I hate nursing

[Neezy84]

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.

[JWG223]

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.

[lisagiusti]

Definitely time to pursue a new career. Pursuing your Rn will not change anything unless you are able to find a job that doesnt involve taking care of patients

[GA Peach, BS, RN]

I am so sorry that you are miserable. The only one who has control over your life is you. Getting your RN will potentially give you some better job options; however, it sounds like you need to get some counseling for a career change. It will mean a lot of work to make a change but anything worth having is worth the effort. There are many facets of nursing and you may find something still related that you enjoy. I hope you seek out a mentor and or counsel to evaluate where to go from here. I have always loved nursing but it sounds like you only did so because it was expected. You really need to take control and do what you have to to fix your life. No one can do that for you. I have worked in Home Health, pediatric office, summer sports camp, PACU, and Cardiovascular In-Patient. I have been working my current job for 4 years Ambulatory Surgery. Since it is outpatient, patient acuity is low...no weekends, holidays or call. Tuesday through Friday, 10 hour days and great benefits. But you have to be an RN.

[jsteine1]

Neezy so sorry you're feeling trapped and hopeless. I think a person can get in such a bad place that they become paralyzed to make needed changes. I'm a retired RN and was assaulted by a thug patient and that did it for me. If at all possible, pls try to take a very part time job perhaps retail, to get a feel for how you do outside of nursing. As far as pursuing an RN. Doesn't make sense given how you feel. It won't make much of a difference. Facilities will continue to cater to subhuman types to gain high satisfaction ratings. Best of luck to you

[explorereb96, ADN, BSN]

I think I can offer some of my feelings. I was a nurse for 26 years and was fairly happy until my last year. I was sick of the stress etc . As fate would happen i got hurt at work and was on disability for the last 5 years. I make enough on SSDI to keep a decent standard of living with my husband still working etc. But I found myself missing nursing itself terribly. I was a single mom with 2 kids and had to work 2 sometimes 3 jobs to get through before I married my now hubby. Things are very different. Maybe you are just tired of the bedside nursing. Ivery been accepted into lpn-RN program and have 2 semesters to graduate...I have the prerequisites for the BSN so I'm gonna start right after. I'm striving to get a Forensics certification to work with law enforcement and the ME's office. My point is, maybe BEDSIDE nursing isn't for you. But there are parts of nursing you probably haven't thought of that can take you to what I like to call "that place." The niche you belong in. I say if you feel academically that you could go forward, do it with a goal in mind.

[Zakaton]

Get a grip on yourself, dear. Improve the degree, go into teaching. Hospitals are demanding environment, we all feel that. It is always nice to have a break. Rest more often. Treat yourself. Improve personal life. It will get better, you will see.

[Living_my_dream]

OMG! I feel so badly for you. I can't imagine what your life must be like. The obvious question that begs to be asked is..Why don't you leave? You don't owe your family any debt, and it seems like they are wondering the same thing. You are not carrying on a family legacy..you are truly torturing yourself. As a future RN..I've recently been accepted into a nursing program..I am not deterred from my goal. You have to live what you are doing in order to have any quality of life. You've missed out on a husband, children and God knows what else simply because YOU chose to do something you THINK was expected of you. Wow! My best advise would be to end your misery now..do some soul searching and figure out what YOU want to do..then go after it with all your heart..you owe yourself that much.

[Jbgood]

Wow, people in these comments are so rude. If you don't have anything legit to add to the convo than don't answer. Well I hate nursing too and I have been doing it less than a year and worked on a hospital floor and now in a psych facility. I'm an RN and I stopped working on my BSN and don't plan on returning. I'm sorry I wasted all these years going to school to do this, to make less than 40 grand a year to be berated by patients, doctors, and other nurses. It's not worth the stress of making $21 an hour to be verbally assaulted and physically threatened on a daily basis where I work by psych patients. I used to think I wanted to help people, but fact is most of these people don't want help...the borderlines are constantly screaming for attention, the drug seekers are screaming at you cause you can't provide them with their fix, and the violent ones and the ones with severe brain malfunctions scream at you just because. And we're like a rotating door that the same people come back over and over again with more of their bad attitudes like it's my fault they are in this situation. I'm sorry to hear that you were attacked during a home health visit...that's so scary! I can relate to you that I have started to self soothe, not with cigarettes but with alcohol and I was not a drinker prior to this. Unfortunately this will be my life until I can finish a degree in something else...maybe accounting. I'd rather make the same amount of money to sit at a desk all day and crunch numbers than to put up with the muck that is the nursing profession. My advice to you would be to not finish your RN because it doesn't get any better and I've come across very few nurses that actually like what they do.

[SEEllis25]

Your whole life shouldn't be your job. Take some time off, go find yourself. You must love yourself to be happy. I've had stressful jobs [nothing near as bad as this] I understand dreading to go in. Just get away from it. Not from nursing all together but just take the time to figure out what you like and what makes you happy. Some people thrive on drama, who cares. People will be rude no matter where you go. Just ignore them.

[7964]

Life is too short to be miserable. Not only do you feel your own symptoms, Iwould say your patients and co-workers would perceive that you are miserable. You must have the courage to step out and try something else if the shoe doesn't fit.

[terrylynn23]

I understand that you hate your job and I also understand what you mean when you say that nurses never really stop being nurses. However, it doesn't sound to me like you are thinking like a nurse, not really. There is no shame in finding something that you are better suited for if nursing isn't for you. But before you do that, realize that LPNs don't have to do bedside nursing. I have worked with LPNs in clinical research as clinical research assistants and as case managers and as claims monitors. I have worked with LPNs in the role as entry lever appeals processors. The possibilities are endless. I believe the problem that you have created for yourself is that you have limited your choices. Think outside of the box! Look at insurance companies, industries, research companies, private physician practices. Think different. Maybe consult a employment service who can help market your skills. I have been a nurse for a long time and started as a LPN and became a ADN in 1993 and just completed BSN last year and I work in an industry where my salary and future is extremely bright and my experience has opened many other opportunities. Please consider what I have written and don't give up so easily. Nursing is very useful to many industries and we have much to offer. I love being a nurse but I havent loved every minute of my job, but I have never wanted for employment or opportunities.

[kim0000]

You must have at some point in your career at the very least "liked" something about nursing. It sounds like you've lost your focus and passion for life, much less nursing. You are obviously depressed and your depression may have nothing to do with nursing but that depression has now bled into your feelings about nursing. Regardless, it would behoove you to seek therapy counseling. Life is too short to continue on like this especially for 12 years. Maybe go and find something that will stir a spark for life again and possibly your feelings about your career may change. Either way, good luck to you.