Thinking about leaving nursing

Why are you cosidering leaving nursing? If it's because of other's comments, then my advice is just to ignore it. If it's for some other reason, then you need to think long and hard about it. If you are tired of bedside nursing, why not investigate some other type of job in the nursing field. There are so many opportunities out there. I love nursing but a lot of people I work with say it's because I'm a newer nurse. I've been an LPN for 2 years. I have just been accepted into the transitional RN program. It's something I want to do for myself, but I work with many other LPNs who have no desire to go on. It's a choice.

Try evaluating what you do and don't like about what you're doing.

Well, there are other opportunities - non-bedside - for nurses but, unfortunately, they mostly require an RN.

Have you any ideas as to what you want to do?

The only reason I ever told an LPN to go to RN school is because I felt bad for them that they were not being paid for what they did. The first few years I was a nurse I was the only RN on the floor and I was trained by the LPN's and they were awesome. I work with some awesome LPN's now. Don't quit!!! We need your experience and knowledge!!!!

A couple of my LPN friends wanted/needed to get away from the bedside and they found awesome jobs at insurance companies. The pay was a LOT better, too. :)

Why are you contempating leaving nursing? If it is because you are burned out, disappointed or tired, I can agree with that. If it is because you feel you are getting slack for not going for the RN, but are satisfied with your personal career choices, then, please, rethink it. I find that no one will be satisfied, there is always another desire, hard times, finances, feeling disrespected, etc...whether they are RNs or physicians. Basically, we are all getting the brunt of the overload of patients, insane policies and we are all (whether we are good nurses or not) overworked and overwhelmed.

I am another LPN that does not intend to become an RN. At first, I used to politely listen to the rants of why I should until I just got tired of it. I started getting really rude (depending on who was saying it). It is none of their business...period!! I have to laugh because it got to the point where they were afraid to speak to me. That was fine. I continue to learn, expand on my knowledge and contribution to nursing as well as be a great team member. One of the things we have to realize is that we have to find satisfaction with ourselves, and if this doesn't happen, a doctorate in nursing will not help. Tell those fools that whether they believe it or not, you know you are contributing your best within your scope of practice and if they can't appreciate it, keep it to themselves.

How close to retirement are you? With 42 years in, you must be around 60.

Have you planned for your retirement? Do you have interests and hobbies that you can enjoy while you still have your health?

After that number of years you are bound to be fed up and looking for greener pastures.

I wish you well.