after 22 years i am leaving the nursing profession. i have spent almost half of my life taking care of other people, and it is now time to step aside and let someone else step in.
i was very young when i started out, and i often say that i chose nursing the same way many women choose a man, for all of the wrong reasons although i was good at it, i never harmed anyone, i worked hard, cleaned pts real good, cleaned nails, ears, etc. made beds, toe pleats and all, passed meds, did IV's, blood and all of those other tasks they added to the list over the years. everyone was well taken care of, except for me. i silenced my own voice.
so, it is time for me to leave. after numerous injuries, (back, wrist, neck), backstabbing managers, obnoxious families and insulting doctors i just can't do it anymore. i'm tired and just have done all i can do. i have worked everywhere and seen it all from the ER to the OR. i didn't do it for the money, it's really not that much for all of the b* i have to deal with. i feel sorry for the shallow person who wants to do nursing for the money. i would not want them standing over me.:chair:
if i had it to do over, i would not. but i can't undo what is already done.
i love kids, i love art. i have a degree in art and opportunities to teach it are coming my way. not the same money but much less stress on me, no injuries and no more palpitations and bradycardia. i don't like telemetry either-- working in it, or laying down in it. the beeping really creeps me out, and when i look up and see "50" on the screen that does not help. :redbeathe
i did not wake up and decide to quit, it has taken me a long time to get to this place and i realize that it is either remain in this relationship (profession) at my own expense, or get out now while i still have my physical and mental health and strength. i have seen too many of my commrades die prematurely. i don't want to be next, before my time.
good luck to you all, be safe, CYA, and most of all when the going gets tough, get out!
my mom took an early retirement after 30 years of being in this field! She was eventually fed up! now she's enjoying at home, but then, after 1 year or so, she started getting bored at home, and when she sees others people in the nurses' uniform, she jus envies them
I've been in Nursing for 18 years and I fully understand wanting to leave. I triedto leave and go back to college a few years ago, but found out real quick that money doesn't stink.
I had to go back into nursing and many days I absolutly hate it. I have so many other taents and am forced to stick with the one, because I can't afford to change. House payments, 2 pre-puberty kids, gasoline prices constantly rising, and so on. I work in ICU and I sometimes can't stand to see another sick person. I quit ER, because people seem to think that nurses are the world punching bags.
I would love to work normal hours, so have applied to Anestetics, but ma ICU head nurse is holding me back.
Anyways , go for it! Do whatever is inside of you!
I like others went into Nursing as a Mid Life Career change; I was 42 at that time. After stints in various levels of hospitalcare(nursing home to progressive care) I left the Hospital for Good 4 years ago. I have semi retired now and work only Home Health Visits. In good faith, knowing today what I didn't know 20 years ago, I could Never recommend Nusing as a Career to friends or family. All I can say is good luck to those choosing this field as a mid life careerchange. I know Nurses are sorely needed in our Hospitals but due to financial restraints, stress, needlesticks and the reality of contracting a life threatening disease, lack of respect I could never go back...
but you know the thing is you will never know if you're going to hate something until you try it. i remember when there this lady who had broken her leg will she needed rehab,she was also in a wheel chair. will before this happen she told her family she would never do nursing. after going thro rehab she decided to take the cna class after she passed she really enjoy the field,so than she move on got her r.n. and became the d.o.n. and she done this for almost 30 years
I'm new to this site; and new to nursing - after 20 years as an executive
secretary I'm finally trying something that I've always wanted to do. Been reading alot of threads, good, bad and downright scary things about nursing. But this thread, really touched me. It's not discouraging -this person has given 20 plus years to a career and is smart enough to know
when to move on; and I'm sure has some great stories to tell. Anyway, thank you for the thread and you would make a great writer!
Thanks brefni! Good luck to you, too! And I do see my nursing career as a profession. I worked in a hospital for 2yrs in high school and volunteered in a convalescent home, too. So I understand what is involved,plus I have a cousin and two friends who are nurses. My last comment about having insight and great strength was directed to Crispi, and not myself, sorry about that. I know you have made a wise choice and I commend and applaud you.So, here it is: Crispi you have insight and great strength to realize your place and when you are called to be in a different area. Good for you!
Specializes in ICU, HOME HEALTH, NURSING EDUC, CASE MGT.
Dear Chris,
I have enjoyed your honest and upfront post concerning this topic. You have devoted many good years, have given your all, and now it is time to move on. Nothing wrong with that! The lives that you have touched has made a difference. Nobody can take away your dignity, experience, and the memories. Follow your heart and go forward with your dream. At least you know when to draw the line, and pursue something else that will make you happy. Thank you for all of the years that you have devoted to nursing. Best of luck in your future endeavors. And, please stay in touch with all of us here now and then. Take care and God bless.
As someone starting pre-reqs next in the fall to join the nursing program in a couple of years, all I can say to this is, yikes! This is one of the posts that scares me. For all the dozen that you see that say it's the best profession they chose,... you see another dozen that hated it.
But...
Congrats to you for making the life change you found necessary. Other's would not have been so brave. I hope you find what comforts you like you comforted many others. :)
- lisa
I'm with you. I am also going back to school at almost 40 for a nursing degree, eventually leaving an accounting degree. Now Im scared.
I just hate working for corporate America, lining the pockets of CEOs while we are lucky to get a 3 % raise to feed our families. There is no soul in business---just a number and a job title when it comes to layoffs.
I want to have a career that actually makes a difference in others lives. I'm still going forward and plan to enjoy being a nurse for at least the last 20-25 years of my working life.
Good luck..I've been a LPN for almost 10 yrs..and just graduated from RN school. This profession is definelty not just for the money..it is full of stressors. Trust me I have had several nights where I say " That's it..I quit..I am not coming back..this is crazy!!!!!!!!!!" but I still keep coming..maybe I like punishing myself, or maybe it's for the one one sincere THANK YOU from a pt. or family member...( you know we don't get that often), but I know I want to be like you and know when I've had enough and GET OUT!!! Good luck with your future career and lets not forget to mention peace of mind.
Nobody can take away your dignity, experience, and the memories. Follow your heart and go forward with your dream. At least you know when to draw the line, and pursue something else that will make you happy. Thank you for all of the years that you have devoted to nursing. 
Best of luck in your future endeavors. And, please stay in touch with all of us here now and then. Take care and God bless. 
tara.danley
16 Posts
OMG the part about living in Montana is SOOOOOOOOOOOO TRUE!!!!