i hate nursing

HippyDippyLPN · Mar 1, 2014

Take a break, switch jobs, or switch fields for some time to see what you really want to do. I also became an LPN younger than most and in 2012 I just had to step away from nursing for a year and make my heart and head were in it. I stayed home with my kids for a year and it confirmed that I want to be a nurse, I just want more options, so I am in an LPN bridge program now. My good friend just quit her LPN Job because of burn out to go sell cars! And she seems to love it. When you choose your career so young sometimes you question it but ya just gotta get out there and see if there is something else you may enjoy. For me, as much as I think I may be crazy for this, nursing is it for me but I didn't realize that till I took some time off to reflect and decompress.

klong05 · Mar 1, 2014

No I really do understand. Nursing is all I know and it's all I have ever wanted to do that's why it's so devastating. I don't know where else to even start. My game plan was to go back to Rn school but at this point I'm not so sure...thanks for the encouraging words...

priorityjuggler · Mar 1, 2014

Hang in there. You're not alone. I think it's a phase or a process of developing coping mechanisms.

Learning when to care, and when not to give a crap. I'm an LPN as well. Geriatrics and addiction medicine background, so I've experienced two different types of burn. My most rewarding years of employment have been when I was on a good team of coworkers. Coworkers that have 3-4 jobs and sleep (probably on the one they work with you) is still an issue I'm trying to come to terms with. I find and or my theory for my next job is to mind my own business, bust my butt to be the best I can be, and if getting dumped on too much (because if you're the one to do it regularly it becomes your job) with no raises... plan my next job transition.

That's my theory at least.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Mar 1, 2014

I put 150% into everything I do. I can't say the same about a lot of other nurses. In just 5 years I'm burnt out.

This is where some healthy emotional detachment comes a long way.

Have you ever noticed that the emotionally detached nurses who put no more than 100 percent into their jobs because they take care of themselves first are the ones who never get burned out? Meanwhile, the nurses who give 150 percent of themselves and get emotionally involved are the ones who tend to burn to a crisp.

You did not take a vow to become a martyr when you became a nurse. Patients, coworkers, and families will come and go, but you have your body and mind to live with for the rest of your life. It is time to take care of your own needs first because nobody will take care of them for you.

clf78 · Mar 1, 2014

I am a new nurse. Barely 2 months into nursing. However, a lot of the issues you are presenting are not solely unique to nursing. Every job I have had over the past 15 years have many of the same challeges you are describing. There will always be those who do not give as much as you do. There will be some that give more. You cannot look to others and how they work for your satisfaction with your occupation. If where you are is no longer working for you, look somewhere else. The great thing about nursing is that there are so many disciplines available that you can move on to another area. Ultimately, you have to decide for yourself if this is what you want to do. If not, move on to something else. I did, and am glad I did. Best of luck to you!