I quit my job. No backup. But I feel ecstatic!

Nurses Career Support

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So I finally had the guts to do it. I quit my job.

I graduated back in Dec 2014, started working Jul 2015. And now it's been almost 3 years since I've been working bedside.

The first 6 months of working was ok. I was content with my job, the paychecks were nice, and I was learning so much. I can't remember exactly when bedside went wrong for me. I think it might have been a collection of things. Ungrateful patients, all the politics in the hospital, bad management, dealing with the different personalities of your coworkers, the stress, racing against the clock all day, a job that was more task-oriented than patient-oriented. The list can go on and on.

I felt miserable working on the floor. I dreaded going into work every day but kinda felt trapped. I loved the pay and the schedule so I coulnd't get myself to apply for other jobs. It got to a point where I developed serious depression and axiety and would have random anxiety attacks for no apparant reason, and I went to go see my doctor for it.

The anxiety attacks were terrible. My heart would race, I breaths would get harder, and I would feel as if something was wrong when, clearly, there was no danger. My depression would make me feel disconnected from the world and at times would find it hard to accomplish even the simplest tasks. I became a whole different person. I wasn't the creative, ambitious, positive guy everyone knew me as.

This is when I realized that my life needed to stop revolving around my job. This was around Aug 2017 when I decided to make some changes. I knew I needed to quit. However, I couldn't just outright quit. I needed to do it slowly.

I dropped my hours to per diem only working the bare minimum of 4 days a month. I did this for 2 reasons: 1. so I can force myself to live off a smaller paycheck, and 2. so I don't have any attachment to my coworkers that would make it harder to quit. Sounds messed up, but it makes sense.

Once I dropped my hours, my whole life changed. I was happier, I was less stressed, I could focus on my relationships with family and friends, I could focus on my health, most of my anxiety and depression disappeared. Sure, my paychecks were very bare, but you can't put a price tag on my health and happiness.

Fast-forward to today and I am 3 weeks away from my last and final day EVER working bedside. I have no regrets with my life. I believe everything and every experience you have happens for a reason and I'm grateful for my expereinces and the things I've learned.

As of right now, I don't have anything lined up for me. I don't have a job after 3 weeks but as weird as it may sound, I'm not worried. I'm just glad to have my life back.

For those nurses who are feeling the same way I was, you're not alone. If you're in a job you don't like, then get out. You're the only one who has control over your life so don't let your job control it. Life is too short to be miserable. I'm turning 26 next month and I've never been more excited about my life than journeying into the unknown in 3 weeks.

1 Votes
Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

Good on you for making the decision was best for you! I can't say I would automatically recommend your course of action to everyone. But if you are at peace with your decision, does it really matter what I or anyone else think? :)

At least with 3 years under your belt, you have the option of signing on with a registry/agency, so you can get work whenever you need it--even though it may be at the dreaded bedside--while you hunt for the dream job. And you may even find that bedside nursing isn't so bad when you know you're only there temporarily.

Best of luck with the Job Search!

0 Votes

I kind of did the same but I have home health as back up. I'm actively interviewing in other areas. But I sleep so well now without the use of any sleep aids I was taking while I worked my night shift. I'm looking for things not at the bedside but I'll still interview at hospitals if they offer me one. Who knows, I might go back to bedside for the right workplace and money.

0 Votes

I became part time (0.5 FTE) about two months ago and started schooling for non-nursing master's degree. I have total two years of nursing experience (med-surg and OR). My plan is to be completely out of nursing in next three years.

I knew I didn't like nursing already when I was a nursing student. I wanted to quit nursing for a long time, and becoming a part timer was a big step forward to me.

I agree with you that dropping hours of work drastically improve one's quality of life. I actually like to be part timer and taking classes now. Being healthy is much important to me than anything else.

Good luck to you.

