am wanting to leave nursing

allnurses Guide · Sep 15, 2003

I'm kinda in the same place for alot of reasons. I appreciate reading everyone's posts.

Take a long hard look at all this great advice. Especially the thought that you may be clinically depressed and it isn't just nursing that is effecting you.

Take care of yourself and try to focus on how much you mean to your patients. My 11 year old nephew has cancer and has been through so much. Nurses are heros to him.

steph

tmiller027 · Sep 17, 2003

I have to say, as someone currently studying to be a nurse, this is an ineresting topic.

I've work in law enforcement for 5 years and can tell you, the grass isn't much greener elsewhere. In my job, I've found that as badly as people thing police treat the public, they often treat each other ten times worse.

There is so much backstabbing, mistreatment, and verbal abuse on my dept. it's disgusting. When you go to ask your supervisor a simple question and for an answer you get "What the F--- do you want?"

Or if you make a simple mistake, "What's wrong with you? Are you F---ing stupid?"

That's the norm with a lot of people there.

Anyway, that's just the tip of the iceburg. After a lot of soul-searching, I decided nursing was something I'd enjoy, and the nurses I've talked to here have been really encouraging. When I hear of people's experiences like this, it makes me nervous, but then I also think I've been through so much in my current job, some of these situations in nursing might not bother me as badly.

Tim

reese-2000 · Sep 19, 2003

Thank you all for your kind thoughts and support if only my co-workers were as supportive.

Today I was fired from my job long story even made longer by the 5 page document I was forced to go over by my nurse manager. Most of which was half-truths and no-truths. She even had the nerve to mention in this document of my being under stress and that I was no longer in therapy for stress related issues after this therapist had recommended placing me on anti-depressant medication and that I had refused based on my actively wanting to get pregnant. How that fits into my nursing skills (which according to her -- I have none) is beyond me. So today I am jobless and if I wasn't already depressed am now. My husband is such a dear by saying that he's happy that I no longer work at that fine hospital cause he didn't like who I was at the end of the day - but I just feel lost. I don't honestly think if I was ever hired to be a nurse again that I would want to be. Why is it that nurses like to eat out and spit to the curb other nurses? What makes nurses into horrible creatures? Yeah I know all of you aren't that type but can anybody honestly admit that they don't know at least one of these creatures. Three weeks ago I asked this same nurse manager if she wanted my resignation after she started fact finding on why she didn't want me to work there. She replied "I can't tell you what to do". Looking back i should have told her that i quit, but in my heart I felt at the time that "too shall pass" and that somebody wanted me. Yeah right. I made an appt. this past Tues. to see another therapist - unfort. I can't get in until next Tues. this afternoon i called back to them stating I need something sooner only to get the scheduling answering machine. Oh well. Thanks again for reading my ramblings. R.

live4today, RN · Sep 19, 2003

((((((Reese)))))) Warm hugs to you hon. :kiss I think you have a very wise hubby who loves you enough to be happy that you are OUT of an environment that was making you miserable. Be thankful that you have him to come home to and cry to if need be. Use this time to search your heart for something else more suitable for you. When one door closes to us, another one always opens. Sometimes things occur for our own good because we aren't wise enough to say "Enough is Enough!" I wish you well dear one. :kiss

RN-PA, RN · Sep 19, 2003

(((((((((Reese)))))))) I can't express my feelings for all you've just experienced better than cheerfuldoer has. Sometimes life makes decisions for us when we aren't able. I echo her thoughts completely and wish you all the best in whatever direction you go. There's something out there for you-- please don't lose hope or faith in yourself. :kiss

River · Sep 19, 2003

all the above suggestions are great ideas. I did oncology nursing for 4 years before that patient census for transfered to another floor. I loved doing it while I was doing it. But, after I no longer took care of the cancer patients I noticed an extreme lessening of my stress. My biggest concern was just exactly how much were we really helping these patients and I kept asking the doctors to give stats of recoveries vs deaths. Never got any responses from the doctors.

Home health and hospice are one on one and you get to follow up and actually see how the patients and families respond to you interventions, teachings and personal care. Very rewarding, lots of paperwork though.

Hang in there. It sounds like you're a very compassionate nurse.

Also, there is working the an oncology office giving out patient chemo. Lots of options. You'll do well. God Bless

Noney · Sep 20, 2003

(((((HUGS)))))))))))

I really hope everything works out for you.

Noney

barefootlady, ADN, RN · Sep 25, 2003

Reese, please take some time to renew yourself. Life has handed you a unexpected curve, so just follow the curve for awhile. I think seeing a counselor is great, maybe you can file for work related compensation. I too have been in this situation. I should have quit too, but was so worried about health benefits for a family member, I stayed too long. I am now looking into other options that will allow me to do nursing and have a life. I think HH is a great option for you. Hospice too if your heart is really into oncology nursing. Let us know what is happening with you. It sounds like your hubby is a gem.

ana115 · Oct 6, 2003

Hi,

I'm sorry you're so down, and I truly hope things improve for you soon.

I had this thought. If you are interested in the law at all, you can become a paralegal and use your nursing expertise to work for a personal injury attorney. I hear that they make pretty good money, although I don't have an actual dollar amount, and I'm sure every state is different. It's a thought.

Maybe just a change in nursing direction would help. A different area.

Whatever you do, God Bless and take care of yourself.:kiss

dogood · Nov 11, 2003

I hope things are going better for you. Perhaps nursing was too stressful of a career for you or that the hospital that you worked in was not an encouraging environment for you. ( I also hope you are still seeing a therapist for you physical and mental well being) I am going to be starting a career in nursing. I have always wanted to do something that would impact people's lives. I have always enjoyed one on one interaction with people and have always wanted to care for people. I am not naïve and I know nursing can be a very stressful career, but look at all the nurses that took the time to respond to you. They are all the reasons why I want to be a nurse. Giving, caring, and they pay attention to those who need them. I have so much respect for them and the profession. I hope that this forum has helped you and I hope that you are doing well and I hope you don't let a few bad nurses ruin your view of the entire profession.

The drill Sgt. · Nov 21, 2003

I am currently searching for another career move myself. I think there is a big difference between giving up and changing, and I don't think you should feel guilty about changing or wanting to change your career. Nursing is very stressful and has a high burn-out rate, especially when the people that you work with are ignorant, senseless and careless, yes it can and will take it's toll. But whatever you decide keep your license active, you can always fall back on it.

:cool:

PMHNP10 · Nov 21, 2003

Originally posted by Brownms46
I lived outside of Dallas, TX at the time, and guess where they were looking for people at?? You got it, the SRO office in Euless, TX, which was a ways from where I lived.

Wow...I was just thinking...ooOOOI bet she got that job in Euless, no less.OOOoo How bout that?

Sorry you had to wait 2 months for that.