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Discussion

When is it time to leave nursing?

Hello all, I've been a nurse for a few years now, and have worked in various settings as diverse as emergency care and long term care. Despite anything that I do, I just can't seem to get happy with what I'm doing. I've had to start on medication just to make it day by day.

I often think about if I would be happy doing something else with my life, but its such a scary jump, especially when that likely means starting back at square one and taking a rather large pay cut.

Is it time to leave nursing? Any advice is appreciated.

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    • Featured Replies

    • Experts

    Good morning - can you pinpoint what it is that you don't like? Acuity, pace, the type of patients you care for?

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    • Columnist

    Have you thought about seeing career counselor or talking it through with a therapist? Life's too short to be miserable

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    I understand how you feel. If you could pinpoint what about it that makes you feel unhappy. Is it just general everything about it? surely there must be something about it you like. Do you like paper work, computer work, only the patient care part, working on a team?

    Take the part of it that you enjoy and work from there.

    You have to be careful when trying to follow your bliss because it may not work out either. You've heard the adage, do what you love and the money will come. This isn't true, it takes careful planning.

    The only person who truly knows if you need to leave nursing is you. Lots of nurses leave the field because it just is not what they expected it to be. I can't imagine starting off as a new nurse today because work environments can be pretty bad. I think you need to drill down on this a bit more, do some good hard self-exploration. Talk to someone who is objective and can guide you like a life coach or a career guidance counselor. The school where you graduated probably has resources for alumni. Good luck.

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    @TheVikingLady, I hear you and your situation. I imagine you feel exhausted, frustrated, and also scared to leave your job.

    I agree with the others here that pinpointing what it stresses you out would help. Here are some questions that may help you sift through them: Do you dislike the patient care? Do you dislike the responsibility of having patients' lives in your hands? Do you dislike administration telling you want to do? Do you feel scared about making a mistake and getting "in trouble"? What about the hours/shift work? Do you wish you had a better work/life balance? When I worked as an RN, I asked myself these questions and was able to pinpoint what bothered me about my job.

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    I agree with seeking counseling to pin-point what is going on. I am sorry you are unhappy. I hope you find your happiness!

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    • Guides

    I agree with those who suggest counseling before making such a decision. There is an old saying that states "Wherever you go, there you are!" It means that it may not be the job making you unhappy. Years ago I made a jump to what I thought was greener pastures and quickly found out why the grass was so green. It was a leaking cesspool.

    I have suffered from a depressive disorder and severe anxiety since I was 13 and am finally in the best space in my life. No anti-depressants no anti-anxiety meds, no recreational drugs or alcohol. What I have found is work life balance! When I leave work, I don't think about work. I walk my dogs, spend time with family and friends, work in my garden and Bar-B-Q.

    Just food for thought.

    Hppy

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    You are probably suffering from what over 50% of healthcare workers suffer from: Moral Injury. I wish I had left this career a long time ago, instead of getting further in debt pursuing my NP. Don't think there is something wrong with you. Start your exit strategy. I wish I had

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