I quit my job and am seriously considering quitting nursing

funmom · Nov 25, 2008

Try to hang in there so you can get the most out of your degree. Not all places are like this. My first nursing job was a hellish experience. Did i like my job? Yes. Did I like all of my coworkers? No. Many of them were nasty, horrible, and malicious. I gained weight and dreaded going to work. I just kept looking until I finally found a place that was okay and tolerable. It took me a while, but I recently found it. Your health is more important than money. Do what you feel is right for you, even if it means leaving nursing. Though, I would look around at some other nursing specialties first. There are a few places that don't put up with this kind of horizontal violence. You could always advance your education to increase your opportunities too. You have my sympathy.

BethT · Nov 25, 2008

I am a pre-nursing student. I deal with the kind of stuff that you are talking about in my current job (property mgmt). It's not what you do, it's who you do it with. I completely understand your "explosion" I have had a few of those my own.

Go find another place to work as the GREAT NURSE that you are, and you will find other great nurses. You can be happy somewhere else, especially if nursing is what you love. Don't let those "cows" end your career!

Keep your head up!

sissiesmama, ASN, RN · Nov 26, 2008

Please see my post in Nurses eat their young.
I became a nurse because I am compassionate, bright (honour roll student), and would like to do nothing more than help people achieve good health, and get better. All that I've gotten from nursing is a decline in my own health and self esteem!!
It's true they do eat their young. And if they get proven wrong, because another nurse, or nurses stand up and say, that this particular nurse you are hazing is actually doing really well, they will resort to lying, and even threatening.
I was told I would deserve to be hit by a patient even though I was trying to de esculate as another nurse watched with a smirk on her face.
Why should I subject myself to this when I can do less stressful jobs for just a few bucks less, or do a job that pays more, but at least my health and self esteem are not targetted? Why? I did it because I LOVED my JOB, I loved working with my paatients and I worked DAMN HARD in nursing school and paid so much money to become one.
I draw the line here. Another nurse that will become INACTIVE because there are so many jobs out there that might be hard, but at least you don't get eaten, and lied about and manipulated on a daily basis. You know I can transfer my credits and get an accounting degree and make MORE MONEY. I can become an Architect and make more. I can work as a secretary and make only $7-8 buxz less than what I make with less stress (I've been a secretary before). I can get a goverment job and make wicked money with great benefits. What the hell am I still doing here? Because I love my job and patients? Yes but it's not worth my health and self esteem.
For those of you eating .. you are FAT COWS who will get waht you deserve.
For those of you who put up with it .. my condolences, there are opotions.
For those of you who think I'm CRAZY .. you are crazy for working in a place that promotes this ********, just becaause it didn't happen to you, I'm sure you saw it happen to someoen else who didn't deserve it!!
Am I mad .. HELL YEAH !! The nursing profession just lost an amazing nurse today. If most of the staff can admit to me doing a fine job, and I have to put up with 3 people (less than 95%) of the staff make up lies about me and get away with it, then nursing doesn't deserve good nurses like ME!! I am ready to stand up and take waht I deserve, which is to be treated like a civilized person, and not some dumbass freak that can be mocked at, belittled, ohhhhh and hit at :).

Sandlewood - Hello - Believe me, I feel your pain! I have been a nurse since 1991, and when I enrolled in nursing school I did truly believe I was compassionate and caring. I guess I saw things through rose colored glasses. Now, after being hit, pinched, spit on, harrassed, ect, I wonder "What in the world was I thinking??"

Now after I finally hung up my stethescope and sold that and my uniforms on ebay. Of course, I did not have the sense to leave the field until after I started having a lot of cardiac and BP problems.

I hate to sound like nursing is a horrible profession, and that all nurses are nothing but two faced back biters, because there are some of those out there who have the same compassion I had, but there are too many who eat the new nurses without even waiting for salt or pepper.

Good luck to you, whatever you decide to do, just do what is going to be the best decision for YOU. I just wish I had made my decision sooner.

Anne :paw::paw::paw: :saint: :saint:

catshowlady · Nov 26, 2008

I think the OP said 'fat cow' in a moment of passion and didn't mean to disparage the thousands of overweight nurses in America and beyond. I think she meant they were 'fat' in a figuative sense, from 'eating their young'. Didn't she apologize for having offended some?
I think continuing to ruminate over this slip of the keyboard is pointless.

