No Interest/Passion In Being A Nurse

Published

Specializes in Pediatrics, NICU.

As I progress in my nursing career (I'm still pretty new, a little over a year of experience) I realize I just do not care for this profession. I don't care at all. Like most new grads I was nervous about learning/getting used to the job. I am still learning obviously, but now I am getting awards for my work and being praised by my employer...yet I feel such an emptiness towards this entire thing.

I notice my coworkers are so excited for their future plans (NP, school nursing, etc.) but it seems to me I lack the general direction I used to have. I used to be so excited to go back to school to further my education, but at this point I have no interest in being an RN. I feel lost in my life. I don't have passion for any career and I feel so empty...

I guess nursing doesn't have to be all that and a bag of chips...it can be just a job. I just feel so lost with my life. I wish I had that same excitement I used to have, but tbh I hate nursing and don't want to do this job anymore. How can I live my whole life like this? I thought I would like something I'm supposedly good at, but I was right about this from the beginning: I don't think nursing is for me but I'm just not sure where to go from here. Does anyone else feel similarly?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

It’s OK to not like nursing and quit.  But be careful.  You say you are lost in life.  Don’t be one of these people that thinks your job is your identity.  That you need this fulfilling, ultruistic feeling from it.  That’s not going to happen in any job.

It sounds like you are doing well.  Why are you lost?  What are you expecting from nursing?  Do you expect that being a nurse is somehow going to make all the other aspects of your life fall into place?  
 

Being a nurse is a small part of who I am.  The 36 hours a week that I am there, I do my best.  Whether it’s with my coworkers or my patients, I do my job and then I clock out and go home.  I don’t think about it a whole lot at home.  At home I live my life with my family, and I do things for me.  
 

I see too many new grads come through and burn out because they have unrealistic expectations for nursing.  But, it’s OK in the end to walk away.  You can walk away and find another career path.  But don’t carry expectations into that other career path.  You can burn out with it as well.

15
Up Vote Up Vote ×

You feel lost in life.. nursing is not for you.  I am thinking it is hospital nursing that is not for you. Find something you can do with your nursing degree.

Search job boards and network. 

 

2
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER, Pre-Op, PACU.

Honestly - you seem really unhappy with your life in general. But maybe that’s just my perception. It’s OK to not have plans for your future career. I honestly have no desire to go to NP school at this point in my life. I have no desire to do anything in administration. Right now, I just clock in and do my job and go home.

Investigate as to why you are miserable. I actually like my job - I find it’s a distraction from other things going on in my life. I really enjoy taking care of my patients for the most part. If you truly don’t like nursing, that’s OK. What DO you like? Go for it when you find it out. 

3
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in CRNA, Finally retired.

OP sounds like a depressed person to me.  It's hard to tell whether the problem is the job or something else that you are bringing into work.  Get a counselor to help sort this listlessness out.  It could be a medical,  psychological or situational problem but you may not be in a good positon to judge yourself now.  

 

4
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in MSN(CVTS).

Hey that's OK . Perfectly okay to feel that way darling . Take a deep breath . I tell you my story . I hated nursing in grad school .I was an average student but then during my post grad days I explored that I love ICU . I love those everyday challenges it took 5 years after my grad school when I fell in love with nursing . I became AP in college ,started teaching new grads and post grads. 

And on one fine day nursing helped me to travel abroad get my permanent residency. I got my first Job in Abroad during pandemic and that too in a long term facility .

I was doing exceptionally good ,even when I was not liking nursing as I used to like working for radio as a host. But still - I respect that nursing gave me job. I earned and saved ,it is the same money I spent on migrating to new country as permanent resident ,it is the same money which helped me in investing into my career abroad.

 

Darling even if you do not like nursing - take it as a job and give your best to it. Jobs are hardly fancy until you are a business tycoon or so.

WE NEED MONEY AND FOR THAT WE NEED A JOB - its necessity .

And if you think you are willing to switch career ,please go ahead do that . What if you would feel same emptiness again ?

 

learn to embrace it- develop a hobby ,hang out with friends. Stay optimistic. 

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in New Critical care NP, Critical care, Med-surg, LTC.

