Want to leave nursing, advice please

I would greatly appreciate some advice. I already have regrets so I am just trying to make the best of the situation I’m in now. I am 28 yrs old. Got my A.D.N in 2010 and went straight to do the RN-BSN and completed that in 2011, which I regret now, however I didn’t go into debt for it. I’ve been an RN (ICU) for 2 yrs and I absolutely hate it. I just cannot do this forever. There are not as many options as I was lead to believe. If you don’t want the bedside you are useless so therefore I need to make plans to escape. I have thought about numerous options. I like healthcare but not direct patient care. So I’ve thought about going for RHIT or RHIA, which would mean going back for a either an A.S. or B.S. in health information technology or management degree to be able to sit for those certifications. I’ve thought about becoming a certified in medical billing and coding through a short-term program. I hear coders are needed and can make salaries comparable to nurses. I’ve thought about masters in MSN, MBA, MPH, informatics and Healthcare Admin. Informatics and technology interest me a lot since I am more introverted and like healthcare and computers. However, I am very leary about running back to school for an advanced degree because there’s no guarantee in getting a job plus experience is paramount anyways so then the degree seems obsolete. I refuse to go into debt for high hopes especially when you gotta put your nose to the grindstone anyway . I’m not interested in teaching. I’ve even thought about pursing other degrees in PT, OT, SLP, rad tech, med tech, respiratory….basically anything to get away from nursing. I know I sound like I need career counseling but this whole career thing has been the biggest pain in my ass my entire life. Ultimately I would like to focus on creating multiple streams of income and investments and not depend entirely on a job to provide. Any thoughts appreciated in advance.

Cando, I appreciate your comment.
I think I will go ahead and seek counseling and try my best to get my foot in the door. To answer your question, I entered nursing for many reasons but I didn't become one because I'm a selfless angel of mercy. I do not work for free, and I fully expect to be paid for the services that I render. Certainly there are plenty of other professions that pay better than nursing without the stress level of nursing. I have found that Nursing is the only profession that is scrutinized the motivations of its members.
I guess I expected to enter a respected and valued profession, instead I have found I am just a warm body, I guess I also expected better working conditions.

Well I didn't mean to imply that you just went into the profession for money...but a lot of people do..that and to marry a doctor ( yes this is true). I just do not understand how people go into nursing and say it sucks...of course it does, you are dealing with sick people all the time.

I understand though...it's the worst when you hate what you do for a living. First off I would do a little soul searching...what direction do you want to go into? What exactly do you not like about your job? Should you go back to school and receive your Master's so you can go into management? If you feel direct patient care isn't for you then do a little research..just remember nursing has so many avenues that I'm sure you haven't even looked at.

Just remember the average person has three careers and you are young enough to change. Nothing is a mistake just a different route...

Good luck

I have one piece of advice for you....do not go into health administration (MHA) and especially the one at OUHSC. I will leave it at that. You will be the most miserable person (more so than nursing) and will only be making $10/hr for many, many years to come. You need to go into a field that pays well like healthcare, such as the oil field. Think about drafting...you could get a certificate. It pays very well (especially pipe drafting) and its mostly guys which means no back-stabbing women like nursing and health admin. As someone who has been there (I was once in OKC too) get out of that dysfunctional field called healthcare. It will be the wisest decision you will make.

Cando in Saint Petersburg, Florida said: Well I didn't mean to imply that you just went into the profession for money...but a lot of people do..that and to marry a doctor

Yes....and those girls get cheated on often. Men with money have many, many options and they know it.

Me in Houston, Texas said: I have one piece of advice for you....do not go into health administration (MHA) and especially the one at OUHSC. I will leave it at that. You will be the most miserable person (more so than nursing) and will only be making $10/hr for many, many years to come. You need to go into a field that pays well like healthcare, such as the oil field. Think about drafting...you could get a certificate. It pays very well (especially pipe drafting) and its mostly guys which means no back-stabbing women like nursing and health admin. As someone who has been there (I was once in OKC too) get out of that dysfunctional field called healthcare. It will be the wisest decision you will make.

I believe you have made a very good point. More and more I am thinking outside of the box of healthcare. Healthcare is looking less and less attractive everyday. I wont go to OUHSC at all. I kind of figured the MHA was a wasteful degree. I definitely dont want to end up worse off than I am now. Thank you for your commentary.

FindingMe in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma said: Cando, I appreciate your comment.
I think I will go ahead and seek counseling and try my best to get my foot in the door. To answer your question, I entered nursing for many reasons but I didn't become one because I'm a selfless angel of mercy. I do not work for free, and I fully expect to be paid for the services that I render. Certainly there are plenty of other professions that pay better than nursing without the stress level of nursing. I have found that Nursing is the only profession that is scrutinized the motivations of its members.
I guess I expected to enter a respected and valued profession, instead I have found I am just a warm body, I guess I also expected better working conditions.

It has been said many times that "nurses eat their young". Believe it and move on while you still can. been a nurse 26 years and it hasn't gotten any easier...

This question is or hardworkingnurse in Spring TX-so what career would you get into instead of nursing? I always find it interesting when nurses do not like their career-you realize your profession is one of the highest paid and has the most jobs?

Cando in Saint Petersburg, Florida said: This question is or hardworkingnurse in Spring TX-so what career would you get into instead of nursing? I always find it interesting when nurses do not like their career-you realize your profession is one of the highest paid and has the most jobs?

It should be high-paid, for all of the sh** (literally) that you girls have to put up with. I could never understand why anyone would want to go into such a degrading profession like nursing, where one is paid for their back and not their mind. You just defend it because you have no other options.

