pinkdoves

WHAT???????????? WHY WOULD ANYONE TRY THAT please TELL ME YOU'RE LYING

well I once had to explain to a nurse what desitin is...IDK why I thought this was common knowledge but I guess not

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LMAO that's hilarious!! I mean--completely inappropriate--but the funniest story I've heard in a long time. Sounds like she deserves to be fired tbh. I wouldn't want someone that lazy or sneaky working with me.

hmm I respectfully disagree. If the only nursing job in the world was wiping people's butts in the hospital this would be a different story. But in reality, there are many nurses that don't work in hospitals or in patient care. They work as researchers, educators, etc...and some (if not-most) of these people would not enjoy inpatient nursing/CNA work. That doesn't mean they aren't or shouldn't have become nurses

Sorry if some posters have made you feel this way. It's good you recognize your mistake was a big one and learn never to make the same one. I guess next time if you feel something is "odd" you should double check with someone else. Now you know! I fully believe you didn't purposely want to harm the patient, which is what we all should be keeping in mind when commenting on this post. I would not say nursing isn't for you because of this. Maybe it will take some time for you to develop critical thinking skills. How long have you been a nurse? IDK what unit you work on (if you said it before I apologize) but maybe working on a less acute floor would help for a bit. Take care of yourself, too! You didn't mean to harm a patient but you did. That can be hard mentally to accept. that's awesome! definitely a good thing to take out of this

awh my heart goes out to you! this sounds like a very stressful situation!

OK!

LOL thank u for making my day !

how is it not an accident? Unless OP decided "hey, I'm purposely going to give my patient the wrong dose" then it IS. The amount of people in this thread that act like they've never made a mistake is glaring. I agree that this is a huge mistake, but nurses make mistakes and all we can do is learn from it.

ngl, I am considering going back to school for computer science. Nursing just doesn't appeal to me and I do not want to do this for a long time.

I currently work as a NICU RN in a level IV hospital. It's really good experience honestly, even though it is stressful. Something I did notice is that almost ALL of my coworkers are working up to something different or higher... tons are going for NP, CNS (nurse specialist), etc. I used to be really ambitious, but then as I actually began working as a nurse, I realized I don't really like any of the options. I also hate bedside nursing. These reasons lead me to believe I should pursue a different career, because...what exactly am I working towards? I just feel kind of lost in my career. I really do like working with children, but I know I cannot work at the bedside for probably longer than a year. My mental health is in the garbage and I have been only working at the bedside for a little over 2 years. Does anyone else share the sentiment in that the other avenues of nursing just don't sound interesting? I don't care about nursing enough to go back for something nursing related. Is this normal or do I just not like...being a nurse?

izzy, that made my day! im so happy you're doing what's best for you. I wish you happiness and peace. Good luck with whatever you end up doing. You too made me feel less alone!

WOW, thank you for taking the time to write your story. That sounds really stressful and scary. I would say at this point, just be honest with your work manager, because he/she already knows something is wrong. Quit, but then also tell them why. Maybe they will be more understanding if you explain (vaguely-not in huge detail) your mental health struggles. I wish you the best! Please update me on what happens!

um EW

I have been working as an RN since August of 2019, and there has been a common theme: every time I switch to a new job, I have intense SI, anxiety, and depression. My first job with adults I couldn't even get out of bed. All I did was cry. I was being bullied at this job and was miserable. I quit after 2 months. My second position I had SI, depressive thoughts, and anxiety (but more bearable than the first job's). I remember sitting in the parking lot just thinking SI things. But I got through it...I became higher up. started precepting people, felt like I fit in...I knew what I was doing. But even as a I was "higher up" sometimes I still began to be depressed before showing up to work. I was stressed out (not eating properly). I feel like I cannot take care of myself as a nurse. My most recent position (within the same hospital as my second position) has me feeling INTENSE SI depressive thoughts, anxiety. Here I am on my day off right now writing this and having SI about nursing. My last shift I had so much anxiety I was just sitting there trying not to panic in public. I'm incredibly anxious and feel like everyone thinks I'm so dumb. my coworkers are somewhat willing to help me, but they're also kind of standoff-ish. I made a mistake my last shift and I can't stop thinking about it. I'm trying to make it at least 4 more months in this position (to make a total of 6 months at least) but I feel such an intense dread and anxiety. my chest kind of hurts while just writing about this I have that much anxiety. I don't know what to do. I've never had a position outside of the hospital, but at this point I am so done with healthcare, rude families, getting yelled at...sometimes it's just too much. like once I was having SI and then I came to work and a patient's family started yelling at me. my mental health can't take this. I need to get out. I want to be happy. I just feel stuck. I live in a city where I renewed my lease until November, but I really feel like I cannot last that long. I want to just escape to a different country where no one knows where I am. I am seriously almost 85% sure I am quitting the nursing field to pursue computer science. I think what I've learned from my experience is that I hate working in healthcare and I need a job where I can pee and people don't die. I don't want to watch babies die. I just want to be happy, but I have been severely depressed since I started working as a nurse. and as 2022 starts, I feel even more depressed that I still am a miserable nurse. I hate nursing. I need this to stop ruining my life, but I feel bad leaving my position earlier than 6 months. and also IDK what I want to do because to apply to computer science I need GRE scores, etc., that I do not have.I need to do something in the mean time... also, something I noticed a huge difference was my personality vs all my coworkers personalities. everyone else is very outgoing, organized, "type a" whereas I'm the opposite: I'm quiet, disorganized, "type b"...I genuinelly do not care about work anymore. I feel lazy to do the job sometimes bc I just don't want to do it. this personality difference makes me feel like nursing is not the career for me. I know I need a therapist (I'm working on that). I guess I'm writing this to see if anyone relates to me...or maybe I'm just too insane. whatever. I hate nursing.

