cantdoit

I'm completely burned out on acute care nursing and need a change. I really want to leave my current job, but the thought of starting again in another department makes me cringe. And I don't want to be a "job hopper" (FYI I've had two jobs in the last 2/12 years) I wouldn't mind CM or maybe even home health, but I desperately want to get out of the hospital. The problem is I have less than 3 years experience, and this seems to be an issue with many job postings I see. Has anyone left acute care with less than 3 years experience? Was it easy to do? Do you find it a problem in your current job? Thanks!

Just wanted to say I agree with the OP. I'm completely burned out and need to get away from the bedside. I'm sick of 12s and working weekends. And the short staffing is getting out of control. I'm also burned out dealing with entitled patients and families and being a punching-bag for everyone. I actually want to get away from nursing altogether. I feel like it is a dead-end job (that may just be my perspective, but it seems like there is no upward mobility at all) I want to get away before it's too late.

No it wasn't.

I can also relate. I feel totally hopeless and stuck in nursing. I'm depressed and exausted from this job... I just want to get out of nursing altogether, but the economy has stalled out. Sometimes I consider working as a waitress just to get away...

You get used to it for the most part.What I can't get past is the respiratory sounds.... Gagging/hacking etc. yuck!

I don't actually know for sure, but I can't seem to use it except for calling out because they are so strict with when/how we can use PTO.

hi nurses: I have been on here whining away about how tired I am, how I hate 12 hour shifts, how I'm crazy busy/stressed at work etc., etc. And then I thought today, maybe all of my complaining is just pointing out the bigger picture. Maybe I'm not meant to be a nurse at all? So many people go to school for degrees that they never end up working with. Maybe I'm no different? Is getting a BSN any different than another bachelors degree? Am I completely limited to healthcare/nursing forever? sorry this was a bit of a rant...

I think 8s are bad for hospital RNs because of weekends and nights. Working 5 days in a week would be terrible with this type of schedule. that said, I'm really tired of 12s. The day is soooo long. and when you work more than one day in a row, all you have time for is to come home and sleep and then go right back to work.

I don't think you should feel bad about not wanting to work in a hospital any longer. You have a lot of experience, you can do a lot more.

thanks for the info, and link to the other thread. I think I would really like home health, but am still undecided... how much acute care experience is needed to feel comfortable as a home health nurse? thanks.

Just wondering what a day in the life of a home health nurse was like. I have been considering home health, as I like the increased autonomy and change of environment. What kind of skills do you need/perform often? How much experience did you have before going into home health? Do you feel more limited as a home health nurse? Where do you plan to go from here? thanks!

I don't like having students follow me, but it's not their fault. I am just way too busy, and students (through no fault of their own) set me way back for the day. I might like having them if I worked on a slower paced unit though.

does your hospital have child care? I don't think this is too common, but I've heard that some do. Are there any other single parent nurses that you work with, where you could help each other out? maybe you could work clinic/office jobs? I dont know how much experience you have, but its worth applying. I hate working 12s. luckily I don't have kids yet, but I can't imagine how single parents do it. Best of luck to you!

wish someone would offer me a job like that!!! give him a call about it and see what he says.

Hi everyone: I was wondering if anyone had successfully transitioned from being a nurse to a different profession? if so, what are you/did you do? how did you do it? I am actively seeking a way out of nursing, but all of the non-hospital nursing jobs are completely saturated, and the experience required is constantly increasing. A few months back, most said "3 years acute care" now say "4-6 years". I just can't do it that long. I really can't. I have a degree in an unrelated field, but never worked in it prior to nursing school. Will that still help me? I appreciate any advice/comments!