Who Has Quit and if You Did What Do You Do Now?

Nurses Men

Published

After 15 years I have decided to quit the profession of nursing. I have been a OR nurse for a big hospital and a smaller clinic. I thought about going back to school but the idea of continuing in nursing frankly makes me ill. I have made some friends and it has been a steady paycheck but that is it. I just flamed out with no chance of a relight. I am no longer challenged; I enjoy mopping the floor more than anything else. I have had my fill of jerk surgeons, smart mouth PA's (wanna be doctors), arrogant CRNA's, lazy ST's and PCA's. If I plug in one more bovie or connect one more suction I am going to spontaneously combust. I tried agency but we all know what your assignment is going to be when you show up; worst hack with a ST that could barely fog a mirror. I also enjoy working with a bunch of women who all PMS around the same time every month. I love you but somedays it's too much. My question is, has anyone moved on to a different career and if so what are you doing?

Still looking. I have a BSN; big whoop. If you don have one you won't get hired by a big hospital where the decent money is. Everything is about accreditation these days from JCAHO or the ambulatory agency. You get a higher score with BSN's. So hospitals at least here in Texas won't even give you a sniff unless you have a BSN.

I thought about sales; but I cannot stomach the idea of kissing ass. I have seen so many folks come into that arena only to wash out after a couple of years. Hospitals want cheaper and cheaper contracts. Out with this implant and in with this one until the next RFP. To watch a really good rep come in and walk a surgeon through a spine case only to have the surgeon act like a complete ******* to the rep because the surgeon ****** up burns me up. If it wasn't for the rep the surgeon would be lost. Sorry for the profanity; but hey I never cussed or drank until I became a RN.

I thought about CRNA school but I could not afford to be off of work so long; 36 months and I am too old to mash through the GRE.

For those of you that have stayed in so long my hat is off to you.

Specializes in Peri-Op.

I have an ADN and have never had a problem getting a job. I worked for small places and a large health care system up until last December. They could care less. I'm in Colorado now and they also could care less ADN vs BSN.... It's all about the experience. Once it takes me over 24 hours to get called on a job I want I will get my BSN. It took 7 hours to get called for this job I'm in now. 2 hours of a work day actually....

As far as happiness.... Make the most of what you have, the more you let the BS fester, the more miserable you will be. Your only as happy as you let yourself be......

I thought it was only me who's having a second thought with nursing.Wow,15 years,and u decided to give it up....I'm only more than 3 years now as an RN and thinking of changing career....it's hard...it's really hard....you worked hard to be an RN... but as the time goes by....starting to be unhappy working as a nurse....I'm still on the planning process...I still cannot decide what second career will be....but I'm starting to be unhappy working as a nurse.....reading posts/comments to this site really helps me...I thought it was only me who's having a difficult time with nursing....take care...'hope we can decide soon the best for us and hope we can find a job that we like and be happy while working.GOD bless.

I spewed a lot of sharp negativity with the original and follow up posts. The truth is I am burned out of OR nursing. I am not condemning nursing at all. It is a great profession with more opportunities than most other fields. I think if you are lucky enough to find your niche you will be a lot happier than most. I believe I am going to pursue the FNP route. I thought about it 10 years ago but chose not to pursue it for personal reasons but now I think i would do well with it.

Delmonte, I would try a change in specialties and even consider going back to school. I have done a lot of searching for non-hospital jobs that are seeking RN's. They are out there, but almost all of them require a MSN. I have found openings with GE Health, McKessa, different oil companies, Walgreens, Walmart...etc. You just have to look outside of the box. I look everyday.

Good Luck

As a veteran of the OR, let's say you do get your FNP...do you then come back to the OR as an FNP/first assist 25% of the time and round on pts/run a clinic the other 75? Do you think you would still like the OR in a slightly different role and shorter hours?

I'm a ~40 year old career changer TO nursing. I was in I.T. before and it bored me to tears. I figured if I ever got bored in nursing I could do something completely different while still in the nursing field.

The reason I ask about you going back to the OR is that I'm nearing graduation and go back and forth between the FNP/OR-type-gig or the CRNA route. Both seem like they would have their share of boredom, but also the ability to mix it up and keep it fresh.

Time for a switch - be it in the field or not. Ideally, you'd find a way to extend your skills elsewhere to support yourself. I'm a big advocate for staying in school - case in point, I'll be getting my degree in Philosophy not that long from now (enriching to the life, not the wallet). I tell others my profession is nursing (although proud), but have never meshed with my identity that 'I am a nurse." I believe separating the skill set from the individual helps keep you from painting yourself into a corner in life and thinking this is all you can do.

I'm in the process of phasing out of nursing now. Currently, I'm in EMT basic school and start paramedic school in May.

Why? I've completely burned out on the childish attitudes, back stabbing, nurses-eat-their-own, thin skinned, whiny personalities that seem to permeate our field, particularly amongst the women in our field. I've been a nurse for 13 years now and can't wait for the day that I either turn my nursing license in or don't renew it.

Specializes in CEN, MICN.
I'm in the process of phasing out of nursing now. Currently, I'm in EMT basic school and start paramedic school in May.

Why? I've completely burned out on the childish attitudes, back stabbing, nurses-eat-their-own, thin skinned, whiny personalities that seem to permeate our field, particularly amongst the women in our field. I've been a nurse for 13 years now and can't wait for the day that I either turn my nursing license in or don't renew it.

Back blast , just a little friendly life lesson. I hated nursing also, actually was EMT/Paramedic first. Then got the "dream" job in law enforcement After 18 yrs was forced to retire ( medical). I thank god I kept up my RN license. Now work Pre hospital CCTU/ MICN. Thats the ticket ! 1 pt at a time. No one bothers you , and ur never locked in some ED or ICU screaming to get out. JM

I would say one of the toughest issues we face is focusing on what we "do have" and not on what we "don't have". I too am in a similar siuation, but with the roles reversed. I will be giving up a career in the banking/finance industry to pursue a career in nursing. I'm 33, work in investment banking. Sick of the "sales" aspect of my job, the revenue goals each year, the attorney/CPA luncheons, the wine and dine lifestyle, etc. I am well compensated, but can not seem to identify myself with what I do. One year ago I decided against going into nursing because of the thought of going back to school and the opportunity to make more money. Today, I am moving forward. It took me one year to seriously contemplate whether this is something I wanted or not. If you're not happy working as a nurse, my suggestion is give it some time making your decision. Sometimes, haste makes waste. But no, you're not too old at 36. I'm not too far behind and I'll be taking pre-reqs at a community college I went to 14 years ago...lol. Whatever. Life is short and money isn't EVERYTHING. Also, the corporate BS you speak of is prevalent everywhere....just the way the cookie crumbles.

+ Add a Comment