Leaving Nursing

Nurses General Nursing

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Lately, I have been terribly disappointed in the nursing profession. I have been nursing since 2014. I feel as of late we have really been taken advantage of. So much so that I have actually made the decision to leave the profession by applying to grad school for an MBA with a concentration in Healthcare Administration. The consistent short staffing and unreasonable expectations have just completely turned me off. Seems to be a thing at both of my nursing jobs. Not to mention my one job which is PRN is consistently short, so we are already above the 1:4 expected patient ratios. Nearly every time I work I get dumped on (i.e. surgicals or admits) right at shift change, sometimes 5-10 minutes after my shift has ended and that 30 minutes we are given for report and change of shift. Now here is where my frustration is....every time I have worked I receive a complaint from the oncoming nurse in which my manager texts me about and I need to come in a discuss with her. Usually how things are not completed or something of this nature. Well the first time it happened I thought well maybe I did forget something because I was in a hurry to get out of there. The second time I got dumped on at change of shift I stayed late by 2.5 hours, set up IV fluids, vital signs, charted, passed meds, initiated care plans, made sure all ordered equipment was in the room, labeled all tubing. I was sure I didn't miss anything even checked with the nurse before leaving to make sure there was nothing else I could help her with. I mean I was already there late. Well low and behold I find out today that nurse filed a complaint against me. This was kind of my breaking point. I don't want to be part of a profession where I busy my butt only to receive complaints of how I'm not doing good enough. Feel defeated. My plan is to put my application in to some other job opportunities outside of nursing just to get out while I finish this masters program. Thanks for listening.

I scared and sick to me stomach when I go to work. Not even sure I will have enough in me to finish out my shifts thru the next month. Just another day to get dumped on and expected to do more then possible just so I can get pulled into the office before I go home just to be told what a terrible job I'm doing or why my meds were late or some other frivolous issue just so I can go home feeling like a miserable sack of sh-t. Or getting written up for not doing a pain assessment within an hour...or being put on the spot about not offering aromatherapy... The profession has literally pushed me out. I guess I'm just not a good enough nurse. Besides all this it just isn't safe for me anymore.

Please reconsider. You seem to be in a toxic environment with minimum management support. I've been there so I completely understand. You're a veteran, have you considered working for the VA or another federal entity? They give veterans preference and you can continue your time.

I'm sorry you feel so abandoned and dumped on that you want to leave but it's only been 4 years. Maybe a change of environment will help. Try giving it one more chance somewhere else before completely giving up, maybe that unit is just a bad fit. You're not a bad nurse, your environment isn't working for you. It's OK to change units/specialties/etc.

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Please reconsider. You seem to be in a toxic environment with minimum management support. I've been there so I completely understand. You're a veteran, have you considered working for the VA or another federal entity? They give veterans preference and you can continue your time.

I'm sorry you feel so abandoned and dumped on that you want to leave but it's only been 4 years. Maybe a change of environment will help. Try giving it one more chance somewhere else before completely giving up, maybe that unit is just a bad fit. You're not a bad nurse, your environment isn't working for you. It's OK to change units/specialties/etc.

It's so unsafe I don't even want to take the risk. I'd rather serve coffee at Starbucks.

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It's so unsafe I don't even want to take the risk. I'd rather serve coffee at Starbucks.

No. I agree you should leave that facility. I meant reconsider leaving nursing altogether. You worked hard to be a nurse, put in time, sweat, and tears. You stuck with it cause you liked it. Don't let someone else destroy that in you. I get you feel defeated. Fine. Acknowledge THAT particular facility defeated you, I've been a nurse over 10 years and from the sounds of it, I'd be defeated too You were put in a lose/lose situation. You could have been super nurse but you are only 1 person. You can't do the job of 3.

Apply to other facilities, even if you try case management in home health, clinic nursing, etc. Anything but there. Just don't give up on nursing.

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Specializes in NICU.

Well the statement of unreasonable expectations says it all about nursing today.On top of that you work for a crap nurse manager who does not know how to handle staff complaint/tattle tale stuff.By the way what was that last complaint after you worked overtime and were you paid for the ot? Once people treat you like a scapegoat for whatever is wrong in their lives ,it doesnt stop.

MBA and administration job .... eeekkk ....you will be joining those that have made nursing the worse career choice,but it is up to you.

Nursing is a career many of us love but it is the biggest betrayal.

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I initially was leaning towards just a generic MBA. I'd like to at least build off my current education/experience. The healthcare portion is an add on certificate to the program which from my understanding I can change before finishing the generic program. I'd like to continue to work in healthcare just not in the capacity of what I am now. I hope that one day if ever in upper management I can implement a safe working practice given my background as a nurse.

