PaleomilesRN

To clarify here- I did not have anxiety at all for most of my career and was actually the complete opposite for a long time. In fact people used to joke that nothing used to phase me. But I think the years of just in general being unhappy at work and feeling like I made the wrong career choice just compounded. I am naturally pretty introverted and being with people for 12 hours just drains me completely.

Just an update- I did some long hard thinking and I'm going to stick it out. I feel like I just really need a change and I can see objectively that I just really need the BSN but I am willing to do it so I can pursue a change. I'm so invested in it now that i want to keep looking for my niche. Thank you for your encouragement and honest feedback! Blessings!

Thank you for responding! I have been finishing up the pre-reqs for my BSN. I started doing one per year in 2011 so I have been working on it slowly but surely. Last year I probably applied for 50 jobs. I know the lack of BSN is a hindrance but I really question the investment if I'm not sure I want to stay in nursing. I'm also struggling with some autoimmune health issues that have been really hard and limiting too so I'm just having a tough time overall I guess too.

Think of it this way- in a 12 hour shift we do this scenario 48 times in one work day. And we are surprised when nurses burn out....

Congratulations on making the decision to be happy. I am desperately trying to do the same. Good luck!!

Wow, I am really sorry to hear all you went through! Personally I would take this up with HR and request a meeting with a supervisor. This seems a bit ridiculous that they'd terminate you over that.

Hello- I have been a nurse for nine years, working in the emergency room. I desperately want to quit this profession. I am very good at my job but I can honestly say I have never once enjoyed it. I have tried for at least half my career to get into something else within nursing- I've applied numerous times for L&D, mother baby, risk management, utilization review, case management, PACU, ambulatory surgery... I do not have a BSN and that's the only thing I can think of that is holding me back. I have great experience as an ED charge nurse, doing trauma... I am overwhelmed and burned out by the requirements of the job. Anyone who tells you that nurses have tons of options and that there are always opportunities out there are lying! I cannot for the life of me get experience in anything else because once you start a specialty you are pigeon-holed. A new grad with a BSN will get the job you are applying for. Locally,BSN or MSN (yes you read that correctly) are required for pretty much every entry level new grad position. I have been slowly taking classes to work towards my BSN but honestly I just do not know that I want to pursue a degree in a field where I don't really want to stay to try and help me get a job that I really don't want. I have no desire to be a manager, I have no desire to go forward and be a nurse practitioner. I feel stuck at the bedside. I have very young children and a husband who works crazy hours so going back to school really is not an option for me unless it is completely online, but even with that I have limited financial resources at this time. my true and absolute passions are heath, nutrition, wellness and fitness but I cannot find anything that earns nearly the $$ I do now. I don't want to start working 5 days a week and take a huge pay cut. bottom line- I feel 100% completely stuck, trapped and suffocated by a career that I just hate. I have anxiety every day when I have to go on. Anybody feel the same or have any advice???