Thinking about Leaving Nursing

flyfarfaraway · Feb 7, 2013

maybe you could try going to the hospital to improve your nursing skills. Did you go to LTC right after graduation?

rita359 · Feb 7, 2013

Sounds like you have never really had a job that allowed you to develope the skills you need. You have not been in an environment where you can learn the multiple skills nurses need to function.

Nursing is a wide open field with many avenues. Since you are working with a pediatric(I asume) pt maybe go to a childrens hospital and apply. You would need a good long orientation period but if you let your skills and knowledge base to continue to rust it will get worse and worse. There used to be refresher courses offered for nurses returning to nursing after an extended period of time. I know you haven't actually been out of nursing but in the environment in which you have been working skills have gotten rusty. Maybe look into that.

Born_2BRN · Feb 7, 2013

I can relate your worries and lack of confidence. I think it has to do with your developing skills. I praise Lord for helping me getting this hospital job where I have learned and still learning so much ( bad or good) within this first year. I have heard and also from friends who work as private duty nurses taking care of pediatric patients where their skills are limited. I don't know how limited they are but compare to nurses on the floor is far reach. Maybe try to expand yourself by applying to hospital job. Nursing is a wonderful profession and don't feel discourage because of this recent comments or tasks at hand you feel you can't handle. There are so much learning to do and we will always learning.

nurseprnRN, BSN, RN · Feb 7, 2013

Well, what ideas do you have about what else you could do that doesn't require attention to detail, organizational skills, and ability to learn new material?

That would be ummm, "Want fries with that?" or maybe filing.

Seriously, send some time reading the want ads in the paper and see what else appeals to you, find out how you would prepare for it, and then try.

If you think this is more trouble than it's worth, you need to look at how to be a better nurse. Get yourself into a position where you can learn, commit to learning, study your tail off, and make something of yourself.

MJB2010 · Feb 7, 2013

Sounds like you need a residency or position with a long orientation. Check hospitals for new grad positions or residencies that allow nurses to change specialties. You need an orientation long enough to gain some skills and confidence. I wouldn't give up yet, you have only tried ltc and private duty. And if that doesn't work out, try auditing charts for an insurance company. Something that does not involve patient care but requires an RN>

PacesFerryBSN · Feb 8, 2013

Try applying at a hospital that has a good orientation program. I emphasize good because some hospitals don't have one. If you are depressed, and can't focus, you may need to talk to your physician about it.

cbond · Feb 8, 2013

Thanks for the responses. I talked to my therapist and she reminded me that I changed careers at 45 years old - no easy feat. She also gave me some tips to stay more focused on what I am doing. I am also telling myself that I am competent. I totally feel like I am not but my insecurity is affecting my performance I think.

I am also looking at some other positions. I will try to apply at some hospitals locally but they usually want hospital experience but at least I will give it a shot.

I feel like I am seeing the reality better - it just never occurred to me that I might not have enough clinical experience for this job.

mtngrl, ASN, RN · Feb 8, 2013

I would not go to a hospital if you aren't confident in your skills. I doubt many hospitals would give you much orientation being that you are not a new grad. I felt the same way so I eventually got into case management. It is basically the only nursing job I feel I can do at this point. I didn't make errors or get fired from anything but boy I worried all the time that I WOULD make a bad mistake. Some people are just not right for nursing and it's ok to feel that way. I will probably totally leave the profession one day.

BSNbeauty, BSN, RN · Feb 8, 2013

I have very poor confidence in myself. I've made errors and had my critical thinking questioned by a previous employer. I've thought about leaving nursing. However, I'm sure that I'll find my niche someday. You have to believe the same thing. Maybe you are bored with PD nursing and need something to stimulate your critical thinking skills.

DianeClapp · Feb 8, 2013

I've only been working as a nurse for 3 years and I am starting to wonder if I am in the right profession. Right now I work as a private duty nurse with a pediatric patient. My first job was in a nursing home and I was asked to resign because I made too many med errors. Then I got into private duty nursing. I got fired from a couple of cases because the parents didn't feel confident in my abilities. Now I have been with this case for two years. I know there were about 3 times when the mom wanted to fire me but she wanted to give me a chance. I recently wanted to switch from working nights to days but the mom doesn't think I can handle it. ( her words) She feels that even after two years I still don't seem to know her child and she still doesn't feel comfortable leaving her child alone with me. I made little mistakes that after being a nurse with this much experience I shouldn't be making. I can see her point.
I dont' feel confident in myself. I don't know what's wrong with me. I feel like I am so unsure of what I am supposed to do that I end up not taking action quickly enough.
I don't want to go back to nursing home becaue I just can't handle the fast pace. I also don't think I can deal with the hospital environment -if they would even hire me. So what else is there?
I love working with patients but it seems like my critical thinking skills and memory are lacking to do this job well enough. Is there anything else out there for me to do? I feel like I am lost and don't know what to do.

Orient on days with day RN. If with agency request "proper orientation " to prove skills

When in doubt,research before doing ANY pt care. Slow down, you are becoming your own worst enemy due to fear.

YOU CAN DO IT!!!!! Still uncomfortable, find a decent agency.

Hang in there....just relax and always double check everything thing you do! Find a good resource book for your type of pts care.

Lastly, I did 17 yrs as peds ONC RN, about 10 of those as permanent charge. I then decided 12 hr shifts were too long.... I was fried! Took some time off & tried home health. OMG the mom of the pt told me how to do EVERTHING!!!! Mom's like this can break you. I never went back.... I'm the RN, she was Mom & it should have been a team. HA!!! I was forewarned however she was mom from hell So I sure understand what you are going thru.

buytheshoes11, MSN, RN · Feb 8, 2013

I would try to network and try to experience other types of nursing. For example, if you know a nurse working in a SNF, you could shadow that nurse sometime. A good thing about nursing is that there are many types of fields to go into. I hope you find a job that makes you happy and more confident!