Just Feeling Done With Nursing

[Nurseybl06]

I hate to even write this but I know all of you will understand. I WANT OUT of nursing. I’m an RN at a LTC/subacute facility. I work the subacute floor.  I love the patients, but I am sick and tired of the BS that comes along with everything.  We are SO short staffed and I do my best, but it’s nearly impossible. There’s one supervisor in particular who is constantly finding the ONE thing you didn’t do (like I forgot to empty suction container) meanwhile I do so much to help everyone else out. You write up the CNA’s because they sit at the desk while lights are going off and patients need to be toileted, and nothing comes from it because they can’t fire anyone because there is no staff.  I always feel rushed. My documenting is slacking because I’m so burnt out that work has became misery and all I can focus on is surviving the shift. I have become a do what I have to do to get through the shift kind of Nurse and that is not the nurse I want to be. I will admit I have taken many shortcuts because it’s impossible for one person. (Not at harm to the patient) I’m wishing I never became a nurse 

[Davey Do]

Just because we eat on bad apple doesn't mean the whole barrel is bad.

Back in '03, I made mention to a paramedic/CPR instructor who had been in the field as long as I had- nearly 25 years at that time- that I felt "burned out".

He asked, "Are you burned out, or have you just learned to take short cuts?"

Interesting perspective.

Basically, this wise man believed that we had been in the field long enough not to expend emotional energy and we took short cuts, but still reached a therapeutic goal for the patient.

Having had some LTC experience, I have noted that it is "meat & potatoes nursing". We do basic care using the quickest, shortest methods possible in order to reach a therapeutic goal.

I sense, Nurseyb106, that you are a nurse with high standards who cares about your patients but have had your fortitude crushed by the current Forces That Be. It would be a shame for this field to lose a competent caring professional due to having to always eat that one bad apple from the barrel.

So, look around for some other apple that you can sink your teeth into.

The best to you.

[Emergent, RN]

I'm done. Getting a part time job at a farm store soon.

[Guest 1152923]

     Not to be pessimistic here, but I honestly don't see things improving anytime soon for most nurses and as bad as things were pre-Covid, the pandemic has only made them worse.  My hospital, which was ground zero in the early days of the pandemic, is once again at capacity and nearing a crisis state.  What's next years' variant; epsilon? zeta?...and the year after?  I see no let up in the near future.  My advice is to do some soul searching and if you really believe that you no longer wish to be a nurse, plan on pursuing a different career path while you're still young.  Trying to so with children/family or later in life is considerably more difficult and many find themselves trapped in a profession that they despise.

[ajdizzle43, LPN, LVN]

14 hours ago, Emergent said:

I'm done. Getting a part time job at a farm store soon.

Going from working with newly blind folks in the ER  from dewormer to the folks who see their purchases on the livestock shelf. It's like a weird butterfly effect twilight zone, but with dewormer. ?. 

*/s I get it BTW. I hope no one is offended. I feel like I need a disclaimer.*

[Emergent, RN]

I won't have to ask people their height, weight, if they are feeling suicidal, if they smoke or vape, have they been out of the country,  medication list 2 pages long, vaccine status, ad nauseum...

[Guest 1152923]

2 hours ago, Emergent said:

I won't have to ask people their height, weight, if they are feeling suicidal, if they smoke or vape, have they been out of the country,  medication list 2 pages long, vaccine status, ad nauseum...

Also required questions of all patients regardless of presenting complaint or diagnosis(es)..."Do you feel safe at home?  Date of last mammogram/Pap smear?  Date of last screening colonoscopy?  Last BM?  Do you routinely wear a seat belt?  If you were unable to make decisions for yourself, do you have any written wishes about your future healthcare?  Preferred method of learning?  Any important cultural or spiritual practices?  Do you pick your nose when no one is watching (JK)...."  Garbage in, garbage out! 

[Emergent, RN]

The data entry aspect of Nursing has become mind-numbing ???

[anewsns]

Is SNF your only background? I hated working SNF for the same reasons you mentioned above. The bedside nursing world is rough right now but I still recommend trying at least one other area before quitting entirely. Just about everything is more fulfilling than SNF. So you know, this is not a disrespect thing. I know first hand that people unfairly look down on nurses in SNF which makes the whole situation way worse. I have immense appreciation for people who stay. Residents and patients in LTC and SNF get kind of a raw deal because of the way they are run. Nurses who really enjoy those jobs are pure gold to me. 

[Leonardo Del Toro, RN]

On 9/7/2021 at 7:26 PM, Nurseybl06 said:

I hate to even write this but I know all of you will understand. I WANT OUT of nursing. I’m an RN at a LTC/subacute facility. I work the subacute floor.  I love the patients, but I am sick and tired of the BS that comes along with everything.  We are SO short staffed and I do my best, but it’s nearly impossible. There’s one supervisor in particular who is constantly finding the ONE thing you didn’t do (like I forgot to empty suction container) meanwhile I do so much to help everyone else out. You write up the CNA’s because they sit at the desk while lights are going off and patients need to be toileted, and nothing comes from it because they can’t fire anyone because there is no staff.  I always feel rushed. My documenting is slacking because I’m so burnt out that work has became misery and all I can focus on is surviving the shift. I have become a do what I have to do to get through the shift kind of Nurse and that is not the nurse I want to be. I will admit I have taken many shortcuts because it’s impossible for one person. (Not at harm to the patient) I’m wishing I never became a nurse 

I could have written these same words referring to an exact same situation I find myself in. I'm actually reaching a burnout level I've never experienced before. I'm exhausted, always working extra hours and never knowing if the NOC RN called off and I'll have to pull a 12 or a 16 I guess that is the one thing that stresses me the most I can't seem to adapt to that ever. All of us do the job of 2 nurses. Never any appreciation. you do 99 things right and but that one thing oh you're a horrible nurse. I just feel like walking out and taking a long long break. I don't care what happens. Anything will be better than being here and listening to this never ending call lights, patients and admin never respecting nurses. My personal job satisfaction is in the toilet. I feel I hardly have time to do any meaningful action to patients. Stuff them with drugs they don't need and the rest of time perform endless and useless chores in the computer. 

[Olivelove20]

On 9/8/2021 at 9:50 AM, Emergent said:

I'm done. Getting a part time job at a farm store soon.

Emergent RN - are you leaving working an ER or another type unit? I have been offered a Baylor Weekend position in a Progressive Care Unit and am really unsure about it. I've been out of the hospital since 2017. I was told the nurse patient ratio is 4:1, possibly 5:1 then the charge nurse will take patients. Have another offer, an on call hospice position.

Unfortunately I have to stay in nursing for the income as I am the main bread winner in my household. Just trying to figure out which of the two positions would be the wisest path.

[Emergent, RN]

@Olivelove20I'm retiring from nursing. Yes, I was ER. 

Which job you take is up to you, depending on your career goals.