I hate nursing, never thought I would say that but after 1.5yrs of working as a floor RN, I know this crap is not for me. This job will suck the living life out of you.
Your emotional, physical and mental health will suffer along with your family life. I have finally decided to leave the bedside and I've never felt so happy. At only 25, I felt like I was going to be stuck in this state for the rest of my working life but I found the courage to finally make the decision that saved my health and my marriage.
I went into nursing with the intention of helping people and being the one to make a difference to those who may feel hopeless. All my intentions were quickly shut down when I started working on the floor.
We deal with some unappreciative, sarcastic, rude, and egotistical (patients, family members, physicians, coworkers, and managers). There is no care in nursing just bottom-line concerns.
My first nursing job was ok, I worked in ND at the time, I moved to FL and that gave me the green light to officially leave floor nursing. I hate the anxious feeling before every shift, the nagging family members, pts who are rude self-entitled, coworkers who throw each other under the bus, physicians who disregard concerns, and a whole lot of other things I can elaborate about that is just downright awful.
I'm glad to say my degree didn't completely go to waste as I am now an RN case manager. I believe being away from the bedside will renew my interest. I refuse to live a day dreading having to go to work, nursing has literally changed how I respond to people before I use to smile at everyone now I walk past people with my face looking like a pit bull ready to bite.
Whenever someone would tell me to smile I thought, "Wow I have changed for the worst" I refuse to be a martyr for this profession.
Taking care of myself is more important than risking it for people who **** on theirs.
How is bedside nursing hurting your marriage? We all have to find out spot in nursing.. Maybe OR is another option for you since patients are mostly asleep. Sounds like maybe you don't like people very much. It takes a very patient, tolerant person to do bedside for years. But I'm glad that if you feel this way, you're getting out.
In your next job try not to focus on the negative parts. Were there ever nice families? Appreciate doctors? Polite coworkers? There had to have been goods too...
Wow, talk about rude. Not everyone has to like bedside nursing and there’s plenty of negatives about it. How about as a fellow nurse, you support someone who is struggling. I personally wish the OP the best of luck.
Specializes in ICU and school aged nursing in public school.
First of all you are only 25 years old. I think one of the problems with this generation coming up is that they feel that they should be respected and admired just for their position. I think that you have a lot to learn and maybe you came into nursing with the wrong idea. This is not where you need to be if you are waiting for people to thank you and fine over you and put their hands on your shoulder and tell you everything’s gonna be OK. I think you have a lot of growing up to do and with all due respect I think you quit bedside nursing Before really giving it a chance.
Stories like this just break my heart, and seem so unbelievable to me,their hard to imagine because I absolutely LOVE nursing! And patients! Even the tough ones, ESPECIALLY the tough ones. Because of those ones I am stronger, I am more patient, I am better able to recognize that in most cases their annoying/demanding/unreasonable behaviors/attitudes, etc really aren't a reflection of who they are, but rather a symptom of some unresolved need/issue they are dealing with. Have I dealt with my share of just plain toxic, unreasonable people? Yes for sure! Patients, staff, MDs, CEOs, families alike. But their misery is their problem, and I'm not taking it on or giving it any of my energy because I don't have enough to spare! I'm no longer at bedside nursing, I now work in a corporate nurse role, however, I still do a few shifts a year (voluntarily) both as charge nurse and CNA, so I can always relate to the staff on the teams I lead by staying current with how changes I have pushed have impacted their work day/flow, so when they say "Its impossible," I can truly relate to the workload because I've worked it! Plus it gives me opportunity to help patients and residents again! I have worked every position type up the ladder starting as a CNA, and while I have seen my fair share of shady, selfish, profits-only driven senior leaders/CEOs for sure, but my 18 years in healthcare has, on more occasions than not, led me to work with the best, most inspirational, and selfless leaders that truly do believe and commit, to patient care first, good clinical outcomes first, done the right (and hard) way, and then the financials will follow. These CEOs and other senior leaders nearly run themselves to the ground with their commitment to excellence/success and they recognize that they cannot be successful without making their staff with their hands on the patients successful and they provide the resources, guidance, $, and continuously put their personal lives on the back burner in order to do it! Staff often see it, but a lot of staff don't either; and they're the ones that aren't usually fun to work beside, below, or above, either. I tend to think how I feel is the "norm" for nurses because it's all I know, but then I read things like this and it blows my mind that this is how it is for some people. I am so very grateful for the career path (both the ups and the downs) I've had! I encourage everyone to do nursing because of how good it's been to me, and believe me, it hasn't always been good either! I am so sorry you're not happy- I hope you find your niche and LOVE it! Just remember though, the power is in our minds, and how we choose to see things, so do your part in finding and appreciating the positives too; because only you can make you happy.
