So I've decided...

Nurses General Nursing

Published

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*

Specializes in L&D/Mother-Baby.

Wow, what an intense thread. It is disturbing to see what the OP is feeling since they've become somewhat disenchanted with the whole idea of being a nurse. As llg rightfully said, the fact that you've had 5 specialties in 2 years says something about the quality of the orientation, environment and support (or lack thereof) that you've received. Think about what would make you happy and go for it. Talk to other nurses in the department you are interested in, either in that hospital or another, and see what they tell you. I am sure the grass is not super green elsewhere, but you may find your niche. Nursing is so diverse that it would be difficult not to find something you'd like, unless of course, nursing is not for you at all.

As another poster said, "Work is work and not play." Work anywhere is going to su**. I am a second career nurse and although I am not yet a practicing nurse, I am leaving a job I've had in corporate america for 6 years now. There are loads of politics, lazy and nasty people, and all the other typical mumbo jumbo even in cushy firms like the one I work in. Yeah, there are days when you feel like killing those people who expect for you to drop rose petals before them as they walk, but you just have to grow thick skin and look at the bright side of what you are doing: your clients and supportive colleagues.

I do not like my job anymore because it is neither fulfilling nor satisfying. I do not feel challenged and do not want to bothered by corporate execs who feel like they are the mighty King Xerxes. However, I know this after being in the same environment for a long time and knowing that it's time for a change.

Good luck with whatever you decide since you know what's best for you. Please let us know what happens. I do hope you remain one of us; we need you.

Take care.

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Specializes in Med/Tele.

I am 21 and will have been a nurse for a year in June on a med/tele unit. I have felt the same way! It is frustrating as a facing the realities as a new nurse and THIS is my first real job so..........more realities. I do feel that it's kind of insensitive to say that since you are only 21 and havent been nursing for years- that you cant possibly be burned out......sheesh. Give the OP some support! Everyone is different......the point is that as new nurses we have lots and lots of growing pains. Just part of the process. It sucks I know but........its rough the first year, I know I am still going through it. Hang in there ok.......what exactly is making you feel this way? Maybe we can give you some new coping skills..........it's really important to eat well, exercise, rest, make time for yourself and friends and family and fun!! Don't let work eat you up or stress you on your days off....I used to do that so much. It' s hard work being a nurse.........feel free to vent. If you feel burned out........then you feel burned out, no one should be saying that you are too young to feel burned out or anything. You should be able to come here and vent without people saying , "Um, no, you dont feel like that, blah, blah"

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Specializes in Clinical Research, Outpt Women's Health.

I think you should do what you want. Nursing is not the only thing out there. Maybe there is something else that interests you more? I would get my bachelors in something else if i was fairly sure I did not like nursing. Maybe you can find an ER that would hire you if you are willing to move.

Good luck with whatever you decide!

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Specializes in Community, OB, Nursery.

I burned out of med-surg in 9 months as a new grad. Part of it was the patient load, part was the co-workers, and part was the fact that I am not by nature a med-surg nurse. It was killing me bc I knew I wasn't where I was supposed to be.

I quit that job to work in a community health center - mostly poor, uninsured, mostly non-English speaking patients. It was busy. It was intense, and heartbreaking, and fun, all at the same time. It wasn't a "cushy" job, by any means. But you know what? I LOVED it, everything about it. I volunteered to work extra, I stayed late, came early, and it didn't feel like work. In fact, the only reason I left was to be home c my son & not have him in daycare M-F. I love my current job but I would still be in the CHC if I hadn't gotten preggy.

My point is that if you are unhappy doing your job, search until you find one that you love. For all that we complain sometimes about our jobs (myself included), there are very few career paths as flexible as nursing. Please don't give up totally. I hope you find peace and a job that you love.

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Specializes in CT ,ICU,CCU,Tele,ED,Hospice.

to the op i am sorry you are feeling burnt out already .you are young and nursing has lots of options .while you have to do what is right for you -and only you know what that is-please think about what is upsetting and frustrating you about nursing .ie the people the place lack of support orientation etc .if it truly is the pt and nursing maybe you need to get your BS in something else. it would be a waste to get it in nursing if thats not what you want to do.you have years ahead of you to work you need to find something you are happy doing .there are eds that would hire you with 2 yrs experience but you would need atleast a 12 week orientation with a good preceptor.but whatever you decide i wish you luck and happiness .

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whoa, i've changed and the grass isn't greener, it's just more of it.

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!!!!!!
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Thanks for those of you who gave me support.

I can't BELIEVE that 95% of the people responding to this say "There's no way you can be burned out..." or "work part time"... or "New grad, new grad..."

Read the original post, people. I've been a nurse (an RN) for two years this month. I was a float nurse and oriented to all the different units. I've had two jobs since I graduated.

To those who responded negatively - it's nurses and people like you who disregard other's feeligns that make me want to leave the profession.