FindingMe in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma said: I would greatly appreciate some advice. I already have regrets so I am just trying to make the best of the situation I’m in now. I am 28 yrs old. Got my A.D.N in 2010 and went straight to do the RN-BSN and completed that in 2011, which I regret now, however I didn’t go into debt for it. I’ve been an RN (ICU) for 2 yrs and I absolutely hate it. I just cannot do this forever.

FindingMe,
I was looking into going into nursing, can you please share what made you decide to change your mind? Have you tried switching to a different department other than ICU? I've been to ICU just as a visitor and hate it (primarily because the thought that everyone is on life support there or are dying.) But it's not death itself that bothers me, it's "the way there." So I know if I went to nursing school and got stuck there I'd be miserable. Anyway please share your experiences if you don't mind.

@FindingMe: I didn't like nursing either; I found it depressing that I could not do more for patients. Went to PA school, and now get to specialize and see healthy and sick people. I also get to do a lot more for patients (i.e. prescribe treatments). I don't do any bedside work, so you this may interest you.

I have been a nurse since 1999, first as an LPN, then got my RN in 2004. I was a stay at home mom for a few years until my physician (here's the cliche) husband left me for another physician he works with. I have tried to go back and it's just not for me anymore. It is backbreaking work and nurses do everything and are expected to do more. We have to know everyone's job who is involved in the care of the patient, and still be responsible for our own. We take the blame when anything goes wrong and get no praise when it goes right, because that's our job.
I am considering other options as I complete my BSN. I have lived on student loans so I will be coming out of school even more in debt. I am getting the Bachelor's because if I even want to be considered for a sales job, the Bachelor's is a must or they won't even look at you.
I just don't know what the answer is. I'm burnt out and want something entirely different. Let me know if you've found your path, and what led you to it....

Later in life (mid 50's now) I decided to go back to school for nursing. I just graduated recently and became licensed. I feel very good about this accomplishment and have been frustrated trying to find a job as a new grad and have now been offered a job as a nurse auditor in a hospital. It's honestly scarey knowing how much an RN is responsible for on the job in patient care, and at the same time it's a "feel good" profession, or at least that's how I feel. Stumbling across this auditor position without ever working in patient care makes me wonder if I'll miss something if I decide to continue as an auditor. The auditor pay is good, the hours are great, and nobody yells at me...no potential needle stick injuries..etc. From reading these posts I'm starting to feel less like I may be missing something and more grateful that this job opportunity fell into my lap. So my comment to the poster if she's still currently reading, there are many other opportunities out there for you with your RN degree/license. Auditing, quality....to name a few. Wherever you are, I hope you've found a renewed sense of purpose for your degree/license.

To cynicaldreamer1, I'm the original poster, if you leave your email I can email you. Thanks for all the advice, non-nurses will not understand most of what is said here. I appreciate the suggestions. to the last poster, I think you will thank yourself for choosing the auditor position or all the reasons you listed. Goodluck and thanks for your comment.

I am in Nursing school as I type this. I have been a Respiratory Therapist for over 10 years but decided to go back for my BSN. Now that I have started I dont like it at all but I hate to quit. I do love being a Therapist but there isnt many avenues to advance to. I have thought about PA school, PT, OT, RHIT and Rad tech also. Im just so confused. I already knew nursing had a lot of responsibilities and I thought I wanted it but now looking from this side I am ready to run. Ive got to make up my mind too. Good luck with your decision. Let me know what you decide and hopefully I can make up my mind very soon. I dont want to get to far into this especially with the way I am feeling this early.

Hi there. I just saw your post and wanted to reply... I was an RN in critical care for about 15 years, and now I am a Family Practice NP. I know that nursing is definitely a love or hate type of career. I do love aspects of Nursing, but I don't want to work for the rest of my life! I want time and financial freedom so I can be there for my boys when they need me. A time came when I needed additional income, so I became an entrepreneur and have an online business. Never thought I would do anything like this before, but when I learned about my company and the name recognition and success rate of the Proactiv Drs (my Biz partners) I knew I had to try it. Well, I work my business very part time along side my FT NP job, and am now on the road to early retirement by the time I'm 45! In about 3 1/2 years! So if you'd like to hear about my new career choice, here is my email, I'd be happy to talk with you! I wish you luck in your new career journey!!!
Jill
jillrandf@yahoo.com

findingme in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma said: To cynicaldreamer1, I'm the original poster, if you leave your email I can email you. Thanks for all the advice, non-nurses will not understand most of what is said here. I appreciate the suggestions. to the last poster, I think you will thank yourself for choosing the auditor position or all the reasons you listed. Goodluck and thanks for your comment.

Hi. My generic email is cynicaldreamer1@yahoo.com. I check it occasionally. How is the decision making going?

cynicaldreamer1 in Jacksonville, Florida said: Hi. My generic email is cynicaldreamer1@yahoo.com. I check it occasionally. How is the decision making going?

Hello FindingMe, & others. I have been devastated and disillusioned by nursing, even after obtaining the BSN. I completely understand where FindingMe is coming from. It is exhausting thankless work, and is ultimately the blame profession of ages. No matter how hard I work, care and give and do, management always demands more, it is never good enough. Nurses are treated like children, just a means to the financial end of the institution(s). I too assumed I was entering a respected and respectful profession. I was hoping the advent of "evidence based practice" would produce autonomy and a chance to let critical thinking win out. Not so, thus far. Its posturing, mostly. At any rate, I was thinking along the lines of NP, or case management, virtual /remote nursing and/or case management. What does it take to get into this line of work? They all want "experience", but I am "stuck" in the bedside area. Any ideas? Suggestions? I have managed a project during my degree, even had some case mgmt experience 6 years ago when working for home health care (which that company no longer is around, as owner retired & sold it). Any suggestions on veering along a technical path or case management path?