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!

not in a million years.

I have to say that I truly hate nursing. I don't mean to post negatively to discourage others from becoming a nurse, but I think it probably comes off that way. I certainly think if you want to do it, you should. I just feel like I'm fighting a losing battle all day, every day. I'm incredibly tired all the time. And the worst part is, I don't feel like myself anymore. That said, I know tons of nurses who love their jobs. Maybe it's just not a good fit for me, or maybe I'm in the wrong area... Good luck to the future nurses though, you'll never know until you try it.

I think the wipes are actually a lot more sanitary than the basin baths.

I feel like I have no job security. There's always threats from managers that they'll write up people for everything under the sun. My managers throw nurses under the bus all the time. I go to work every single day worrying that I'm going to get fired for something stupid (oh you didn't fill out XYZ payroll form correctly, you're fired) I really need the economy to get better so I can get out of nursing. Does anyone else feel like they're always on the chopping block? I've never been worried about losing a job before, but I feel like this all the time with nursing...

Hi everyone; I've been thinking a lot lately, and I think I may be depressed. I feel so sad lately, all of the time in fact. I do nothing on my days off but lay around, thinking about how much I hate my job. I get upset at really dumb things and cry like a 3 year old. I never see my friends anymore because the schedule SUCKS. And when I do, they all seem so disappointed that I hate being a nurse (I don't know why I'm the only one who doesn't have a right to hate their job?) I feel so bad for my wonderful hubby because I'm so miserable to be around these days. I hate feeling this way. I was never even close to this unhappy before. Nursing is truly ruining my life. But I have to do it because I have to pay bills. I certainly never think about harming myself in any way, and I always try to give 100% effort at work... but I worry that one day I'll just up and quit my job because I hate it so much. then again, maybe that would fix it... thanks for listening.

I know many people are unsatisfied in their jobs, but for me it goes far beyond that. I'm a very hard worker, but feel the expectations of nurses are just plain ridiculous. My own health is suffering as a result of this job, and I'm so miserable all the time. I love helping people, but I care about myself more. I'm always looking for other non-nursing jobs, but I don't meet the experience criteria, not even close. And when I apply, I hear nothing back. And as far as nursing jobs go, I can't just easily hop from one job to the next hoping to find the elusive 'niche'. First of all there aren't that many openings, and second every hospital wants some sort of time commitment (they know how bad it is). I feel so STUCK.

thanks for the replies. I've been doing this for about a year and a half (not long, but I'm not brand new either). And I have tried changing specialties and hospitals, but things just went from terrible to even more terrible. I've heard there are better jobs out there, but they aren't hiring. And I don't have enough experience to get away from acute care yet. I'm so tired all the time. I am literally running all shift long, trying to be in 3 places at once. And management just says "do more!" I can't even go to the bathroom without having 3 missed calls and then having everyone ask "is your phone working?!" the second I get out. I'm so sick of trying to mediate arrogant doctors, needy/ridiculous family members, and back-stabbing coworkers. I'm trying, I really am. But I'm tired of being treated like this day after day. How is this considered a profession?

you seem to understand english well enough. You probably need a typing class. I have no idea how people can get through any job without knowing how to type correctly. And even if you get let go, you'll need to know how to type for almost every hospital. It'll be worth the investment.

just curious. I regret it every single day. I had good intentions when I started, and I wasn't idealistic either. But it is a FAR worse job than I imagined. I feel like the life has been beaten out of me. I consider myself a good nurse, and I do give it my all for patients when I'm at work. But I don't know how much longer I can keep doing this. Just wanted to know if I was alone. My family and friends don't seem to understand.

hi: I recently have decided that I want to try and transfer units. I have only been on my unit for a couple months, but I know its not a good fit for me. (I'm not a new grad, so its not just an anxiety thing) I just applied to one other unit within my hospital, but now I'm concerned that I may get in trouble with my current manager. I don't want to get fired or have any kind of punishment. I just want to try and change units. (back to a previous specialty, that I preferred). Has anyone done anything similar? thanks.