So has anyone figure out a path out of nursing yet? One that allows me as the sole earner for my family of three to live our 80K a year lifestyle? I'm honestly curious because I am ready to get out, I just don't know what to do.
I have worked past the hate and anger I have for this field. I have worked through the disillusionment of choosing a helping profession that is all about profit and uses punitive action and bullying to keep it's enslaved work force self doubting and willing to take the blame and subsequent fall for poor outcomes. Outcomes that could have only been prevented by an increased workforce with a wealth of knowledge (right now...and for the last decade plus...we've been working with to few bodies and brain drain of expertise as people just leave and there is no one to replace them), and neither of which the staff have any say in.
I just don't see a path forward in this career that is going to give me a tranquil spot. I am not looking for, "Love what you do and you will never work a day in your life.” I am just aiming to go to work, work as scheduled, have energy at the end of my day to play with my kid and do a few chores, and not have extreme paralyzingly anxiety about the insurmountable amount of work I will do when I go back OR if I forgot something important before I left.
And, unfortunately, I don't see nursing as the kind of career worth keeping as a mindless means of income....because it just cannot be. Mostly because nursing is so abusive. Management is abusive (mentally), patients & family members are abusive (mentally & physically), doctors are abusive (mostly mentally but I've had a couple of physical as well), the demands of the career destroy your body, your mind, and your peace. It has taken me A LONG TIME to realize that I am a pretty good nurse (I'd say a 7 out of 10, with 10 being top notch). And I am sorry to use this example, because I have never experienced this in my personal life, but I feel like I have reached the point that an abused spouse does when they realize it is time to go, for good. When someone just finally realizes the gaslighting and the manipulation, the time wasted, the fact that things aren't going to get better no matter how much you try or want them to. That there is no path forward in this situation where you have the life you wanted for yourself, your family, and your partner. You are going to have to cut out the worst and start over because that is all you can do. And you deserved better from the get go.
I have changed jobs almost every 2 years. I have worked in several states as both a traveler and a facility employee. I have worked at soooooo many hospitals. I have worked critical care, surgical care, telemetry, home care, coordination, and now work in an out patient surgical clinic. By far my experiences with home care and now this outpatient clinic have been better than 1 micro second at bedside, but the demands always are: do everything with no resources on time and perfectly. I am tired of that pace. I am old enough to know that is not even a reasonable expectation and that there will not be a day that I succeed in doing that. I know that most, if not all, of my efforts will be in vein and then scrutinized by management so that they can get their job done. Which is always to tell me what I should have done as opposed to what I did while thinking on the fly....never a time that anyone just says, "well thanks for getting that done.” or if unsatisfied, "I'm sorry you felt like that was your best option, let's see how we can get you some more support for the next time.”
I don't want to go into management. I don't hate them for the crappy decisions they are also having to make, I just don't really see that their lives are any better than mine. I don't aspire to continue the crap that I've been suffering for over a decade??. I see management and NP as a means to make more money, maybe, but mostly just to work more and spend less time with the people you love. And I think I would love teaching, except my advice would be to direct them out of the field entirely.
Sorry I am aimless here. I'm just writing down where I am in hopes of getting pointed in a direction that I actually want to go. ??
Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.
7 hours ago, Davey Do said:
Most people post in order to get support for their perspective or merely just want attention.
People who are truly want solutions to life's problems don't post on random websites.
Davey, I say this with as much tact and gentleness as I can muster. You seem really off lately. Really bitter and angry. It's coming out in your responses to people. Not just here, but multiple different threads, something I've noticed for quite a while (a few months?). Maybe an internet break is in order?
Have you thought about any other roles away from the bedside, apart from day spa, if that doesn't work out? Although if you could swing it, becoming an expert in injections and working in a medical spa have its benefits.
Maybe there is something else in nursing that is less stressful but would still put your knowledge and experience to use. Just brain-storming...school nursing, case management, infection prevention, legal nursing, clinical documentation specialist, vendor rep (educating nurses on equipment), nurse navigator....there are so many choices.
Specializes in Surgical Specialty Clinic - Ambulatory Care.
9 hours ago, Davey Do said:
Saying something like "someone doesn't get it" is a power play and an attention-seeking ploy.
But then it can be deleted and disguised with editing after the fact.
Or just the realization that the gut response wasn’t accomplishing the aim of the discussion? That the gut response was only going to lead to further argument of decorum and that was not the goal. But yeah, I don’t think you are getting it today Davey. Have a good evening.
Specializes in Surgical Specialty Clinic - Ambulatory Care.
37 minutes ago, Nurse Beth said:
I love Wuzzie's "I hear you". Me, too.
