I am sad and disapointed

Nurses General Nursing

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Specializes in ED, Pedi Vasc access, Paramedic serving 6 towns.

Hi all,

I just need to vent. I am currently an RN in the ER and am rather miserable. I do not like being a nurse at all, at least in the ER I guess, but unfortunatly playing paramedic doesn't pay the bills. I feel bad because I also have a new grad to precept and I am just miserable most of the time. I hate going to work, actually I DRED going to work. I tried to transfer to L&D at my hospital, but they wont hire me without experience, I tried to transfer to special care and they some how managed to fill a position they only had posted for three days. GRRRRR.. Needless to say I am depressed and aggravated, gone are the days when I did not mind going to work.

To make matters worse I had a five year old the other day in the ER with a mother who I am sure is related to satan, so that did not help things. I understand you come across difficult parents, but this woman was worse than most, she had the attitude of a 10 year old, and would not speak to any staff after a while, and that was only because we couldnt get an IV on the first try in her five year old that weighed more than a five year old should.

I hate psych patients and we get many of those, hate needy patients, yup we get lots of those, hate taking care of elderly (I do beleive they deserve wonderful care), but I would rather not be the one giving them that wonderful care. I prefer pedi patients, but in order to specialize in just pedi critical care I would need to find a job in boston, which is almost impossible.

So has anyone else gone through this type of thing and things worked out???

Sweetooth :cry:

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Specializes in Acute Care Cardiac, Education, Prof Practice.

I am sorry to hear things aren't going well for you. I give ER nurses a lot of credit for what they do. Being on the front lines of healthcare is a hard job.

I suggest looking at your options. I wouldn't say "nursing isn't for me" but maybe "ER nursing might not be for me"?

The lovely thing about nursing is the options it gives us. I would start looking into those options straight away!

:icon_hug:

Tait

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I wouldn't say "nursing isn't for me" but maybe "ER nursing might not be for me"?

The lovely thing about nursing is the options it gives us. I would start looking into those options straight away!

:icon_hug:

Tait

:yeahthat:

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

YIKES!!!

If you are at the stage where you "hate" patients, then you need to give everyone a break and look for work in a non-direct care area. You have arrived in burnout city, my friend. Patients don't deserve surly, burned out nurses who hate them simply for showing up at the ER.

On a more rational note -- it just isn't possible to actually 'hate' whole groups of unique individuals you don't even know. More likely you really dislike things you have to do as part of the care they need... and you have maxxed out on the whole 'caring' thing. Kudos for recognizing the need to make a change and do something about the situation - and it seems like you realize that it is interfering with your clinical performance overall.

If you are a paramedic-turned-nurse, you have had to make a significant change because nursing involves more 'caring' responsibility. Sounds like this just isn't your cup of tea.

If you're in a tight job market, it's probably going to be very difficult to break into another specialty. Is relocation a possiblity? Down here, everyone's still hiring like crazy and we're opening up new facilities all the time.

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Specializes in ICU/Critical Care.

How long have you been a nurse? If you are rather new, the first year is always the hardest. It takes time to find your niche. Do you really want to work in L/D? How about pediatrics? ICU?

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Nursing Education.

if you are burnt out on people acting like big babies and family that drives you bonkers - DO NOT do peds or OB. I've done both. While the patients are usually angels (usually), the families can and will act like nuts at the drop of a hat.

Cheers!

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Specializes in LTC, MDS, Education.

How about teaching some EMT classes? Seems like that is your true passion...:nuke:

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Specializes in medicine and psychiatry.

I would like to point out that pediatric patients also have parents that must be dealt with. Some can be as difficult as parents in the ER. Also...Psychiatric patients are everywhere not just in the ER.

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Specializes in LTC, Hospice, corrections, +.

It is not worth staying where you are miserable!!! I know, I have done it for years. Out of an exaggerated sense of duty, fear of change, money insecurities, whatever. Nursing is diverse; keep looking. I finally landed in corrections and LOVE it. (though not so much today, tough day) I resent all the time I spent being a good little team player and sucking it up at the expense of my own happiness. Good luck to you and go with your instincts.

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Specializes in ED, Pedi Vasc access, Paramedic serving 6 towns.
How long have you been a nurse? If you are rather new, the first year is always the hardest. It takes time to find your niche. Do you really want to work in L/D? How about pediatrics? ICU?

Hi,

I have been a nurse for a little over a year, I figured ER was easiest for me to get into given my backround, heck I was ready to be off orientation in 6 weeks because of that experience. I am just learning that I don't enjoy taking care of older folks for more than a 5 or 10 minute ambulance ride.

I enjoy taking care of kids (not that I want to see kids sick). I took care of a multitude in our ER yesterday, and you know what, I was actually happy at work, the time went by quick, I even left happy! (most of the staff and charge nurses give me all the kids, espeically if they are really sick becuase they know i am comfortable and I like caring for them and they know that most of the other staff prefer taking care of the old folks, so it works out.

So anyway, I think my real niche would be in a pediatric ER or other pedi critical care setting.

Sweetooth

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Specializes in ED, Pedi Vasc access, Paramedic serving 6 towns.
How about teaching some EMT classes? Seems like that is your true passion...:nuke:

uh, yeah, if only that paid the mortgage and other bills.

sweetooth

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uh, yeah, if only that paid the mortgage and other bills.

sweetooth

That is exactly what I thought!

steph

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