gonzo1

And this is why I finally threw in the towel 4 years before I was planning to retire. Work became incredibly unsafe and all of us were exhausted right down to our bones. The lack of respect from admin was soul crushing. Retirement is quite an adjustment, but I'm finally starting to feel like a person again. Covid ICU was a killer in so many ways.

I have hit the magic SS age and left my job. I don't intend to take another nursing job ever. I have PTSD pretty bad from working Covid ICU. I don't know what to do with my license. I tried to put it on inactive status with Texas BON but it said I had to sign up with Nursyx first and it looks like they want 30$ for each state I was licensed in over the years. I started in Illinois, did travel nursing to Texas and Arizona and then moved to Texas and put the other licenses on inactive status years ago. I don't want to pay 90$ just to be able to put it on inactive status. What happens if I just wait till it expires and don't renew it. I really wanted to have it placed as "retired", but maybe that's not possible. I graduated in 2003 and nursing has had its highs and lows for me, like everyone else, but overall it was a wonderful, enriching, rewarding career. I have nothing bad to say about it, although perhaps I wouldn't recommend it to others anymore. I quit in January of 22 and have slowly been feeling better, but I still have quite a way to go. There was so much death and destruction during Covid and so many mad, angry, aggressive patients/family that I am still having trouble processing interacting with the public in general so I avoid the public as much as possible. I have started playing Pickleball and joined a quilting group that my favorite neighbor is involved with. I also was doing Tele Mental health counseling for a while. I appreciate any and all help with deciding what to do with my license. I thank the Allnurses family for being an incredible support group and education since 2003. I couldn't have done it without you all.

I know so many people this has happened to and every single one of them had a new job in a week, better pay, better job. Hold your head up high and move on. None of them needed unemployment because they always got another job so fast. In nursing school one of my instructors hated me and would criticize my intelligence in public as often as possible. I went on to work in ER and ICU for the duration of my career. Very recently retired. Two years of Covid ICU finally did me in.

I've had ER patients that told me they didn't care we were coding a patient in another room, they wanted their soda, or whatever. I just firmly tell them everyone in the ER is working on a very emergent patient and they have to wait. I usually say something like, "If you start to code, we'll be right in to try and save you."

Thanks for your concern. I'm actually okay. I quit without notice, I could have retired years ago, but I loved nursing so much. It was truly my hobby. It was a second career for me. My husband and I are already signed up with SS and medicare. We are going to be okay. I truly appreciate your advice and care.

All the above mentioned problems are why I finally had to walk away after 2 decades, to save my mental health. I have encountered every single issue that was mentioned. One of the nice things about being retired is I can now speak the truth and not be worried about being fired. People aren't posting on your FB post because they are afraid of losing their jobs.. That's the way I lived too, until now.

Thanks to everyone for the support. Checked with the Texas labor board and if a company posts that you don't get PTO if you don't give 2 weeks notice then they are in the clear. Of course, my company had it posted. PTO is actually determined state by state, not federal. I thought of all the things you all suggested after I had quit, but its alright. I feel much better and I am now on Medicare. I'm way old enough for SS, so I'll get that. It was just time and I'm going to give myself 6 months of R&R and then if I want I look for another job, but only part time. I can say that I had a wonderful run, learned so much about myself and others. Nursing has been very good to me. Yes, I had a couple of evil managers, coworkers, and got fired a couple of times. Who hasn't? I have nothing but joy in my heart for my almost 20 years, but I sure don't miss it right now. I love Allnurses and plan on hanging around for a while.

Actually, my symptoms weren't mild. They were and still are bad, but getting better. Turns out I won't get my PTO 130 hours because I didn't give 2 weeks notice. But I asked for help FMLA and got pushback, so I gave up and politely resigned effective immediately. It's all good. It's in the hands of God and that's enough for me. I love Allnurses and have gotten and gave some good advice over the years. Thanks to all of you.

Thanks for all the advice. After talking to my PCP today I went home and sent an email to my immediate supervisor and HR. I did something I never imagined doing, but I wrote a nice short email thanking them for the time I worked there and stating I was putting in my notice resigning immediately. So I guess we will see what happens, if they keep my PTO and whatever, but I knew I couldn't go back. Infusion nurse sounds awesome. I'm going to take 6 months and see how I feel. I might stay "retired".

Fortunately I can afford to quit. And I can always get another job if circumstances change drastically. Honestly, I'm looking for permission to just call in and say I quit. I stepped down from ICU a couple of months ago and took an easier job with less patient interaction. But they keep force floating me back to ICU and it makes me sick physically and emotionally to work these shifts. We are incredibly short staff and I can't take it anymore.

20 year nurse, working full time ICU during Covid. I'm emotionally and physically exhausted. Wanted to do FMLA for a break but got a lot of pushback. Now I just want to quit and never go back. So lost as to how to proceed. I have almost perfect attendance. All the nastiness from patients/families who can't get meds that don't help is a cause too, and then there are the hitters and kickers. I am old enough for retirement. just thought I'd work a little longer. Now I cringe at the thought of my next shift.

