Was my decision to quit wrong?

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I decided to resign at my job... I left properly, gave 2 weeks notice and everything. I was just fed up. The workplace already sucks to begin with, but then with everything associated with the pandemic, working through the pandemic and getting sick with it and survived it, going back to work and working alongside travel nurses who get paid more for doing what I do. I hated it most when I was the charge nurse of an ICU unit and other make shift ICU units because ICU had to expand... the PPE issue, reusing and recycling PPE, not getting compensated for risking my life and my family, burnt out to the max. When I got COVID I was stressed and scared and literally very sick. just felt everything was so unfair.

I've had it and so I decided to quit. I also left believing in the promise of travel nursing. But I left after the pandemic rate has gone down. Fast forward to now, almost 1 month. I apply to travel nursing assignments but I always get rejected. I worked in a level 3 adult trauma ICU and the hospitals want level 1 experience. Also some travel assignments pay very little. I was told that it was gonna be bigger or worth it. Some agencies are tricky and try to put down big numbers but if you break it down and do the math, its not worth it for me. For example, 1500 (the usual I get, some even offer 1100) Gross. Gross per week. How is that better than 1700 - 2000 bi-weekly with benefits; insurance, etc... I don't see the point in driving far, sleeping in hotels, loneliness... etc The ones that I'm interested in keep rejecting me...

I am happy that I am not in a stressful working environment but I am sad that I am unemployed and I need to start coming up with an income soon. I don't want to apply for another permanent position because I don't want to end up in another bind...I am sad and disappointed that the travel nurse positions I apply to keep rejecting me and the offers are not worth it. 

Now, I am starting to regret leaving my old job. I just feel so lost right now.

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I’m not sure how many travel companies you’re with for travel but maybe look at other ones too. I’m not sure but wouldn’t you fit into a tele position?  Look at other areas of nursing. What other areas would you be interested in? Travel can be tricky too because it really affects your social security because so much of your income is untaxed. There are many facebook groups for travelers and they would be able to give you more accurate and up to date information. Good luck to you ❤️

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It's usually "wrong" to quit without another firm job offer in place, but what's done is done. It sounds like you may be romanticizing travel nursing a bit, too.

The harsh reality is that most of us have to get ourselves into some sort of "bind" to pay the bills. I know very little about you, but if I put myself in your place, I think I would look for work locally and hope that circumstances were better at my new job.

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13 hours ago, EternalFeather said:

I am happy that I am not in a stressful working environment but I am sad that I am unemployed and I need to start coming up with an income soon. I don't want to apply for another permanent position because I don't want to end up in another bind...I am sad and disappointed that the travel nurse positions I apply to keep rejecting me and the offers are not worth it. 

Now, I am starting to regret leaving my old job. I just feel so lost right now. 

I think you could benefit from a change of attitude about all of this. What I mean is that you're in regret mode and while that makes some sense because you are now having a bit of trouble, regret isn't helping you move forward. Regret isn't going to help you make the next good decision.

You made a decision to leave a situation that was not working for you. Just own it. For you it was the right thing to do regardless what you are going through now.

Do you see how you might proceed more positively (from where you are right this moment) and enable yourself to make strong decisions if you accept that "I needed to get out of there and I made a proactive choice based on what was best for me (and it was the right decision)" is a better way of looking at things than, "I should never have left [that situation that I felt was terrible and needed to get away from]"?

Accept that you did what you did, accept that you had a good reason for doing it, and then ask yourself what positive steps you will continue to take.

I agree w/ @Sour Lemon...check out all opportunities. Look for a decent position locally. If travel nursing is still an interest, take some time to gather more info about it and really research it.

Good luck

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Travel agencies should be snapping you up. Have you interviewed with any hiring facilities ? That is the second step in travel agency employment. If you are not yet ready for a permanent job. try agency work. It is a great networking tool as well.

Good luck.

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On 9/22/2020 at 2:07 PM, EternalFeather said:

I decided to resign at my job... I left properly, gave 2 weeks notice and everything. I was just fed up. The workplace already sucks to begin with, but then with everything associated with the pandemic, working through the pandemic and getting sick with it and survived it, going back to work and working alongside travel nurses who get paid more for doing what I do. I hated it most when I was the charge nurse of an ICU unit and other make shift ICU units because ICU had to expand... the PPE issue, reusing and recycling PPE, not getting compensated for risking my life and my family, burnt out to the max. When I got covid I was stressed and scared and literally very sick. just felt everything was so unfair.

I had have had it and so I decided to quit.   I also left believing in the promise of travel nursing. BuT I left after the pandemic rate has gone down. Fast forward to now, almost 1 month. I apply to travel nursing assignments but I always get rejected. I worked in a level 3 adult trauma ICU and the hospitals want level 1 experience. Also some travel assignments pay very little. I was told that it was gonna be bigger or worth it. Some agencies are tricky and try to put down big numbers but if you break it down and do the math, its not worth it for me. For example, 1500 (the usual I get, some even offer 1100) Gross. Gross per week. How is that better than 1700 - 2000 bi-weekly with benefits; insurance, etc... I don't see the point in driving far, sleeping in hotels, loneliness... etc The ones that Im interested in keep rejecting me...

I am happy that I am not in a stressful working environment but I am sad that I am unemployed and I need to start coming up with an income soon. I don't want to apply for another permanent position because I don't want to end up in another bind...I am sad and disappointed that the travel nurse positions I apply to keep rejecting me and the offers are not worth it. 

Now, I am starting to regret leaving my old job. I just feel so lost right now.

I did per diem with an agency during the busy season. Made $10 more than my base pay PRN in a hospital and zero meetings/politics.

If you work it during the busy season and save for the down time when the hospitals aren’t full-you can work it-but not living paycheck to paycheck because you could get canceled.

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Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).
On 9/22/2020 at 1:07 PM, EternalFeather said:

I decided to resign at my job... I left properly, gave 2 weeks notice and everything. I was just fed up.

Bravo, EternalFeather! Your health and well being is more important. A horrendously difficult decision to make, but priorities are priorities.

I wish the very best for you!

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