Stress in my job. Is nursing really for me?

[gbchick04]

Hi there,

I am just looking for some advice about my career. I graduated in 2015 and since that time have had 5 different nursing positions. I left positions for various reasons, but am thinking maybe nursing in general isn't for me. Or I just haven't found the right specialty. I probably would have left the profession already, but I wouldn't be able to find a position where I make the same amount and be able to support my family.

My current situation is stressful. I just recently (Jan 6) came back to being a school nurse, and thankfully was able to come back to the same school. The problem is the head nurse put me in a horrible position by telling me the person I am covering for (who is on medical leave) is actually being fired. I am suppose to pretend I am back just temporarily. The previous person is technically suppose to return next week, but the entire time I have been back at the school people (staff, students, parents) keep asking me when the previous person is coming back. I HATE lying to people, but I have been asked by my boss to play it off like I don't know anything. As far as I know they haven't fired her yet. On Friday I was in tears because 5 different staff members asked me when she was returning and I had to come up with some answer that wasn't the truth. The principal of the school doesn't even know. I have no idea why she is being fired. There's a bunch of her personal stuff in the office as well.

On top of that, I am being paid $4 less an hour than what was agreed upon, my boss saying it should be fixed in the next few weeks. That's $300 a paycheck I am missing out on.

I am just very discouraged and feel that every job change I have made in the profession has been a bad choice.

Any advice is appreciated.

Thank you.

["nursy", RN]

It sounds like your current problem is temporary (as long as they fix your pay). Once things settle down, hopefully you will enjoy school nursing as much as I do!

[Jedrnurse, BSN, RN]

Two things-

1. Your post title says "stress in my job"- What job doesn't have stress??

2. Your threshold for stress, i.e. the upcoming termination of somebody else, well, frankly it may not be fun, but in the grand scheme of things, not like actual job stress.

Has this been a recurring theme in your frequent job changes over the past few years? It may be possible that you have to adjust your expectations about your career...

[gbchick04]

I guess maybe I described it differently than I mean. The job itself isn't stressful, my situation is. The fact that I am being forced to lie to people makes me extremely uncomfortable and I don't think it's fair that my boss put me in this position. I have a low tolerance for B.S. and I know that's one of the reasons I have left jobs. I bring up concerns in jobs that I have, but if they aren't addressed that's when I consider finding another position where I feel valued. Other reasons I have left nursing positions include scheduling issues, need for benefits, and lack of opportunity for advancement.

[yournurse]

Everyone deals with stress differently. The news of the old nurse about to get fired is not your news to deliver, why worry about it? I certainly wouldn’t put a lot of time thinking about it.

[gbchick04]

I understand I am not the one telling everyone she's being let go, I just don't like having to come up with an answer when people ask me when she's coming back. I just say I don't know.

[LovingLife123]

Why do you have to come up with any answer? You don’t ever have to reveal to anyone that you even know anything. They haven’t fired her yet, she’s scheduled to come back next week. You simply state she is scheduled to come back next week. I don’t get the issue.

I’m sure the principal knows. They are playing it close to the vest as they should.

You are making way too big of a deal out of this.

[crazin01]

"I honestly do not know when he/she will be returning." Technically it isn't lying. Just because your boss said they are going to be fired doesn't necessarily mean it'll happen. Something may happen in administration above your boss & they won't actually be let go...

I like jedrnurse's comment: What job doesn't have stress??

I also hate lying to people, but It's not your place to inform anyone what your boss told you, I imagine in confidence.

[gbchick04]

I know the principal doesn't know as he asked me himself when she was going to return. Thanks for your responses. I hope this will go away soon and they give me the pay we agreed on.

[Nurselexii]

Do you think interaction with various personalities stress you out? If so I do have recommendations

[Katie82, RN]

I'm sorry...I read your post and I'm thinking "this is stress?". I don't mean in any way to belittle you, but it just may be that you have a low tolerance for stress. This is not a flaw, some people just cannot handle stress. But I have to be honest, nursing may not be for you... Reading between the lines of your post, I see someone who goes from job to job because of what she perceives as stress. Nursing is stress, every day, every job. What you have to ask yourself is "Do I like being a nurse?" If you do, seek some help for stress management and learn to handle it, it is doable. If you don't really like nursing, cut your losses and find something else. There are many jobs in health care that would utilize your skills without being clinical.

Sorry if I sound harsh, but what what you are describing is called "adulting" and has little to do with your job as a nurse. It would be very easy for me to say "Sorry, I can't say when she is coming back, you'll have to ask someone who knows". You know schools are rumor mills (not unlike hospitals) and I never had trouble staying out of the middle of it. If nothing else, speak to your supervisor about your concerns. They put you in a difficult position by even sharing this with you.