Is it wrong of me/being discontent for wanting to quit my nursing job?

tuliplane · Feb 3, 2020

So I just became a registered nurse in July. I started working my first nursing job at a special needs residential center. I care for pediatric patients who have complex medical issues and require things such as medications and feedings through a gastrointestinal tube.

Being new in the field, naturally I want to soak up a lot of new things. I really want to grow and expand. This job unfortunately is very routine with very limited growth and I am not learning new skills for the most part. Most of the duties they do not even need a registered nurse for anyway - an LPN could do just fine. It's also a lot of secretarial work and I really signed up to be a nurse; not to mention, it's very much behind the times and they chart on paper so I'm not really learning much for information systems technology. The shifts are 12 hours, which I also find to be very unnecessary for this place. Hours go by of nothing to do. I find myself watching the clock. I do silly things to stay awake and occupied sometimes, like doodling on a post-it note. There is a no cell phone policy and we cannot spend time on "personal work" during work hours.

I have come to be depressed and dread going to work. I started applying for other positions and really, in my circumstance I don't even *have* to work, but I am wondering if it's God's will for me to be here. I've always struggled with knowing what the will of God is and have a really difficult time making decisions. Because this job drains me and leaves me feeling burned out, I feel I must be having a bad attitude and my heart must be in the wrong place. I really, really don't want to stay, but I also don't want to be rebellious and have a hardened heart to what God might be wanting me to do. I was reading Christian words online about staying at a boring job with routine tasks beneath your education level because maybe God wants to use you there. One story I read was a woman in a job like that, but she changed her attitude and was therefore able to be a witness to her coworkers and bring glory to God. This leaves me feeling so much guilt - that wanting/planning to leave is hindering me from doing what God wants me to do and only putting my desires first. God wants us to be content in all things, so does that mean I should be content here and not strongly desire to leave?

I know that ultimately happiness comes from Jesus. No job, money, dream, etc. will be able to supply us with the joy that Jesus gives. Things in this world might make us happy a little bit, and God does want to bless us with things that are nice, but the source of the joy is Him. I know the grass isn't always greener and that a different job will most likely have it's own set of stresses. I just know I can't mentally handle staying at a job that makes me feel like I'm sitting at the DMV for hours and where I count down the minutes until I get to complete my next task.

How do I know when dicontentment is a sin? How do I know what God's will is and if I am being disobedient for wanting out?

To have a career in nursing makes this issue so much more difficult. I wouldn't feel as guilty if say, I wanted to leave a position in finance. Wanting to leave a nursing job makes me feel like I must not be caring or loving enough and that these people need me and I'm being cold-hearted.

I'm really struggling here and I would appreciate serious advice. Thank you and God bless!

Jeshu · Feb 3, 2020

i can't see why you should stay in a job where your skills and expertise are not needed. God gives us feelings, sin make them go wrong, but if you are seeing that you are not doing a job you like doing and you could do better at it elsewhere than certainly go elsewhere.

i would bring the discontent to Jesus, explain precisely how come you feel and think that way, and then ask Him to show you which way to go from here.

i know Jesus wants us to enjoy our work not dread having to go to it. Sure it could be that some people are discontent even though they should be content and then it is a sin, but i don't think you are doing that.

bekkilyn · Feb 3, 2020

Nursing is a field that has a whole lot of opportunity and variety. It sounds like your current job simply isn't a good fit for you. No need to feel guilty about it. If you're feeling dread about going to work, chances are that God is trying to move you in a different direction. When you are truly following God's call on your life, you will experience joy and peace and not dread, even when the job is difficult or dangerous or even sometimes boring. You can be even more loving and caring in a job that is a good fit for you.

Also, it isn't really fair to your employer to stay in a job where you just aren't motivated when there are others who may be delighted to be there. Keep looking for a job that is best for you and of course, remain in prayer and God will help you.

Salvadore · Feb 3, 2020

Nursing is a wonderful vocation because there is so much opportunity. I think you will be able to find a good fit in a different unit. If you want to stay busy, you might try working in ICU. There may be a nurse who would love to work in your current position. If you transfer, your spot would open up for someone who would love the job. You might consider a part-time job.

SkyWriting · Feb 3, 2020

tuliplane said:
So I just became a registered nurse in July. I started working my first nursing job at a special needs residential center. I care for pediatric patients who have complex medical issues and require things such as medications and feedings through a gastrointestinal tube.

