Options for Nurses who HATE nursing.

[PopeJane3rd]

For nurses who have found unfortunately that they hate nursing and it is not for them but would like to stay in the health field. Have you all ever thought about returning to school for other rewarding, less stressful careers like Radiation Therapy, Sonography, Respiratory Therapist, Radiology tech. These positions pay the same as nursing and they 're less stressful have better hours and you're dealing in that one aspect unlike nursing which is so broad that you're running around the hospital doing many different things at once. It may require a litte extra schooling but you already have the prereqs done. I think it's worth looking into.:paw:

[21ican]

I am so happy to see your message. Have you started your pharmacy study? How is it?

I just came to the Website to seek some help! Because I hate nursing!! I also thought of becoming a pharmacist. But I don't know how to start, still researching.

[NeonateLVN]

Hello all, I'm glad to find that some people are able to speak their minds as far as their true feelings about nursing. One thing you ALL should know is. You obviously can't be in someone else's mind when they are expressing whether or not they like something. You have to really know yourself. I KNOW I don't like nursing anymore and I've only had my license a year. It's great to see all this encouragement now, I(trying to convince people to stay in nursing) but for some of us, it's a little too late. I'ved worked ER, corrections, and for an agency. Was I in each one long enough? Probably not-but by who's standards? If I don't like something, I know I don't. I am in a position though where I can be picky and don't necessarily 'have' to work. But if you don't like something, don't do it. Don't feel pressured. If you need a little confidence booster, then you come on allnurses because the majority of people on here won't support you if you decide it isn't for you. You'll get the answers like ones that have been said such as....you'll find butt heads wherever you go so it doesn't matter the job you have....blah blah blah. You know what true nurses do?They listen and I HEAR you when you say you are depressed, sick, and hate to go to work...I don't think that is new nurse jitters. So if you feel nursing isn't, do what YOU want to do. And at least know you have one person who feels your pain.....

Good luck to all...

Kimmie

[FroggyMama]

I'm looking at going back to school to be an ultrasound tech. Better hours, same pay, less stress. Sounds good to me! That or physical therapy. Definitely not resp therapy, and rad techs don't get better hours or pay either. I'd love a desk job, but they don't pay squat. Options are limited, unless you totally change careers, or take a massive pay cut. I don't want to do either.

[bluemartian, BSN]

I always enjoy these "grass is greener " threads, I am an RN in medical sales , been doing this since 07, like everything it all starts off with enthusiasm you make your numbers, you travel, you give out CEUs, then mgmt raises the bar, and now you have bigger numbers to fulfill, mgmt does not care that you are an RN, they just think it great that you can talk the talk. The money is good and hours are good but you just lose that burning desire to compete against used car salesmen who pawn themselves off as "consultants" or miss thing with the cookie cutter barbie look , and try to convince a clinic, hospital , or whatever to buy your product. So I am that oddball that would like to go back to the bedside and get my skills back and specialize a few years later. Is that wrong ?

[marilynmom, LPN, NP]

Low level acuity psych, that's what I did and I haven't looked back.

[NeonateLVN]

Blue Martian, of course you're not wrong! The point being what's right for each individual person or nurse. If your heart is in nursing, then it just is. I have the heart and compassion to care as well as the strength to see life and death but what I have seen behind the 'closed nursing doors' has deterred me. So I stick up for those who have the courage to speak out and consider changing careers. Seasoned nurses are hard on new nurses and worst when you want to leave it. Just as you found the devil in a blue dress in medical sales...some nurses have found that same thing in the area of nursing! I wish you luck in going back to nursing though! Because I enjoyed doing the skills but that's about it-so if it is your passion, then as you know, the opportunities are always there. So again good luck.

[NeonateLVN]

Marilyn mom, I've never thought about low level acuity psych.

[erroridiot]

How about nursing management?

