I think I'm gonna quit nursing

[ChooSoul]

I dont want to be a nurse anymore. I don't want to be in the medical field anymore. Im not just feeling burnt out, underappreciated, drained in all aspects, and all kinds of stressed out. I just feel like I have lost all my passion and interest. I still like people though. Its not just because being in the bedside sucks just as every nurse nurse knows, but I think the medical field in general is not for me anymore... I've been doubting my career choice since college. Now, I have been a nurse for almost 4 yrs and I think its enough time to realize that this may not be my life calling or purpose.

I feel like I became a nurse because I was raised to be goal oriented, and I was challenged because nursing school is tough. I guess I wanted to prove that I was smart or something. I wanted to pursue a different career path but I just had to prove something. BUT Now, I also just realized that nobody cares.

So, here I am, stressed out. I feel like going on a new journey to self actualization. I guess I still have to feel uncomfortable as I have to work as a nurse to pay the bills. I just dont want to work as a nurse while Im going through feelings such as this, because it would be unfair and a disservice to myself and to my patients down the line. I definitely have to get out and as soon as possible. I really, genuinely dont like it anymore.

So, there's that. I just feel like I had to share.

Is there anyone else that feels or have felt what I feel? Know anyone who's made a nonmedical career change? Thoughts?

[evastone, BSN, RN]

If you are looking for a career that doesn't deal with direct patient care there are options you can use your nursing degree for so you won't have to start a new career from scratch. Education, insurance, law, informatics to name a few. You could go back to school and many hospitals will pay for your degree.

[Jedrnurse, BSN, RN]

22 minutes ago, evastone said:

If you are looking for a career that doesn't deal with direct patient care there are options you can use your nursing degree for so you won't have to start a new career from scratch. Education, insurance, law, informatics to name a few. You could go back to school and many hospitals will pay for your degree.

I was under the impression that tuition assistance from employers was one of those things that was fading away. What are some major hospitals that will pay for their employees's degrees? It would be great to get that assistance. Thanks!

[NightNerd, MSN, RN]

Agree that there might be a way to use your current education to get yourself something away from the bedside. I think a lot of us have had moments where we wanted to run away and fold sweaters at Kohl's rather than do nursing anymore. And I know my hospital will reimburse for tuition; however, they also institute a work agreement, so definitely investigate your place's policy before accepting anything.

For what it's worth, I do think it gets easier once you stop looking at nursing, or really any career, as a calling. It's a job. A good one at times, but very difficult and often sort of awful. But it will pay your bills with a little left over, and between the shifts you can usually fully enjoy your time away from work. And you gotta love the stories you get from this line of work.

I was telling my coworker the other day, "I finally realized that, other than the stress of this job, I have a GREAT life!" She had the same thought. Not that you shouldn't have a job where you don't dread coming in every day, but it is possible to not let it bring the rest of your life down too.

[jobellestarr]

I just retired from Indian Health Service, which was the only workplace where I could contemplate finishing my career. Grateful and lovely patients and good staff to work with. I was an art major in my first college go around and now will be again. It takes courage to think of yourself in a different career than a nurse. I think it would be wise to use your degree in a related capacity like informatics, etc. And not to think of nursing as a calling is excellent advice. Take care of yourself first without any guilt and you’ll find your career path. ❤️

[Workitinurfava, BSN, RN]

How many positions have you had and what type of experience do you have? It is hard for me to suggest something without knowing your nursing experience. I am in the midst of starting a new position that doesn't involve any hands on. I am hoping for the best. I will exhaust all possibilities if I have to because in this field help is always needed ( you should never be unemployed) and you went to college for it. I don't want to start over. I once did but not now. It is too costly and time consuming but to each is own.

[guest974915]

Regrettably, I have never really felt a passion for nursing and like you, I also had (and continue to have) major misgivings regarding my career choice. I really doubt if I had it all to do over again, I would again chose nursing but at this point in my life, in almost 27 years of practice, it's water over the dam. The answer for me has been steering away from areas of medicine that I are knew where consistently physically, mentally, and emotionally exhausting for many (likely me)-i.e. ICU, NICU, Med Surg.... Instead, I worked in Psych, OR, and finally Corrections, all which I feel were less stressful. I personally think finding peace in this profession is in following 'the middle way'-not being apathetic and disengaged, nor in being Gung Ho and subject to career burn out. This has been my strategy for going on 27 years and it has worked for me. Be good to yourself above all and know that you're not alone:)

[Seeing Myself Out]

Dont always need to see nursing as your career. Personally I see it as an end to pay my bills, without having to get additional schooling. With that said I work hard on my job and don't think I owe anyone more than that. There are certainly nurses who moved on from nursing partially or completely, it takes time to decide what you really want to do and good luck.

[OldDude]

Maybe rewind the tape and think back if there was ever any part of nursing you liked...if so, see if you can steer in that direction. Otherwise, if a stroll down memory lane elicits nothing positive, and you can't think of anything in nursing you'd like to try, it may be time to move on...if you can afford it.

One of the things to remember as being a nurse is that virtually every encounter you have with those, other than your immediate family, involves someone wanting something from you. If you don't compartmentalize this it will drain your emotional self and leave you feeling "burned out; nothing left to give." Think about it before you throw in the towel. Maybe sign up for an episode of "Naked and Afraid" to reset your compass. ?Best of luck!

[Golden_RN, MSN]

Please look into informatics. I've been doing it for 3 years now. My nursing knowledge is put to a totally different use now. I work mostly with IT staff, as an advocate for and bridge to clinical staff - nursing, medicine, pharmacy etc. I don't feel like a typical nurse daily. It might be a great way to still use your degree/knowledge and make nursing money.

[Chief NP, MSN, RN, APN, APRN, NP]

There are many opportunities in nursing apart from being a bedside nurse. I want to assure you that most of the nurses that have read your post understand the frustration you are currently going through. Take out time to explore other aspects of the profession before throwing in the towel.

[Jory, MSN, APRN, CNM]

Bedside nursing isn't for everyone but that doesn't mean you have to quit nursing. Feel free to PM me, I can help you find another area.

There are some areas of nursing that you couldn't write a check big enough to get me to work in...yet other nurses love it. We are all different. You just need to find your niche.