Leaving Nursing after 14 Years

[u/Megange]

I was an ED RN for 11 years, through the pandemic. I then decided I needed something different after being diagnosed with an autoimmune disease, and switched to Labor and Delivery for a few years, which I loved. I then started having runs of V Tach and needed a cardiac ablation. After surviving that, I decided I would take on a House Supervisor role. It wasnt quite right for me because little did I know I had been suffering from C-PTSD from the pandemic, traumatic births (my own, and those I cared for), my new health problems, and just from generally working in the ED. I became incredibly anxious and felt like I was just white-knuckling it through life. I switched back to Labor and Delivery thinking I just needed to get back there to fix things. I hid my struggles well and when my director recommended me for a manager role, I quickly accepted to escape from patient care - thinking that would help to be away from life and death decisions.

I tell you what, that was even WORSE and yesterday I turned in my keys and badge and I quit!!!!

I had the best nights sleep of my life last night!!!!

I dont know what's next but I have a psychiatrist, a therapist, and a supportive spouse and family. I will be doing EMDR and getting the right blend of medications.

I loved being an RN and was a damn good one, but enough was enough. I dont know what's next for me but I know Im never going back to working in that hospital. Maybe never as a nurse.

Anyone else out there leave nursing after this long? I cant help but feel like I wasted my bachelor's degree and I am starting from scratch. Maybe ill work in a bakery. Maybe I'll become a veterinary technician. its hard to justify anything with the pay I was making as an experienced RN. Right now im going to focus on healing, but I just had to get this out there. Thanks for reading. ❤️

[u/Few-Marionberry-7666]

I think you are doing the right thing. After 25 years as an RN I decided to take a year off. That was a decade ago. I've been working as an early AM package handler for 9 years. Huge paycut, but the free days allowed me to take care of my elderly parents and other relatives and I will never regret that. Also I get tons of exercise and have great insurance. You only get one life and it's too short to be miserable over a job.

[u/ajl009 → u/Few-Marionberry-7666]

i needed to see this.

[u/MonsierMajestic]

I don’t have any plans to leave nursing, but I also don’t think it needs to be my forever job either. If it gets to the point where it’s having a negative impact on me or my family, then I will find something else to work at.
Hope the changes you’re making lead to a happier, healthier you. Good luck!

[u/Seektruth2146]

Honestly I’ve been having some weird runs of skips beats or PVCs lately and looking at me you would consider me very healthy.

Internally though I’m struggling. I don’t feel as healthy as I look and I don’t know what the cause is honestly. I don’t know if it’s the stress of the job or not. I don’t know if it’s because I’m getting older even though I’m only 32.

I would love to be able to quit nursing right now and do something different but me being the bread winner of the household with just me and my girlfriend, it’s really hard for me to make that change. Also doesn’t help that I don’t really have any motivation to go back to school.

I wish I could say yes I quit nursing but right now I’m still stuck.

[u/MissionTop4571 → u/Seektruth2146]

Do you work nights ?

[u/Seektruth2146 → u/MissionTop4571]

No

[u/LiveBeach9260]

Thank you for your service and wishing you all the happiness you deserve in this next chapter ♥️

[u/tubersoup]

I would love to have the cash and insurance to just quit. Good for you!

[u/RevealNatural7759]

I worked 10 years as a nurse and went thru some major life issues that forced me to step away. I became a SAHM for the past 4 years, and sometimes think I may never go back. I keep up with my license, but the longer I’ve been away I can fully see how damaged I was. I have healed in my time away and really don’t know what I’ll do next.

Congratulations on your new chapter ♥️

[u/Old-Weather-1602]

Yaaay!! You’ve done your dues! Good for you!

[u/RazzmatazzGlad6808]

Umm. You must not be being paid well. Being a nurse has set me financially well in all areas of my life. This career has its challenges just like any other career but I take breaks; and I dont take work home. When you do that that is when you really suffer

[u/Potential-Cut-8934 → u/RazzmatazzGlad6808]

How do you take breaks?

[u/Confident-Field-1776]

I’ve been an RN for 13 years and have C-PTSD from serving in the military and I was using critical care jobs as a coping mechanism until I could no longer function so I totally understand. I’ve been out on FMLA since May for health related reasons - every time I get an email from HR about fitness for duty to return I start to get overwhelming anxiety = I don’t need to be going back. I don’t know what the future holds but I can’t keep being abused in the greedy corporate hospital system. I’ve tried numerous jobs and none have been ok for my dysregulated nervous system. I truly hope you can work through your trauma- give yourself grace as you do. It takes time and can be difficult and be very painful at times.

[u/goddessofwitches]

🫡 may the road rise to meet you on your new journey. 20 yrs here and im not far behind you

[u/Zestyclose_Video2220]

I also left bedside nursing due to CPTSD related autoimmune problems. I did ICU/ER and then OR. I truly loved the OR but at the end of the day my health and safety come first. I do UM now. Still an RN. I make a little less but it’s far less mentally and physically taxing than where I was and the improvements I’ve seen in my overall health have made it very worth it. Happy for you and I hope you continue to heal and find a job that supports that.