Being new in the field, naturally I want to soak up a lot of new things. I really want to grow and expand. This job unfortunately is very routine with very limited growth and I am not learning new skills for the most part. Most of the duties they do not even need a registered nurse for anyway - an LPN could do just fine. It's also a lot of secretarial work and I really signed up to be a nurse; not to mention, it's very much behind the times and they chart on paper so I'm not really learning much for information systems technology. The shifts are 12 hours, which I also find to be very unnecessary for this place. Hours go by of nothing to do. I find myself watching the clock. I do silly things to stay awake and occupied sometimes, like doodling on a post-it note. There is a no cell phone policy and we cannot spend time on "personal work" during work hours.

I have come to be depressed and dread going to work. I started applying for other positions and really, in my circumstance I don't even *have* to work, but I am wondering if it's God's will for me to be here. I've always struggled with knowing what the will of God is and have a really difficult time making decisions. Because this job drains me and leaves me feeling burned out, I feel I must be having a bad attitude and my heart must be in the wrong place. I really, really don't want to stay, but I also don't want to be rebellious and have a hardened heart to what God might be wanting me to do. I was reading Christian words online about staying at a boring job with routine tasks beneath your education level because maybe God wants to use you there. One story I read was a woman in a job like that, but she changed her attitude and was therefore able to be a witness to her coworkers and bring glory to God. This leaves me feeling so much guilt - that wanting/planning to leave is hindering me from doing what God wants me to do and only putting my desires first. God wants us to be content in all things, so does that mean I should be content here and not strongly desire to leave?

I know that ultimately happiness comes from Jesus. No job, money, dream, etc. will be able to supply us with the joy that Jesus gives. Things in this world might make us happy a little bit, and God does want to bless us with things that are nice, but the source of the joy is Him. I know the grass isn't always greener and that a different job will most likely have it's own set of stresses. I just know I can't mentally handle staying at a job that makes me feel like I'm sitting at the DMV for hours and where I count down the minutes until I get to complete my next task.

How do I know when dicontentment is a sin? How do I know what God's will is and if I am being disobedient for wanting out?

To have a career in nursing makes this issue so much more difficult. I wouldn't feel as guilty if say, I wanted to leave a position in finance. Wanting to leave a nursing job makes me feel like I must not be caring or loving enough and that these people need me and I'm being cold-hearted.

I'm really struggling here and I would appreciate serious advice. Thank you and God bless!

Every nursing job, or other job, sucks.
You have to have a plan on what to do every week to reach
you goal of being a nurse caretaker for the royal family in England,
or what ever dream you have. This plan will allow you to suffer
bedpans as a skill to master to reach your next step.

I can tell you from personal experience that I don't regret
menial jobs now because my dream job will require me to "enjoy"
the small stuff so I can teach it with enthusiasm to my future employees.

I certainly don't want people under me who are not thrilled
with the small tasks. So I need to love it first.

com7fy8 · Feb 3, 2020

tuliplane said:
God wants us to be content in all things, so does that mean I should be content here and not strongly desire to leave?

Ok, so you know this is God's word > Philippians 4:11-13, you might mean. Also, we have Hebrews 13:5.

Your situation sounds like a special needs institution where I worked > a state place.

I have not been a registered nurse; but possibly I have seen a thing or two. If you advance in nursing, you can get more and more paperwork. If you work in a high-performance job, you can see patients die in spite of your best efforts, plus you might make an error which in such high-risk practice can have severe consequences much worse than if you forget to change a patient and he or she stays wet for a few minutes.

In any case, I would say . . . it is good to be good at doing nothing; because there are times when this is what we need to do

It can be, in the future, after you have learned how to do nothing well, you might be helping someone to learn skills and care, and you will be glad you can hold back and do nothing so your student is free to learn by doing. I have seen how trainers can take control of what they are teaching, while the person being trained just watches.

But before you might get to training someone, you might wish to join a missionary medical arrangement. Or, work in a less privileged area where a nurse may do more.

But there might be other nurses working where you are, and these have come from other jobs. You might talk with them about why they left busier and even higher-paying things, in case ones have done this. They could have been stressed out by too much overtime, could have been abused, could have been broken down in other ways. High-prestige nursing can bring competition and cut-throat stuff with it.

And in case you feel you could be sharing spiritually with patients, the ones lying there with tubes might not be able to talk with you. Nursing home residents and hospital patients might. But you might want to do work where there is less time demand for paperwork and procedures, so you can spend time talking.

And if you have a Christian husband . . . pray together and see what God uses him to say and do to help you.

Hazelelponi · Feb 3, 2020

Since this is your first position as an RN you'll not want to quit too soon, but that's a resume issue... I think at least 1 year at this place of employment is about the least amount of time possible or you end up looking flighty on paper.

That said, if you don't feel adequately challenged in this job and you dread going to work, then this place of employment is likely not for you. I wouldn't feel bad about leaving when you do, plenty of nurses switch employment periodically for many different reasons...

I have a SIL who is an RN and she left the hospital she's worked at for more than a decade to take a position with a different hospital recently. She was barely through training at the new job before she quit and went back to the first.

Sometimes things that seem promising just aren't..

Joined2krist · Feb 4, 2020

If it makes you depressed, it's not worth it

com7fy8 · Feb 4, 2020

tuliplane said:
So I just became a registered nurse in July. I started working my first nursing job at a special needs residential center.

tuliplane said:
This job unfortunately is very routine with very limited growth and I am not learning new skills for the most part.

In case this has anything to do with this > why are you there?

Why did you not get a job where you would be doing what you value??

There are various reasons I can imagine why a nurse could get into a job he or she does not like.

Among other things, did a placement counselor recommend this job for you? If so . . . why?

Do you know why?

Learn what you can so in the future you can help other nursing school graduates to find their way. Use what you've got, for God's purpose, if you are going to stay there for however long.

Higher people can be in a fix. They might be required to have RN's. It could be a matter of law, or politics, and maybe not real need. But if you stay a while, this can be good > I mean, if you care and work well, you won't be leaving your position to a person who doesn't care and could be bad for the patients and workers.

And your patients often enough could know how you touch them and talk to them. If you were one of them, would you want someone who deeply cares about you, or someone who is leftovers after failing in another job where the person was not competent and professional enough to make it?

But in case you . . . still . . . really want something with more action, may be you can scout around, asking permission to observe. And there could be nearby clinics where volunteers are needed and they do interesting things for lower-income people. And they, too, will know if you are loving them

You can visit where you know high-value nursing is done by well-trained nurses, and listen and learn and maybe be given opportunity to practice some things. But because such a place is so highly desired by top grads from schools, it is very hard to get accepted there. But you then can use that experience to work in a lower-paying or voluntary service clinic.

In Boston there is Pine Street Inn for the homeless. I have used the clinic there. And I think their nurses volunteered and they seemed very qualified. They could do things that probably they could not do in a hospital or urgent care place . . . unless they were nurse practitioners, of course. And you could tell they were your friends; they were glad to see you and used your name.

tuliplane · Feb 5, 2020

Jeshu said:
i can't see why you should stay in a job where your skills and expertise are not needed. God gives us feelings, sin make them go wrong, but if you are seeing that you are not doing a job you like doing and you could do better at it elsewhere than certainly go elsewhere.

i would bring the discontent to Jesus, explain precisely how come you feel and think that way, and then ask Him to show you which way to go from here.

i know Jesus wants us to enjoy our work not dread having to go to it. Sure it could be that some people are discontent even though they should be content and then it is a sin, but i don't think you are doing that.

Thank you for your advice! I have brought it to Jesus and now I hope I will be shown where to go.

tuliplane · Feb 5, 2020

bekkilyn said:
Nursing is a field that has a whole lot of opportunity and variety. It sounds like your current job simply isn't a good fit for you. No need to feel guilty about it. If you're feeling dread about going to work, chances are that God is trying to move you in a different direction. When you are truly following God's call on your life, you will experience joy and peace and not dread, even when the job is difficult or dangerous or even sometimes boring. You can be even more loving and caring in a job that is a good fit for you.

Also, it isn't really fair to your employer to stay in a job where you just aren't motivated when there are others who may be delighted to be there. Keep looking for a job that is best for you and of course, remain in prayer and God will help you.

Thanks so much for the advice! I guess I was concerned that maybe I was experiencing dread because my heart was in the wrong place and that I will change in my feelings about it if I'm in the right place. Sometimes it's hard to know when that is.

tuliplane · Feb 5, 2020

Hazelelponi said:
Since this is your first position as an RN you'll not want to quit too soon, but that's a resume issue... I think at least 1 year at this place of employment is about the least amount of time possible or you end up looking flighty on paper.

That said, if you don't feel adequately challenged in this job and you dread going to work, then this place of employment is likely not for you. I wouldn't feel bad about leaving when you do, plenty of nurses switch employment periodically for many different reasons...

I have a SIL who is an RN and she left the hospital she's worked at for more than a decade to take a position with a different hospital recently. She was barely through training at the new job before she quit and went back to the first.

Sometimes things that seem promising just aren't..

