Taking a break from Nursing

[Schmoo1022]

Hi,

I was wondering if anyone left nursing to do something else for a bit. I would love to take a break and try something else, but I am nervous about what I would say to a potential employer. Are they going to think I am nuts for leaving a 28 dollar an hour job for 12.00 an hour? Or how about when I want to go back to nursing? Am I going to look like someone who doesn't want to be a nurse? Or can't handle being a nurse?

I would love to hear any thoughts or stories on this.

Thanks!

[barlowjb]

have you considered trying another area of nursing such as nursing administration, research, insurance etc? remember there are other nursing jobs that do not necessarily require direct patient care

[NurseCard, ADN]

I would LOVE to take a break... I would love to get far away from the bedside for a while. I have no clue what to do though; I am the breadwinner by far and therefore my choices I feel are pretty limited. I have no experience EXCEPT in bedside nursing. I really do need a break though.

[Schmoo1022]

I have looked everywhere for a different type of nursing and have found nothing. Jobs are still very hard to come by in my area, which of course is not the best time to leave my job. But I am unhappy, very unhappy.

[PostOpPrincess, BSN, RN]

go for it...just stay per diem..so no hassle about going back when ready.

My friend, who is now an NP, worked as a cashier for 6 months. She needed a new perspective.

It is NOT unheard of and I think a smart way of dealing with burn-out prevention.

P.S. She didn't say she was an RN...just a SAHM....

[Mollypita]

Schmoo, not sure if you've tried private duty but if not, consider it. I did it for years and the money made is significantly lower than in a facility, but so is the stress! If you find the right case, it's almost like hanging out with friends and getting paid for it!! Just a thought...

[karenchad]

I am 53, I've been a RN for 30 years- varied areas. I think the varied areas is because I needed a break a LONG time ago. During the past 2 years, I've been trying to stay per deim with part time because I find I have become really INTOLERANT of the mean and disgusting behaviors I have seen exhibited by fellow nurses, I especially love the projection- how can you accuse a person of fighting with you who is not saying 1 word in the conversation?Totally non-contributory to the conversation? Not to mention the disrespect and the making of a fool out of you- it's how these creeps get their psychiatric kicks. The patients are not the problem, it's the low life's you work with. I do keep a clinical per deim job, I went to LTC, parttime- thinking that would be better, but their seems to be this LPNvs RN thing ( especially hurtful when the verbal abuse and demeaning is coming from an LPN I used to work with at the per deim job-a real jeckel and hyde- the LPN was out numbered at the hospital perdiem job, so she had to keep her claws in or the RN's would have slaughtered her- I also took a temporary RN position associated with the H1N1( which this LPN is aware I took and I think this is the reason for her sudden abusivenes) it's 5-6 months and it's all office no clinical, so out of my realm. It will give me time to make a decsion- I do not forsee the attitudes in nursing changing, and I can't tolerate any more years of the abusive treatement- my philosophy is Let them kill each other, I could care less. This is my solution to the need of a break from nursing.

[danamobile]

I think its no one's business but your own why you'd want to try something different, but like someone said, the truth is good, no reason why you should hide from wanting change. Heck, I want change too, and I'm going for it, but nursing related as well (but certainly will be a pay cut starting my own business). Life is about living right? Certainly keeping up with your hours in case changing your mind, would be good to look into though, good luck!! Money isn't everything, and if its not to you, who cares what the other people think!!!