rnfrombama

I admire your decision to leave. I'm on the brink of leaving nursing myself. I'm going to first try other areas before my exit. However, I feel I am running out of patience and self-control. But if something non-nursing comes my way before I am able to find my nursing niche, and if it's something I think is for me and I will enjoy, I'm OUT!!! I refuse to let my job or nursing tear my life apart. I'm sick of being abused and having no rights or support and being told that comes with the territory or I signed up for this. That's not OK with me and I refuse to accept "the culture."

HA!!! I found that out the hard way!!!

Yep!!! I wouldn't mind working in a doctor's office and doing paperwork (PA's, calling in meds, follow-ups) WHATEVER!!! I'm truly happy you are happy. You finally found what I'm looking for-a job that fits and makes you happy!!!

1982??? Oh my!!! Well, I will just make a quick assumption that she is very happy where she is!!! WOW!!!

Right!!! We are abused constantly and we have no rights or support whatsoever. But we have to take on everyone else's responsibility and do what we're supposed to be doing in the first place-providing patient care. And you're correct this place opens up more buildings, clinics, and pops more billboards that I care to think of.

Yes, this place has a lot to do with the problem I'm having. This place is SO unhealthy. You can tell so much about a place by the way random employees from different departments interact with one another in passing. No one smiles or speaks to one another. It's depressing, but it reflects the treatment we receive. I'm not able to relocate to another area of the state or out of the state at the moment. I've even thought about travel nursing, but I'm not in a good place where I can leave my children just yet. I'm going to keep my license current regardless of what I decide.

Dear Nurse Diane, I'm at a loss for words!!! You have made every point I have been trying to make for a very long time!!! I haven't been in nursing nearly as long as you, but I do know nursing has evolved from real caregiving to providing (painting) the perception of optimal caregiving. We are expected to provide optimal care for more and more patients who are sicker and sicker, and with less staff and resources, and working longer hours, only to be reminded of the endless number punitive actions that wilbe taken if there is one mistake made. But the hospital is going to appear great and be listed as one of the best systems in the US, right?!?! You are also spot on about Costco. That's why I have seriously consideed working there. If I have to work for 25+ years until retirement, I may as well be happy. At the rate I am getting paid now working as a nurse, accepting a job at Costco would actually be a better avenue. Thanks

It would be very difficult to relocate at this point. I would need to wait a few years when my children are out of high school and in college. I don't have very many healthcare-setting options (if that even makes sense) in the area in which I live currently. Until I'm able to relocate, I have considered either continuing to try to get lucky and get hired elsewhere in this area or, seriously, taking a break from nursing until I'm able to find something/somewhere that would give me a more happier and rewarding nursing experience. I understand the grass may not be greener elsewhere, but I refuse to settle and accept the BS that I have to fight through on a daily basis. The struggle is a result of my department's noncaring attitude that reflects this facility's overall culture of greed and status, not one of real patient satisfaction and providing optimal care. I do need a personal escape to help me relax and take my mind off things. At the moment, all I do is sleep the whole weekend. I'm doing really well if I'm able to get up on Sundays and attend church. I am just that exhausted from the work week that I'm constantly sleeping on the weekends. I have thought about going back to school, but I won't be taking up anything in the medical field. I have really been almost completely turned off by nursing. However, I need to take some baby steps. Just leaving this facility may just be exactly what is needed. Thanks

Ha!!! Yes, I've applied to Costco a couple of times. I am dead serious!!! I am trying to transfer to different areas in this hospital, but I really want to leave this hospital system COMPLETELY!!! No luck yet. I still don't like nursing, but maybe one day I will find the one job that will save me from leaving nursing altogether. Thanks

Hey all!!! I'm still trying to get this commenting and replying thing right. I usually just read these articles and print them out take them to work. Thank you all for your responses and your input. Many people have told me and you all have suggested trying a change of scenery. I've talked to some of my coworkers whom have traveled or worked at other facilities and they've said "It's this hospital." The facility in which I work is surely the huge problem. I've even had a physician tell me "This [hospital] isn't a good place." This place has frustrated me to the point that I'm done with nursing. I will try to find employment elsewhere. It will be difficult because of the area that I live and the monopoly this facility has on healthcare throughout. That's where a lot of my frustration cones from. To Mikey, who asked about the reason for nurses leaving. I'm sure pay has something to do with it. But it's the lack of respect that we professionals receive on a daily basis. This facility's culture is making money and making the docs happy....that's it. There is no question about it. And BTW, this facility is a "non-profit" organization.

We all talked about this same thing today at work. We're going to all pick a day and not show up. Of course, we won't do it. But it would be an eye-opener. It has happened on a couple of floors lately, but those nurses were quickly replaced by new nurses (mostly new grads) and "thrown to the wolves" soon after they were hired. Now, some of them are gone. So the patients will still suffer. I can't help but imagine my parents as patients whom are suffering due to the lack of compassion or care.

I've actually been thinking about moving to another facility for a couple of years now. Whatever I do, I'm not going to let my license lapse or expire. I'm just so frustrated right now more than ever due to soooo many more responsibilities added to our nursing plates without the added money. I just want to add that in the area in which I live, there are only very few employment options for us nurses outside of the facility where I'm employed. That also adds to my frustration. Thanks for everybody's input. Again, you may not agree but thanks for the suggestions. Please excuse my tone. I'm so frustrated.

I appreciate these words. I think either I need to take a break or just definitely try going to other institutions. I am sure nursing is more than what I've experienced while at this facility. We just simply have no rights and are found guilty even without a trial. I'm glad y'all are hearing me. You may not agree wholeheartedly, but you hear me. Another downside is, as you can see from my name, I reside in AL as a fellow nurse just pointed out. We are waaaay below the pay curve, national average, etc. If I got paid more, I could deal just slightly better. See ya at Costco í ½í¸‰

Y'all excuse me. This is my first time posting and commenting so I'm all over the place.

That's my point. It's all about the physicians where I work. I actually meant the reply for the comment above yours, but somehow my phone scrolled down to your post instead. I'm trying to copy and paste my response to the post above yours, but my phone or this thread won't let me.