not sure if I can do it much longer?

sjoe · Oct 12, 2002

For what it's worth:

Give agency nursing a try if you still think you would like to do hospital nursing. Don't take any shift hours or jobs you don't want to do.

For non-agency jobs, apply for only part time or per diem, only jobs you want to try/do, and only the shifts that suit you--with no rotations, etc.

No more home health. If you check out that forum, you'll see that drowning in paperwork and not making enough money to make it worthwhile are commonplace.

Look down the list of nursing specialty forums on this BB and check out the ones that you think you might want to try.

Don't rush into anything you know you won't like.

Best wishes

cmggriff · Oct 12, 2002

sphinx, The half man-half lion creature that turned to stone when its riddle was answered correctly. Interesting choice of names. I have no advice for you, but I want to suggest that maybe you are not just depressed. You may be bipolar. Check this out with your doc, too. And never quit. Beat of luck to sphinx. Gary

Youda · Oct 12, 2002

sphinx, you know I really feel for you. I'm so sorry it's getting worse, though. You might try agency, like sjoe suggested. Yesterday I went and applied at an agency and just about fell off my chair when they showed me the wages. I will now be able to work 2 days a week and make the same as I have been making full-time. I need the break. Take a few days off, and run around and see what's available. I know you don't have a lot of employment options where you live, but there's gotta be something better than where you are. Hugs to you!

Teshiee · Oct 12, 2002

I don't know if this would help any but when I first received my RN license I called around the area for NICU training programs and to my suprise there were quite a few and one was a week away the manager wisked me in and I was working in no time. Do you receive nurseweek? Sometimes there are hospitals that have training programs for what area you want. With this so called nursing shortage it shouldn't be too hard. I do wish you luck though. I don't blame you changing sometimes that keep su sane.

renerian, BSN, RN · Oct 12, 2002

I just accepted a job as a case manager. I have no nights, weekends, holidays or on call. Ever think of that? Maybe you can just work part time?

renerian

Youda · Oct 12, 2002

From the sounds of your posts, I think a change is going to be forced on you if you don't make it first (health). Don't let this job, or any other one for that matter, get you down this low, sphinx.

I know when you're down in the pit, you start to believe that you're stuck and that you don't have any options, or that you *must* keep going. It's more likely that your mood is telling you that than reality. Take a leap of faith.

And don't take the doctor's office too personally. It's hard to get on at a doctor's office because so many apply. You almost have to have an existing working relationship with the doc before the job opening is there.

mattsmom81 · Oct 12, 2002

I agree with the suggestion to go agency for awhile. Get as much control as you can back in your life. And work less. :)

Agency salary $$$ will allow you to work less which is important to mental health for many of us.

Have you found a good counselor/therapist to help you work through this? I also agree with the bipolar observation...I also tend to overdo during periods of highs..then sink deeply into lows...it's worth checking out. Antidepressants can aggravate bipolar disorder....

I'll keep you in my prayers, Sphinx. (((HUGS)))

P_RN, ADN, RN · Oct 12, 2002

Sphinx. I understand all too well. I worked in a physicians's office for 7 years; 6 days a week ;sometimes 10-12 hours a day.

Our 1/2 days Wed and Sat usually ended at about 4PM. I loved it. I hope you find a fit in a job that you love. Keep up with the counseling and urge your doctor to tweak the meds as much as is necessary.

Good luck.

P

rncountry · Oct 12, 2002

If you don't mind I wonder where you are that rotating shifts are a norm? I live in Mid Western Michigan and no place around me does rotating shifts anymore. I did find it to be a norm in Hawaii when we thought VERY seriously of moving there, the rotating shift thing is one of the biggest reasons we gave up on that idea. I couldn't handle that and neither could my family.

Like others have suggested I would look at agency, I have done agency work when I couldn't take anymore and it worked wonders for me. Have thought seriously of going back recently, because I have been so angry and overwhelmed with the wound/infection control job I have been doing. I am taking a wait and see attitude for myself right now because I have been promised things will change where I am after I gave a resignation letter at the beginning of this week. Told them I am giving it a month to see if things actually do change. If not then I am agency bond again.

Let us know how things work out for you.

Helen

smiling_ru · Oct 12, 2002

Maybe school nursing.

smiling_ru · Oct 12, 2002

Research nursing with a pharmaceutical company. Although it might require a lot of travel.

Industrial nursing, large companies, doing workmans comp injuries etc.

Prison nursing, stable hours, no call etc. May be stressful though.

A diet clinic that utilizes nurses, low stress, no call.

There are a lot of options out there, look hard for one that fits. You will find it.