Leaving the nurse profession

[Cindycin37, ASN, RN]

Argh....so frustrated with nursing. Its been 4yrs since I graduated & Im working in a SNF with 29 residents wondering if Im gonna lose my lic every time I work b4 I can get my yr exp in. Wondering if it will be the same working in a hospital; if I can even get a job there. There's no support for new nurses entering the profession. I'm so tired of struggling just to be a nurse. Im so entertaining the idea of leaving the profession altogether. I'm so sad. Not sure what to do at this point. Im

so disappointed.

[EodwifeRN]

I am sorry to hear that you feel that way. Have you only been working as a nurse for a year? What field are you interested in? What were your reasons for joining nursing? Every place that you work at will be different.

[Cindycin37, ASN, RN]

It took me a year to find a job. I got my EMT lic before finding a job at a GI office. It was a phone triage nursing position. I worked with the office nurse manager who was very hard to work & learn from. I sat next to her everyday & felt like I was walking on egg shells everyday. I was afraid to ask questions. I came home in a bad mood everyday. It was horrible. I left after 8 mo. It was hard to help patients because I've never worked the floor. It was hard to visualize and I felt my first preceptor wasn't hrlping me grow. She made me hate nursing. I left and it took me another year to find a position at the SNF that I'm at. My orientation wasn't very organized but I worked hard and I'm starting to make my way. I still have a hard time finding a mentor or preceptor that will guide me to be the best nurse. I'm not in nursing for the money. I love caring for people. Its rewarding. The patient to nurse ratio is too much. Patients are not getting the best care. I'm stressed out about losing my license everyday. Now my company is being sold soon and I'm not sure what will happen. I'm not sure about specialty but I love nutrition & fitness. I'm having a hard time finding my way in the nursing world & wondering if I really belong.

[lil mac]

Cindycin, I've been nursing a looong time! There are challenges but nursing has been a good career. While you are working , start looking for a part time position in an area of nursing you want to be in. Geriatric nursing is definitely not for everyone! You have to be careful not to be pigeon holed. If you get to looking at different sites you will notice that you are only qualified to work where ever you worked in the last two years. Doesn't make a lot of sense to me but..... just getting a year of experience is not a guarantee it's the type of experience. Usually Med-Surg night shift!! Some luck out and get their dream job right away but for the rest of us we have to work at it!

[jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B]

You could get certified as a fitness instructor. Not only would that be awesome at your local gym, but it would also be a great way to transfer within whichever parent company bought out the SNF and become the fitness instructor, wellness, whatever in your or another facility. Additionally, you could start and teach a CNA 2 course, which is rehab/PT focused, which again would be something you could see if they currently offer.

Senior centers, assisted living--all places where a fitness instructor who is also an RN could be a huge possibility.

certifiedfitnessnursing.com

Just one of the many certifications that could be right up your alley.

Good luck!

[Episteme]

There are jobs around the country. I teach in a nursing school that graduates between 90-120 students/year. They're just about all employed.

Maybe you need to relocate?

[BillyTheKind]

Everyone has to cut their teeth and "put their time in". I have been in some crazy places and wanted to quit a few times myself. It gets better, you find a facility and/or a crew that works for you. Your at the beginning so that's great, you have flexibility to make decisions that will shape your career and you are not pigeon holed into anything yet. Stay flexible and don't get discouraged.

[RschIVF40]

Hi Cindy

I understand your frustration. I do think getting into a hospital may help some of your frustration, however I know how difficult it can be to get a job in a hospital (depending on where you live). When I was working on my master's degree, I worked for a pharmaceutical company. They are always looking for nurses as nursing skills can certainly be well utilized in this field. Either that, or as a phone advice nurse. I've seen a number of jobs advertised for these as well.

I certainly hope you don't leave the field of nursing because you're going through a difficult time. To put this in perspective, regardless of what field anyone works in, there are always rough patches, especially during the first year.. Take a deep breath.. You can do this! Best wishes

[adamRn79, BSN, RN]

My first job wasn't the traditional floor nurse so after four years of that I figured I wouldn't be able to handle it. I got a 6 week orientation and I'm doing great. My patients think I've been a nurse for years but actually 5 as a nurse and only 9 months as a floor nurse. You can learn and adapt.

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

I am so sorry that you have had such a difficult time getting your career started, but please don't make blanket generalizations like "There's no support for new nurses entering the profession."

This is certainly not true for all organizations.

[iPink, BSN, RN]

OP, it took me awhile to get a job after moving at of state. Part of the struggle was I refused to take a job at LTC facilities due to the high nurse-patient ratios and among other things. I was lucky enough to get into a GN Residency at the hospital near me on a critical care floor. The floor was tough but I had so much support as a new nurse on the unit. New Grad friendly units makes the difference and there are plenty of hospitals where this exists.

[ProgressiveActivist, BSN, RN]

A friend once told me that corrections is the best kept secret in nursing. She worked in a county prison. Her hours salary and benefits were very good and she was quite happy in that role.