I want to quit already...

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Specializes in LTC and School Health.

Been working in ICU for over 6months and I love the nursing part but hate the politics and drama on my unit.

Previously, I worked as a LPN in LTC, school health and Substance abuse.

My long term goal is to teach nursing school and or open up my own assisting living or HH agency.

Right now I only have my ADN and don't have many options. Many people are dying to be in my shoes, however I'm just about fed up with bedside nursing period.

I want to request part time but my husband thinks that will put a target on my back and my job may fire me for wanting to work less hours.

Honestly, working parttime in bedside is the only way I can see my self surviving.

I'm tired of taking ativan the night before and after my shifts.

Tired, of the cattiness and rudeness of docs, nurses, family, and patients.

Tired of 13 hours shifts ( my shift never ends on time).

Tired of rushed 30 minute lunch breaks

Tired of management

Just plain ole tired.

If I could I would do full time School nursing or substance abuse in a heart beat. I'd even dreamed of working in post partum or well baby nursery.

So over it.... :arghh:

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Specializes in Peds Medical Floor.

Sounds like it's time to polish up your resume and start applying!

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I completely understand! I think you have great goals! What about going part-time and going back to school since you will need to further your education to do the things you want? They wouldn't look down on you for doing that. Can you transfer floors yet? Another area might not be quite as bad. There are plenty of non-bedside jobs as well. Good luck! I know it's tough!!

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Ok, you need to sit down and really think about your short term and long term goals. Do you want to be a school nurse, a baby nurse, open an assisted living, or your own home health? Or teach nursing school? Do you have any business experience? Do you have any teaching experience? I think you will find a lot of things that seem like a good idea,actually turn out to be a lot different I reality. Seems like your short term goal should be to try out some of these things that interest you. Can you do an internal transfer to mother baby? Can you get a job in home health? Substance abuse?

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Specializes in ICU, CM, Geriatrics, Management.

Think it's pretty clear from your write-up: Your employment is a detrimental impact. And you need to move forward from it fast.

Wish you all the best luck.

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Specializes in Prior military RN/current ICU RN..

Then quit. Your patients deserve somebody who wants to be there.

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Then quit. Your patients deserve somebody who wants to be there.
No they do not. They only deserve competent care. whether i want to be there or not. Op, the issues you mentioned are present in most nursing jobs and many other jobs. there isnt any getting around that .
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Specializes in Sleep medicine,Floor nursing, OR, Trauma.

Hmmmmm....sounds like the honey moon is officially over.

What you are going through is very, very common especially in any high impact job. For the most part, it is considered a portion of growing pains and will pass as your skin toughens and time/people management becomes more second nature.

I believe the others above have a good point on deciding what you wish to accomplish as a long term goal and then structuring your current practices to match.

However, my advice is a touch different:

First, give yourself a bit of time to work through this period. Reality is a kick in the pants and most of us end up more than a little stressed and bitter before appropriate coping can set in.

Second, should point number one be deemed unacceptable, update your resume and have it ready to go. In fact, go ahead and begin your job search now so you can take your time to find something that is more fitting if it will end up benefiting your long term goals. In the meanwhile, keep working as you are so you are continuing to build experience and bring home a paycheck. Yay for money.

Third, work on filtering the drama and bull crap, i.e. reduce your mental clutter. I find that I can deal with most anything provided I keep myself from getting sucked into the unnecessary horse-hockey that is going on around me. I have various tactics I employ: from wearing ear buds and listening to relaxing music when I take lunch, to walking away from conversations at nursing stations that have nothing to do with anything pertinent to my patient, to verbally declaring the three foot area around me a "drama free zone" with the looming threat of a beating with a slab of smoked salmon as the punishment to any would be offenders. And when in doubt, ignore it. Just let it go.

On a different note, do you have vacation time? Sounds to me like someone could use some time in the sun being waited on by well-oiled cabana boys touting margaritas and chips. Even without vacation time, be sure you are taking care of you when you are off. Set aside time on a weekend or, my personal favorite, one night a week is my night to spoil myself rotten. I prepare my favorite meal, sip my favorite wine (or tea, depending), take an uber long shower and use special yummy smelly shampoo, watch shows that I love or rent a movie I've been wanting to see. When my foot is not busticated, I work out first or practice some yoga and just, in general, give myself a night of indulgence.

As my dear friend L'Oreal says, "Because you're worth it."

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I work on a postpartum/central nursery combo unit and I can tell you that these units can be just as busy as a med surg/ICU unit. We don't typically have total care patients as other units can, but it's common not to have a full lunch, deal with difficult patients/families, work 13 hours in total, and deal with management/staff issues.

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Specializes in Neuro ICU/Trauma/Emergency.

Welcome!

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Specializes in cardiac CVRU/ICU/cardiac rehab/case management.

You may have hit burn out. If it is at all possible get a vacation week off. If that isnt an option take a weeks sick leave (dont forget to get doc note )See how you feel after some time off.

Even if you still want to quit you will be able to think though your option more clearly.

If you haven't done so already,get some kleenex,let it out. A little lifetime TV may open the flood gates.

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Specializes in cardiac CVRU/ICU/cardiac rehab/case management.

CP your mail box is full,

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