Thanks so much! It's true - nurses often come and go from positions since it is a field with such variety and it can be difficult to know what type is for you.

tuliplane · Feb 5, 2020

Salvadore said:
Nursing is a wonderful vocation because there is so much opportunity. I think you will be able to find a good fit in a different unit. If you want to stay busy, you might try working in ICU. There may be a nurse who would love to work in your current position. If you transfer, your spot would open up for someone who would love the job. You might consider a part-time job.

Its funny you say this because ICU happens to be an area of nursing I felt very drawn to when I was in school! I've also got the advice from three different people on what you said - that perhaps there is someone who would really like my position (or need it). I know it's hard for my workplace to find candidates though.

tuliplane · Feb 5, 2020

SkyWriting said:
Every nursing job, or other job, sucks.
You have to have a plan on what to do every week to reach
you goal of being a nurse caretaker for the royal family in England,
or what ever dream you have. This plan will allow you to suffer
bedpans as a skill to master to reach your next step.

I can tell you from personal experience that I don't regret
menial jobs now because my dream job will require me to "enjoy"
the small stuff so I can teach it with enthusiasm to my future employees.

I certainly don't want people under me who are not thrilled
with the small tasks. So I need to love it first.

Thanks for your reply. Even though I don't love having to do the repetitive tasks where I feel I'm not educationally advancing, I do enjoy keeping busy with them because it gives me something to do.

tuliplane · Feb 5, 2020

Joined2krist said:
If it makes you depressed, it's not worth it

I've been hearing this advice, but then other Christian advice like sometimes we have to stay in a place we don't like to bring glory to God. It's so hard to know.

tuliplane · Feb 5, 2020

com7fy8 said:
Ok, so you know this is God's word > Philippians 4:11-13, you might mean. Also, we have Hebrews 13:5.

Your situation sounds like a special needs institution where I worked > a state place.

I have not been a registered nurse; but possibly I have seen a thing or two. If you advance in nursing, you can get more and more paperwork. If you work in a high-performance job, you can see patients die in spite of your best efforts, plus you might make an error which in such high-risk practice can have severe consequences much worse than if you forget to change a patient and he or she stays wet for a few minutes.

In any case, I would say . . . it is good to be good at doing nothing; because there are times when this is what we need to do It can be, in the future, after you have learned how to do nothing well, you might be helping someone to learn skills and care, and you will be glad you can hold back and do nothing so your student is free to learn by doing. I have seen how trainers can take control of what they are teaching, while the person being trained just watches.

But before you might get to training someone, you might wish to join a missionary medical arrangement. Or, work in a less privileged area where a nurse may do more.

But there might be other nurses working where you are, and these have come from other jobs. You might talk with them about why they left busier and even higher-paying things, in case ones have done this. They could have been stressed out by too much overtime, could have been abused, could have been broken down in other ways. High-prestige nursing can bring competition and cut-throat stuff with it.

And in case you feel you could be sharing spiritually with patients, the ones lying there with tubes might not be able to talk with you. Nursing home residents and hospital patients might. But you might want to do work where there is less time demand for paperwork and procedures, so you can spend time talking.

And if you have a Christian husband . . . pray together and see what God uses him to say and do to help you.

Thanks for your reply. I am aware that advancing in nursing can open up for the potential situations of making errors, however, I can't keep on being scared of taking risks because of the what ifs (it's also rare that nurses make devastating errors that cost their license). I knew that there was the possibility of that going into this career, but I can't allow that to hold me back from growing.

I have talked to some of the nurses there. Some of them are younger like me and are hoping for a busier job in a hospital and also feel bored, but it is difficult in our area to get into hospitals. There are other nurses who just don't want to be anywhere else. Some of the older nurses may feel it is a good pre-retirement job with little stress. One older nurse I spoke with shared how she left the facility two different times to work in a hospital, only to come back twice. She voiced her regret in that she didn't give herself the chance, with the hospital environment new to her and not feeling confident. I guess she was out of her comfort zone and instead of pushing herself, she went back to the place that felt familiar.

I know that the issues you mentioned exist in busier jobs, but I would at least like to experience it. Perhaps difficult situations would prepare me a little more and give me some wisdom. Also, I would not have to stay if the environment is really bad!

tuliplane · Feb 5, 2020

com7fy8 said:
In case this has anything to do with this > why are you there?

Why did you not get a job where you would be doing what you value??

There are various reasons I can imagine why a nurse could get into a job he or she does not like.

Among other things, did a placement counselor recommend this job for you? If so . . . why?

Do you know why?

Learn what you can so in the future you can help other nursing school graduates to find their way. Use what you've got, for God's purpose, if you are going to stay there for however long.

Higher people can be in a fix. They might be required to have RN's. It could be a matter of law, or politics, and maybe not real need. But if you stay a while, this can be good > I mean, if you care and work well, you won't be leaving your position to a person who doesn't care and could be bad for the patients and workers.

