Thinking of leaving nursing altogether

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Specializes in Tele, ICU, Staff Development.

Dear Nurse Beth,

I have been an RN since 12 and an NP since 2016. I had one NP job from 2016-2019.

I left because I had no work life balance. I spend all my free time charting. I was overworked, burnout, and attempts to change the clinic schedules and flows weren't successful. After searching for almost a year, I found an NP job that seemed to have good balance of productivity and time to provide excellent care for the patients.

Since the COVID outbreak, my company has completely made a 180 degree change. Productivity measures have been increased and they have restructured the company to a model that provides mediocre care. It seems like these changes are going to be permanent.

My current job is now worse than my first NP job. I am getting depressed thinking about my options. I like nursing and being an NP but I don't like how I am forced to practice. I am debating trying to find another job or leaving nursing all together. I'm really depressed about the situation.

My gut says to switch careers to something outside nursing. I hate that I am thinking of walking away from the profession I loved. Any advice on trying to apply for another position so quickly after I switched jobs? There aren't many jobs for NPs right now. I have the flexibility to live ANYWHERE in the world. Even with flexibility and submitting to multiple states, it was challenging to find this job. Should I not even try to switch jobs again and just start classes in a new profession?

Dear Getting Depressed,

It's such a big decision to change careers, especially one that you've invested in so much.

You've had two jobs for a total of 5 years working as an NP. What if you gave it one more chance? What if the problem is 2 bad work environments, and on your next job, you found a good one?

If you hated 3 jobs in a row, then you could say you gave it your best try. If you decide to look for another job, don't quit the one you're in until you've found another job.

Best wishes on your decision, I know it's not an easy one.

Nurse Beth

Start your job search today!

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Dear Nurse Beth,

I have been a nurse for 35 years. I started off as an LPN then went back to school and got my BSN and in 2017 got my MSN. I have been harassed since 2006 and my resume has so many different positions. No one wants to hire me. The last position I was in a PA through coffee at me , prior to that a co-worker was water logging my lunch bags. When I confronted these people they either denied doing it or thanked me for telling me about it.

I told the PA guy that through the coffee at me that I told my husband, because I knew he was married and I wanted him to know my husband was probably going to go for him. The job I was at gave him some time off. But, its horror story after horror story. Like when they will not tell me the correct code to the bathroom. Or they lojack in on your phone and bring up your private conversations that you have at home at work.

I have complained and no one does anything all they do is say they don't find any fault with the company. So, when I go looking for another job guess what that last company that I complained about they shared all my past with my present company and I have to relive that again.

Most of my school loans money is all done so, I really don't know what else to do for another career. I would love a work at home job where I am not harassed. But, I am honest I would love to be able to be around other people just not be harassed. Its like George Floyd the police picked on him because he was driving a nice truck and dressed nice. I dress nice and everywhere I go to work I get picked on. When I answer back then they gang up on me. When I don't say anything it gets worse so I end up leaving.

I thought about writing a book. Maybe that would work. I really don't have a clue right now.

My husband says just call it quits try to collect disability. But, I am not disabled nor am I able to find a job without the harassment.. Any suggestions.

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Specializes in Dialysis.
1 hour ago, Mia1234 said:

My husband says just call it quits try to collect disability. But, I am not disabled nor am I able to find a job without the harassment.. Any suggestions.

Correct, you cannot collect disability unless you are disabled, that is fraud.

That is an awful lot of harassment for 1 person in 1 career. If this is truly the case, do some soul searching, because there is a reason you are picked on by seemingly everyone that you've worked with. In 27 years, I've not witnessed or heard of bullying on that level, by or to, anyone

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I know and my husband started hanging out with me and its like a cloud over me where ever I go. Even at the doctor's office. He said it himself and trust me I have done some soul searching I just thought some one else would have a better answer than me continuously going back out there and being harrashed. Its like Jesus on the Cross. It just won't end.