There may be two different aspects to your post. You don't need passion for a job in order to be good at it. A job is one part of who you are, but it in no way defines you. Many people hold nurses to a standard that seems like you should feel called to the job as a passion. Not so. You can provide a stable income for yourself and save your passion for the things outside your job that you love.

Your statements about feeling lost in life, however, indicates a larger issue. it may not be related to your job specifically, but an overall phase you're going through. You may consider talking with a counselor that could maybe help you identify a root cause and whether changing jobs/fields might impact things. If you want to quit nursing, that's okay. People have two, three, more careers these days. But just quitting without analyzing what it is that might be causing your overall feelings could lead you to more disappointment, with an associated expense. Good luck!

 

6
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psychiatric, in school for PMHNP..

You sound like you might be depressed. I recommend seeing a doctor and a therapist before quitting Nursing.  If you are depressed and you start feeling better with treatment you might start to enjoy your life and your job. Take care!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Totally agreeing w/ a couple previous comments: I'm hearing Depression. It sounds like you started your education passionate and excited, but now everything in life has a dull film over it despite being good at what you're doing and being noticed in a positive way.
It most certainly wouldn't hurt to speak with a therapist, or even just a close, trusted friend to get a little objective perspective on if things really have shifted. Sometimes just the conversation alone is enough. You may need more extensive counseling or even meds. It's okay.
Keep in mind that we're living in some trying times, and folks who never had problems with their mental health before are suddenly struggling (and those *with* pre-existing issues are having an even harder time of it!)

I also agree w/ folks about being carful to not entangle your identity w/ your career. No external object/profession/relationship is going to provide that shiny "I'll be happy only when [fill in the blank] happens/is achieved". "Happiness is an inside job" after all. Was your intent in going into nursing just to have the hallowed title of Nurse/RN?

Lastly, it is also perfectly fine to drop any job/career like a bad habit if you realize it's not working for you. No shame in getting all the way through nursing school just to realize, "Uh, not for me yo." It happens (more than you think). Don't beat yourself up about it and don't feel you frantically NEED to find the right fit immediately. It's okay to "just work for a pay check" until the Right Thing™ comes along.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Don't compare yourselves to others. We have a lot of martyr-type personalities working in nursing. Some nurses will constantly put their job ahead of their own (and family's) needs and I've witnessed lives falling apart. It's o.k. to treat nursing as the job that it is. Go to work, be safe, do your best, go home and enjoy your personal time! If you've only been working barely a year, there is no way to know what doors might open for you!

2
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.

Recognize the signs of burnout

  • Feeling exhausted
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Experiencing symptoms of sadness and depression
  • Feeling disconnected from others
  • Alcohol and drug use

The past year of hospital nursing post COVID pandemic has been extremely stressful pushing everyone emotionally.  Conditions hopefully will be less stressful by 2022.  Please consider joining a nursing support group like New Jersey's HEAL.  Contact your employers Employee Assistance Programs      who can provide short term debriefing,  provide counseling contacts and explore career options ( change in hospital unit, change to another facility or best to consider outpatient setting).    A visit to your PCP should be one of your next stops to discuss your concerns.

Depression Rates Rise in COVID-19 Nurses: You are Not Alone
The Unique Struggle of Being a Nurse with Depression

Best wishes ... were open 24/7, let us know how your doing.

3
Up Vote Up Vote ×
On 3/16/2021 at 8:08 PM, NRSKarenRN said:

Recognize the signs of burnout

  • Feeling exhausted
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Experiencing symptoms of sadness and depression
  • Feeling disconnected from others
  • Alcohol and drug use

The past year of hospital nursing post COVID pandemic has been extremely stressful pushing everyone emotionally.  Conditions hopefully will be less stressful by 2022.  Please consider joining a nursing support group like New Jersey's HEAL.  Contact your employers Employee Assistance Programs      who can provide short term debriefing,  provide counseling contacts and explore career options ( change in hospital unit, change to another facility or best to consider outpatient setting).    A visit to your PCP should be one of your next stops to discuss your concerns.

Depression Rates Rise in COVID-19 Nurses: You are Not Alone
The Unique Struggle of Being a Nurse with Depression

Best wishes ... were open 24/7, let us know how your doing.

I believe staff is not using the Employee Assistance Programs because they believe this would leave a mark on their records. Does the employer have access to this information?? Unfortunately, seeking help is viewed as a sign of weakness.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion