Unhappy and Depressed

indigo girl · Feb 13, 2011

Just maybe, the problem is that you are working in the wrong specialty area or the wrong unit. Not all nursing environments operate in the same way. Right now because you are so stressed (and so is everyone else that you are working with), you can't see this. But, consider that nurses don't always work in hospitals on hectic med surg units.

It sounds like you are considering dropping out. I don't know how much time you have left to graduation, and hope that if you are close to it that you finish. Then look for some other type of nursing job since you already know that where you are is not a good fit. Consider this as an experience that you don't want to repeat, and try other types of nursing. Your current job is just a temporary situation that you don't have to stay in for long.

You might also consider studying something else after graduation if you are close to finishing school or combining your nursing with another area of study.

There is light at the end of that tunnel.

Good luck to you.

Kooky Korky, BSN, RN · Feb 13, 2011

Well, I guess it's better to figure this out now rather than after you're done with school.

You might be smart to focus on finding work that takes you away from the bedside and deals more with science than with people.

What about biomedical engineering or laboratory work? There are so many scientists today, so many sciences. I think you will be able to find something that suits your interests better than Nursing does.

You're only 3 semesters in and maybe some of your courses will transfer to wherever you go. Even if they don't, you just don't sound happy at all being at the bedside.

hotflashion, BSN, RN · Feb 13, 2011

Some alternate career thoughts:

Clinical research coordinator as an alternate career comes to mind, though some CRCs are RNs. Also, how about Cancer registrar? Again, some CRs are also RNs. Nursing is a broad field, with many different settings and ways of practice. It's good to explore your doubts when you have them, but keep in mind that all of nursing is not what you are observing now in the place where you're working. I remember feeling the same way you did on my first med/surg rotation; it seemed like a cut-throat sink or swim situation to me, with little to no team work. I had a very different feeling when I went on to my psych rotation in the same hospital -- "all for one and one for all" was the mantra on that floor, lots of team work and everyone helping everyone else.

What about medical assistant?

LPN?

Physician's assistant?

Good luck.

taalyn_1, CNA · Feb 13, 2011

Nurses sre so fake and they look down on each other and talk about each other in the breakroom. Nobody really wants to help and look at you sideways if you ask for help and when you do something wrong people say "Why didn't you ask for help"......Medical equipment never works, supplies always out, staffing always short.

I may get flamed for this but.. anywhere there are a majority of women working in one place you are going to have the gossip/backbiting. Now men are no better they just tend to do it less spitefully or something. My advice, keep out of it and let them do/say what they are gonna do/say. keep your own opinions out of the convos that are gossipy. CYOA

As for the no one wanting to help, make them if you need help. I would rather have a ticked off helper than do something by myself that caused an error or a pt to get hurt. Stand up for yourself and state "I need help with this task". Then when they help you, make sure you are there to help them if they were to need it.

Short staff, no supplies... thats everywhere and no matter what profession you choose. Until administrators get the $$ situation out of their minds and pts as their priority again this will always be a problem.

Good luck to you!

Curious88 · Feb 13, 2011

Some alternate career thoughts:
Clinical research coordinator as an alternate career comes to mind, though some CRCs are RNs. Also, how about Cancer registrar? Again, some CRs are also RNs. Nursing is a broad field, with many different settings and ways of practice. It's good to explore your doubts when you have them, but keep in mind that all of nursing is not what you are observing now in the place where you're working. I remember feeling the same way you did on my first med/surg rotation; it seemed like a cut-throat sink or swim situation to me, with little to no team work. I had a very different feeling when I went on to my psych rotation in the same hospital -- "all for one and one for all" was the mantra on that floor, lots of team work and everyone helping everyone else.
What about medical assistant?
LPN?
Physician's assistant?
Good luck.

Nursing has so much variety. And they really make a difference in the world.

I am planning to go nursing school. One of the main reason for choosing this career the variety, job stability, and i like healthcare

My question is overall goal for nursing is not to be a Registered Nuse... I am more interested in venues such as public health nurse , nurse practitioner, radiology nurse... I mean I will be a registered nurse for a few years for the experience and to pay my dues but my overall goal is more interested in the many other venues. So my motivation for nursing school is okay one day I will be a clinical nurse specialist... Is that okay to go to nursing school for the opportunities of nursing beside RN

Motivated grandma · Feb 13, 2011

If you like the science aspects, perhaps you could consider laboratory work? Clinical laboratory technologist comes to mind.