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I am 21 and will have been a nurse for a year in June on a med/tele unit. I have felt the same way! It is frustrating as a facing the realities as a new nurse and THIS is my first real job so..........more realities. I do feel that it's kind of insensitive to say that since you are only 21 and havent been nursing for years- that you cant possibly be burned out......sheesh. Give the OP some support! Everyone is different......the point is that as new nurses we have lots and lots of growing pains. Just part of the process. It sucks I know but........its rough the first year, I know I am still going through it. Hang in there ok.......what exactly is making you feel this way? Maybe we can give you some new coping skills..........it's really important to eat well, exercise, rest, make time for yourself and friends and family and fun!! Don't let work eat you up or stress you on your days off....I used to do that so much. It' s hard work being a nurse.........feel free to vent. If you feel burned out........then you feel burned out, no one should be saying that you are too young to feel burned out or anything. You should be able to come here and vent without people saying , "Um, no, you dont feel like that, blah, blah"

THANK YOU!!!!!

I am NOT a new nurse - I think people are forgetting that. I graduated and began working in April 2005 - It's been two years that I've been a floor nurse. I've lived alone and worked since the age of 16. I dont' believe ANYONE should be telling me "oh, you're not burnt out", ESPECIALLY the ones who haven't worked the floor yet. I deal with stress quite nicely - I've had more bumps and bruises in my life and have learned to deal quite well. This is a forum where people shouldn't be afraid to voice their opinions, and now I'm not sure I'd even start a new thread again. I was hoping for support, not to be belittled for feeling burnt out.

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I disagree with those that say 'oh, poster is only 21, how could poster be burned out?" The point is that the OP is feeling frustrated and stressed about a job she can't take anymore. If she's been in five different areas in two years, and not through her choice, that's the hospital setting her up for failure and stress. So, I think it's entirely possible that she's burning out.

Ok, that said, you might want to try finding another type of nursing job before you throw in the towel completely. Something outside of a hospital. I've only been working as a Med/Surg nurse for seven months, but I already am pretty sure that a hospital is not my cup of tea, and I'm scanning for new jobs outside of the hospital setting. I've about hit the end of my rope, too, with my current job, and much as I'd like to stay out the five more months to make a year of Med/Surge, I don't know if I can stand working nights for much longer. I am quite unhappy myself, but not with nursing per say. Just make certain it's nursing, and not your job, that is making you tired and stressed out before you give up altogether.

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I disagree with those that say 'oh, poster is only 21, how could poster be burned out?" The point is that the OP is feeling frustrated and stressed about a job she can't take anymore. If she's been in five different areas in two years, and not through her choice, that's the hospital setting her up for failure and stress. So, I think it's entirely possible that she's burning out.

Ok, that said, you might want to try finding another type of nursing job before you throw in the towel completely. Something outside of a hospital. I've only been working as a Med/Surg nurse for seven months, but I already am pretty sure that a hospital is not my cup of tea, and I'm scanning for new jobs outside of the hospital setting. I've about hit the end of my rope, too, with my current job, and much as I'd like to stay out the five more months to make a year of Med/Surge, I don't know if I can stand working nights for much longer. I am quite unhappy myself, but not with nursing per say. Just make certain it's nursing, and not your job, that is making you tired and stressed out before you give up altogether.

Thanks. I appreciate that - I've been looking into other options outside of the hospital. I worked in one hospital for a year (float, where I got all the experience I have except the Peds), and now I've been at my current hospital (Peds hospital) since the beginning of last August, working with ortho kids. I do like the pediatrics, I do NOT like floor nursing. I love healthcare - I don't like nursing. I think the bachelor's degree I'll be pursuing will be more like...Healthcare Administration or HR to work in recruitment.

Thanks again...in a thread of derogatory posts, the kind ones shine.

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I'm sorry you are feeling so down. I hope you can find something that suits you better and hopefully you'll be much happier...

Maybe you could just take some time away and re-group... try to come back to another area of nursing or who knows... maybe something totally different.

I have to comment on the "21" thing... you know... most people go to school directly out of high school and plunge towards a major...maybe it's something you've always wanted to do... but maybe it's not...I know that's what happend to me... I got my degree and graduated at 22 and then realized that I had just got a degree in something I had no interest in.

So it is possible that maybe nursing isn't for you. It's hard to know what the heck you want to do at any age... I feel for you...

Take care!

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Hi, sorry you are going through a rough patch. I would like to commend you on realizing that you are not happy with what you are doing and being brave enough to make a change, too many people get hung up in job tracks. I did my twenty’s in a job I just thought I “had” to do. Life is too short to be miserable, and its awesome you have the self awareness and motivation to make changes. I wish I had been that aware at 21 and had come to nursing earlier. What ever you choose I think this background that you have developed will serve you well. Good luck, I hope you find something you wake up everyday and enjoy. If you love what you do you will never “work” again a day in your life. You seem like you have a really good sense of self and a good head on your shoulders I am sure you will be quite successful.

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