The Last Straw....

[OzNurse69]

Hi guys,

Sorry if this is a bit long & ranty, but here goes.....

Haven't visited for a while (2,500 threads, 26,000 posts - no, I won't be trying to catch up!!)

I'm getting out of nursing. Since becoming a single mum 9 months ago, I've realised this profession is just making me more & more burnt out. I'm sick of being abused by patients & doctors from both sides, not having a social life because I have to work every weekend when my ex can have the kids, & finishing work every day feeling like I'm just barely keeping my head above water.

The last straw I referred to? Public hospital nurses here just received a package increasing their pay, & our admin promised they'd "look into" increasing ours as well. They came back last week & said NO - no big surprises there.

So I'm going to uni to do a business degree. Found out on contacting the social security people last week that what I am entitled to, plus what I get in child support, is $30 per week less than what I am making working.

So tell me why I'm doing this again??!! I'm quitting work, going to uni full time for 2 years (accelerated program, including summer schools), & 3 years after I graduate will be making double what I get as an RN with 15 years experience.

And that's with NO weekends, NO night duty, NO cleaning up pooey bottoms, NO leaking stoma appliances at 2am, and about a 90% less chance of being dragged through a lawsuit because I'm human & tired & we all make mistakes at one point or another.

Well, that's my story. Thanks for listening.

Ruth

[renerian, BSN, RN]

I am sorry your feeling so bad about nursing. I know it hurts.

renerian

[OzNurse69]

Originally posted by babs_rn

Oz, I can relate. My kids don't live with me due to nursing schedules and until recently I had the same situation...couldn't get or keep a relationship because actually DATING was out of the question....

Good luck. Interested to know: what are you studying??

Barbara

Business Management. Possibly majoring in either International Business or Banking & Finance - not sure yet. Common first year, so I don't have to make up my mind until next July or so.

Ruth

[OzNurse69]

Originally posted by MandyInMS

Wishing you and your new baby allllll the happiness in the world (((hugzzz)))

ps-love your sign line..so true :)

Thanks Mandy, actually my "babies" are 9 & 12!! Been a mum for a while, but new at the single thing. After I posted I re-read it & wondered if anyone would misunderstand me - the wording was a bit vague!!

Ruth

[OzNurse69]

Originally posted by VickyRN

Very well stated, sjoe. For me, all the viscious infighting and bullying has been the most stressful part of nursing (not rude doctors or cold, controlling managers). It's so sad, because if we just pulled together, we would be an invincible force.

Actually, I think that's the only thing that's kept me here for so long. I currently work with a fantastic unit - everyone pulls their weight & goes out of their way to help others. The workload is heavy - high dependency colorectal surgery - so no-one wants to come here. And we have a bad reputation among the rest of the hospital staff for the workload - everyone here just sucks it up & keeps going.

But not this little black duck!! Not any more, anyway.

Ruth

[mattsmom81]

Good luck to you Ruth..I think there are lots of us out in nurseland who wish we could just pull up and start over too.

I've been doing this for 27 years now. I'm dog tired, and a 12 hr shift putting up with all the abuse from docs down to families is totally draining. No energy to do much else like join inneffective organizations, etc (if I saw them doing bedside nurse any good I might). Guess if TPTB continue to keep us beat down like this, nurses won't ever have the energy to try and change our collective predicament. And I agree there are too many females stuck in junior high mode...those who SAY they want to organize, etc, but then turn on the organizing team when it suits them. Had it happen to me twice. We make good scapegoats, and there are too few of us in my area who will take the heat to combat the dysfunctional among us... as they outnumber.

Perhaps when I don't need to keep a job anymore I will try and organize in my area again. But for now, I'm one tired ol' nurse, getting through one shift at a time as unscathed as possible. I have enough of my own problems (healthwise and jobwise) to worry about the group now. And I know many who feel the same. Can't blame us after years of beating our heads against walls.

Best wishes Ruth and thanks for sharing your plans with us. :)

[babs_rn]

Originally posted by MandyInMS

Wishing you and your new baby allllll the happiness in the world (((hugzzz)))

ps-love your sign line..so true :)

I remember that sign line as a line from Agamemnon, by Homer - Clytaimnestra, I believe. I remember it because I recently found an old term paper I had written in a World History course....It always did stand out to me. Glad to see it again, Oz....

Barb