Good luck. If at all possible, I would finish the nursing degree first.

canesdukegirl, BSN, RN · Feb 13, 2011

i'm in my third semster of nursing school will be graduating in december with a bsn
yay! good for you for sticking through school. it is tough. and just got a job working at a local big hospital here in atlanta, ga as a tech. i'm at near wits with nursing and haven't even began to work. i hate going to work as a tech because the environment is so gloomy. i hate the 12 hour shifts there so long and exhausting. its so much paperwork and charting.
yeah, that's sort of the downside of our profession. the hours are really long. invest in some danskos if you can, because they will save your feet! just to let you know, not all units are as gloomy as this one. the paperwork and the charting are unfortunately the only way that we can measurably account for our interventions, which are many. the nurses and the techs are always running around like chickens with their heads cut off. they seem to complete tasks simply to "cover their a##" yep...it's called protecting your license and your livelihood. it does suck that much of the time we are doing redundant tasks like charting in 5 different places for the same intervention. and are always getting chewed out by management, families, doctors, and who ever else thinks everything they do should be absolutely perfect. well, not all of the time. sometimes nurses get chewed out for no reason, other times, they are getting chewed out because they overlooked something important. it doesn't happen as often as it seems, you just hear about it more because it is upsetting and we vent about it. it takes me forever to get tasks done, my feet hurt, all i want to do is sleep and when i'm not sleeping i'm studying. oh honey, of course you are exhausted! taking on 12 hour shifts and going to nursing school is enough to drive anyone over the bend. but if you change your perspective, it may help some. you are essentially putting yourself through boot camp with the long hours of working, long hours of studying and then having to not only understand the material, but excel in your knowledge of the material. you are taxing yourself physically, mentally and emotionally. one morning, i was working with an attending surgeon who had spent the entire night doing traumas. i asked him if he was going to go home after the case was finished. he said, "nope, i have to do clinic now." i said, "omg, dr. o..aren't you about ready to fall over in your shoes?" what he said next will stay with me forever. he said, "canes, one of the horrible and beautiful things about residency is that you tax yourself in every way possible and then you have to learn how to not be mean to your spouse when you get home." that was a very simple statement made by a surgeon who was trying to tell me that the sacrifices and the pain of long hours during residency made him into a better man. nurses sre so fake and they look down on each other and talk about each other in the breakroom. be careful in this blanket statement. not all nurses are this way, and i am sure that you did not intend to sound that way. it sounds like you are not the only unhappy person on the unit. nobody really wants to help and look at you sideways if you ask for help and when you do something wrong people say "why didn't you ask for help". i don't think being a nurse is any less stressful than being a tech. medical equipment never works, supplies always out, staffing always short. it really sounds like you work in the 7th level of hell! i'm not looking forward to the verbal abuse and physical exhaustion. i'm so lost and depressed. people tell me it'll get better, but i'm not sure if i can deal with this for 5 or even 10 years. i like the scientific aspects of nursing and learning about disease processes but i hate patient care. it's so strenuous and time consuming. i would suggest starting out in another type of unit. you have come too far to throw away what you have accomplished. there are so many specialties in nursing, and that is one of the beauties of our profession. have you looked into something that involves more research? what would you like to do?

yes, it is hard. especially when you are starting out. i feel that the unit that you are currently working in has left a rather negative impression in your mind, to say the least. i encourage you to not give up on nursing. what other rotations do you have left in clinicals at school?

beewink · Feb 13, 2011

I have worked OR, ICU, and med surg and have experienced a lot of what you are describing in each area. I do agree that nursing has a lot of variety and if you complete your BSN you will have more to choose from. However, if it was me and I was only 3 semesters in, I would apply my credits to another major. I've been a nurse for 14 years and I would not do it again if I could go back. There may be problems in other professions, but nothing like nursing.

beewink · Feb 13, 2011

I may get flamed for this but.. anywhere there are a majority of women working in one place you are going to have the gossip/backbiting. Now men are no better they just tend to do it less spitefully or something. My advice, keep out of it and let them do/say what they are gonna do/say. keep your own opinions out of the convos that are gossipy. CYOA
As for the no one wanting to help, make them if you need help. I would rather have a ticked off helper than do something by myself that caused an error or a pt to get hurt. Stand up for yourself and state "I need help with this task". Then when they help you, make sure you are there to help them if they were to need it.
Short staff, no supplies... thats everywhere and no matter what profession you choose. Until administrators get the $$ situation out of their minds and pts as their priority again this will always be a problem.
Good luck to you!

I agree with this big time.

ms_orion · Feb 13, 2011

Welcome to Nursing! I graduated in 1993...took a positionin a family practice clinic until I could obtain a hospital position. Well, I ended up staying with family practice until I moved to another state (family) in 2006. WOW, Im working in a hospital where all the "real" nurses are---NOT! All I was missing all those years were skills that can be learned whenever. I had more independence, worked with PROFESSIONAL people who respected each other and our patients. I have done more "skills" in the clinic that I ever have done in the hospital environment....okay no IV's or ventilators in the clinic...but I HAVE NEVER WITNESSED SUCH DISRESPECT among co-workers as I have in the hospital environment. Youre right..thing are 'pencil whipped'... co-workers are not a team and eat each other up. Too much to do and no time to do it (if you are doing it properly). I have been told all hospitals are like this. Scary, isn't it? I'm ready to throw in the towel myself. If I could turn back time, I would never have left the clinic. In this state, nurses get paid much less than where I came from...especially in the clinic. If I can find a position in a clinic, that is anything like the one I left...the pay won't matter...peace of mind is priceless. Best Wishes.

coolpeach · Feb 14, 2011

I am a new nurse graduated Dec 2009. I have been feeling exactly the same way. I wish I would have learned what the profession was like sooner, and I would have changed my major. I can't imagine anyone in their right mind knowing what its really like, and still making the choice to be a nurse.