I had to quit nursing

Kanani_Ikike · Jun 27, 2007

Hi,
I've been a nurse almost 3 years on and off because of the birth of my daughter I took some time off. I quit a med surg job recently because I was too stressed out and miserable to continue. I am also 6 months pregnant for another baby and could not handle the smells of the hospital. I would run to the bathroom and dry heave every time I worked (if not on my shift then afterwards in my car). It was awful. I did not feel as if I could continue with it because of the nature of the job. You get treated like **** by patients you dont get to eat and you barely get a bathroom break. I tried to get taken out of work by my obgyn but her response was it wasnt a medical reason and I would have to go see a psychologist because of the anxiety. I have been anxious/depressed because of this field. I was on an antidepressant before but got off to get pregnant again. I dont think any job is worth having to be on an antidepressant just to stay somewhat sane. Its crazy what this field will do to you. I would not reccommend it to anyone!!!! I dont think I will ever go back to hospital nursing or any nursing for a while (probably forever) its not worth being drained of your soul. Anyone else quit nursing and having a hard time?

I'm so sorry that you have gone through this. I understand exactly where you are coming from. I had to quit a position before due to the exact same problem with anxiety/depression. And I feel that there is not many other areas of nursing you can go into to get away from the undue stress. If there is, then you better believe that those nurses are not giving up those jobs. And that's why it's so hard to find a low-stress type of nursing job. I do know that you and only you know how you feel about nursing. Nobody can tell you how YOU feel. So, if you are burnt out, you do what you feel you need to do.

I know that this fall, i am going back to school for elementary education. I know that this is also a high-stress job, but you are not dealing with life or death situations due to high patient loads, insufficient staff, lack of materials, etc.

Good luck in whatever you do. Because you got to be happy for you. You are not here to please anybody but yourself. Please remember that. God bless.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Jun 27, 2007

Best wishes in all that you do. Med-Surg definatley is not for everyone.

allantiques4me · Jun 27, 2007

Ive been there done that too,cause of extreme anxity.I gave it up for couple of years until I found a much less stressful position. Now I love my job and look forward to going to work.Life is way too short to be all upset and stressed out all the time because of a job.Try another position after you take some time to raise your kids.Youll always be able to find work.(homecare)?Good luck

jjjoy, LPN · Jun 27, 2007

People here are always supportive and rally around those struggling, encouraging them not to give up. That's great and I'm sure it has kept many going through tough times. Sometimes, though, a person is really feeling like nursing isn't for them and such encouragement to not give up can sometimes make a person feel pressured to keep doing something that isn't working for them. I can't say where the OP is, just pointing that out.

To the OP, you may be able to find a nursing position that suits you better. You may also be able to find a non-nursing position that suits you better. Listen to others, but at the end of the day, listen to yourself. I hope you can find some peace in regard to this. : )

RNperdiem, RN · Jun 27, 2007

A per diem position is great. Even if you only work 4 hours a week, you can still bring in money, have time with your kids, and have plenty of break time between shifts. I found it a lot less stressful that way. One per diem weekend 12 hour shift earned me the same money my sister earned in a week-(she worked at a plant nursery.)

deeDawntee, RN · Jun 28, 2007

I believe the purpose of life is to find inner peace. So whatever you have to do to achieve that, that is what you should do.

Just to share my experience, I held 7 different nursing jobs before I found the right fit for me: nursing home, home care, vent house, group home, dialysis, TCU, then finally got the guts to get a hospital job, where I have found the best fit. In the hospital, I have worked ortho, tele and ICU and now am going to do an Accelerated BSN to MSN program.

The point is, don't stay at the hospital, go somewhere else and check it out. You can find a better fit. I'd say give it one more chance. You have no idea how respected nurses who have worked in hospitals are in nursing homes and all the other settings because it is considered very high stress and very high skilled. You will have a certain stature starting another job just because of your experience. The house supervisor in the TCU where I worked did not do well in the hospital, but it didn't matter, that kind of critical experience was what clinched her being hired for supervisor!!

You should be very proud of yourself. If you could see yourself from others points of view it might give you some relief. Go to a different area of nursing and you will see what I mean. You are not a failure because the hospital doesn't work for you. Please be kind to yourself, you have so much to offer with all your training and experience. You need to take very good care of your children's Mother!!

jjjoy, LPN · Jun 28, 2007

The house supervisor in the TCU where I worked did not do well in the hospital, but it didn't matter, that kind of critical experience was what clinched her being hired for supervisor!!
You should be very proud of yourself. If you could see yourself from others points of view it might give you some relief. Go to a different area of nursing and you will see what I mean. You are not a failure because the hospital doesn't work for you. Please be kind to yourself, you have so much to offer with all your training and experience.

Thanks for the perspective on when hospital nursing isn't a good fit!

deeDawntee, RN · Jun 29, 2007

Thanks for the perspective on when hospital nursing isn't a good fit!

Hey jjjoy,

How are you doing today? Please keep us informed on how it's going. You don't have to feel like you are going at it all alone, know what I mean? Thinking about ya!

:mad:

Tangerine Lipgloss · Jun 30, 2007

Sorry to hear of your situation, I hope you find something that you like. Perhaps you can take some time off and think about what you would like to do.

I was where you are now. I decided to go part time and see what happens. I now work 2x/week and I feel better already. I still get stressed, and I can't say I will remain a staff nurse forever, but I am happier now.

Good luck

Fun2, BSN, RN · Jun 30, 2007

Sorry you are going through all of this.

First of all, that OB doc would not be my GYN doc after that comment. Find one who cares.

You'll probably be able to get back into nursing when/where the time is right. I can only imagine trying to work as a nurse while pregnant. I was sick throughout both of my pregnancies...didn't matter which month, or what time of day. I couldn't work either because of that, and that wasn't even at a hospital!

My doctor's office MA just told me, "Oh hun, it'll end soon." I never went back to that doctor....for delivery or afterwards.

SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN · Jun 30, 2007

What kind of ob/gyn doesn't view anxiety as physiogical?

*sigh*

Cinqly, BSN, RN · Jun 30, 2007

Hello. I haven't been a nurse very long, but I know there are other options out there besides the hospital setting. Hospitals are not for everyone. I was miserable in my job at a hospital, but then I found hospice, and so far it is such a better fit for me. With three years of experience I imagine that you could do all kinds of different jobs like management, case management, etc. Hospital nursing is kinda crazy, and I think that's kind of the nature of the job. But outside of the hospital setting seems a bit less stressful for me. Good luck to you! :balloons:

What about a doctor's office? Less stressful, regular schedule for your children, and you'll report to a limited number of people.