantra. Everyday is not sunshine and rainbows, but I choose to be happy.

Beat wishes and I promise you aren't alone.

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I was a teacher for 23 years before I changed to pursue a nursing career. If it's not for you it's not for you. If you're not happy go find your passion. As a nurse I'm sure you recognize life can be here today and gone in an hour. There's no sense in spending a moment unhappy. Find a therapist. Search your soul. Chase your passion.

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It's a job. It's not "in you". Something else is in you that is causing you to continue to do something that you view is self-destructive. Either quite, or adapt. It's not like there are not other jobs available that will meet the same financial needs that being an LPN will.

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