I did it, I QUIT

I posted recently that the squeeze is on again. It is like the early '90s all over again with hospitals trying to balance their budgets off the backs of nurses. Well the same thing is going to happen that happened the last time. A thunderous exit out of nursing. The job market is improving just a bit and it will improve a lot more in the next year. If you are unhappy and you work in a place that does not care if you are happy or not it is time to make your move.

Turned in my 2 week notice a couple of days ago - don't have a new job yet so it is a little scary. But I have just had it with hospital nursing! (At least this hospital). 3 and sometimes 4 patient assignments in the ICU are becoming the rule rather than the exception and they won't use agency nurses anymore - so we just run short. (And run, and run, and run...)

Benefits have been cut, twice this year. First retiree medical benefits were taken away, then health insurance was changed and the rates shot up. And the raise structure for RN's was changed - if you get any negative comment on your review you don't get a raise. Needless to say morale is at an all time low. It stinks because the staff I work with are really great people and I will miss them - but I just won't take it anymore!

hey, have you though about travel nursing assignments in your local region where you live--it seems the pay and benefits are great/not agency--travel assignments. best/hty/

Woot!

Good for you!

Congratulations!!! I thought I had an interview last week for another job, and the relief I felt really made me realize how mauch I hate where I work. Everything is for the almighty dollar, etc, etc. Job fell through (they advertised one they didn't have) but that sense of relief has made look even harder now. Good luck - you'll find what you need....

Thanks y'all - I'll check into local travel assignments - good idea. One thing for sure - I am definitely taking my time to find a good fit.

Good for you pretzlgl, I'm sure lots of nurses feel the same way you do and would quit their stressful, understaffed jobs in a second if they could. I've heard a lot of nurses I work with who've been there for 20-30 years say they have too much time invested, would lose their seniority, etc. if they left. I hope you find the job that is right for you

There comes a time when we all must decide what we will tolerate and what we can't tolerate. You did what was necessary for your well-being. Good luck on the job hunt. It may seem like it will take forever but I better job will come along.

Good for you. Wish I could right now this minute.

One of my places now said we must lease our uniforms at a cost of $26 a year and all the uniforms bought from them must be returned or a $52 charge on payroll. The uniforms I BOUGHT since I've been there because heaven forbid you wear the wrong color scrub on the wrong unit. We must all be color coded. I feel its theft but others are going along with it. I may be out the door soon with policies

like these going into effect.

Anyone else getting policies like that?

Good luck!

Good for you for voting with your feet!! Hope you find a 'good fit' soon! I would not stay in an ICU that routinely gave me 3-4 patients either...

OH MY.......! Sounds EXACTLY like the hosp I work at!! And they don't seem to care one bit if staff morale is low and people start to leave. The attitude "don't like it?.....leave". And no they won't get agency to help either. The thing is, alot of us have been here many years and have formed strong bonds with our fellow workers. While alot of us are fed up, many are determined to stay and outlast another useless nursemanager, outlast this latest dictator of an administrator. At the very least... we'll go down kicking and screaming.