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We got a new VP of nursing....within weeks incentives and differentials were eliminated or decreased. 12-16 hours of overtime became mandatory. Patient ratios 1:5 and on my unit which is a busy ortho floor with high turnover it's not abnormal to care for up to 8 patients in a 12 hour shift. Cna's can no longer obtain vitals or accuchecks. The staffing module is 1:14 for cna's.... everyone comes to the floor with scheduled pain medication q2-4 hours plus prn....nobody else has time to help you because they are overwhelmed themselves. Funny thing is I have floated many many times to several other units and never have complaints. I have even on multiple occasions had other unit managers call or text me and ask if I would pick up on their floor. Then I got the talk about how I'm not suppose to pick up on other floors because it leaves them short.

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Specializes in Tele, ICU, Staff Development.

I think nurses turn on each other when they are completely and overwhelmingly overworked and patient safety concerns fall on deaf ears. Your manager is lacking leadership skills.

It keeps us in a state of frustration and disunity. The only way we can move forward is to stick together and speak up. We're all in the same boat, but that boat holds over 3 million of us. Best wishes in your new endeavor, but before you jump ship, maybe give it one more chance in a different floor or facility? There are places with supportive co-workers and effective managers.

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Specializes in Psych, Corrections, Med-Surg, Ambulatory.

If you really have to, go ahead and punch a till or brew lattes for a while. Don't burn your nursing license just yet. Time away will tell if you just need a new nursing job or an entirely new career. Best wishes, whatever you decide.

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Specializes in ED, Cardiac-step down, tele, med surg.

Can't you take a leave of absence and look for a new job, a nursing job, maybe a per diem somewhere? Then you would have more time to look into MBA programs. Maybe it's partly the facility and unit you're on. Won't you cut your paycheck in half by working as a waitress? I'd encorage you not to make any life changing decision yet while you're so upset. People can often get a stress leave if your doctor signs off on it. I had a coworker do this because our director was trying to get my co worker fired because my co worker tried to get her in trouble with HR-long story. Our director was pissed and vindictive. She got a stress leave because, looked for a new job while out on leave. She didn't find anything and came to our ER but her perspective had changed and the director eventually left for another job.

If you're really at the point where you're going to work at Starbucks, I'd strongly consider it. I feel like you'd be throwing away all your hard work in nursing school like and you'd let your crappy co workers win. Find a way to let nursing serve to help you into your next venture. Good luck. Keep us updated.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Pediatric Float, PICU, NICU.
We got a new VP of nursing....within weeks incentives and differentials were eliminated or decreased. 12-16 hours of overtime became mandatory. Patient ratios 1:5 and on my unit which is a busy ortho floor with high turnover it's not abnormal to care for up to 8 patients in a 12 hour shift. Cna's can no longer obtain vitals or accuchecks. The staffing module is 1:14 for cna's.... everyone comes to the floor with scheduled pain medication q2-4 hours plus prn....nobody else has time to help you because they are overwhelmed themselves. Funny thing is I have floated many many times to several other units and never have complaints. I have even on multiple occasions had other unit managers call or text me and ask if I would pick up on their floor. Then I got the talk about how I'm not suppose to pick up on other floors because it leaves them short.

This post here makes it seem very clear that it is not nursing as a profession but is, in fact, your particular unit. Take a break if you want, but I think you'd get a much clearer mind by simply leaving that unit.

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I have worked as a CNA for the past 3 years, I can totally empathize with your struggles. As someone who is working really hard to get their BSN, it seems drastic to quit on the profession entirely because you don't like bedside nursing. Have you considered doctors offices, hospice, even home health care nursing?

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Specializes in Case Manager/Administrator.

This sounds like a core group who have been allowed to harass others. It will continue until a nurse manager has boundaries to stop it.

In the mean time I would before I leave ask the nurse if there is anything else, that I think I have covered all I can for my shift and if I have missed anything to please let me know when we have shift change again.

If they do not do this I would say to the nurse next time I see her/him I am not sure if I communicated well enough last time we had shift change, it appears you had some issues and spoke to our nurse manager. I thought you were going to let me know as well. Again if there is an issue could you please let me know too so I can try and fix it before it gets to our manager who already has so many things going on, if you notify me it will be an easy fix and I can take care of it.

If it continues then yes this nurse is a bully/passive aggressive and I would not want to work in an environment like this. If you continue to work on this unit before I leave my work area I would have rounds with the oncoming nurse each and every time. If they say no then I would let them know I would feel better with the rounds as there have been issues in the past with complaints of work not being completed. If they continue to say they do not have time for rounds I would email the manager and let them know.

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