thank you for writing this. I have personally come to the conclusion that I need to quit the nursing field completely. I listened to people who said it was "normal" to hate nursing since I started. They told me it would get better and I guess in some ways it did...but not enough. every time I have to work I have suicidal thoughts...last shift I almost hyperventilated just sitting there at the beginning of the shift. I want out. and maybe a therapist

thank you so much. I really appreciate that advice! I think I'm going to talk to my supervisor about how I am feeling. it sucks, but I think I'm learning as I get older that I need to prioritize myself first.

my resolution this year is to prioritize my happiness. I am currently very miserable, but am scared to make the necessary changes I need to. I genuinelly think I need to quit bedside nursing for my sanity, but I am scared as to where that leaves my career. What should I do next? I fear disappointing my employer since I just started a new specialty 2 months ago. But I am getting to the point where my quality of life is so so low. I need to be happier, and I hope that I will be this year ❤️

thank you for posting this. I am a new NICU RN and am really struggling. I feel like I lose confidence every shift and I am incredibly anxious. All my coworkers are nice enough, but they are all friends with each other and kind of ignroe me. I guess it's better than them being mean, but all of this thrown together makes me not like the ICU. I used to work on pediatric step-down/med-surg units which was more enjoyable for me. I have only been working in the NICU for 2 months though--trying to give it a fair chance before I give up...so close to quitting though...my mental health is in the garbage

my best friend went through childhood sexual abuse. I have been through sexual assault as an adult (most women unfortunately do it seems) and abusive relationships. I once considered becoming a SANE nurse, but figured it might be triggering to me. It's unfortunate because I really do care about the patients. I am a peds and NICU RN. Even when I see childhood abuse it kind of triggered me. It's a lot of emotional baggage sometimes

I am not kidding when I say this--I am STRONGLY considering going to school for software engineering. There are a couple reputable Master's programs that allow students without a background in CS to complete. Nursing can sometimes be rewarding, but the cons greatly outweigh the pros. At 24, I am excited to start in a new field. And if I want to work per diem as an RN I always can... RN is just shift work

while this is something to think about, I do not think this should be the main focus. Happiness means more than money. If she hates nursing, she will be wasting her life. even if she makes 2-3x more as an RN yes! my understanding is that school nurses make nothing to begin with. but if you stay in your position for a long time or do travel school nurse you can make $$. I work at a children's hospital and tons of my coworkers are getting a master's in school nursing. most places only require the cert, but many nurses told me that the cert requirements are so close to just getting a master's that they usually just get one

you have been a nurse for 8 YEARS. Please for the love of God get out of there! You've earned your right to leave! I mean you could've left a long time ago. I totally understand you. I've only been a nurse for 2 years but I hate it so much. I just started in the NICU but after 6 mo/1 year if I still hate it, I will quit bedside nursing. I am trying to give it a fair shot, but also not letting it ruin me longer than it already has.

No offense to these other commenters, but their opinions should not dissuade you from doing what you want. Staying in a job for ____ amount of time is really an old-school way of thinking after you have your first year in. Nursing provides so many opportunities. Do not stay miserable because other old nurses tell you "you have to do your time" or whatever BS. Life is too short for that. Do what you want.