So I've decided...

LT Dave · Apr 3, 2007

At 21 you can't be burned out-- maybe very frustrated. Nursing has so many different areas to work it. You need to find your nich in life. Once you have some experience you can gert out of the patient care buisness.

I just met some nurses representing the new Cardiac Monitors we bought for our ER. They are young and love traveling and teaching other nurses.

You can work for a drug company. There are many oppertunities for nurses outside of patient care.

I was once a very misserable floor nurse. I loved the ICU and now the ER is my home.

cnolan · Apr 3, 2007

I've been a floor nurse for two years. I've done pediatrics, ortho, med-surgh, rehab, and ICU.

I just am NOT happy and don't even want to think about floor nursing. *sigh*

I'd LOVE to work ER - in fact, peds ER would be ideal. But unfortunatly, no one wants unexperienced ER nurses working in their ER, and those who don't mind that don't want me because I only have my ASN. (Pursuing a bachelor's shortly, but due to family circumstances, ASN was all that I could do then.)

I can't imagine being a nurse until I finish my bachelor's degree.

PedsRNBSN · Apr 3, 2007

Seriously consider something outside of the hospital. I currently work in an ambulatory surgery center and LOVE it. I like the fact that I see a patient through from beginning to end-and when they walk out they are happy and healthy.

Also, if you really want peds ER see if you can find a hospital that has a great ER orientation (peds or adult) program and tell them you want to go for your BSN and see if they have tuition reimbursement. I too hated the hospital, (mainly the politics not the work) and now have a job I can truly say that I LOVE!! You will find it, it will just take time.

Good Luck!!

Cattitude · Apr 3, 2007

That I absolutely hate nursing.
I'm 21 years old and burnt out. I can't stand the thought of dealing with patients anymore.
*sigh*

Wow. This is so disturbing. I think we are seeing more and more posts like this and I'm wondering what the heck is going on?

2 years shouldn't be burning anyone out:o . I agree with the other posts, maybe you could find your niche in another area? There are many other non patient related jobs, please don't give up yet ok?

No one should be leaving a career they spent time and $ on after 2 years or even 4 years. Take a breather and see what other jobs are out there. As a nurse you have the potential to also become a salesperson, a teacher, a researcher , etc. Keep trying!

Tweety, BSN, RN · Apr 3, 2007

We all have those moments, especially in the beginning. Sometimes we just have to walk through them. Yes you could be burned out even at that young age. I hope that whatever happens, you find peace.

justme1972 · Apr 3, 2007

I don't know if this post will help or not.

Since you are only 21, I am going to assume here that nursing is your first, real, I'm-working-because-I-have-to-not-because-I-want-to, this is a career..not a hobby, job.

It's a rude awakening...I remember the very first job I had when I moved out of state, totally on my own. It's hard to deal with the day-to-day issues of working, the politics, the customers, clients, patients, whatever the source of revenue. Sometimes I would come home and just cry and think that I couldn't go back.

So, I THOUGHT that changing jobs would fix it...and it didn't. I thought that changing careers would fix it...and it didn't.

That was when a light-bulb went off over my head and realized that it's why they call work, WORK. That is what it is, work...and like any work...most of it is hard as most of us in life want to work at the highest level we possibly can for our level of education in order to secure the highest income possible.

Two years in a hospital is not a long time to have been in all the departments you have...I have seen alot of posts here from nurses (and I am not a nurse yet, I start this fall, but I have a very long work history)..where you are usually working in a DEPARTMENT for a year...before you really feel like you know what you are doing.

It's something to really think about.

RTstudent · Apr 3, 2007

you are only 21 so you might think that other jobs are perfect. There is stress in all jobs, no job is perfect!!!! try changing careers and tell me if I'm wrong!!!!!!

downesRN · Apr 3, 2007

I am guessing, since you say you are going back for your bachelors, and since you mentioned an exact specialty you are interested, that you are not really burnt out with nursing, you are just ready to move on to your real passion in nursing. Why don't you just apply to an RN program, and work a shift or two a week while you move towards your bachelors.

Maybe I am misunderstanding....please correct me if so. Being burnt out, however, if much different from feeling "stuck" due to a lack of a degree....my advice...get the degree, get into the er, and get yourself "unstuck".

MAISY, RN-ER, BSN, RN · Apr 3, 2007

I wish older people could give younger ones the benefit of their experience. I work in a busy ER after receiving my associate degree last year as an new "older" nurse. This is my second career-business was the first. How you are feeling occurs to most young people as they start their careers. There are the hopes and dreams we build up, and then there are the realities. Attitude is everything-believe me, when I say that. There is no job that is stressless...there is no place that can make you happy...it's all up to you. Many of the nurses I work with used to think I was a "Pollyanna" and would say things like "you'll see", "you won't be smiling in a few months", blah blah blah. While it's true nursing is hard-I have had other hard jobs-some that I hated. When I held a management position I was able to do things...my way, and now! Unfortunately, I also had all of the responsibility-good and bad. Here my power extends only to those pts and physicians I work with daily-but I go home without aggravation. Right there it's a good tradeoff. Nursing has many options, check out some job counseling, look at the nursing websites. Contact the manufacturer's of the equipment used in your hospital..maybe you could be a nurse rep, and work p/t as a nurse. Good luck in school-I am still going, and will be until I die. (you can never know too much) Good Luck and chin up. Your life has just begun-choose to be happy!

llg, PhD, RN · Apr 3, 2007

I've been a floor nurse for two years. I've done pediatrics, ortho, med-surgh, rehab, and ICU.
I just am NOT happy and don't even want to think about floor nursing. *sigh*
I'd LOVE to work ER - in fact, peds ER would be ideal. But unfortunatly, no one wants unexperienced ER nurses working in their ER, and those who don't mind that don't want me because I only have my ASN. (Pursuing a bachelor's shortly, but due to family circumstances, ASN was all that I could do then.)
I can't imagine being a nurse until I finish my bachelor's degree.

If you've had jobs in 5 different specialties in only 2 years, you can not possibly have been in any one of them long enough to get properly oriented -- much less develop the skill level needed to be successful on the job. The transition from student to professional nurse takes a little time and most people go through periods of reality shock, frustration, and discouragement along the way.

Perhaps you need a little break and/or perhaps you need to learn how to manage your the stresses and demands of the work world a little better. Perhaps you need to work only part time for a little while. People here can give you some advice on that. Then, pick a work environment that seems reasonable and stick with it a little while -- at least long enough to get competent, which usually takes a new grad about a year -- before you throw away your career. If you haven't worked more than a few months at any job, you really haven't given nursing a chance.

NurseyPoo, RN · Apr 3, 2007

If you've had jobs in 5 different specialties in only 2 years, you can not possibly have been in any one of them long enough to get properly oriented -- much less develop the skill level needed to be successful on the job. The transition from student to professional nurse takes a little time and most people go through periods of reality shock, frustration, and discouragement along the way.
Perhaps you need a little break and/or perhaps you need to learn how to manage your the stresses and demands of the work world a little better. Perhaps you need to work only part time for a little while. People here can give you some advice on that. Then, pick a work environment that seems reasonable and stick with it a little while -- at least long enough to get competent, which usually takes a new grad about a year -- before you throw away your career. If you haven't worked more than a few months at any job, you really haven't given nursing a chance.

I must agree. How can you possibly be burnt out at 21 years old. You are way too young to feel this way. I also agree that it does not sound like you received the proper training, so you are more likely frustrated. I would step back and do some soul searching. You need to be exposed to one specialty for some time to feel confident. It looks like you have not even been in one area for more than a few months at a time. ICU alone usually requires 12 or more weeks just for orientation.