several months ago I wrote about leaving floor nursing for moving patients in beds. I also posted it would mean a 20% financial hit.
Turns out the financial hit is 2%. I took the job.
Several of my former colleagues, after seeing me now that I switched jobs cannot hide their disbelief and shock. Some of the things I’ve heard: “what a waste, you can do more.” “You are a RN and you choose to move beds?”, “Haven’t you worked with us?”, “Oh no, don’t tell me you’re moving beds now.” and more.
I’ve always been very individualistic and never cared much about what others think about me. This new job means less stress and I can sleep better.
But it’s not only other RNs who tell me this: doctors as well, very knowledgeable ones.
Am I doing something wrong, when so many people, some of them much smarter than me tell me what I’m doing is stupid?
Going back to my old job doesn’t mean going back to my old department, just back to floor nursing.
i’m not a medical professional but i spent months in multiple hospital rooms providing care for a parent. they had dementia and needed more care than the staff could provide. I was often there round the clock. I saw a small sliver of what nurses go through.
i can tell you that good nurses are extremely valuable. i won’t say rare but … yeah, they’re rare. the good they do for patients and the families that really need them can’t be measured in money. but it should be. they’re worth way more than the salary they get.
from the perspective of other caregivers/medical professionals, yeah it’s a shame they and those families you would’ve helped have lost you. but that’s not your fault and it’s not your responsibility. you owe yourself health above anyone else.
so yeah. they’re right that it’s “a shame”. but the shame isn’t yours, it’s the systems for undervaluing your worth by so much that they don’t pay you enough or give you enough time to recuperate and heal from the tremendously traumatic job that I know nursing can be.
as a caregiver who was asked by multiple nurses if I had medical training after watching me with my family member, good for you. I’m also sorry for those families that missed out on you but I’m so happy you’ve found a way to support yourself and be well.
bless you for everything you’ve done and fly high in whatever you choose to do next. take care of yourself.