Those who want to get out of nursing..

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what are you doing , or wanting, to do about it? Considering going back to school for another field? What field?

I am considering getting out, but not sure what to pursue. IT kinda interests me. Not sure what else I am capable of.I didnt mind nursing per se- it was the BS that we have to deal with- the liabilities( insurance can only go so far), short staffing- things that will NEVER change at this point of time. Anyone else have any thoughts?Thanks

I would go back to my former career in information technology if only there were opportunity there. I see just another dead end career field. If you can't get a job and keep a roof over your head, then there was no use in getting the education and/or experience, no matter what the occupation. I wish I had better looks and felt more perky. I would go into serving at restaurants. Hard work, but at least servers get their tips. I get nothing for not being employed.

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Specializes in Hospice, corrections, psychiatry, rehab, LTC.
The nice thing about nursing is... come on guys! If you don't like what you're doing, there's a million other things you can do with the same degree!

That was true until the job market collapsed. It seems that we are pretty much stuck now unless something falls into our laps.

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Specializes in LTC.

I'm considering massage therapy and possibly reflexology. I did foot care for almost a year and really enjoyed the hands-on, direct patient care part and it was largely free from the fear of getting in trouble that is a daily thing with most nursing jobs. As a bonus, my state licenses massage therapists by endorsement if you're an LPN, RN, MD, etc. so I would only need half the hours of training at half the expense to become qualified. Just don't know if my body can take it, but there's only one way to find out!

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Specializes in LTC.
There is one positive thing.

It sounds like most of you have jobs......that's more than a lot of people right now. Food on the table, a roof over your head. That's something.

How many of us have had jobs we didn't like? Hopefully when the economy improves you will be able to find something that you enjoy more. My job is not my dream job either.

I don't have a job (fired the week before Christmas) and there is no work for LPNs in my area right now. So much for being recession proof!

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Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.

I feel the same way as most...the patients themselves don't get to me the same way as other nurses and administration grate my nerves like screeching chalk on a blackboard. But, I also hated school with a passion, so, I don't see higher education in the cards for me at this time. I am not working in the worse situation in the world, but what I did do is decide to change my reaction to what I encounter.

I no longer let people drag me into their emotional rollercoasters...working in a state of a high adrenaline rush, letting news/gossip about work make me emotional. I created goals in my personal life that I look forward to achieving and I decided to look at the measley paycheck I get as a means to obtain what I want rather than allow it to control me. Started feeling better about things, too! :D

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Specializes in ER,OR.

I`m fed up with nursing.......went back to university to study physical therapy

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The nice thing about nursing is... come on guys! If you don't like what you're doing, there's a million other things you can do with the same degree! Use google to search for alternatives, you'll find many!

There's not much else you can do with an AD in nursing.

Do you really think that there are all

these wonderful jobs just waiting out there for someone to walk in and fill them?

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Specializes in NICU, Peds, Med-Surg.

Lately, I reallllllllllllly want to get away from nursing---especially "the bedside" even though part of me still LOVES it! I am just sooo tired of all the other stresses, the low staffing, it NEVER CHANGES!!!! :devil: on top of all of that, we have recently had a TERRIBLE pharmacist who makes SO many errors---and WHO catches them all???

Ugh, my thing is, I have NO IDEA what else to do......sometimes I think *IF* I could get a job desk like case manager, MDS, that might be nice----but then there's that part of me that wants to just get AWAY from ANYTHING medical/health related. I'm so lost!

Sadly, in the past when I needed a break from nursing, I applied for several CLERICAL jobs in clinics and hospitals but never got a phone call. I often wonder how many ex-nurses out there actually get hired in jobs like this? After taking a break, I ended up going back to school to get my RN---loved it for the first year, but now the stress is just overwhelming!!!!!!!! :(

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I'm well-qualified for administrative jobs. Not one employer would hire me for that type of work and some of them had something to say about my nursing qualifications, indicating that if I wanted a job, get one in nursing. As if I were looking for work elsewhere if there were a job for me in nursing.

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Yeah, when I was looking for more administrative-type positions or anything basically not requiring an RN license, I often was disregarded because they figured I was marking time until my dream nursing offer came up, or at the very least, come to regret taking a lower paying job (less than entry-level nursing) and eventually go back to nursing. Very frustrating! But I did eventually land a couple of job offers. I was lucky that I had the resources to support myself while job-hunting as it took me quite a while to finally land a job.

I can only imagine how tough it would be in today's economy with the general public still imagining that those with nursing qualifications should be able to write their own ticket due the much-touted 'nursing shortage'. The feeling could be that you are just a spoiled brat who doesn't consider that you would be denying another person a job in these tough times when you've got a ton of other options available to you.

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Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.

I have been in various positions in the medical field including PCA, Nursing Assistant, Medical Assistant, Psych tech and phlebotomist; so, I thought I was well prepared for the snaffos I witnessed happen in nursing over the years, but nothing prepared me for how these snaffos would affect my personal practice nor how they would frustrate me so. And, I had no idea how much I would hate school, even on the LPN level, so, no one has been able to wave the RN carrot in my face (no offense, RNs..believe me). I feel this way because I am blown away with what I see at my level, that I know if I went further, I would be a basket case.

I do get frustrated with patients who don't take responsibility for themselves (and there are SO many who do not), but that was to be expected and truthfully, I can deal with that. But it is the daily incompetence that I witness that just blows my mind.

What does keep me in it, however, is that I do like learning about the human condition, challenges and being a team player. Also, I am fortunate that as a practical nurse, I am not really at the bedside-I work in a clinic where I have weekends and holidays off, so, I can deal with a predictable schedule without being overwhelmed. And, my supervisors have a great deal of respect for me and have been good to me...they may be incompetent, but they really haven't targeted me in a negative way.

It is just that it is hard to be a team player with so many self-centered people. And, it is difficult to advocate for anyone when you have to make deals with many people who, even with their degrees are less competent than an one celled organism. If you speak up, then, you are a troublemaker because no one wants to take REAL corrective action. Insane policies, doctors who are arrogant, etc...can really wear a person down.

What I decided for the New Year is not to take on more than I am supposed to, stop trying to be the trouble shooter or problem solver, and take my own life seriously. I am trying to make home improvements, read more, spend time with my friends and family who do care for me. Take on hobbies of self interest for my own self development and accomplishment, restarted meditating and self analysis. Otherwise, by tiring myself out and giving more to the job and allowing them to take my life and youth, I will always wonder what else I could have done that would make ME happy. So, it is getting better. Not the job, but my frame of mind.

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I'm a new nurse who is about to start her first nursing job..however I have a plan B in case I realize that I dont like nursing...I'm planning to take a veterinarian technician class online.

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