Is Nursing Just Not For Me?

Nurses LPN/LVN

Published

  1. Should I stay?

    • 0
      Yes, maybe it will work out
    • 0
      It's a 24 hour facility, just do your work
    • 4
      Get your things and run like hell for the door
    • 1
      Give it some time
    • 0
      Speak to the Director of Nursing and see if things change

5 members have participated

I am going through a particularly difficult time in my life where my dad has been diagnosed with alzheimers, I work on an alzheimers floor as well. I have always enjoyed it. Lately, the staff has been extremely lazy & just complete whatever it is that THEY need to do. So when I come in on the weekends I'm having to call the Doctor to fix orders & the pharmacy to ensure that the medication is coming. I wouldn't mind if it was occasionally, but this is all the time. I've brought it to the attention of upper management and they turn a blind eye. There's so much unnecessary drama that it literally makes me sick. This isn't the place I thought it was. In staying I fear for the safety of my license, & sanity & in leaving I fear for my residents who I have cared for for almost two years now. This one resident did not have to die but when he started getting sick I called the Doctor & she refused to order ANTIBIOTICS or even labs. He died from double pneumonia. When I saw her she laughed & said "well....better luck next time I guess." My heart just sank. I don't know anyone noneless the ARNP could say that. Maybe to her he is "better off" but I miss him. I'm just feeling very overwhelmed and it didn't always used to be this way. There was drama between the scheduler lying & playing games. I'm younger than she is & I'm too old to be playing these games & called me screaming. Wait a minute...that's so disrespectful & unprofessional. I put in my two weeks & she lied to the Director of Nursing & she didn't understand what was going on. I told her the story & then I gave her my two weeks. Now...NOW she wants to talk....I'm kind of like what's the use? Honestly, you never had time before but now you do? It's really bad. But I feel stuck. Anyone have any suggestions?

Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.

Welcome to allnurses, NurseC.

I am sorry to hear your dad was just diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. Since you work with these patients every day, I can see where your anxiety might be higher than the person with no exposure to residents and families trying to cope with this condition all day, every day.

You sound like a very caring and compassionate nurse, which can be a "double-edged sword" as they say. Without creating some emotional distance as nurses, we simply couldn't function . . .but I sense you know that already.

I'm not actually going to advise you about what you should do regarding your current job. The reason being that making decisions in the face of any stressful event, I think should be delayed until you aren't reacting to daily events in a more emotional fashion than you may have in the past.

The only exception to that would be, if you've always felt your job is as horrible as you currently do. In that case, maybe your dad's diagnosis was just the catalyst for you to realize you've finally had enough. No job is worth risking our physical, emotional health no matter how much we care for our patients, or residents in the long-term care environment.

Hope those thoughts help a little. Wishing you all the best.

Thank you for your kind words. I have not always felt like this. & it is true, I am compassionate & it would be so easy to distance myself. I know that you said you wouldn't advise but I think you did in your own way. I think I will stay and see if it gets better. Thank you.

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