Tired of Being a Nurse

Esanity, BSN · May 27, 2021

14 minutes ago, SmilingBluEyes said:

A LOT of us are naturally introverted who succeed in nursing. You just have to find your niche. You received a lot of great suggestions here so I won't bore you with repetition.

I wish you the best.

Thank you. I appreciate all of the comments I’ve gotten so far. I guess I’m just one those still trying to find my niche.

SmilingBluEyes · May 27, 2021

Keep trying; you are NOT a failure!

pattithenurse · May 28, 2021

Try being a nurse writer! I have started this path already, so if you happen to like to write and you still want to make a difference by using your nursing knowledge, give this a try! Check out Elizabeth Hanes' RN2Writer ebook. That's how I got started!

NicoleRN707 · May 28, 2021

I decided to go into clinic nursing and same day surgery and have found it very rewarding. I recommend trying a to find a private practice where the politics are less known and typically your more appreciated at these smaller offices. Another option in a phone triage nurse. I will do that on the side and you still get to use your acute care thinking skills.

TimO · Jun 4, 2021

On 5/25/2021 at 5:32 PM, Esanity said:

Hi, I have been a nurse since 2015. I worked a little over one year on Med Surg and realized it wasn’t for me. If it hadn’t been for short staffing and the fact that my job mostly consisted of passing pain meds I may have stayed longer. After Med Surg I went to surgery. I have been a circulator going on 6 years now. It worked for me for a while, but I am back to not being happy again. I can’t stand the hospital politics and I don’t feel respected in my job. I have recently been looking for new job opportunities and I’m stuck. I don’t know that I even want to be a nurse anymore. Has anyone had any luck in jobs adjacent to nursing? Any advice is welcome.

Have you thought about Emergency Department Nursing. The bonds between co workers are really strong and the work pace can be fast and furious before you know it your shift is over. It is hard to escape politics in any job and after working 5 years in Med Surg and 8 years in the ER- I have to say you can let it affect you are ignore it. The work is there just concentrate on that. Anyway, its a thought. Good luck with trying a new avenue in Nursing.

Brigi23, BSN · Jun 6, 2021

Esanity,

I have been a nurse since 2007. For me, I have never truly enjoyed it. There are certain things that I love about it of course. I love patient care. I love being with my patients and seeing them do well. I really enjoy helping others. I came on this website many years ago now, I think it was 4 or 5 saying exactly what you are saying. For some people helping is what we love and truly enjoy but the rest of the ins and outs of nursing are not working for us.

I have switched to probably 20 different jobs over the years. Maybe even more. My final conclusion is for me, I simply am not enjoying the politics that come with the job.
I don’t like the lack of respect for nurses, the fact that we are always dumped on when they need to admit extra patients etc. I simply do not enjoy that aspect. I do not enjoy having nursing managers that treat us like children. Autonomy I have discovered is a must for me. Perhaps you should consider going back for your NP. I believe you said you like to see patients in short spurts. That is exactly what you would get and you will get more respect and autonomy.

I believe that many nurses on this forum really truly love and enjoy nursing. So they may think that it is simply an attitude adjustment rather than finding a better job fit for yourself and your personality. I have never found a niche for me that truly fits because it is not the patients, it is the politics that go along with being a nurse that I do not enjoy. I have noticed often in nursing if you don’t “endure” the pain you are made to feel kind of bad for it ( not saying anyone on this post has done that btw). Also never mention that you want to make money for your services on here because you will get slated. You must be a martyr when it comes to making money and sacrifice.

For myself, I decided to go back for my NP. I can’t be guaranteed that it will be a better fit, but I will be able to do more on my terms. I hope you find what you are looking for. NP does not equal happiness for everyone, but it sounds like your personality may be more of a 1:1 type of situation . All best

kbrn2002, ADN, RN · Jun 6, 2021

Have you considered looking into jobs with insurance companies? I've noticed more openings lately for the chart review and claims processing positions where a nursing degree is utilized but there is zero patient contact.

Another good option is looking for a position with a law firm specializing in medical malpractice, they often have nurses on staff for chart review. Those are somewhat entry level jobs in legal nurse consulting and a good foot in the door position for progressing to a full Legal Nurse Consultant career.