I've been a member here on AN since I started my nursing journey back in 2013, a lurker for a few years before that. I started in stepdown and spent 2 years there and have no spent the last 4 months in ICU. I can't say that I haven't been successful as a nurse, as I have managed to receive my share of compliments of patients, coworkers, and managers. I have become certified and did get involved in committees and all that jazz as well, so the "professional" end I believe has been met as well.
This may sound selfish so sorry in advance. I have never been happy as a nurse. I've never been happy with my career choice. I believe I got involved for some wrong reasons: decent money, stability, huge chance to move up (I was set on being a CRNA [for money]), for some reason envisioned it as less stressful than it is. You may have seen my amplitude of negative posts about my job, or nursing, or any number of things I've complained about over the past few years.
I was advised after my first year to leave my first hospital and maybe even find another specialty. Surely you can't base an entire career off of one experience. I came up with a list of things I didn't like about that place. Understaffing. High acuity patients. Poorly funded facility in the inner city. More physical demands VS less mental. Now I've switched to ICU and I'm even more stressed out. I'm absolutely no match for this level of care - how could I ever have survived as a CRNA? PA? NP? The level of responsibility in this area is crushing. I can't go back to stepdown and I won't go to medsurg. I'm done with all the weekends, done with all the holidays, and done with all the damn night shifts.. I have an appointment with a therapist. Like.. me. You all don't know me, but me? Therapist? Just unbelievable. I believe I will take as many of my transferable credits from my bachelors and get a AS in Echo.
TL;DR. I'm done with nursing. "it's not you, but me" sort of thing" However I'd appreciate people to weigh in.
I recently had a similar epiphany. I realized the place I was in had a ceiling and I hit it. I too was only in it for 2 years. I called all of my contacts and got a new job within a week. I start on the floor this week, I'm excited . The nurses on the floor aren't stressed everyone seems calm and unhurried. The rooms are larger with a lift in each one. I hurt my back within the first year. Sometimes what you need is a change of venue. I was so stressed from work you would have thought I had ptsd. These two weeks have been a blessing and mind clearing.
Specializes in Critical Care, Med-Surg, Psych, Geri, LTC, Tele,.
As far as seeing a therapist... It could possibly be quite helpful. Especially if they are good at their job.
When I last saw mine, they told me my feelings were normal and this helped validate my feelings...especially coming from another health care professional.
There is nothing wrong being true to yourself! When I did my rotation in an Intensive care unit I knew right away that is not where I am going to be. I currently work in the NICU! I love it. I am sorry things did not go well but do not give up, nursing is so dynamic in its glory I am sure there is something out there for you to appreciate. Bedside nursing is not for everyone. I realize that for me as well.
I talked to one of our echo techs who loves the job- typically no weekend, normal daytime hours,some call, no patient care, no cleaning up, no butt kissing, no legal drug pushing, one patient at a time. They still have to deal with rude cardiologists.
I wish I had known this existed before I wasted my time with nursing.
Go for the tech training! you dont lose any pay either!
Us2them3we5
2 Posts
I recently had a similar epiphany. I realized the place I was in had a ceiling and I hit it. I too was only in it for 2 years. I called all of my contacts and got a new job within a week. I start on the floor this week, I'm excited . The nurses on the floor aren't stressed everyone seems calm and unhurried. The rooms are larger with a lift in each one. I hurt my back within the first year. Sometimes what you need is a change of venue. I was so stressed from work you would have thought I had ptsd. These two weeks have been a blessing and mind clearing.