I'M Done..I'm ready to walk away from Nursing

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I am in my mid 50"s..I have been an LPN for 37yrs..It was my passion in life..But this past year in a LTC/Rehabilitation Center..OMG,,no supplies,,no support from management,out of control cna's..u name it.I became a nurse when it was about the patient..I am a strong patient advocate...its NOT about the patient..I became physically sick..depressed...missed 3 days of work..went to ER with severe abdominal pain..another flare up of diverticulitis..i didn't call of of work cause I was in the ER..management was beyond rude!!So..I said screw it,,the job was just not worth it,,I didnt have the strength to fight with them...where to go from here??

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

Welcome!

Take a deep breath...if you leave nursing, do you have enough money to fund an early retirement? If not, do you have a spouse or partner to help? If not, are you going to change careers in your mid 50s? If you are going to change your career, what are you going to do?

Just some food for thought. Perhaps you could change your scenery (read: find a new workplace) before leaving nursing altogether. Good luck to you!

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Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.

With 37yrs, consider nonprofit Hospice or Home Health as your next move. You get one on one time...and chance to breathe, be the nurse YOU want to be!

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There are a few times that I have said that being a greeter in a big box store would be my dream job at present. But 37 years of nursing, an there are patients who can benefit from what you have to offer.

There are many, many, home health/visiting nurse agencies that embrace LPN's, especially ones with 37 years of experience! Most agencies have all sorts of different areas to work.

Best of luck to you, and I am not sure I would leave nursing all together, just a change of scenery may be what you need to feel better.

Let us know how it goes.

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Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

Private duty/ home care might be just the thing for you. I have a critical care job and a private duty/ home care job. one pays the bills the other feeds my soul in a way the $$ cannot.

Think about it- you have a lot to offer, and somewhere is an employer who will appreciate you.

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Specializes in nurseline,med surg, PD.

Look into private duty. It can be interesting, depending on the case, and decreased stress. Generally you are on your own, just you and your patient. Its so nice to have no one breathing down your back. Also, easier physically.

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I often feel this way, too.

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Look into extended care home health. A long term case with an infant might be all the morale booster that you need at this time.

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Specializes in LTC, SNF, Rehab, Hospice.

I feel this way sometimes too. Nursing is **** in certain areas. I have been an LPN/LVN for 8 years. I do LTC/SNF/rehab..."customer service". Management does not back their employees most of the time. Team work is hard to find. Everyone is in it for themselves. More and more nurses are coming out of school to have a good paying job and not because they are passionate about caring for others. Nursing...I love it and I hate it all at the same time. I think my patience is probably worse and I feel bitter at times. I think maybe finding the right area of nursing would make a difference. More team centered care and better employee recognition programs would be so positive to see.

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Specializes in LTC, SNF, Rehab, Hospice.

I did crisis care hospice for 13 months and it was a good break. However, I need to be more active in my nursing care. 1 to 1 is hard to do for 8-12hrs. I prefer to work my butt off during those hours and be tired for good reason.

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I am also feeling like the Nurse who is ready to get out. I have almost 20 years and I am sad. When I was young I used to let it roll off my back but now I have to work. I have applied to hospice because this is the area I was told that gives nurses a break.

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Specializes in Hospice Nursing.
I am also feeling like the Nurse who is ready to get out. I have almost 20 years and I am sad. When I was young I used to let it roll off my back but now I have to work. I have applied to hospice because this is the area I was told that gives nurses a break.

Coming to hospice to "get a break"will be a huge letdown. Search previous posts about the pros and cons of hospice nursing before you make the switch. I love it, but it is not easy!

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