thinking of quitting nursing

nurse42long, RN · Dec 13, 2014

Take an art class through the community or at a local art museum, then take another. Maybe find a part-time job at a gallery or some other area in a creative field. Even if it's just answering phones and helping out. Then when you find something that you're passionate about you will find a way. I've been a nurse for almost 40 years for a lot of the same reasons as you, job security, etc. I like nursing and at times have loved it but if I had it to do over again I would have made more effort to change careers. As it is, I do art "on the side" and that is what has kept me going. Also keep your eyes open for ways to be creative in nursing, volunteer for projects that interest you. Right now you have a job that brings a paycheck, while you do that work at finding ways to bring more joy and creativity into your life. Most people don't love their job, that's why they pay us to do it. Create a life you love.

ruralgirl08 · Dec 15, 2014

Try a different specialty. Not the perfect solution, but maybe another area of nursing may be more tolerable to you. I hated med-surg, but like OR/PACU. I also went Part-time so I can enjoy my kids, as they bring me more joy then being career focused.

Also the above poster's advice is bang on. Work to support yourself, do a good job, and have hobbies outside of work. Otherwise change careers if you are really that unhappy. You are young and have time on your side.

HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD · Dec 15, 2014

Your job should not be the end-all and be-all of your life. A job is the way you earn income to pay for the necessities, not the way you meet all your spiritual and emotional needs. A dose of reality may be in order. Even a cursory investigation the financial rewards associated with those 'creative' endeavors will undoubtedly reveal that very few come with employee benefits - or even consistent income.

If you need any additional sources of information, head to your local Starbucks or retail chain store where it's easy to find BFA & MFA employees trying to earn enough to keep up with their student loans & pay their share of the the roommate rent.

PP's have offered excellent advice. I don't know of any successful nurses who don't also have varied interests outside of work.

caliotter3 · Dec 21, 2014

My grandson is artistic and wants a career in art. We have spoken to him about the pitfalls of trying to earn a living in art by advising him to get a job skill and to pursue art on the side instead of relying on it to put a roof over his head. You now have the day job to put a roof over your head. All you have to do is to find outlets to engage in your creative interests outside of your job. Since the nursing job is so draining, you might consider a change in nursing venue, such as office nursing, or extended care home health. Either of those areas will provide a paycheck while taking less of your mental energy so that you have more to give to your art. Good luck.

BertG77 · Dec 21, 2014

When I was 18 and doing homemade tattoos on myself and my friends, and playing in bands I told my family I wanted to "be a musician" or an artist. The matriarchs in the family all thought I was nuts and when I asked for support to go into audio engineering school they all said no and that my interests were fine, and they would support my hobbies but that if I wanted to go to a school to learn such an obscure, specific trade that I'd have to figure out how to do it on my own. 19 years later, after exhausting my efforts pursuing my passion I found myself catching up to start a career that could sustain not only me but people I loved and the family I now wanted. Now as I am in nursing school I am super grateful to have the fortitude to have returned to school and be toughing it out and while I do love interactions with patients and other aspects of the profession, life experience has taught me that I must put forth the effort to fill my life with all the things that make me happy. I have to actively pursue what makes me happy while being responsible, because the alternative is ugly. For years I was in serious debt from being young and stupid and living off credit cards (not to mention the recording school debt! ). If I were you I'd be thanking my lucky stars that you are in the position you are in. Some people are stuck in a career they hate as well as they have no idea what they're passionate about. To me that sounds like hell. I would encourage you to actively pursue your interests responsibly, that is, by holding on to your job. Take classes at a community college or privately. If you're interested in art or music, find out what is going on in those scenes in your town and go to the events and meet people. Part of this my sound obvious, but for me, when Iwas your age it wasn't.