ejk123, your handle reminds me of my email ending of 123 haha. I used it b/c I have 3 kids and also used their initials for the first part of the email addy. Anyway, I wanted to ask you a question about the CNA shifts you mentioned you do occasionally. I'm an LPN in Tampa who misses active patient care. I'm tempted to a CNA rather than an LPN. I'm not wild about boring home care and am NOT going to pass pills all day at a nursing home etc. I wish I had gotten a 4 yr. RN degree right off the bat but I'm now 54 and my memory sux for going back to school. It sounds crazy but I almost don't even care about the money. Can you tell me more of why you did CNA work while being an RN? Or you can just DM me? Thanks!
ejk123, your handle reminds me of my email ending of 123 haha. I used it b/c I have 3 kids and also used their initials for the first part of the email addy. Anyway, I wanted to ask you a question about the CNA shifts you mentioned you do occasionally. I'm an LPN in Tampa who misses active patient care. I'm tempted to a CNA rather than an LPN. I'm not wild about boring home care and am NOT going to pass pills all day at a nursing home etc. I wish I had gotten a 4 yr. RN degree right off the bat but I'm now 54 and my memory sux for going back to school. It sounds crazy but I almost don't even care about the money. Can you tell me more of why you did CNA work while being an RN? Or you can just DM me? Thanks!
I do my occasional shifts as CNA and/or Charge nurse in my current RN job. Everyone always needs staff or someone to fill a shift, so as/when I'm able, I offer to fill shifts in both CNA and bedside nursing roles. Being in a leadership role, by doing this, it helps me never forget what it's like to be the staff in the trenches.... and lots of other good reasons, too. If you're wanting something different, but can't find what that is in a nursing position, I would for sure consider CNA shifts as an alternative.... find a place of employment that uses both nurses and CNAs, and let them know you're willing to fill shifts in both roles. Or if you're just done with nursing for awhile, do CNA only, but I would make sure and do enough nursing shifts/yr to keep your license active. You worked too hard for that. Have you considered other LPN options like clinical teaching associate for clinicals in a CNA training program, clinic, school, etc.. even as an LPN there are still plenty of other options. Try something new, I'll bet you'll surprise yourself on how much you love it; 54 isn't too late to learn something new! ?
I recently left bedside. I hated almost every shift I ever worked. Now I am the happiest nurse on the planet. I have a job that is zero stress and I make more money sitting at a desk and writing appeal letters. This job lets me use my knowledge and love of writing to help patients. It's a win win!
I've been a bedside ICU nurse for over 9 years and I love it! But ICU fits my personality, my desire for direct, hands on patient care, autonomy and daily use of high level critical thinking skills. My point is, every nurse is different and brings their own talents, past life experiences and preferences to the table. There's nothing wrong with not working in a hospital or not wanting to do bedside care. Find out what fits your own personality and desires and I'm sure you will not only survive but thrive in your nursing career.
jobellestarr
361 Posts
Wow, talk about rude. Not everyone has to like bedside nursing and there’s plenty of negatives about it. How about as a fellow nurse, you support someone who is struggling. I personally wish the OP the best of luck.