Have you thought about any other roles away from the bedside, apart from day spa, if that doesn't work out? Although if you could swing it, becoming an expert in injections and working in a medical spa have its benefits.
Maybe there is something else in nursing that is less stressful but would still put your knowledge and experience to use. Just brain-storming...school nursing, case management, infection prevention, legal nursing, clinical documentation specialist, vendor rep (educating nurses on equipment), nurse navigator....there are so many choices.
I have done some case management in the past. I have found that it requires more than the 8 hour day advertised. I have a 2 year old (one that took me some extreme measures to get) and I just draw the line at spending more time at work to do right by patients and therefore miss spending time with her. That is just a basic moral conflict of healthcare, but I’ve paid my dues, worked nights, picked up, had crazy schedules…it never really led to more than “atta girl” from higher ups, but affected things like my ability to get pregnant A LOT.
School nursing does not pay enough. I checked that out a few times. My husband is a stay at home dad after retirement from brick masonry. He physically cannot go back to his profession, but I am trying to make sure we don’t start using his retirement to early….so we are in this weird financial squeeze that requires me to make 80 -85k a year. I haven’t really ever given vendor rep a thought, but that is intriguing. I like Lympha Press machines, maybe I should check them out! That is a really good idea, thank you!
Specializes in Surgical Specialty Clinic - Ambulatory Care.
14 hours ago, FiremedicMike said:
So you want a low-stress, rewarding job with supportive bosses and good work-life balance that can financially support you and your family?
Isn't that what literally everyone on the planet is looking for?
Well I hope it is what a lot of people are looking for…it seems to be the most reasonable way to live. I’m just saying that I have not found it in 15 years of nursing WITH several job changes, facility changes, state changes….so does anyone else have any ideas?
Specializes in New Critical care NP, Critical care, Med-surg, LTC.
On 12/12/2022 at 1:23 AM, KalipsoRed21 said:
Sorry I am aimless here. I’m just writing down where I am in hopes of getting pointed in a direction that I actually want to go.
It's such a wide open field. With your experience in nursing, perhaps you would like a case management position? Some of those offer remote positions from home if that's what you're looking for. Or I know a couple schools near me that have LPN and CNA classes and they look for nurses to instruct those classes. Are you interested in more of an office nursing position? There are different types of medical settings that use nurses in a variety of ways. Infusion center? Aesthetics?
I'm sorry to hear your frustration in your post. I hope that you are able to find something that meets your needs. Good luck.
My advise is to look into occupational health nursing at a large construction site. You will get paid well to watch Netflix, catch a nap, and cheer on the awesome workers!
Sometimes there will be cookouts when they fire up the grill. You'll have plenty of time to keep up with the site's gossip, and there can be good opportunities to rake in big bucks if they ramp up to double shifts.
I made the switch to working for an insurance company.( It was 80 K plus) They are always looking for nurses.. most are from home. There are many things you can do with your degree. Scour the job boards and think outside the box a little.
I'm not usually a word nit-picker, but I am going to take issue with calling nurses an "enslaved work force." I know you were using hyperbole; obviously I know you don't mean we are literally slaves. But honestly, I get paid very well to be a nurse. I have the freedom to change jobs or quit entirely (I've changed jobs a couple of times to find the best fit for myself). I don't deal with "abuse" on a regular basis, although I've certainly encountered some difficult doctors and difficult patients. I definitely support you getting out of a career that doesn't suit you, but it might help you gain a little equilibrium in the meantime if you consciously try to de-catastrophize the whole thing. You aren't a slave; you are working in a job you don't like.
I'm not usually a word nit-picker, but I am going to take issue with calling nurses an "enslaved work force." I know you were using hyperbole; obviously I know you don't mean we are literally slaves. But honestly, I get paid very well to be a nurse. I have the freedom to change jobs or quit entirely (I've changed jobs a couple of times to find the best fit for myself). I don't deal with "abuse" on a regular basis, although I've certainly encountered some difficult doctors and difficult patients. I definitely support you getting out of a career that doesn't suit you, but it might help you gain a little equilibrium in the meantime if you consciously try to de-catastrophize the whole thing. You aren't a slave; you are working in a job you don't like.
I can't agree more. There are plenty of more attractive jobs but few are paying $80,000 per year. Yes, it's depressing what's happening to the hospital world but the same dynamics are at work all over the work force. When you have a child with a non-working spouse, it's always a financial sacrifice. At least she is lucky enough to have child care. IMHO, the OP could use some professional support for her stress.
Davey Do
10,666 Posts
Saying something like "someone doesn't get it" is a power play and an attention-seeking ploy.
But then it can be deleted and disguised with editing after the fact.