0 Votes

I am thinking of doing this one too, two to three years from now. I just started my career as a critical care nurse a few months back but have been doing MedSurg, Skilled Nursing and Psych in the past 6 years of my nursing life. Since I worked in two different countries outside the US previously, I thought that moving to a different place or to a new organization or even to a new unit would ease me of my everyday void that I feel. Don't get me wrong, I love our profession (helping people) but there will be days that majority of it is stressful and tiring. And like most of the commenters here, I don't see myself working bedside in the next 30 years of my life.

I'm only 26 as well and is already looking around for non bedside work that I can do part time then still be a critical care nurse per diem so that I won't lose my skills as a bedside nurse. Maybe home health, case management or even hospice. Right now, all.I can do is wait and learn as much as I can from where I am right now. Good luck to us.

0 Votes
Specializes in Med/Surg/Infection Control/Geriatrics.
So I finally had the guts to do it. I quit my job.

I graduated back in Dec 2014, started working Jul 2015. And now it's been almost 3 years since I've been working bedside.

The first 6 months of working was ok. I was content with my job, the paychecks were nice, and I was learning so much. I can't remember exactly when bedside went wrong for me. I think it might have been a collection of things. Ungrateful patients, all the politics in the hospital, bad management, dealing with the different personalities of your coworkers, the stress, racing against the clock all day, a job that was more task-oriented than patient-oriented. The list can go on and on.

I felt miserable working on the floor. I dreaded going into work every day but kinda felt trapped. I loved the pay and the schedule so I coulnd't get myself to apply for other jobs. It got to a point where I developed serious depression and axiety and would have random anxiety attacks for no apparant reason, and I went to go see my doctor for it.

The anxiety attacks were terrible. My heart would race, I breaths would get harder, and I would feel as if something was wrong when, clearly, there was no danger. My depression would make me feel disconnected from the world and at times would find it hard to accomplish even the simplest tasks. I became a whole different person. I wasn't the creative, ambitious, positive guy everyone knew me as.

This is when I realized that my life needed to stop revolving around my job. This was around Aug 2017 when I decided to make some changes. I knew I needed to quit. However, I couldn't just outright quit. I needed to do it slowly.

I dropped my hours to per diem only working the bare minimum of 4 days a month. I did this for 2 reasons: 1. so I can force myself to live off a smaller paycheck, and 2. so I don't have any attachment to my coworkers that would make it harder to quit. Sounds messed up, but it makes sense.

Once I dropped my hours, my whole life changed. I was happier, I was less stressed, I could focus on my relationships with family and friends, I could focus on my health, most of my anxiety and depression disappeared. Sure, my paychecks were very bare, but you can't put a price tag on my health and happiness.

Fast-forward to today and I am 3 weeks away from my last and final day EVER working bedside. I have no regrets with my life. I believe everything and every experience you have happens for a reason and I'm grateful for my expereinces and the things I've learned.

As of right now, I don't have anything lined up for me. I don't have a job after 3 weeks but as weird as it may sound, I'm not worried. I'm just glad to have my life back.

For those nurses who are feeling the same way I was, you're not alone. If you're in a job you don't like, then get out. You're the only one who has control over your life so don't let your job control it. Life is too short to be miserable. I'm turning 26 next month and I've never been more excited about my life than journeying into the unknown in 3 weeks.

You are young enough that you still have time to plan for retirement, however, don't wait too long! I hope you plan to keep your licensure. You worked hard for it.

Best to you moving forward. Glad you are feeling better!

0 Votes
Specializes in Psych, Corrections, Med-Surg, Ambulatory.

Congratulations on getting off the hamster wheel. It's well and good to have money in the bank and retirement planned, but when your body is producing cortisol by the gallon you have to just stop for a bit and get your bearings.

I have no doubt you'll move on to the next thing and the next when necessary and mindfully maintain a lifestyle that is livable. The goal is not just to have a lucrative retirement, but be alive and healthy enough to enjoy it.

Wishing you all the best.

0 Votes

I am going through the exact same thing. I've been nursing on/off since April 2014 and have finally had enough.

