20 Years Later...

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Specializes in ER, ICU/CCU, Home Health.

Gone is the activism. Gone is the mentoring, under-the-wing, supportive person I used to be. I see the serious downgrading of the health care professions through a growing socialist agenda. The usurpation of the hospital setting by administrators that couldn't care less about patient care, so long as JCAHO gives them a "thumbs up" and the profits continue.

I started out my career as one of the few men in the field. Most people thought we (male RNs) were gay. Most nurses held deeps suspicions that "we" were trying to "take over" nursing. I've had more than a few managers that made me feel like I was their own personal whipping post, working off the frustrations of an over-bearing husband, father, brother, boyfriend, etc...

Now that most of those growing pains in nursing are past, where is the relief?

My shifts each hold more and more stress: worrying about taking PROPER care of my patients, having help to accomplish what I need for my pts, having more to accomplish than one person should, no breaks, maintaining multiple certifications - recertifying every 2 years, physicians that don't listen, management that doesn't care, going home each day and for the first hour or two running through the day's events trying to remember if everything got done, signed, noted, checked, co-signed, consented, documented, copied, cleaned, counted, etc...

ER was my love for many years and now each shift is the beginning of 12 hours of quick decisions, occasional assaults, sour stomach, self-doubt, watching out for what my co-workers do, etc, ad infinitum...

I want out of nursing SO bad. But, at 50 years old, people think something is "wrong" with me for trying to leave nursing. Can't even get a job interview for anything non-nursing. I've been in industrial sales, a machine-tool electrician, medical equipment repair, programmer, computer sales/service. No one will give me an opportunity to move on to something else...

Well, thanks for letting me vent...

Me...

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Specializes in ER, ICU/CCU, Home Health.

... I neglected to add the final line to my posting:

Any ideas??? I'm willing to try almost anything!

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Specializes in LTC, MED SURG, CARDIAC, TELE, ED, SUPERV.

If Possible Take A Loa. You Sound Extremely Frustrated And Burnt Out. For Good Reason. I Have Been In Nursing Only 13 Years. I Am 36. And I Think, Can I Still Be Doing This In 10 To 20 Years? My Gut Says, Yes. But, My Instinict Says Not If I Am Still Running The Floors. That's Hard Work Physically And Mentally And I Am Tired Of Politics Devastating Patient Care! Right Now I Am Investigating Nursing Careers In Other Areas: Consulting, Education, Possible Np Programs, You Name It. I Am Not Sure What Will Come Out Of This, But, I Trying To Salvage A Dream That Started When I Was 14 Years Old. I Loved Travel Nursing, So That May Be An Option. Just Changing The Scenery And People You Work With Can Be Uplifting. Plus A 12 Week Assignment Gets You Out Of There Before You Get Sucked Into The Politics. Good Luck Whatever You Do And Find Something You Are Interested In. It Isn't Written In Stone That Once A Nurse We Always Have To Be A Nurse.

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I agree with the leave of absence suggestion. During that time you can review all of your options without feeling stressed and rushed. Also, depending on your finances and your need of medical insurance, you may want to consider working PT for your current employer and per diem doing something else. Or, you could, if space available, consider applying and working from home for one of the triage nurse companies like intelicare (I believe that is correct) and then work part-time or per diem in the hospital to make up the difference in salary. Whatever your decision, I wish you the best.

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That is quite a positive story.

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Specializes in ER, ICU/CCU, Home Health.
That is quite a positive story.

How do you figure that to be positive???

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I'm sorry that you are feeling so frustrated with your career. With your wealth of experience, there ARE a lot of options out there. I was able to find a position outside of nursing with only two years of clinical experience, so I know that you will find something. I now work as a rep for a home care agency. It isn't my idea of an ideal job, but my worst day does not even begin to compare with my best day in the ER. In the meantime, I am going back to school for something that I am passionate about.

My advice would be to start looking for non-clinical jobs within the health care field. Look at home health and hospice agencies, ambulatory care, medical device/equipment companies, or even non-clinical positions within your hospital system. Good luck.

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Specializes in ER, ICU/CCU, Home Health.

I intend to end my "clinical" experiences by the end of June. Not sure if I'll maintain my license or not. Sure, it was tough to get, but I feel like if I keep it, I'll end up back at it again. I just want out.

I appreciate all the suggestions and advice given so far. I may give it a shot. Dunno!

But, thanks to all again. Don't mean to come across so bitter. I'm just so ready to have only my life in my hands.

Me

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Another possible route is insurance. It's not glamorous, but many of the larger ins. corps out there hire in nurses to handle case management. It's basically a paper pushing job, but will still allow you to use your expertise in the medical field. Good luck in whatever decision you choose. Just follow your heart.

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Specializes in ER, Renal Dialysis.

wow, it is scary that a veteran like you are feeling the pinch. I guess how does that translate to us, young ones.

I am lucky to say that I've been burnt out twice during my years as a nurse. And that experience taught me a lot on how much we nurses emphasized much on our work then our well being. All for the sake of inadequate staffing and increased roles.

I am pursuing a new job soon that gave me more time for myself, with better hours. Never mind if it is in the middle of a desert somewhere! As I have told my young co-workers: work will never be finished. Get time to spend for yourself.

Hope you find solace, dear grand master.

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... I neglected to add the final line to my posting:

Any ideas??? I'm willing to try almost anything!

Why not see if you can work as a rep for a drug agency-- or as a sales rep for some other kind of medical equiptment? It's worth a shot, although I wouldn't know where to tell you to begin--

Good luck!

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Specializes in ER, ICU/CCU, Home Health.
Why not see if you can work as a rep for a drug agency-- or as a sales rep for some other kind of medical equiptment? It's worth a shot, although I wouldn't know where to tell you to begin--

Good luck!

Yes. Good idea. I have been thinking about med equipment. Either sales or service. Maybe one of the companies that deal in ICU type monitoring equipment. Design? Hmmm.....

Kevin

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