I want to get out of nursing

rockabye · Jan 18, 2011

Aw I'm sorry you are feeling burnt-out. Sometimes we could all just use a break. Maybe if you want to try nursing again, you could cut back on hours and just do part-time or prn? Maybe try another nursing field? As far as your career direction, it's totally up to you if you still want to work in health-care, work with patients, or go back to school for something else. Wish you luck and I hope you find something that makes you happier.

nurseygrrl, LPN · Jan 18, 2011

Thank you For the suggestions :) I took some time off very recently and it didn't help. I really feel like I just want to walk into a book store and apply for a job LOL. It just feels like nursing is constant worry and fighting. You're asked to do the impossible all the time and chastised when you forget to do something or make a mistake. Then you have the lunatics! Just the other night a patient's son threatened to 'get a gun and come back and shoot all of you' if his mother fell out of bed. Administration did nothing really. It was on the evening shift and when I came in the next morning, a CNA who was there for the incident reported it to me. This is just one of many examples that illustrate why I need a big change.

lifelearningrn, BSN, RN · Jan 18, 2011

I don't know how well you're paid as an LPN but in our neck of the woods LPNs (LVNs) are grossly underpaid. With your skills working with people, communication and paperwork you might be able to find an administrative assistant type job making darn close to what you already make.

Good luck.. sometimes we need a break. Sometimes it's 'the grass is greener' syndrome and you'll miss nursing. Also- it may just be you need a change in jobs and another nursing job would suit you better.

rockabye · Jan 18, 2011

Thank you For the suggestions :) I took some time off very recently and it didn't help. I really feel like I just want to walk into a book store and apply for a job LOL. It just feels like nursing is constant worry and fighting. You're asked to do the impossible all the time and chastised when you forget to do something or make a mistake. Then you have the lunatics! Just the other night a patient's son threatened to 'get a gun and come back and shoot all of you' if his mother fell out of bed. Administration did nothing really. It was on the evening shift and when I came in the next morning, a CNA who was there for the incident reported it to me. This is just one of many examples that illustrate why I need a big change.

Wow that is scary! I hope someone filled out a police report on that patient's son because violent threats like that should definitely not be tolerated by anyone!

I know what you mean about the book store job because I used to envy my friend who is a librarian and thought that was a great job. I personally went from working over-time to working part-time, plus getting more experience under my belt and really liking my unit, and that seemed to do the trick. I also always use all of my paid-time-off for vacations lol. :)

bsyrn, ASN, RN · Jan 18, 2011

Instead of giving up totally on nursing, why not try a different, less stressful job. I worked in pediatric home care for years and loved it. Its one on one care, and you are not responsible for anyone other than you and your patient. It might be worth a try....I hope you find peace in what ever decision you make. :nurse:

INLPN93 · Jan 18, 2011

I am also a LPN, 18 years, I went through the exact same thing a few years ago.

I got my Pharmacy Tech training certification to get out of nursing even.

I had National Certification for a CPhT and all.

Did nothing with it, kept switching LTC jobs looking for that magic moment so to speak.

Then I realized one day, I don't hate nursing~ I hate the same job no matter where I go. LTC floor nursing is HARD work. I was physically, emotionally and spiritiually pooped. I had been beat up, kicked, spit on, lied to, lied about and used up.

Then I realized I wanted more from nursing, more education, more job choices, and more variety in speciality.

So I signed up for my LPN-RN program. I feel there is a light at the end of the tunnel. I dropped to part time/prn and let nothing get in my way of my ASN and RN.

Switching jobs may help, but my word of advice is this:

If the grass looks greener on the other side ~ Watch Out for the 'fertilizer'.

wintersantanaRN · Jan 18, 2011

I am so sorry that you are going through this. I hope that you find a happy medium, LPN is very lucrative depending on where you live, I am in chicago and make about as much as a new RN ( between 23 and 25 dollars an hour) I have only been a LPN for three years but I have seen that nursing is very mean and cut throat.

Good luck to you

Sniper RN · Jan 18, 2011

Maybe work at a Dr. Office for a little while.

Zookeeper3 · Jan 18, 2011

Maybe work at a Dr. Office for a little while.

I really, strongly suggest this, you need a break bad!!!! go to an office, you may and probably will take a cut in pay, but the mental relief is beyond measure. In a docs office, he or she controls the visit, the family and you simply do intake, output or do follow up on labs, scripts and billing.

You are worth more than where you are, you maybe may have to temporarily forgo the salary to get peace in your soul, but it is priceless. please consider this. Wish you the best.

skittlebear · Jan 18, 2011

I know exactly what you mean! Lpn school did not fully prepare me for "the real world". I went into this field because I have a strong desire to help others and the anatomy of the human body amazes me. I loved and thrived in school. After just 6 years, I'm already ready for something different. Nursing is so stressful. Just to name a few...high pt loads, so high that you feel you can't care for every pt the way you would like. Documentation: you spend more time with that than actually caring for your pts. The lack of appreciation you get from management. Family members can also be an anoucince at times. Co-workers stabbing you in the back. I could go on and on. Yes OP, I completely understand!

nurseygrrl, LPN · Jan 18, 2011

Thank you all so much. I haven't been to this forum in years and thought of this wonderful community again because of how I've been feeling and I am grateful. It is so nice to know that people really care and understand. Please keep the suggestions coming, it is really helpful!!!