I really want to quit my job....

CrunchRN, ADN, RN · Aug 5, 2014

Most people have at some time.

However, a mark of maturity and professionalism is that you only fantasize about doing it. :sneaky:

Take your time to find a new position and resign gracefully.

Aurora77 · Aug 5, 2014

Absolutely. I'm at the three year mark and I've been having the same thoughts off and on for a year. I work med/surg. I was fantasizing about just walking out last night. Just getting in my car and driving away. I want to keep my license, though, and I really do care about my patients. I generally like my job, but some days I wonder what I was thinking when I went to nursing school.

Nurse_ · Aug 5, 2014

You're new in the ICU. Give it a chance. If people are stuck up, then just mind your business. There's always something to do in the ICU so instead of mingling with other nurses, just do things with your patient.

When I started in the ICU, everyone I worked with has at least 15+ years of experience. They are the cream of the crop. I set my pace and minded my patient. I emptied my foley, click my vitals and checked on my patient every single hour. It's something to do, something to preoccupy myself to lessen the time I have to stay and talk with other nurses in the station.

Don't quit yet. You probably just need to assimilate to the environment and it's only been 4 months.

Caffeine_IV · Aug 6, 2014

What is the main issue? Are your coworkers helpful if you need assistance or ask questions? If the environment is a good one with supportive management and employees I wouldn't jump ship quite yet.

There is a huge learning curve in ICU and yes sometimes SOME of the nurses have a high and mighty air about them but I wouldn't let that push me away. Once you know your stuff, you will find your place. The things you can learn in ICU will take you far if you give it a fair chance.

And to answer the question..yes I have felt many times like if I can just make it through this shift, I will tell them to kiss my rear and hand in my badge. But I'm still in the game.

caliotter3 · Aug 6, 2014

Before you make this important decision, take a vacation. A real vacation. Not just two days. After a period of rest and recreation, come back with a refreshed mind. Then, consider all your options and take it from there. Best wishes.

Surg-OncRN · Aug 6, 2014

Unfortunately, many nurses face this problem of dreading their job in any nursing position. I have struggled with it myself at times and still struggle with it some. I believe there is some good advice offered above about not making decision too quickly and not letting your emotions get the best of you. However, you may have to think about how your job in the ICU is giving you purpose and meaning. Do you feel like you are making a positive impact and is this the impact you want to make? Pondering questions like this will help you to get that fire in your belly you once had as a new nurse. You will be enthusiastic and develop resilience to naysayers. In short, you have to think about the problems you want to solve and the people you want to help and how being a registered nurse will best allow you to do that.

As far as dealing with difficult people goes, I have found the best way to get your coworkers to accept you and like you is to help them when they need it. In other words, if another nurse is having a difficult night and your patients are quiet as a mouse jump in there and help them to make their night better. A lot of nurses will say they are fine, but you can tell they need some help. Be able to recognize that and help them when they are in true need. Sounds like every nurse would do that, but that is not the case for a lot of nurses. Look for every opportunity to help other nurses on your unit without looking desperate, and you will soon have their respect and friendship. I mean, how could they not like you.

llg, PhD, RN · Aug 6, 2014

I have over 35 years of nursing experience ... over 25 years in my particular specialty ... and over 15 years in my current job. And this week, I hate my job and dread coming to work. I'm just hoping that if I can muddle through for a while without letting my negative attitude get me into serious trouble, things will start looking better to me again after a while. My fear is that my negative feelings will hurt my job performance and that I will lose my job in the next round of budget cuts. And there I will be: an old nurse with lots of education and experience, at the top of everyone's payscale, only a few years from retirement, out there trying to compete with younger (cheaper) nurses for a job.

I am not saying that to belittle you or your problem. I am just saying that most of us feel that way sometimes. But if we all quit every time we have negative feelings, none of us would have successful careers. To be successful, sometimes we all have to muddle through some tough times and endure some hardship.

I think the previous posters have given you some good advice. Take a vacation, have some fun, get plenty of rest, etc. If after "clearing your head" and giving your career path some serious thought, you still feel that this is not a good fit for you, then look for another job. Don't quit your current one (or do anything else that is rash) until you have a new job lined up.

Good luck to you.

BSNbeauty, BSN, RN · Aug 6, 2014

I've felt that way after a year in CVICU. I ended up quitting. I've found a job in postpartum that suits me much better. I've been in PP for over a year now and love it !!! Best decision I've ever made.

Dranger · Aug 8, 2014

I've felt that way after a year in CVICU. I ended up quitting. I've found a job in postpartum that suits me much better. I've been in PP for over a year now and love it !!! Best decision I've ever made.

My gf does PP and I do critical care. She gets paid the same as me for giving percocet/ibuprofen, occasional fundus massaging and baby latching with all relatively healthy people. I keep people alive on the brink of death with stressful situations at every corner. (Not to mention the worst runs when I float to other floors)

Where did I go wrong? Any males in PP? I got the short end of the stick lol.

Ruby Vee, BSN · Aug 9, 2014

Aug 5 by aspragg5387
Hi all.. I am stuck in a dilemma.. I have been a nurse for 3 years.. I did medsurg for 2.5..and then decided to try the ICU.. I've been working in the ICU for 4 months now.. And I absolutely dislike it... At first I thought it was just the new job jitters.. But it's dawned on me that it's more than that.. I truly dread coming into work.. I sit and think of ways I can get around it.. Lol. People are nice for the most part.. But the atmosphere is just not one that I'm used to.. Many people are so stuck up and put themselves on pedestals.. I want to quit so badly that I don't even care about giving a two weeks notice or not... I've never felt so burnt out in my life.. Has anyone ever felt like this?

Why did you leave Med/Surg? There must have been something different you were looking for, something new you wanted to learn. You decided to try ICU for a reason. Any new job is not going to be what you're used to. Give it a real chance -- at least a year. Then if you decide it's still not for you, at least you've been professional about it.

PinkNBlue, BSN, RN · Aug 16, 2014

I think I need to listen to the advice I'm about to give you lol but I agree and think you should wait a bit longer before you make a decision. I recently went to a different hospital altogether (started last week) and am pretty homesick for my old unit. I feel like a fish out of water and wanted to quit today. People say it takes about 6 months to start feeling comfortable in a new environment and 1 yr to really feel good about it. That's a bit daunting to think about so I'm just going to go one month at a time. ? Good luck to you!