Terrible, terrible pun. Shame on you.:grn: :lol2: :rotfl::roll:lol_hitti

FireStarterRN, BSN, RN · Nov 26, 2008

Terrible, terrible pun. Shame on you.:grn: :rotfl::roll:lol_hitti

Heh heh, I was wondering if anyone would notice. Kudos, you win the prize... :w00t:

BelleKat, BSN, RN · Nov 26, 2008

Sandlewood - Hello - Believe me, I feel your pain! I have been a nurse since 1991, and when I enrolled in nursing school I did truly believe I was compassionate and caring. I guess I saw things through rose colored glasses. Now, after being hit, pinched, spit on, harrassed, ect, I wonder "What in the world was I thinking??"
Now after I finally hung up my stethescope and sold that and my uniforms on ebay. Of course, I did not have the sense to leave the field until after I started having a lot of cardiac and BP problems.
I hate to sound like nursing is a horrible profession, and that all nurses are nothing but two faced back biters, because there are some of those out there who have the same compassion I had, but there are too many who eat the new nurses without even waiting for salt or pepper.
Good luck to you, whatever you decide to do, just do what is going to be the best decision for YOU. I just wish I had made my decision sooner.
Anne :paw::paw::paw::saint:

I'm also through with the toxic,back stabbing atmosphere which seems to be nursing today. I worked very hard to work in the specialty critical care areas to get the unique knowledge and experience that I possess. We need older experienced nurses on the units to help the newer nurses. I love precepting and being a resource for new nurses. Instead I sit at home forgetting my hard earned knowledge while my skills get rusty.

All because I've gotten physically slower with time. it doesn't seem to matter what else I bring to the table. I'm seen as a more expensive slower moving model. It doesn't matter that at the last place I caught 2 very serious pharmacy errors that would have resulted in pt harm if not death.

I guess I threatened the resource person already there and she stabbed me in the back royally and they fired me during my probationary time right before Christmas. Thanks

I can't give my heart,my energy,my health and lose my family over a job anymore no matter how much I loved it when it was good.

We do need to stand up for a better workplace. this isn't even close to alright.

Sorry about the rant but I understand where you're coming from Sandlewood.

If there is change effected maybe I'll come back,if it's not too late.

I know nursing will survive without me and all of the other good nurses leaving in droves but why should it have to? Why are we putting up with this?

Babs0512 · Nov 26, 2008

Not every place is like this. In fact, I'd venture to say that it's in the minority.
Blee

No, I'm afraid it's not in the minority, I live it everyday, so do most of the nurses on this site. Goodness, there is enough written on nurses eating their young and other thread like it, that I feel comfortable stating probably 80% or more places are like that - to one degree or another.

I also agree the OP is very angry, and I would suggest, she needs to grow a thicker skin, if you like nursing, be a nurse. Do your job and go home. No matter where you go or what you do, there will be little "clicks" who will either include you or exclude you. Me, I'd rather be outside the fray. I don't kiss butt well, and I never will.

Whatever you choose to do, I wish you the best.

Blessings

Virgo_RN, BSN, RN · Nov 26, 2008

Heh heh, I was wondering if anyone would notice. Kudos, you win the prize... :w00t:

I noticed.

Virgo_RN, BSN, RN · Nov 26, 2008

Some of these stories make me very sad. I'm fortunate to work in a supportive environment. It's not all sunshine and butterflies all the time; people are not always at their best, and at times, the niceties fly right out the window. But overall, we're pretty darn cohesive and any backbiting that may be going on, I am completely unaware of. I hope that doesn't change.

Scrubby · Nov 26, 2008

I didn't take offence at the fat cow comment because I didn't take it literally. My take on the 'fat cows' comment was fat meaning these nurses feeding off creating misery, hence growing 'fat', and cow as a 'bit*ch.'

And I agree, any nurse who spends their time creating a toxic work environment, putting new nurses down is definitely 100% a fat cow and is letting the whole profession down.

Blee O'Myacin, BSN, RN · Nov 26, 2008

Not every place is like this. In fact, I'd venture to say that it's in the minority.
As a preceptor who takes my role as a mentor and a support person to a new grad nurse, I take offense at your feelings that we are all "cows".
One bad experience can shake you up, but if you really still want to be a nurse, then find another job where you will get the support you need.
No nurse deserves abuse - either at the hands of a patient or a coworker. Your anger at your situation is understandable, but you have to do something proactive, rather than resorting to namecalling and storming off in a huff.
I hope that you find a different job and realize that most places support and nurture their new grads.
Blee

I reread what I wrote yesterday realize that I wasn't as clear as I would have liked to have been. My orientees receive guidance, tough love and at least at first, I try act as a buffer from the drama that is inherent to a group of people who spend more time together than they do with their families. My place is to not be the orientee's BFF - and while I am not unfriendly, I feel it's my responsibility to set the tone for our working relationship from the first day.

I've had three jobs since nursing school - and I have yet to experience a truly toxic environment like the OP describes. So I hope she doesn't give up - and finds that the next place won't be so bad.

Blee (putting herself out to pasture. Moo.)

Faeriewand, ASN, RN · Nov 26, 2008

I didn't take offence at the fat cow comment because I didn't take it literally. My take on the 'fat cows' comment was fat meaning these nurses feeding off creating misery, hence growing 'fat', and cow as a 'bit*ch.'
And I agree, any nurse who spends their time creating a toxic work environment, putting new nurses down is definitely 100% a fat cow and is letting the whole profession down.

I just wanted to add "Big Fat Liar" to that, :chuckle so fat doesn't mean fat in that respect

After reading thru these posts, I'm so glad I don't work in an environment like that, with people that are toxic.