I don't think I can be a nurse anymore. I am tired, tired, tired of all the B__S__. I did hospice work for 6 years, then took a short break to help take care of my sister who was diagnosed with breast ca. Went back to work, but tried home health. I'm just so weary and tired of having to cater to people - patients and families. It doesn't seem I can just "be a nurse". I'm tired peoples' demands ("No, you can't come at 9:00. I don't like getting up early" no, you can't come because I have to take the dog to the groomers" to "you have to check my 02 sats" even though I don't have an order, and pt is asymptomatic. Or, being unable to schedule a visit because the patient is driving his wife to the airport (!!!) yet I'm told I still have to see him for blood work. I tell the office about these folks, and I'm told to see them anyway. Or, how about telling a patient the truth, even if the agency doesn't like it. (yes, Mrs. Jones the wound on your leg is horrible and getting worse daily, but don't ask my opinion about seeing a different doctor for a second opinion because doctor #1 won't like it and will complain about me. BTW - lady ended up in the hospital for it) And, one pt I saw this week - who has early stage dementia - had a gun in a holster on him with his wife sitting 2 chairs down from me. I didn't see it until I went to check his lungs. The wife? she told me that she was glad she gave him his medicine to "calm him down" earlier. I can also honestly say I have never met a group of people who felt so entitled in my life! People are sick - I understand that - but the ones who are truly sick are the least demanding. And the families...yikes. I can't take it anymore. I am giving my notice tomorrow, even without another job to go to. I need to clear my brain and do some soul-searching before I pursue anything else.
This makes me sad, though. I went in to nursing with such high hopes and good intentions, and look what happened
I don't think I can be a nurse anymore. I am tired, tired, tired of all the B__S__. I did hospice work for 6 years, then took a short break to help take care of my sister who was diagnosed with breast ca. Went back to work, but tried home health. I'm just so weary and tired of having to cater to people - patients and families. It doesn't seem I can just "be a nurse". I'm tired peoples' demands ("No, you can't come at 9:00. I don't like getting up early" no, you can't come because I have to take the dog to the groomers" to "you have to check my 02 sats" even though I don't have an order, and pt is asymptomatic. Or, being unable to schedule a visit because the patient is driving his wife to the airport (!!!) yet I'm told I still have to see him for blood work. I tell the office about these folks, and I'm told to see them anyway. Or, how about telling a patient the truth, even if the agency doesn't like it. (yes, Mrs. Jones the wound on your leg is horrible and getting worse daily, but don't ask my opinion about seeing a different doctor for a second opinion because doctor #1 won't like it and will complain about me. BTW - lady ended up in the hospital for it) And, one pt I saw this week - who has early stage dementia - had a gun in a holster on him with his wife sitting 2 chairs down from me. I didn't see it until I went to check his lungs. The wife? she told me that she was glad she gave him his medicine to "calm him down" earlier. I can also honestly say I have never met a group of people who felt so entitled in my life! People are sick - I understand that - but the ones who are truly sick are the least demanding. And the families...yikes. I can't take it anymore. I am giving my notice tomorrow, even without another job to go to. I need to clear my brain and do some soul-searching before I pursue anything else. 