Once I graduated I started working on a medical unit and soon found it very difficult to go to work. I just contributed it to new nurse blues and anxiety after reading forums and hoped it would go away with more experience.

Long story short nursing got to me and I have suffered severe panic attacks and bouts of depression. Each time I have a crisis I take a step back. I have taken leaves from my job, even tried working non-nursing jobs but I am always drawn back due to the pay, time off, and in a weird way the challenge. I also tried working in a rural area as casual but found the short call a nightmare for my anxiety.

I recently have been in a part time position for the past year and things were going ok, but I still had a great deal of anxiety going into each shift, I thought by now with my experience it would ease off. It just keeps getting worse and now I am again in a state of a crisis.

I want to take a leave again, but I think this time it must be for good. Each time I do leave I gain clarity and come to the realization that I must quit this field. I'm just afraid that I will be tempted to come back and continue to go through this cycle of crisis again and again.

I'm turning 26 in a couple of months also and don't want a job to rule my life. I know others suggest trying something else in nursing, but I'm honestly just done with healthcare.

Thanks for posting! It helps to know I'm not the only one!

0 Votes

Ever look into starting your own business or investing in a franchise? This is one of my goals.

0 Votes

Any updates OP? I am curious as how things pan out for you.

0 Votes
Specializes in New grad nurse.
On 3/28/2018 at 2:12 AM, jadams92 said:

So I finally had the guts to do it. I quit my job.

I graduated back in Dec 2014, started working Jul 2015. And now it's been almost 3 years since I've been working bedside.

The first 6 months of working was ok. I was content with my job, the paychecks were nice, and I was learning so much. I can't remember exactly when bedside went wrong for me. I think it might have been a collection of things. Ungrateful patients, all the politics in the hospital, bad management, dealing with the different personalities of your coworkers, the stress, racing against the clock all day, a job that was more task-oriented than patient-oriented. The list can go on and on.

I felt miserable working on the floor. I dreaded going into work every day but kinda felt trapped. I loved the pay and the schedule so I coulnd't get myself to apply for other jobs. It got to a point where I developed serious depression and axiety and would have random anxiety attacks for no apparant reason, and I went to go see my doctor for it.

The anxiety attacks were terrible. My heart would race, I breaths would get harder, and I would feel as if something was wrong when, clearly, there was no danger. My depression would make me feel disconnected from the world and at times would find it hard to accomplish even the simplest tasks. I became a whole different person. I wasn't the creative, ambitious, positive guy everyone knew me as.

This is when I realized that my life needed to stop revolving around my job. This was around Aug 2017 when I decided to make some changes. I knew I needed to quit. However, I couldn't just outright quit. I needed to do it slowly.

I dropped my hours to per diem only working the bare minimum of 4 days a month. I did this for 2 reasons: 1. so I can force myself to live off a smaller paycheck, and 2. so I don't have any attachment to my coworkers that would make it harder to quit. Sounds messed up, but it makes sense.

Once I dropped my hours, my whole life changed. I was happier, I was less stressed, I could focus on my relationships with family and friends, I could focus on my health, most of my anxiety and depression disappeared. Sure, my paychecks were very bare, but you can't put a price tag on my health and happiness.

Fast-forward to today and I am 3 weeks away from my last and final day EVER working bedside. I have no regrets with my life. I believe everything and every experience you have happens for a reason and I'm grateful for my expereinces and the things I've learned.

As of right now, I don't have anything lined up for me. I don't have a job after 3 weeks but as weird as it may sound, I'm not worried. I'm just glad to have my life back.

For those nurses who are feeling the same way I was, you're not alone. If you're in a job you don't like, then get out. You're the only one who has control over your life so don't let your job control it. Life is too short to be miserable. I'm turning 26 next month and I've never been more excited about my life than journeying into the unknown in 3 weeks.

I feel the exact same, although huge difference i am a new grad, and in my 2nd post within 3 months. I really do not enjoy it, dismissed the red flags during nursing school. Any advice? Much appreciated

0 Votes
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