I think I regret choosing nursing

[nsFAMU]

I think I'm starting to regret going into nursing as are most of my nurse friends. I graduated 12/05 and went right into ER on nights. I was terrified when I realized that not only did I have to be a nurse but I had to to follow a million rules and regulations, catch the doctors mistakes, and deal with rude patients and coworkers while staying pleasant. I used to hate giving report to the floor nurses because they were always so rude, I don't understand why there has to be such a war between the ER and the floors. It was overwhelming but it was okay, I knew it would get better and I loved it.

A yr later I did 2 travel assignments in ER. The second was pure hell. I only got along with the secretary, techs, some other travelers and the doctors. Praying everyday before I went in is the only thing that got me through it. The manager even came to me once and asked why I gave a med because it was ordered in the patients chart but it wasnt in the doctors notes! What do I have to do with the doctor's notes, I just followed the order that he personally handed to me and even told me what he had written. They ended my assignment early and I was so happy, but I was done with ER. I had worked my *** off hardly ever getting a dinner break, holding my pee all night and they had the nerve to treat me like that!

I switched to NICU but then I had the problem where one person says do it this way and the other says do it that way and there is no policy. That was frustrating being that I was new to NICU but most of the nurses were great and helpful. Working nights was driving me nuts too but everytime I wanted to go to days someone else with seniority all of a sudden wanted to go too. I just quit that job 10/09 to move from FL to NV and I'm miserable because I feel like I trapped myself once again. People are nice so but now I have to prove myself to another group of catty backstabbing women. I'm so nervous and anxious I always get a stomach ache before I go in. Everyday I wish I would have listened to my aunt done pharmacy. I'm also still on nights and it has only gotten harder over the years but then again I know dayshift has its own drama. It gets depressing being up all night by yourself and being tired when you're trying to be up during the day. I love the babies but it feels like all I do is go to work and try not to kill my patients, try not to loose my license, try not to get sued, try not to make my coworkers think I don't know what I'm doing, try not to give the next shift something to ***** about.....how can I enjoy that? Maybe I just need to find something outside of the hospital with normal hours.

Thanks for listening to my venting!

[lisa0615]

Have you tried home health?..you don't have to deal with other nurses and you are just working one on one with a patient..Don't quit..try a different field..

[Nursey103, ADN, RN]

I think there is drama no matter what profession you choose! Just stick it out & soon enough you'll find your niche. Don't regret that you chose nursing. The patients & what you're giving to them is what counts. Luckily you can do anything with nursing & I know you'll find what you really like soon enough!!

Good luck!!

[nursej22, MSN, RN]

I am so sorry that you've had to work in such toxic, dysfunctional units. Not all nursing environments are so harsh. Shame on those so-called professionals. I wonder how they treat patients if that's how they treat colleagues.

You sound like you are getting a little burned out but I hope you can find a better work environment.

Please take care of yourself and do something enjoyable on your off time.

[moneyline702]

I may only be a student and all I can offer you is my sentiment. I can only imagine your strife. As a fellow Nevadan I at least understand the seemingly insurmountable stress in our economy is HARD. If you ever wanna vent or chat PM me and you can. Cheer up. You may not know it but you can be and probably ARE an inspiration to someone. Now go over to a mirror and be proud of who's staring at you!!! They're your biggest, greatest and most important fan!

[inshallamiami]

Nursing has PLENTY of "catty, backstabbing nurses." There must be millions of posts about this.

And from NurseJ22: "Not all nursing environments are so harsh" Oh really? take a vote.

My advice? Start thinking about possible alternative careers, out of nursing. Take a class. Even if you can't start a new career today, you'll feel better knowing EVENTUALLY you can do something else.

[ianonline]

anywhere you'll go you will always find people who does that.. so whats new? just do what you are supposed to do, besides you can't empress everyone. insecurities happens to people who sees something better than themselves, so be proud that people are trying to pull you down, it just means you are above them....

chill, and just do what you do best!

[inshallamiami]

"anywhere you'll go you will always find people who does that":grn:

I've worked different areas prior to nursing (newspapers, real estate, banking) and NOWHERE has the environment sucked like it sucks in nursing.

[Blackcat99]

I have been working in different kinds of facilities for many years and it has been miserable. Too much back-stabbing going on most of the time.:argue: I have decided to just do private duty home care nursing. Yes, I know home care does not pay well and I just don't care. If I was young, I would get out of nursing and try something different. Good luck to you!!!

[netglow, ASN, RN]

"anywhere you'll go you will always find people who does that":grn:

I've worked different areas prior to nursing (newspapers, real estate, banking) and NOWHERE has the environment sucked like it sucks in nursing.

Yes for those of us who have vast experience in other professional fields, I tend to agree. Sometimes I find the :argue: so ridiculous. I can be especially harsh if this goes on within patient earshot. I feel embarassed for the profession and the facility. Maybe this is because I have mangaged and had my own busines, IDK. IMHO those that seem to have free time to try to put coworkers at risk on the job are dangerous. As well as those who jump on somebody who is feeling frustrated and a little down, because they sense some weakness.

When I hear this stuff, I get furious and will go right after the abuser full-out. Don't do it around me.

[DogWmn]

Well, first I see you have worked in two high stress areas ED and NICU and second you've only been in nursing for 3.5 years. I worked for 19 years before leaving and now I'm trying to return for economic reasons.

I'd suggest you look at some low stress nursing jobs, ones where you work with one or two people or less. Working as an office nurse is fun and challenging, or as another poster suggested home health care. I would also suggest to NOT let your license lapse if you do decide to take a break.

No matter what area of work your in there will be stress, cattyness, backstabbing. I've worked in IT and the Legal profession and it's still there and can be just as bad in an office environment.

You need to decide how you will deal with these issues and what will work best for you. I've found I hate being management, I love being a techno worker bee. I've also found that if I keep my head down and "in the game" working and offering to help out if someone is in need, treat everyone with respect (some days that's hard) and work by example - I don't gossip or yak on my cell or spend hours on the 'net at work unless it's work related.

I do wish you luck, go do something low stress for a while.

[Wsmith16, ADN, BSN]

Post, after post, after post. Everyone seems to be complaining about the same thing. You are not alone in your sentiments-- after 6 mths I am looking for a way out of bedside nursing. Life is too short or this abuse. Go into homecare or anything else bedside workng on the flr. You'll still b stressed but it won;t beas bad as working on the flr.