The HARD Truth for most nurses

[Humaneclowninscrubs]

IS the hard truth for most nurses definitely new grads is that poop cleaning and urine collection RN jobs are all that is open?

Pretty much bedside care, running around like a chicken with your head cutoff.

I don't think ICU solves the issue either.

Definitely thinking about different degree, since experience is the only way to open up other nursing positions, but I am not about to work bedside for 10 years. I would rather go back to school.

I have a couple of months of bedside experience so is there anything else I can do besides bedside care? If not I have no choice to move on.

There is no way I can pursue marriage a family by bringing home income this way. Just not going to happen.

[Angeljho, MSN, NP]

There are other areas of nursing, but you risk being uncomfortable in those areas if you don't have strong assessment skills. I can't tell you how many times new grads complained of cleaning poop, yet totally missed important characteristics of the poop that would alert them to things about their patient. Stop whining and PAY attention, because you'll need to bring those assessment skills to the table in your future cushy job.

In the meantime, you can try NICU, ambulatory care, psychiatric nursing, working for insurance companies, doctor offices.

[TNurse4u]

How sad that you expended energy/time in a field that you are clearly unhappy in. One thing..patients notice when you don't like to help with the basics, I wish I had more time some days to give my patients more hands on care. I get to observe their skin condition, or change drsgs all in one visit! But that's just me, you need to find your niche in life and be joyful in it.

[rearviewmirror, BSN, RN]

I see why the op is getting criticized harshly, but at the same time, I can't lie here and say I enjoy nursing either (although there are pluses of it). There are already plenty of threads of the negative sides of nursing and I will not delve into that. I know friends who work in so called "cushy" jobs, and they hate their lives. If you hate something, you hate it and that's the way it is. OP, my suggestion is you find something that fits you. If you don't like nursing, go to grad school, education, MBA, NP, CRNA whatever. I am definitely going back to grad school because I don't like to settle for things until I get what I want after hard work. Others gave you good advice. Don't settle for less and work for your situation OP good luck

[NurseSpeedy, ADN, LPN, RN]

I haven't had a chance to read all of the other posts yet so I'm sorry if this repeats anyone. You have only been doing bedside nursing for a few months. I would have to say that the first six months are the hardest. This is when you are transitioning from being a student to a nurse and the whole situation is a whole lot harder than you expected. There is one thing that one of my nursing instructors said when we were in school, "If you are going to work in patient care, you are going to be dealing with poop. You never out-educate poop duty if you are going to do bedside care". This was something that they made sure we had no misunderstandings about early on (because for some reason so many students think that the CNAs handle off of it after they are out of nursing school). I worked in a hospital for 8 years. You get a routine going, your nose doesn't seem to notice fecal matter anymore, and you begin to not feel overwhelmed on a daily basis. There are other jobs out there. You do not need ten years experience to get them. A few hire new grads but they are very limited. Most want at least one year experience preferably three, which honestly is not a long time when you really think about a career that you will be doing for the rest of your life.

I had to go back to patient care after my daughter was born. I had one of the jobs that you are looking for and after the "Affordable Care Act" my job and the company that it was with went ca-put two weeks into my maternity leave. Trust me. You can be married, have a family (have a newborn that has the vampire effect...hey, night shift isn't such a bad thing anymore!) and still work in patient care. Many nurses have done it. If you truly don't like the job after you have given yourself time to adjust to being in the real world as a nurse and not a student, then patient care isn't for you. There's just so much out there that you can do with your license and going back to school for something different not only cost a lot of money but also doesn't guarantee that you will enjoy that occupation either so then what? I'm just saying that it's worth giving it time and exploring what you can do with your license. Good luck.

[theradiantforce]

Oh my, you sound pretty miserable. I do have to wonder how you made it through nursing school without realizing 1) Nursing may not be for you, or 2) You don't like doing a certain types of nursing.

If your problem is more #2 than #1 that's great! Cause it's fixable. I think that's what our NICU friend was trying to explain, and no, there was no arrogance. The point is, there are so many different nursing avenues it would be a shame to jump ship over one funky job. Do any specialties appeal to you? There are plenty of public and community nursing jobs but, you really need the critical thinking skills and nursing work experience to be successful in those positions. However, you could try something like clinic work or other outpatient centers. The hours are usually 9-5(ish) and it sounds like its a bit more in the direction you're looking for.

It seems like this job just isn't a good fit and that's okay. Sometimes, as new grads, we don't have many options which kinda sucks. Some can hold out for what they want and some need to take the first offer of a job but, this isn't forever. Start putting your feelers out and applying to jobs that actually interest you. Maybe do a shadow or check out some other floors at your hospital and if something interests you then see if you can transfer. The best thing about nursing is that there really is something for nearly everyone.

Good luck!

[LobotRN, BSN, RN]

WAAAaaaaaaaHHHHH. Should this be on "Flame ON" for crying out loud? There is SOOOOOOO much to learn handling the ADLs of those who cannot care for themselves that directly affects long term outcomes. Namely, can they progress to the point of self care in the areas of toileting, skin hygiene and preservation of mobility? IF yes, get it ON! If not, are you advocating for the best possible post acute care? And if neither appeals to someone in your position, please please do not take advice in this thread that for one iota of an instance insinuates you could be an educator or management. OP, your initial self assessment of this not being your thing is perhaps a very astute assessment.

[joanna73, BSN, RN]

Keep trying for non-bedside positions.....but the majority of these are not easily had without 2+ years of bedside experience. You will probably need to pay your dues.

[michlynn, BSN, RN]

I really hope that this post is a joke... There are PLENTY of other "types" of nursing jobs out there that don't involve "cleaning up poop and collecting urine" as you say but I'm not sure if they're worth mentioning to you. I say go forth with whatever other career you're considering and please don't ever become a bedside nurse. Sheesh.

[martymoose, BSN, RN]

cleaning up poop- sometimes many times a day , is what we do. if only cleaning poop were the worst thing.there are worse things believe it or not.like catering to the family members at the fancy hotelospital. id rather clean poop.

people with 10 years cant get non bedside jobs.

maybe you should go for an mph or msw degree? they dont deal with poop. someone steered you in the wrong direction. sorry

[Anna Flaxis, BSN, RN]

Bedside nursing isn't for everyone.

[Nurse SMS, MSN, RN]

OVerall I was hoping to find some constructive responses to help me find somethign else besides bedside nursing. I see that there is nothing else. I pretty much have the answer.

Medical labor is all we do, but we are also not in debt like docs :)

Take care all.

I am confused why you would come to a nursing site to find advice on careers other than nursing.

If you don't like it, then it isn't the place for you. Not everyone who goes to school to be a nurse is meant to be a nurse. The cleaning of messes is such an infinitesimal part of what we do. Your focus on it is unfortunate.

I wish you well in your endeavors.

[Libby1987]

I don't get the general response to the OP. She doesn't like it, thinks this is all there is to it. So what? We've got hundreds (thousands?) of nurses trying to break into the job market and we have to convince this one that she's wrong? Or be offended that she can't stand it? Why? Are we not content enough in our own lot to just shrug and think well that has to be disappointing?