1.5 years in and at the end of my rope....?

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Not sure how to start this. I guess I would first like to say that I have immense respect for nurses of all areas and specialties, from the most advanced, specialized nurse to the "just-a-floor-nurse" nurses. I have posted previously about career decisions and advice, and here I am back again. I'll start by telling you that I am a young nurse, and have only been in nursing for 1.5 years, all of that time being either med-surg or med-telemtry.

I realize I am very young in my career, so I am sure there are many who just want to roll their eyes immediately because I haven't "paid my dues", and I understand that. But I have always thought that if something is making you truly unhappy or causing a certain amount of grief, it is just not worth it.

Like many, I come here today to basically complain about my job (that I realize I'm lucky to have at all), but also to ask for genuine advice, as I honestly don't know where else to go or what else to do. My woes are nothing that a little browsing on this board won't find you plenty of: the lack of support staff, the over-working, the madatory OT, disrespect and harrassment from higher-ups, doctors, family members, and patients, and so on and so forth. These everyday problems of a nurse have become too much for me to bear.

I complain everyday to my loving and understanding husband, but he is unsure of where to guide me. The anxiety has consumed me. I have applied to over 100 other positions, both internally and in other hospitals and nothing has panned out. I have thought over and over again about leaving nursing all together to go back to a job with much less stress. I have thought about taking time off from nursing to see if it's something that I truly want to do, but fear that if I went that path, re-entering nursing would find me in my current situation (working a job that I try everyday to get out of). Obviously there are many different nursing jobs out there, but we all know they want more and more experience than ever before. To be quite honest, I believe the only thing keeping me in nursing is my financial responsibility.

I know, I know. Woe is me, at least I have a job, the grass is always greener.

Thank you to whoever takes the time to read this lengthy post, and an even bigger thanks to anyone willing to offer advice. The most thanks and blessings of all to all the nurses dealing with this same crap everyday.

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Specializes in SNU/SNF/MedSurg, SPCU Ortho/Neuro/Spine.

Be happy, find your own peace, take care of yourself first! You will find bull crap wherever you go, some places more then others, I would say if you are unhappy, it's unhealthy, if you feel as if there is nothing that can be done to savage your current working condition then change it! You gotta live with it in the end, you got to sleep with it, so, the decision comes from within! Jot it down, pros and cons, make a list, and choose,! You would be happy either way you decide to go, because it's your decision!Ps. Keep on swimming! You will eventually land where you want, just don't base "nursing" on your sole dreadful experience, ask yourself, do you like to be a nurse to begin with? What are you willing to deal with? What are your needs?Can you financially afford to take a break? Have you explored non acute nursing care? Agency work? Maybe night shift?...

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

I'm not sure why the above poster thought this was funny but I will answer. I personally can not stand bedside nursing. That is why I am stepping away from it totally. I am going back school to become a FNP. I love the patients but hate all of the BS of working bedside in a hospital.

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I agree with mom to 4, I'm 22 years old just got my BSN in May and RN license in June of this year. I work on a med surg Tele floor from hell at a large hospital, I loathe the bullcrap I have to put up with but have gained a ton of experience because our hospital allows insulin drips, heparin drips, and certain cardiac drips in our floor which is a nightmare if u have an insulin drip pt, heparin drip pt, trach pt, and total care pts with bedsores and peg tube feedings which I've had all at one time before. I love the experience of the hospital but in agreement of my hatred of bedside nursing. There is just not enough autonomy and after taxes and benefits are taken out my check the money is just not worth the amount of time I'm away from my son who is 4. I went through a depression stage at one time but now I've resolved to go back to school this upcoming summer or fall for my FNP. I want better hours and more autonomy without taking a pay cut as I would if I went to a drs office or clinic as an RN. I love the nursing but not bedside, I was a CNA for 4 years while attending college and I feel I'm still treated with the same disrespect for my title as an RN as I was as a CNA. I won't wait for 5 years to see if I'll grow to love it or for experience to move to a different job setting, I'm ready for school now so that's my path. You gotta do what's best for you!

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Specializes in Med/Surg.

I hear ya!! :hug: I am in the same boat as you. I graduated in May 2010, obtained my first position on a medical surgical unit (no telemetry) :uhoh21: and I too have applied at over 100 positions both internally and externally. I have interviewed for 5 positions and nothing has panned out either. I am currently completing my MSN in nursing education and once I complete that I am scheduled to start the FNP certification program in April. I agree with the above posters that bedside nursing does not allow enough autonomy and respect. I too often feel as disrespected as I did when I was a CNA. What keeps me going each day is my awesome co-workers and the impact I leave on patients (even if it is just a few at a time). We all are in the same boat and on NOC's like I work now, we support each other. When I worked on days we were always running around having a million things to do so, it was hard at times to get help when you needed it. Do you have any ideas of what kind of nursing you would like to work in? If so I would work toward getting certifications in in certain areas to increase the likelyhood that you will be selected for another job. Also going back to school also allows you more autonomy. There are several jobs out there for nursing in several different areas. Hospital nursing is a starting point, but it is not always for everyone. I am currently trying to obtain a position in the ER and without ER experience, ICU, or Tele. I have been having a difficult time, despite being ACLS certified and almost having my Masters. I always say that when the right time comes, you will find your passion. I do not recommend walking away from your job just now. Is there anything you can do to make it better (switch shifts, decrease your hours, internally transfer?) If this is really where you do not want to be often talking to managers and HR to help you works. I know some girls who were not a fan of my current floor went and talked to my manager, and were moved to another floor that suited them better. I have tried this and they tell me to stick it out lol (I don't think they want to lose a good worker lol). Best of luck to you. Consider this nursing has a vast variety of opportunities and hospital nursing is just one route. With 6 more months (or so I am told) you should be able to transition into a job that better suites you! Good luck!

