Problems with nursing profession and why I want to quit

[bravewarrior1]

Many of you will ask, why not just quit and find something else? If only it was that easy. I don't have the time or money to spend on another degree, and at the end of the day, I need this job to pay the bills, not because this is my calling. This is a 2nd degree, and saw nursing as a form of income and job security. I love caring for patients, but the other things that come with this profession makes it not worth it. If i won the lottery today, I'd personally revoke my nursing license in a heart beat.

So many problems with the nursing profession. Where do I begin?

1)Abuse - From Doctors, family members, patients who are even normal, and demented patients, suicidal, alcoholics, and the entitled brats. Abuse includes verbal, physical, and emotional.

2)Pay- If i'm saving lives, we should be one of the highest paid professions on the planet. Sorry, 50 or even 100k is not going to cut it

3)Management/Administration - High expectations, poor incentives, with little to no backing

4)Staffing - Not enough nurses or support staff. Too many acutely ill patients per nurse.

5)12-13 hour shifts - Sorry but a job that requires you to be standing all day, should not be that long. Office employees who sit down only have to do 8 hr shifts

6) Night shift - Not enough support on nights

7) Day shift - Too busy/stressful, doctors barking orders, and management nagging you all day

8) Essential personnel - Sorry but i'm not going to risk my welfare during a snowstorm for complete strangers. They are patients but strangers at the end of the day. They wouldn't risk themselves for me.

9) Meal/bathroom breaks - Almost non-existent.

10) Retention of educated staff - Sorry but this profession is going down the tubes real fast with all experienced nurses near or at retirement age. The newbies are from a different generation with different reasons for entering. Having a whole floor run by new suckers will only lead to errors or even fatal mistakes.

Like i said, if I could run I would but I need this job or I'll be on the street.

[TruvyNurse]

There are going to be problems like these unfortunately no matter what career you choose. Maybe nursing isn't for you and that's okay. Best of luck

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

You are preaching to the choir. We all know this.

Now.. parlay that degree to something you like. I worked from home for 6 figures.

Best wishes.

[OldDude]

But, other than those 10 things you mention, nursing is pretty good, right? No, I hear ya...If I wasn't a school nurse, I'd be out driving a truck or working on Forrest Gump's shrimp boat. Keep hammering but keep an eye on the horizon. Best of luck.

[RockinNurse2018]

Love every word of this

[cleback]

Yep, except for 12 hr shifts. While not perfect, they certainly beat 8 hr nights.

[LovingLife123]

I like my 3-12s. No way do I want to go back to working 8 hours.

Yes, we take a lot of crap. I have in all my other professions as well. I've had a gun pulled on me before in one job. I've had to clean up poop from people pooping on the sales floor, people smearing poop all over the walls of a bathroom. People are disgusting and nasty. It's everywhere not exclusive to nursing.

You always have someone higher up to be accountable to. Always. There is always somebody above them.

The grass isn't always greener. I think when we get frustrated with our current situation, we tend to see anything as better, when in fact it's pretty low ch the same. Same crap, different venue.

[KelRN215, BSN, RN]

There are non-bedside jobs where you don't have these issues. I haven't dealt with any of the issues you post about at most of my jobs. I'm not sure what you expected nursing to be but the field is vast. If you don't like bedside nurse, there are plenty of other opportunities out there.

[RNperdiem, RN]

How does nursing compare with your previous line of work? Did nursing bring any betterment into your life? Did your old job have its own list of cons, perhaps sharing some with nursing?

[Sour Lemon]

1) Abuse is a rare thing for me, but occasionally I do get a difficult patient. It's never emotional though, because I never care that much.

2)Pay- I feel fairly compensated for my work, but of course I'd love to make more- who wouldn't? I see everyone's job as important, though. The guys picking tomatoes should probably be millionaires, because what good are antibiotics if there's no food to eat?

3)My manager is a little nutty, but I don't see her much and can't say I'm too bothered.

4)Our staffing is often excellent. Occasionally we have a poorly staffed shift, but it's not a regular thing.

5)I'm on the fence about 12 hour shifts. They have their up side and their down side.

6) We have plenty of support on nights most of the time (see #4).

7) This is why I don't work day shift. And since I'm a night person, I'm not giving much up for the privilege.

8) I'm on the fence here, too. I'm OK with doing all I can to help, but if I really felt my life or familiy's life was in danger, I'd care for myself and them first.

9) I get lots of breaks.

10) We have a good "core" staff as well as a short-term, revolving staff. I'm never working with all new people.

I'm on my third nursing job and feel like I have it really good. My first job was an absolute nightmare and my second was better, but still chaotic ...but there are good bedside positions out there, apparently! Part of me never wants to leave and part of me wonders if my fourth job might be even better.

I hope you will find a good place, too.

[mmc51264, BSN, MSN, RN]

I deal with some of those issues, but I do my best to overcome them and I truly enjoy caring for my patients. If I am scheduled to work and it is crappy out, I get to work. If I don't show up, another nurse does not get to leave. My guess is that you were not prepared for what nursing is or means.

I wouldn't trade my 12-14 hour shifts. I get 4 days off. All it takes is for that one patient to look at you and tell you how grateful they are and that you have been the best nurse they have had that's what makes is all worth it. As a parent, I have unconditional love for my kids. I advocate for patients as I would my kids. I am proud of my hospital and of my unit. That is a positive contribution and management looks at me differently. I like going to work and I feel good when I leave. It is my choice to feel that way. Are there less-than-ideal issues? Absolutely, but I would rather be part of the solution, not the problem.

[JBMmom, MSN, NP]

I'm sorry to read that you find yourself so fed up, but I'm wondering how much you had looked into nursing before you decided to make it your career? I know that all of these aspects of the profession could be drawbacks, but are they really surprises to you when you chose this career? I can see how your particular work environment would change the particular details about management and incentives, so maybe that was unclear. But you must have had a general idea of the salary you would be making, correct? You need to advocate for yourself in regard to breaks, and even abuse. You can stand up for yourself in a professional manner and in many cases that can deter further events, especially with doctors or other staff. If you don't like 12 hour shifts, find a job with 8 hour shifts, many of my coworkers are very happy with 12 hour shifts. And finally, how did you become a nurse and not realize you would be essential personnel. Somewhere in your education it must have been discussed that if you are in a patient care position, you are expected to get there even if there are outside events, like weather, to care for the patients.

It sounds like a lot of your complaints stem from your own attitude. You could probably make your life much happier if you approached your job with a more positive outlook. The environment might not change, but your mindset strongly influences your experience. Since you say you cannot leave, I hope you can find a way to improve your situation. Good luck.