Kind of fed up with things...possibly nursing in general

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So I've been getting more and more frustrated and angry at work for various reasons. Anything from long hours to mean/ungrateful patients. I've worked ER since 2006 with a small stay in icu in there. I feel like it is time for a change, and I'm kind of thinking of getting out of nursing all together. I would like a more steady schedule. Something 7-3 or 8-4. Yeah I have 4 days off a week now but I'd rather work a couple days more during the week and be off in the afternoon to be able to come home, workout, and see my wife before having to go to bed to wake up at 5 and do it again tomorrow.

Has anyone ever felt this way before or almost gone through a complete career change to be happier?

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Specializes in PICU, Sedation/Radiology, PACU.

Maybe nursing in a doctor's office would suit you for awhile. Or a walk in care center that has 8 hour shifts? Outpatient surgery? With your experience, you have lot of options that can give you the schedule you want.

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Specializes in Functional Medicine, Holistic Nutrition.

There are so many options that you could look into, both within nursing and outside of it. Try a different specialty, such as home health, public health, urgent care, etc. You could look into management/administration, which will also give you a more stable schedule. You have TONS of options outside of the hospital.

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This day and age I would stay in nursing or at least in healthcare. I believe that this country is going to go through some harder times pretty soon.

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"Funny" I would log on and this would be posted...I too am "fed up" with nursing. I honestly don't want to be in healthcare at all anymore. That is difficult to even write - but it's true. I've been a nurse since 1990. I realized today actually, that a lot of the stress, depression and anxiety I've been "dealing" with the past few years is directly related to the fact I don't want to be a nurse anymore and it was a realization that I wasn't able to accept though deep down I knew it for some time. How do you tell your family? How do you justify going to school for YEARS, obtaining a degree that basically, outside of being a nurse, isn't worth much? The schedule, the changes that have occurred in healthcare..some good some not, all contributes to just not liking it anymore. I was in a caregiving roll in my personal life for many years and also working as a nurse...it's just taken it's toll. I do not want to work 12 hr shifts. I have tried different flavors of nursing over the past few years hoping it was just "hospital" nursing that was the problem - it isn't. It's nursing in general...the hassle of even trying to get a job..going for an interview takes "forever" - now there is usually a "second" interview or a "panel" interview...I feel sorry for the new grads..nursing has always been somewhat a "eat the young" but now...it really is. I don't have a choice but to remain in it as we can't afford for me not to work and I do want to work - just not in nursing. I recently was offered and accepted a position that is more management than nursing - it starts in a few weeks. I am grateful, especially in this economic climate, to have a job, but honestly, when I should be happy, I'm not. Every other aspect of my life I've looked at..and the common denominator in my negative attitude is this career. It saddens me to say that. I use to be SO enthusiastic about nursing..anyway..I thought maybe I was the only one wanting to do something different...guess not.

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Specializes in Certified Med/Surg tele, and other stuff.

I quit for 4 1/2 yrs and worked as a volunteer in special education advocacy. Getting out and away was the best thing for me. Now I'm back and happy. :)

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I completely see where you're coming from. I don't have my own family yet, but I can totally see how Nursing can be hard on family life. Nursng, in general, just sucks the life out of you. :-/

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You can make your own schedule if you work in extended care home health.

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Specializes in School Nurse; ICU.

I think we have had the same week (or year). I told my family if I didn't get paid so much that I don't think I would be doing what I am doing. They all sat there speechless (a first for my very loud family of 5). They are still walking aroud asking if I am OK:) I know that it is a rough time right now and I will feel differently-I can't honestly see myself doing something else. I think I need that one patient/case that comes along at just the right time to keep the balance of things-usually it happens, hang in there. On another note, if you love travel you might want to think about working for DODEA as as school nurse. I know my post is negative right now but I will get over it. EXCELLENT pay, lifestyle, benefits, hours, vacation time (work same schedule as the teachers). Also, love the kids-trust me, my needed summer vacation is Never about the kids. Something to think about....

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Now that I have seen the reality of the situation, I know I would gladly go back in time and reverse my decision about this profession. I would be working in my previous line of work and not be any more dissatisfied.

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I have certainly felt the way you do. I've even daydreamed about what else I would do, if not nursing. But, when it comes down to it, I'm not ready to give up on nursing yet. Whether you are ready is something only you can know the answer to. Best of luck to you in making your decision!

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Specializes in ICU, OR.

Make a change, but stay in nursing! There are lots of options. I am in a GI lab right now and its day shift, decent 8 hour shifts. Also PACU is great. Ambulatory care, research, case management etc. Plenty of options! The ED is a crazy place, I don't blame you for getting burnt out.

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