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Specializes in Certified Med/Surg tele, and other stuff.

Your floor/hospital sounds like it has no support. I worked in a craphole like that for way to long and it burned me out. I should have realized how bad it was early on and left. Where I work now has decent staffing, so nurses do have autonomy. It is possible, IF you find the right place to work.

For now, IMO, I would keep on working and just try to suck it up. I wouldn't want to explain a gap in my career so early on, you know?

Good luck. I have been where you have been in my career, and it's not a fun place to be. It can get better if you find your niche.

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Specializes in geriatrics.

I've been a nurse for a year, and I feel the same way sometimes. As a second career nurse, I went in eyes open.However, the lack of consideration from coworkers, constant requests to pick up shifts, etc...leaves me wondering if I truly want to tolerate this for 20 more years.Eventually, there will be a place where we fit.

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I suggest exploring some alternate nursing routes before deciding nursing is not for you. My own experience with the hospital setting was much like yours and I can tell you I was very unhappy. I have a hard time swallowing some of the BS they hand feed nurses in the hospital setting (and other areas), and had a hard time reining myself in verbally.

However, I happened upon a community health nurse position at my local health department. I can tell you it has really been a blessing because the nurse role is much more in line with my type of personality. I have a lot of autonomy in projects and my voice is heard and acted upon in the organization. When I'm sick they tell me to go home, when my kids are sick they tell me to stay home, and I get 10 hours of sick time and 10 hourse of vaccation time a month. I love my job and have found a niche where i have flourished in the past two years.

So please before giving up on nursing altogether, see if some other area of nursing will be a better fit for you personally. You may find an area that you love, love, love. But you won't know unless you take risks and explore those options.

I wish you lots of luck.

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SrnD said:

Like many, I come here today to basically complain about my job (that I realize I'm lucky to have at all), but also to ask for genuine advice, as I honestly don't know where else to go or what else to do. My woes are nothing that a little browsing on this board won't find you plenty of: the lack of support staff, the over-working, the madatory OT, disrespect and harrassment from higher-ups, doctors, family members, and patients, and so on and so forth. These everyday problems of a nurse have become too much for me to bear.

maybe that is when you know it is time to leave? when all that stuff just isn't worth it anymore? I work in a what seems to be similar enviornment to you and honeslty if you go to LD, ER, Dialysis, OR, ICU you will find the same issues: higher ups, doctors, fam members etc with no respect for you or nursing. I have stayed so long because of the money.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

I feel the need to apologize to the OP (and everyone in similar situations) for the utter failure of nursing leadership.....

It is my belief that the OP's situation is a direct result of a lack of effective nursing management. As a profession, we continue to promote unqualified people into positions of responsibility and then expect them to 'hit the ground running' without any additional education, training or support. Shame on us.

The clinical situation described by the OP reflects an environment where staffing is being driven by economic pressure rather than patient needs. The only people who can fix this are nurse leaders. If the organization's nurse leaders are not willing/able to step up and take action, then individual nurses (like the OP) have no choice but to leave as quickly as they can.

Here's hoping that the OP & others can find better opportunities very soon.

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Specializes in geriatrics.

It's also the responsibility of political leaders to understand the importance of nursing, and provide adequate support.Many facilities are grossly understaffed, yet so many nurses are unemployed. This has been going on for some time. While I understand that the economy is largely a factor, I'm also tired of working overtime. As a second career nurse, I've contemplated leaving the profession for this reason alone. Life is about balance, and nursing fails to allow for balance.In the end, it's either them or me...and it isn't going to be me. For now, I plan to stick it out. However, I do know that I won't tolerate the existing climate for another 20 years. They need to start planning effectively, because it is only going to get worse.

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Betcause these threads are so heavy on the "nursing is awful"side of the spectrum, I feel somewhat obligated to post that there are those out there who love our jobs and our professions. I feel I have adequate staffing and support in my position, I don't feel disrespected by doctors or colleagues, and I feel like my pay is appropriate.I work with people on my unit who think differently, so I always wonder about posts like this. Is it really that bad, or are some poeple not happy anywhere? Am I simply a happy, secure person who doesn't get bent out of shape easily, who doesn't want or need drama in my life, so I don't seek it out? I have no doubt that there are places that are really really awful to work at; mine is not one of them, but you'll still find people at my work who complain about how underpaid and overworked and disrespected we all are. I think there is a certain segment of society who are not happy anywhere, and unfortunately they are the loudest.OP, there are nursing environments where you are respected and appreciated. I know, I work in one of them. If you are a jaded, unhappy person, though, you won't see that. I'd look closely at your environment...do you need to change your attitude? Are you really being disrespected, or is that merely your inaccurate perception due to your own insecurities (god knows, this profession is full of insecurity, it's banged into us with those silly Nursing diagnoses!)? Or if it's really your environment, well then, change your environment. I know jobs are scarce, but hope that you keep looking for a better fit, rather than throw a good profession out the window.

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