Leaving nursing after 2 years

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I'm looking for some career advice. I have been working as a nurse for 2 years. My first and second jobs I stayed at for 6 months each. My third job I've been at for a year. They have all been vastly different experiences/settings. I haven't "enjoyed" any of them. I've felt pushed beyond my limits physically, emotionally, and mentally due to patient to nurse ratios and high needs high acuity patients and their requirements. I've felt abused by the system being unable to take lunch breaks on 13-14 hour shifts and not being able to sit down. I'm starting to think it isn't "just this job" but nursing in general because I've been in 3 different settings now with the same experience. I went into nursing to help people and instead I worry every day about hurting someone by accident because of overlooking something or not being available to check on my patients or teach them effectively. I think I give up. Is it time for me to move on?

[chiandre]

I'm looking for some career advice. I have been working as a nurse for 2 years. My first and second jobs I stayed at for 6 months each. My third job I've been at for a year. They have all been vastly different experiences/settings. I haven't "enjoyed" any of them. I've felt pushed beyond my limits physically, emotionally, and mentally due to patient to nurse ratios and high needs high acuity patients and their requirements. I've felt abused by the system being unable to take lunch breaks on 13-14 hour shifts and not being able to sit down. I'm starting to think it isn't "just this job" but nursing in general because I've been in 3 different settings now with the same experience. I went into nursing to help people and instead I worry every day about hurting someone by accident because of overlooking something or not being available to check on my patients or teach them effectively. I think I give up. Is it time for me to move on?

First I have to applaud you for realizing that you are at this point in your career. You have a right to enjoy your career. Many nurse go for years without realizing that they are burned out.

I am so sorry that you have not had any great experiences with the profession. Nursing is not only about being at the bedside. Nurses practice everywhere. Have you considered working for insurance companies, law firms, schools, corporations, etc? How about opening your own business? How about teaching nursing? As a registered nurse, you have a lot to contribute to the society. You can still help people without being at the bedside. Use your experiences to mentor and coach other nurses going through the same experience.

Again, I applaud you. Do not leave nursing. Let Nursing work for you. You are a great nurse. The profession needs you.

[Lev, MSN, RN, NP]

Have you ever worked OR or PACU? I had my senior practicum in the PACU and it was pretty relaxed. The patients are mostly sleeping and/or intubated. Nurse patient ratios are strict. Another option would be school nursing which is no cake, but not as strenuous as the floors. If you are still looking for intense patient interaction but don't want to be constantly running up and down the hall and juggling 5 patients, there is always ICU. Other alternatives include endoscopy, IR, cath lab etc. Or you could try a clinic.

[caliotter3]

And then, for stress relief, one on one nursing in extended care home health. If you get a stable patient this can be a chance for you to decompress while you weigh your options.

[wswigert]

I know exactly what you're going through. I got my LPN in 2011 and worked for about 18 months. I have been working as a massage therapist(I've been licensed 12 years) for about 16 months now. I am currently in my 2nd semester of the LPN-RN transition. I'm hoping that being an RN will open up more opportunities for me. I worked at 2 different nursing homes and I have vowed not to go back. As an RN you have so many options. Just follow your heart. When I left nursing in April 2013 I didn't plan on going back, yet here I am.