I want to do something else

Nurses New Nurse

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I have been working on an extremely busy med/tele unit for about 7 months..........and I hate it. Nursing is not what I thought it was. I dont have to explain y, you guys already know. I am looking into other careers that may pay less but that I may be happier with. I envy people who enjoy their jobs and have careers they love.........I can't quit because I need the money. But I am trying to save so I can work towards another career that I would love. I know people say that you should try to stay for a year in one place because it looks good and I am going to try to stick it out that long but I just want to be honest with myself, this is not something I see myself doing for much longer. Anyone who is considering a career in nursing, RUN and fast!

Phew. Whenever I read one of those "i hate my workplace" that unfortunately seem to be plenty at this forum, I am amazed. I know you're not too fond of unions on your side of the pond, but is this the case among nurses? If so, why? I know they won a fight in California over nurse to patient ratio. Perhaps if you got better organized at your workplaces, these problems wouldn't be so common.

Not every state has unions. Some places fight to keep them out.

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Specializes in GYN-ONC, MED/ONC, HEM/ONC.
Find something else to do before you hurt someone.

[EVIL][/EVIL]

What a mean thing to say! We should be supporting not trying to make people feel bad. That is the reason you probably feel how you are feeling in the first place!

Anyway, all I want to say is that I worked medsurg for 9 months and HATED it. I was miserable, its a wonder my boyfriend didn't leave me! Nursing is not just a hard job, it is the hardest job. I agree with what you're saying, but I moved to a different job, and, I'm not loads happier but at least I can tolerate it, and don't get sick to my stomach every day on my way to work. I give 150%, and try to leave work at work.

Also I'm getting my masters to be an NP and work in a college health clinic which is a cake walk compared to what I'm doing now!

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Specializes in acute medical.
Thank you for all the support! I do have some issues that I could work on like not taking things personally, saying no and not feeling guilty about it, dealing with toxic people beter, stop working so much, change my schedule, acknowledge the progress I have made, and explore other avenues of nursing than just bedide to name a few! Well, I am going to transfer to a calmer unit at the end of January and we will see how thazt goes.......it's much calmer,less busy, but still plenty of good experience. I know its tough but I can do it.........and I really appreciate the support, its nice to know I am not alone!

Oh, you are definitely not alone...I have just noticed that you said you would transfer at the end of January. I really hope that this experience is going well for you. I imagine the transition will be difficult, but if the ambience prior to you even going there is calmer, then I hope it has been good to you...

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Ok.. I will say right now I am a student. I can only empathize with your situation but I think that if you are so burned out and there is such a huge list of negatives... (I did not see any positives) you really should consider a change in careers or atleast a different area of nursing... I have been told that it takes a few years to find the one area that really fits. So maybe try another field of nursing, or take a vaccation before you make yourself sick. I am sure if you have a family all the stress you appear to be under is taking a toll on them as well. Just because it might look better to keep the job for a year does not mean that it is worth it. I hope you find a career path that is rewarding to you and is something that makes you happy!!

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Specializes in LTC,HOSPITAL,HOME CARE,TRAVELING.

Smiley sounds like you were working my tele unit.Those are everyday things all day where I work .Those are some of the reasons I am going back to the different BS that goes along with LTC.On top of it is so close to home.I feel I can deal better with LTC at this point in my career.

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hi there,

sounds like you're on a really really busy floor with perhaps some staffing issues? how long have you been a nurse? anyways, I was in a similiar situation, except I worked 12-hour days. I never had to work a night shift, I totally lucked out!! that's because my floor had such high a turnover rate so I entered when about 5 day people left. If possible, I'd definitely recommend first switching to days, or at least evenings. Then at least you can get "normal" sleep and have a somewhat normal life. If you can't do that, then maybe not work more than 3 nights in a row. That's horrible that they scheduled you to work 4 and 5 nights in a row. Its ok every once in a while, but not regularly. And last, I'd recommend either switching to another floor in your hospital, to another hospital, or just get yourself out of the hospital in general. I was working on a really crappy, stressful, totally understaffed floor and I was totally depressed and had lots of similiar complaints. So I started working in a clinic and all of that crap just disappeared. I get paid less, but I'm 1000x more happier and healthier. One of my coworkers at my horrible hospital job said that if you aren't happy in your workplace, you just can't be happy in general. Good luck!!

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Update........I didnt transfer, still on med/tele unit. Turned out they wanted me to do nights over there........not my thing because I am not a night owl. I will have a year of experience in June........trying to stick it out til then. I dont like bedside nursing and am looking for a nonhospital nursing job.

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Thanks for the affirmation! I just felt like I was reading my own personal account of my experience on a med/surg unit straight out of nursing school this past May. I just traded in the N/V, ulcers, & zero family time to be a school nurse. I'm excited yet nervous to see what I am responsible for in such a big district.

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Update........I didnt transfer, still on med/tele unit. Turned out they wanted me to do nights over there........not my thing because I am not a night owl. I will have a year of experience in June........trying to stick it out til then. I dont like bedside nursing and am looking for a nonhospital nursing job.

I am a new grad and work in a community health center in Boston....I think you would like it.....it's busy but a very different kind of busy...and everyone really respects the nurses. I work mon-frid 9-5p with one evening to 8pm. It's a salaried position with pay at $26per hour. We have 13 paid holidays off.

I may do an acute care type per diem on some weekends just to keep my inpatient skills up.

wish you all the best.....the nursing world is your oyster....after a year's experience you can go anywhere with a good starting pay.:monkeydance:

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Maybe another type of nursing may suit you!

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

Hi smileysenior,

I am new to the site and just read through this thread. Your year mark has passed at this point and I'm hoping that you were able to move to a different floor or different area of nursing that you're much happier with.

Wishing you all the best!

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Specializes in Ortho, Case Management, blabla.

Eating healthy and working out a bit is beneficial. I do a few sets with weights on my days off. It helps relieve stress, builds strength which helps prevent work injuries, and releases those happy endorphins. heheh. Invest in a lunch box and start bringing in food. I buy those bags of salad and eat the lettuce like potato chips on my lunch break. I eat a yogurt and wheat germ smoothie in the morning with fresh fruit. Go easy on the meat. Cut out carbonated beverages and go for juices or water. Also, coffee has a lot of good things in it, so have a cup once in a while (not the processed decaf stuff). You'd be surprised what a balanced diet can do for you. I'm not saying my methods are foolproof, but it's something you can try. Also, if you're sick, just call in. If they don't like it, screw em. If you get sick at work, be assertive...don't ask if you can leave, tell them you are leaving and you need a replacement. Failing that, there's plenty of Nursing Jobs in the world and I don't think all of them suck (mine doesnt).

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