I don't think I like anything about nursing!

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Specializes in PMHNP.

Maybe it's just the job market and the fact that I'm in a job I can't stand but... I hate nursing! I've been a nurse for 2 years now and it hasn't gotten any better. I've worked in a variety of different settings, management, critical care, rehab, psych... I just don't like it. Other nurses are mean and nasty, doctors are pretentious, nurse managers don't really care about you or your needs, CNAs expect you to do as much heavy lifting as they do or they think you're lazy (even though you have meds and other things to do as well), and finally... the patients and families treat you like a barely glorified waitress. This isn't what they sold me in nursing school, that's for sure. I'm thinking about getting the NP, but then again, it could just be more money spent for another job I don't like. Is this it? This is all there is? I'm totally bummed.:confused:

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What made you become a nurse and what were your expectations? Did you do any research other than what you were "sold" in nursing school? How was clinical like for you, especial final semester? I say final semester because thats the time you really get the idea of what its going to be when you graduate.

Have you considered other areas of nursing like teaching? Case management? School nurse?

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Specializes in ER.

Has your experience been all at one hospital? If not maybe changing venues would help out. I know working for a certain hospital in my area would make me miserable and hate nursing. Have you thought about LTC, school nurse, wound care nurse, dialysis? Anything like that interest you?

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Specializes in PMHNP.

I enjoyed nursing school and I enjoyed clinicals. I worked in psychiatric health care for almost 10 years before becoming a nurse. I always really liked those jobs. I think what irritated me about school was that they made us think we were going to actually have some autonomy in nursing. They also made us feel like we would be able to get a job! Neither is the case in my experience. I have to get a doctor's order to put an icepack on a patient and there are no jobs in any area other than LTC (which is totally depressing and exhausting). I think I've just hit a wall or something. I've worked in a variety of different hospitals in a variety of different roles and I just haven't liked anything. I'm really sad about it. Not to mention the amount of money I've invested in this education!!!!

I don't mean to sound so negative, I'm just in a bad place career wise these days. :crying2:

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Specializes in Cardiac Telemetry, ED.
Maybe it's just the job market and the fact that I'm in a job I can't stand but... I hate nursing! I've been a nurse for 2 years now and it hasn't gotten any better. I've worked in a variety of different settings, management, critical care, rehab, psych... I just don't like it. Other nurses are mean and nasty, doctors are pretentious, nurse managers don't really care about you or your needs, CNAs expect you to do as much heavy lifting as they do or they think you're lazy (even though you have meds and other things to do as well), and finally... the patients and families treat you like a barely glorified waitress. This isn't what they sold me in nursing school, that's for sure. I'm thinking about getting the NP, but then again, it could just be more money spent for another job I don't like. Is this it? This is all there is? I'm totally bummed.:confused:

I often felt this way when I worked the floor.

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Specializes in Med/Surg.

The gist of your posts confuses me a little, they seem contradictory...you say you've been a nurse for 2 years, and that jobs are hard if not impossible to find, and yet you say you've worked in several different areas (and you mention them specifically)...have you functioned as an RN in all of these areas over the course of 2 years? How have you even had time to get comfortable to KNOW that you really like them? I understand getting an impression right off the bat, but often times, until you have time under your belt, it's very difficult if not impossible to say you really "like" something.

I am just honestly confused, based on what you've said. My impression is that you've not had enough time to get comfortable in any one area, especially if you're a new(er) RN. It may just take time!

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Specializes in A and E, Medicine, Surgery.

OK seems to me that you do like lots of bits of nursing as you enjoyed your placements and previous role in psych but you are really not enjoying all the petty politics and irritations that come with nursing - that's understandable.

You are unhappy at the moment but cut it all back to basics, what makes coming in to work worthwhile and what do you hate, what are the areas you are really good at and what do you find harder. Where do you see yourself in the future. Take all of these and look at were you should be rather than were you have ended up because of pressure on jobs. It isn't necessarily about nursing in general but just were you are at at the moment.

Many nursing jobs do allow autonomy but in truth to gain autonomy experience is needed.

And finally not all other nurses are catty, not all doctors are pretentious and by no means are all nurse managers uncaring you maybe just need to change to find the right ones.

I honestly believe that there are so many opportunities for nurses and it is an amazing profession and I really do wish you all the best for the future but if you stay were you are you will stay unhappy and that is not fair on you.

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Specializes in Management, Emergency, Psych, Med Surg.

How is it that you have worked in so many areas over a 2 year period?

I have a lot of autonomy in nursing. As the charge nurse of a large 34 med med/surg/ortho floor I work 3-11. My manager is supportive and gives me lots of responsibility. I love the people I work with and we have fun at work but we get our work done. I feel that I have a good relationship with staff, physicians, patients and families. Part of that comes from having good communication and problem solving skills along with enjoying your job and having confidence in your abilities.

When I was only two years into nursing I did not feel that way. I had not reached the "expert" nurse level. Once I had reached the point where I felt very confident in my abilities, it all came much easier to me. I took several communication and assertiveness training courses to help me. I took courses on problem solving. They were all a big help because communication is such a large part of what we do. I did have times when I hated some of my jobs (very few) but I would stick it out because I knew that I needed to learn.

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Try a doctor's office. Yeah, you'll take a pay cut, but it's a much better place to work. Less stress, weekends and holidays off, free drug rep lunches, people are way more pleasant. Rainbows and sunshine everywhere! Seriously, it's way better. And if you need to make up the extra money, stay prn at the hospital and work a couple of days a month. Good luck to you.

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Sounds like you need a change and a challenge. You want autonomy. I would suggest the ER. Good luck to you.

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Specializes in LTC, Home Health.

Have you tried home health nursing? If you like autonomy that is the way to go I think.

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Specializes in PMHNP.

Triage - I agree with you... I worked in a Level I trauma ED and I really liked it. I would say it was the only nursing job I've had that really sparked my interest. I was a new grad at the time and I was so intimidated yet excited by the work. I ended up having to move for my husband's job and there are no EDs hiring anywhere near where I live now.

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