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Specializes in ED, Tele, MedSurg, ADN, Outpatient, LTC, Peds.

Hi Mia1234,

Sorry to hear that you are going through rough times. I say, every job is a chance to reinvent yourself. From a personal experience of being bullied and harassed at work for over 5 years, I know the feeling. What I have learned to do is to ignore the petty, stand up and not tolerate it when someone crosses a line and be frank. I am polite and never rude. If I make a mistake, I apologize sincerely and move on. I don't hold grudges and don't expect my friends to be from work. I have healthy interests like writing, singing and I try and spend at least half an hour after work daily in church, hanging out with the lord and chilling and talking with him! If you are a believer, get ready for the crosses but always know that you can cast your burdens on HIM and He will give you rest! When you enter a workplace, cover yourself with the precious blood of Christ and watch the cloud of negativity around you take off far away from you!

Now, in terms of work, I am an NP but work as a complex case care coordinator. There are many insurance related jobs, utilization review or documentation review jobs, telephone triage or per-diem NP jobs. If you like to teach, being an adjunct may be an option. Don't give up but give it up to the Lord and watch how the Holy Spirit works; the impossible becomes child's play! I will be praying for you! Remember, what you can give the world is precious and unique to you! Chin up! Don't Quit! You got this!

This too shall pass!

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Thank you I will keep the faith like Abraham and Sarah because this is exactly what this is. I have done your, working in the insurance companies, doctors offices, case management and only on a couple of exceptions have I not been harassed. I have to group my jobs on my resume and I have now been only working 6 months out the year for the past 3 years so, I am not that sharp anymore. I really don't want to do this anymore only to be harassed again so someone can get their goat off. Trust me I have other things to do other than working that I do, do. I just don't think nursing is for me and this is not some 5 years. This is going on now for 14 years. I can't do this anymore. I have no immune system to even do a bedside nursing job or go and teach clinical. I have been reinventing myself and I am so tired of it. I am happy for you and I will pray for you too that no one ever as a nurse has to go through what I am going through. God bless

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Specializes in ED, Tele, MedSurg, ADN, Outpatient, LTC, Peds.

OK Mia 1234, you know you best!

Go after your dream and most ardent wish!

Mine is to write which I pursue! You know what you like doing, go for it!

I will continue to pray for you! I wish you peace and happiness and most of all the Grace of our Lord!

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Specializes in Psych, Corrections, Med-Surg, Ambulatory.

Mia, after the experience you've had I don't think anyone would blame you if you just got out of nursing for a while. Sounds like your husband is trying to be supportive even if you find his hovering a bit off-putting.

How about spend some time, if you can, just regrouping and taking a breather? If you haven't done so recently, you might want to get a complete physical because we don't always realize what a toll stress can take on our health.

Hopefully you have someone to confide in, either a therapist, a pastor or just a good friend. Wishing you the best.

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Thank you I appreciate your comments and God bless

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Specializes in Telemetry.
On 6/28/2020 at 6:47 PM, Mia1234 said:

I know and my husband started hanging out with me and its like a cloud over me where ever I go. Even at the doctor's office. He said it himself and trust me I have done some soul searching I just thought some one else would have a better answer than me continuously going back out there and being harrashed. Its like Jesus on the Cross. It just won't end.

I have been harassed this way as well and I can tel you why, it is because we stand up for what is right, don't brown nose and try to do a good job minus the cliques and politics. in nursing, to work in this way equals death and it is rampant. The commentor above must go wioth the flow, even when it means doing something wrong and standing against unpopular opiniomn. Not me. And probably not you.

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No, I don't brown nose and go with the flow. I try to treat everyone right and like I would like to be treated (perhaps better). I always seem to stand out like a sore thumb. So, I don't think nursing is for me. I really am tired of coffee being through at me and having my boss or coworker deliberately sabotage my work. Don't people have more stuff to do? Thank you I really appreciate your thoughts and insights and they do seem accurate. God bless

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