Thinking about leaving nursing

[Finnabhair]

Good Morning All,

I woke up this morning feeling uptight and anxious, sweaty palms, knotted tummy and knowing I have to go to work this afternoon. It's not that work is a bad place or anything, so I can't actually pinpoint why it is I am feeling like this. But I'm feeling awful. And it is affecting me, I've never taken so much sick leave over a year in my entire career and most of this leave has been taken due to actual illness, not merely 'mental health days'.

What I do know is that I have been considering leaving nursing for quite some time now. I've been an enrolled nurse for 8 years and am now in my first year or registered nursing (so a total of nine years nursing). I've been doing nursing since I was 17. I guess what gets to me most is the rostering and inflexible hours. It was fine while I was single, but now that I'm married, it's not. Plus I'm not getting any real satisfaction from what I'm doing. This could perhaps stem from the instability of a recent graduate programme, I'm not sure, but frankly, I'm just not enjoying nursing as much as I used to.

I feel like I really need to make some sort of decision here, only problem is, if I was to leave, I have absolutely no idea what I could move onto, only knowing nursing.

Anyway, just needed to get it off my chest, I still feel awful though...

Finn

[renerian, BSN, RN]

I wanted to check with you to see if you were feeling any better? I have felt the way you have at one time or another. I found a new job in sales, still using my RN degree, has been a wonderful change.

renerian

[Merry1]

I have left nursing and come back refreshed and spiritually renewed to fight the good fight. Burn out is common in our world and I know I personally would not hold you in any less reguard. I will even respect you in the morning:). The nursing pools were good for me and that gave me the perspective to come back to what I love. Good Luck and Blessings.

[Finnabhair]

Hi All,

Thanks everyone for your concern and advice. I'm still feeling pretty ordinary, but I've had some time to think things through a bit. See, a couple of years back, I was studying my degree pretty much full time, whilst also working full time in HIV. I had to travel long distances to get to work and managed to quite effectively burn myself out. So I left there and went back to working in theatres again (I have a strong background in anaesthetics) but closer to home, but I ended up 'going agency' as the hours were more flexible while I was studying. I don't think I ever really got over being burnt out before and not realising that that was indeed what had happened to me, never did anything about it.

Now I am in the situation where I kind of feel that I know what I'm in for. I've seen alot of things and been in varied situations, however, I don't seem to be able to motivate myself to continue on, I kind of wish I hadn't done my degree and had stayed an EN, at least I was happier with the work I was doing then.

So, I took the day off today and went to my GP, who suggests some time off work. She wanted to put me on some antidepressants, but I think personally that that's just an admission of my own defeat. I'm going to a counsellor tomorrow to talk it out. I'm also going to talk to my Recent Grad supervisor (who I know will give me a stern talking to and try to pep me up) and I'll also contact the NUM of the ward I'm working on. I am at the point where I think I do need a break for a while, even if it's just to get my head together.

Problem is, even if I did want to leave, I have absolutely no idea where I could go from there. I've never done anything else but nursing.

Thanks Again, guys...

Finn:confused:

[askater11]

Rest and Change of job.

That's what I had to do. I would have nightmares about going to work. Become physically ill. Since I've started seeing a counselor. Reduced my hours for a while. And started a job search.

There are so many different types of nursing jobs out there. I thought I'd stay in cardiology for another 4-5 years but I'm too burned out. I'm enjoying my job search now.

[renerian, BSN, RN]

HI Finn. I tried to reply to your post by email but for some reason the club won't let me. I just started a new job in sales for a company in Minnesota specializing in incontinence products and enterals. Maybe you could do something like that. I love it! NO nights, weekends, holidays or on call for the first time in 16 years. I still use my degree to help people pick the right products. Nothing wrong with taking antidepressents. Nurses are prone to burn out and depression based on thoughts we think we sometimes can save the world and the state of health care in the present market.

Have you thought about taking a legal nurse consultant program and do that for legal nursing?

renerian

[BadBird, BSN, RN]

Hi Finn,

I am glad that you are seeking help from different sources. I do hope you feel like you self soon. If you are dreading going to work then I think you are due for a break. There is nothing wrong with working in another field, take a little break and then you will know if nursing is for you. Don't look at it as a defeat just look at it as a opportunity to do something else.