Want out of nursing

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Hi everyone, I didn't know where to look for advice, but I figured here would be a good start! I'm currently an LPN in Ohio, have been one for about 2 years now and I absolutely hate it. I completed one semester of the LPN to RN transition program here in my town and decided not to go back. I thought I would love nursing, but I don't. I'm already tired of working short, being on call, getting called in to work 16-18 hr shifts, crappy managers, and all of the other crap that comes with being a nurse. I dread going into work everyday. I was wondering if anyone else had this happen, and what did they do? I changed my major to Medical Laboratory Technician, its something Ive looked at for a long time now and finally decided its what I want to do. My problem is now that I want out of my job, I don't want to be a nurse, but I have no idea what kind of job i can get now while i go back to school. I don't want to be where i am right now for another two years before I graduate. Does anyone have any ideas? Any input would be greatly appreciated!

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I do not really know but if you are just looking for a "job" how about phlebotomy/starbucks/ or work as a LPN per diem in a different area?

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I do not really know but if you are just looking for a "job" how about phlebotomy/starbucks/ or work as a LPN per diem in a different area?

Starbucks!! Funny u mention it. Bc I go there everyday before my shift and say "I want to work here". And not deal with the crazies in the ER. BUT than again the baristas deal with the crazies as well!! [emoji12]

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Starbucks!! Funny u mention it. Bc I go there everyday before my shift and say "I want to work here". And not deal with the crazies in the ER. BUT than again the baristas deal with the crazies as well!! [emoji12]

Starbucks offers benefits and tuition reimbursement and what not....they support people going to college.

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Specializes in LTC and Pediatrics.

I work per diem through a staffing agency. You are at a facility because they are short a nurse, yet you get to work different facilities. You don't have to go back if you really don't like one. Or you continue to work at one if you like it. I was having some of the same frustrations as you and decided to go this way a couple of months ago and I really love it so far.

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Don't go out of Nursing, you stay! If you feel overwhelmed, you can take time off either a semester or a year off and think about the reasons that you wanted to do nursing before all the crap you have experienced! Forget all the reasons you are giving right now for not liking nursing and believe in one reason why you can still do it. I felt like that about a month ago, I wanted to let go nursing said bye bye to all my teachers, but after two months away from the crazy chemistry I still felt no other profession can give me joy but becoming a nurse. This is what I am curved for. I determined to go back and finish my prerequisites and hopefully apply to university in September 2017. I know it is hard, but I am not focusing on the reasons why I can't do it, but sticking on that one reason why it can still be done. So don't loose heart. Keep focused. Life in general is like that no matter which profession you go into. There is no straight road from beginning to the end. Working short, being on call, getting called in to work 16-18 hours shift, crappy managers all other crap will get better as you climb the ladder of seniority or try another employer. Roads are full of bends, but will reach you to your destination. So is nursing, so hard right from the start up to the end, but a very rewarding career of serving people and I can't trade it for anything else. I am so happy that I made the decision to back. Good luck to you!

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Specializes in ER.

Can you look at doctor offices? In my area, a lot of LPNs can apply for LPN or MA positions in doctor offices.

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I have been a CNA in Maine for 5 years, and worked in home care before that. After getting pregnant with my daughter, and working 12 hour day shifts at the hospital.... I cracked. I did what my nursing instructor told me to do. I found something to do that had absolutely nothing to do with nursing, I went back to school. I chose to go back for mental health and human services.... No weekends, no holidays, and I'm still helping people!

