Stressed out and Getting Out

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I am making the most of this beautiful and unusually cool August morning, by sending out resumes to prospective employers. Why? because the stress level has gotten so bad where I work, that people are actually exchanging fisticuffs with each other. Only two days before, our supervisor had had a staff meeting, to publicly announce her concerns with Upper Management "at all levels"...and to hold an improptu Stress Management seminar. It didn't and isn't working. A co-worker and I aren't even speaking to each other, after I turned her in a couple of weeks ago, for flying into me for "having less work than she did". Give me a break! :angryfire

I don't need this s---. I even applied for positions at Wal-Mart and at another retailer yesterday. I have had enough , and am getting out, while I still have the sanity to do so. :(

I'm sorry that you have been used so badly by the system. Your skills will be so missed by your patients and by your colleagues. I hope that you have an opportunity to take the time to rest and to rethink where you want to put your energies.

My colleagues and I often refer to ourselves as donkeys - beaten until we can't get up. Transfers within the hospital are forbidden by our unit manager; we are to work until we quit. Hardly acceptable treatment anywhere. I leave this hospital at the end of this month. I'll be a lot more selective with the next hospital - for me the patient is the reason for going to work - not the blood sucking bureauocrats with their management salaries who wouldn't be able to manage 15 minutes of the work we nurses do. I wish you all the best.

Hope and imagination are the only consolations for the disappointments and sorrows of experience.

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No job is worth risking your health, that's for sure. Believe me, that Wal-Mart greeter job looks more and more tempting everytime I go there, or maybe that road crew job turning that sign, "Slow-Stop." I mean how much stress do they really have???

Best wishes and good luck to you.

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Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.

I remember when I reached that point in my last job as a LTC care manager. I'd been working 60-hour weeks for months, and it was at the end of my fifth consecutive 14+ hour day when one of the corporate people who were whipping us into 'shape' for state survey told me I had to go through every single resident's chart (38, to be exact) AGAIN before I went home for the night. It was already 10 PM and I'd been going through those charts for days......I was half-blind from fatigue, and battling a bad case of bronchitis to boot, when suddenly a loud and VERY SURE voice shouted into my ear: "Are you crazy?? Get the hell out of here!"

I told the corporate honcho I was going home before I dropped dead. The next Monday I was fired. Best thing that ever happened to me......I was well on my way to a nervous breakdown.

Good luck to you! :)

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I've learned to watch the bahavior of management carefully...and when they start scapegoating individuals (like firing 13 yr secretaries) instead of looking at the big picture, its always my big 'cue to skidoo'. ;)

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Specializes in Infusion, Oncology, Home Care, Med/Surg.

When things get that bad and management won't even try to improve working condition I believe getting out is the best solution. You need to save your sanity! I was in the same boat just a month ago. I took 1 wk vacation and when I came back with a fresh mind, I was expecting to see some changes, but unfortunately when I came back nothing has changed and the working conditions only got worse. I am saving my sanity by starting another job. Take a vacation or some time off- you deserve it! And do go on a lot of interviews for all different job positions. You'll be able to compare and decide which one you like. Best Wishes and Good Luck to you!

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So sorry you are going through this. We can all understand where you are coming from though. I have a friend with a master's degree in nursing who is now working in Home Depot - and loving it. Sad, sad state of affairs. Wonder how bad it will have to get before management realizes things have to change big time. Good luck to you :)

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As the saying goes, been there, done that, bought the t-shirt.

Get away, as fast as you can - another opportunity will arise.

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Specializes in Med/Surg; Critical Care/ ED.

Hi,

Just wanted to send my support and well wishes your way. I've decided I'm not going back to nursing after my FML is up. I've actually got an interview tomorrow at petsmart in the grooming salon. I don't care about the money anymore, my job is making me sick.

Again, good luck.

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Hugs to all here, particularly those who are getting out. Our health and our wellbeing is more important than our title...and if our careers are making us sick its time to go. I struggle with this too, some days worse than others, and may be changing careers soon myself...it's wearing on me emotionally/psychologically and as I age, physically.

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There are a lot of nurses now working iin the post office (because of higher alsaries and union benefits) in my area due to the very same stressors...Man I know say they would never go back to nursing...That is so sad, but I can understand it..

That's funny! I thought about working for the PO because I know alot military ppl work in them, and I would love to walk up and down the street just delivering mail house-to-house. It beats having a pt code on you or passing out the wrong meds that's for sure....or worse! get sued and lose your license. However, I'm going to suck it up and drive on as an LVN....for now.

Subconsiously, this is why I'm still in school majoring in HIT and Computer Science :uhoh21:

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No job is worth risking your health, that's for sure. Believe me, that Wal-Mart greeter job looks more and more tempting everytime I go there, or maybe that road crew job turning that sign, "Slow-Stop." I mean how much stress do they really have???

Best wishes and good luck to you.

What about being a lazy butt security guard? I've locked and loaded a couple of M-16's over the years and I've partipated in many combat exercises (nothing real thank god). Do you think I can be a security guard?

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Hi,

Just wanted to send my support and well wishes your way. I've decided I'm not going back to nursing after my FML is up. I've actually got an interview tomorrow at petsmart in the grooming salon. I don't care about the money anymore, my job is making me sick.

Again, good luck.

Good luck. Atleast you did your part for society by choosing a career where your taking care of people. How many people can be proud of that?

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