Your dislike for all the things you mentioned comprise about 85% of what we do every shift. The nice thing about nursing though is there are hundreds of different settings you can work with the degree, if it's a BSN. You might look into going to school for a physical therapy assistant degree. You already have all the prereqs from nursing. If you go to a community college it will be very economical. It's a lot less stressful and very rewarding, and once again lots of different work settings, ie sports, geriatric rehab, joint clinic, occupational rehab, and so on.

a little update: As a result of information gained on this post, our ICU has put me in charge of bringing in BIS monitoring to the unit. Allnurses doing what it does best, improving the lives of nurses and patients. Thanks to all

When doing something like placing a foley, it's always a good idea to have another person in the room in case you need help holding legs etc. I always offer to do the foleys on women (I'm female) because I don't want my fellow male nurses to be put in a position that can be problematic. Twice, in 20 years I had female patients saying I was molesting them while placing foley. Yes, they had psychiatric problems and I was "let off the hook". But it has made me wary.

Thanks to everyone for helping me know I'm not alone and am having normal feelings after such a huge and sad work change for the last year. I was beginning to think there was something horribly wrong with me. Fortunately I work in a hospital that is very responsive to our concerns, but of course, there just wasn't time for breaks etc during this time. I am super happy where I work and would not want to go anywhere else. I'll most likely be retiring in 2-3 years as I am over 65. My heart goes out to all of you who didn't feel supported by your hospital. I can't imagine how awful that would be. It would definitely make the whole thing way worse for you. Hopefully things will be winding down soon.

Thank you for your input. I feel for you, as a CNA you truly work harder than I do. We have seen so much sadness this last year. We are finally able to take vacation time, so I have about 12 days off in April and then again in June. It just feels so weird to be so totally exhausted.

I have spent so much time on this site at different points in my life that my husband once said he would divorce me if I didn't stop it. I stopped for about 2 weeks and then had to go and tell him I couldn't live without All Nurses. Fortunately we're still together 12 years later. Will be married 45 years soon. You guys have answered my questions that I couldn't find anywhere else, supported me through cancer (I'm still alive 10 years later). And just generally entertained me for a long time now. Thanks to one and all.

I've been working Covid ICU since the pandemic began. At first it was terrifying, but we all got somewhat used to it. Some staff caught it, but everyone recovered well. We've seen more people die this year than in 20 years of nursing. It is so tiring to gown up every time you have to go in the room. The patients are all much sicker than we normally have. I feel like I have dealt with the situation pretty well, but it's come to my attention that I am absolutely exhausted all the time, even though our Covid pt census is wayyyy down. I'm tired all the time and just don't have any energy. Is this normal? Am I just experiencing exhaustion from all the months of intense anxiety and extra work? Normally I am very fit and active. Wondering if anyone else is experiencing this.

Thanks to everyone for their input. That is the beauty of Allnurses. In response to passingas (cute name). It really wasn't necessary to be harsh, as I have been a nurse for 18 years. We were having a discussion at work on the finer points of weaning etc, and I like to come on here for more information. We do have parameters etc, and the pt was never in any chance of harm as our charge nurses keep track of and guide us in all we do, not matter how long we've been doing it. Fortunately I work in a really awesome place.

Thank you for the information. Still so much to learn

I have a pt on Levo, Nimbex, Propofol and Fentanyl. I was trying weaning the Nimbex down very slowly, and then I went down on the fentanyl from like 50 to 40. So day shift comes in and says you can't wean sedation when someone is on Nimbex. I postulate that you can, very slowly and carefully. But they're saying the fentanyl and Propofol have to be running at max, because pt is paralyzed. So long story short, is it true that if pt is on Nimbex the other meds have to be run full bore. I do realize the nimbex has to be weaned down first. Advise please Thanks from a crusty old bat

Thanks, but I'll just stay in the homeless patients wing.

I was helping a very frail, fragile elderly man and he was unfortunately undressed, and confused and peed on my head. Fortunately I have very short hair and a quick shampoo in the bathroom made me feel new again. It's not an easy job we have sometimes. 20 years and I haven't caught anything yet.

cardioversion conscious sedation to reduce fractures or dislocations

I always thought having family with patient was a great idea. They're a second set of eyes, sometimes do a lot for the pt, know the pt and can let you know when something isn't right. But since we haven't had family/friends allowed for several weeks now, I have come to see how great not having them around is. I never realized what a time suck some can be. They follow you around, ask the same questions over and over again, keep the patients up playing cards and laughing all night when they should be resting and demand ridiculous stuff (not all people, but a lot). I feel like I have so much more time with my patients to do things. I've even given a few foot massages etc, because I have so much more time. My charting is better and I'm getting out on time more often. I work nights and I hope new rules will limit the time visitors are allowed in the unit, but we all know that isn't going to happen because we are the Hilton, not the hospital. I understand now why so many nurses say they don't like families around. On a side note, I do realize that for some of the patients being able to contact physically with family/friends is crucial. I just want to be able to tell visitors it's time for the pt to rest now, without being told to "get lost" .........true story.