After my 2 year hiatus from CNA work, attaining 2 years worth of credits part time... I just decided to go back per diem as a CNA on the rehab/step down unit in my area. After taking a breather, focusing on my family and future... I'm ready to go back.... And bonus.... They offered GREAT raise because I stayed with the same company (different department and building )...

i guess what im saying is, the best advice I was ever given... Is to know when you're done. Maybe not done forever, but for now. I suffered caretaker fatigue so badly when I was pregnant that my blood pressure was through the roof. We forget to take care of ourselves sometimes.... And if taking a break to chat it up and make lates at Starbucks is what your wellbeing needs.... I say go for it! They'll still need your nursing skills when you're ready to come back

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Try another specialty before you leave for good!! There are lots of options.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
I completed one semester of the LPN to RN transition program here in my town and decided not to go back.
I think the decision to drop out of the LPN to RN bridge program might have been a mistake. You would have had a number of more pleasant job opportunities open up if you had earned an RN license.

I started as an LPN. Obtaining RN licensure was one of the best career moves I have made. I now have a cushy job that pays well and entails no call or shift work.

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I think the decision to drop out of the LPN to RN bridge program might have been a mistake. You would have had a number of more pleasant job opportunities open up if you had earned an RN license.

I started as an LPN. Obtaining RN licensure was one of the best career moves I have made. I now have a cushy job that pays well and entails no call or shift work.

I have to agree with this. Years ago I started attending Excelsior college and stopped, fearing I wouldn't pass the final clinical component so I didn't even attempt it after finishing all of the theory. I went on to start a family and decided to go back into acute care when my daughter was two, or so I thought. I found out that during my hiatus LPNs had been phased out of that position in my area and were mostly working LTC or homecare. I tried both and they were not for me. I hated LTC for all the reasons that you listed in your original post...so much that I ran back to home care while I enrolled and completed the LPN to RN bridge program at a local nursing school. I know that acute care is crazy. I'm not going to lie to myself. I've done it before. However, I also know that for the most part I enjoyed it and wanted to go back so I got my RN. I also know that with my RN I can go further with my education if I wish and I can also work many different positions that I did not have the opportunity with my LPN alone. I only lasted a little less than a year in LTC. I dreaded almost every day that I went in to work. The staffing was horrible (and I'm pretty sure illegal-state didn't come in on the weekends), management didn't do jack to help the situation (Why would they, they were off), and being someone who actually gave a crap about the residents that the facility was neglecting to care for I couldn't just come in to work each day and act like it was acceptable or normal because it's not. However, that's what the facility deemed acceptable so I could continue to accept what was or make the changes that I had to make to be happy with my life.

Nursing is a field that has so many different specialties that one can excel at. A lot of times it has to do with finding your own niche, what is right for you. From the sound of the original post it seems like the OP has only worked in one type of nursing and possibly only one location. If this is the case I would strongly urge to pursue a different facility/type of nursing, or I may be wrong. I just know that if I had just started at the worst job in my career right out of school, I could see why the OP would want to run like hell from the field all together.

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Hold up OP on wasting more money on going back to school to draw blood. As an LPN, depending on facilities in your area, you can be trained and certified to do IV's and blood draws, as opposed to an overpriced program to do this.

You can certainly look at your local hospital's employment opportunities. If they are looking for lab techs, you may find that your current education is sufficient to do this.

You could also try home health. You could also try local companies who do employee health (at construction sites, that kind of thing). Local hospices. PRN at a school. Nursing homes are not the only place an LPN can be employed.

If you choose to be a visiting nurse, you may find your niche and continue to your RN--and visiting nurse companies have lots of different opportunities for RN's from case management to supervisory stuff....

Or you just may want to take some time and reflect on what you would like to do going forward. A company that is good to their employees (like a starbucks) that has tuition reimbursement is an awesome choice. I have an Auntie at a big box store who LOVES it, and originally started there for the tuition reimbursement, amazing health insurance, (and shhhhh I think the shoes!! HAHA)

What I would not do is start throwing money at for profit "diploma programs" or "certification programs" on technical skills. IF you want to become certified, then research what an LPN can become certified in, and choose that instead. EMT, wound care, IV therapy are a few that I can think of....and most used in skilled care facilities (which is not a nursing home) and home health/visiting nurse agencies.

Even getting your EMT or EMT to paramedic--there are agencies that have a generous tuition reimbursement.

Best wishes!

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