[summersent]

I think every job has its own degree of stress. I'm the first in my family to go into health care. Mostly teachers, engineers, or attorneys. If you're going into law, it's a whole different level of stress. Plus, the pay can be less than nurse's pay. As with engineering, my brothers each have major stress and responsibility. My mom, a teacher, says she'd rather work at McDonald's than go back to teaching if she felt the need to go back to working (she's retired, and did so early, as soon as she could). We each must find our own answer as to what we're willing to do to be happy with our jobs, but I do think that simply changing careers often isn't the answer. But, if someone truly hates what they do, it can't help anyone involved if you continue. The only thing is, if you're going to make any money, there usually is going to be some sacrifice, whether time, extensive education, major stress and responsibility, and usually, all of these elements at once. I think it's a lifestyle choice, as, are you willing to earn less and be happy doing what you do? I mean, most stories I know of where people simplify their lives involves major sacrifices in pay.

Stress is normal in any job but to say nursing jobs are "stressful' is truly an understatement. Nursing is an abusive profession. Its not a healthy working relationship. I DO think that changing careers is the answer. I have many relatives and friends that work all types of jobs and I'm tellling you this right now I don't know know of any who come back after work crying like many nurses do. My family and friends get their lunch breaks and they get to go to the bathroom. I switched out of nursing and I'm telling you right now, its the best choice I've ever made. I can sleep. I don't have the "pounding heart", my body doesn't shake before I go into the hospital. I don't have the dreadful feeling that never goes away throughout the day. Nothing should make anyone make that way on a consistent basis.

So I say yes. Yes to all the ones who want to get out of nursing. I now appreciate anything and everything I do much more because I know what its like to really HATE a job. I can say no job or program I have every been in has treated me and made me feel like nursing has. I love the new program I'm in and I have no fear of an mean instructor yelling at me for no reason. I know when I will graduate( before a lot of my "former" nursing classmates who are still getting strung along,money taken from them due to the petty "rules" and hurt my faculty and they will only have an associates!...I will have my BSN). I dont have to worry about catching a disease. I feel respected and valued by my professors:). I'm at a good place and I really feel its never to late to leave this. Cut your "losses" and go. Trust me you are losing more(emotionally and physically) if you allow yourself to say in such an deplorable environment.

[mindy_hebert]

Summersent, Hi my name is Mindy and I am new to this site. Your post is awesome it describes exactly how I am feeling. I have been a nurse now for 3 years. I am just wondering what new program you are in because i am really considering getting out and need some guidance. Did you practice as a nurse or is that from nursing school? Thank you so much for ur post.

[smartnurse1982]

You know, nursing is one of the most difficult jobs anyone can ever have. The responsibility is endless and the rapid changes in medicine make it a challenge to keep up. I have been doing nursing for 30 years in all types of nursing and at all management levels. You can go into another profession related to nursing or not but the one thing that will not change for you is the fact that you will have to deal with the public. No matter what we do in nursing, RT, PT, OT, Radiology, legal nursing, we still have to deal with sick people and their family members. In addition, you will have to deal with your coworkers. You can move to another facility but the only thing that really changes are the faces. You have the same personalities to deal with no matter where you go or what you do for a living. True, some places are easier to work in than others and have more up to date systems. But after all these years, the thing that I have learned the most is to try to make your own system better by working with it instead of against it. It is a pain in the you know what to change jobs. Always looking for something better. Most times, it is just not out there.

you know,i thought about what you wrote and you are right. even when i worked in a daycare it was the same thing

[NurseCallus]

What a great thread!! I joined this site with this on my mind (see my username). I am tired of taking care of people, but feel like I am stuck. My friend wants me to switch to paramedic/firefighter with him. He made 5k less than me last year. He works every third day, 24 hour shifts, which he stats he spends most hours sleeping and playing video games. He says he probably gets 4-5 calls a night. Sounds good to me, but the whole running into a burning building thing kinda throws me off a bit, if you know what I mean. Ultrasound tech school sounds interesting though...