And your patients often enough could know how you touch them and talk to them. If you were one of them, would you want someone who deeply cares about you, or someone who is leftovers after failing in another job where the person was not competent and professional enough to make it?

But in case you . . . still . . . really want something with more action, may be you can scout around, asking permission to observe. And there could be nearby clinics where volunteers are needed and they do interesting things for lower-income people. And they, too, will know if you are loving them

You can visit where you know high-value nursing is done by well-trained nurses, and listen and learn and maybe be given opportunity to practice some things. But because such a place is so highly desired by top grads from schools, it is very hard to get accepted there. But you then can use that experience to work in a lower-paying or voluntary service clinic.

In Boston there is Pine Street Inn for the homeless. I have used the clinic there. And I think their nurses volunteered and they seemed very qualified. They could do things that probably they could not do in a hospital or urgent care place . . . unless they were nurse practitioners, of course. And you could tell they were your friends; they were glad to see you and used your name.

I am here because it was the first place to call me back that also offered decent pay. There are definitely areas of nursing I long to be in, but it's very difficult to get into when one is first starting out. You made a great point though, and I agree, that everything I learn for however amount of time I stay I can use for God's purpose, take with me, and even help nursing students. I know that even situations we don't want to be in can help gain experience in some way for the next opportunities. I don't believe that if I left there would be an issue of incompetent, uncaring nurses responsible for these residents. I have not observed that in any of the nurses at this place. Also, I don't think it's the best practice to feel guilt about leaving because of 'what ifs'. Any place I work and choose to leave I could be potentially replaced with someone who doesn't know what they're doing and/or doesn't care. I can't guarantee that one way or the other and that is ultimately the responsibility of the employeer/supervisors to observe and make judgments the behaviors and work ethics of their new employees. I'm not so sure getting into sought after positions is dependent on being a top grad. I know of some top grads who had difficulty as well. It's often about knowing someone to get you in unfortunately and often hospitals are requiring a certain level of education that most of us are still in the process of getting. The Lord knows what He's doing though and I need to keep reminding myself of that! Thanks for your replies.

com7fy8 · Feb 5, 2020

That's a good point, that you do well not to feel someone worse might take your place. Good.

It looks like you can evaluate things.

So, it sounds like a good idea to keep studying and researching so you can be ready to move on. Maybe visit places and observe or even be given opportunities to do things, in case this helps you get ready to move on. Plus, this could connect you with people to get you into a hospital?

Also, I thought of this > learn specialized nursing medicine for things your family members could need help with. Possibly, you have or plan to have children; so you can study and train in pediatric things and sports medicine things, for when your children are in sports and have other sorts of needs.

Also, simply grow in Jesus and how He has you learn how to nurse yourself, spiritually and emotionally . . . so then, too, you can help other family people and medical professionals learn how to love and be creative and not give in to stress and depression.

"'Take My yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.'" (Matthew 11:29)

I think that's excellent how you understand there is risk. Of course, in Jesus, we face risks . . . for loving ! ! ! And we trust God and discover how He succeeds.

And thank you so much for sharing with me what nurses there have told you. If the one who retreated back had a hospital position, this means it is possible to get hired out of there!

SkyWriting · Feb 5, 2020

tuliplane said:
I am here because it was the first place to call me back that also offered decent pay. There are definitely areas of nursing I long to be in, but it's very difficult to get into when one is first starting out. You made a great point though, and I agree, that everything I learn for however amount of time I stay I can use for God's purpose, take with me, and even help nursing students. I know that even situations we don't want to be in can help gain experience in some way for the next opportunities. I don't believe that if I left there would be an issue of incompetent, uncaring nurses responsible for these residents. I have not observed that in any of the nurses at this place. Also, I don't think it's the best practice to feel guilt about leaving because of 'what ifs'. Any place I work and choose to leave I could be potentially replaced with someone who doesn't know what they're doing and/or doesn't care. I can't guarantee that one way or the other and that is ultimately the responsibility of the employeer/supervisors to observe and make judgments the behaviors and work ethics of their new employees. I'm not so sure getting into sought after positions is dependent on being a top grad. I know of some top grads who had difficulty as well. It's often about knowing someone to get you in unfortunately and often hospitals are requiring a certain level of education that most of us are still in the process of getting. The Lord knows what He's doing though and I need to keep reminding myself of that! Thanks for your replies.

There are good tactics for finding jobs. Hiring managers seek out people who knock on the back door. Some of your clients might have connections.

Is it wrong of me/being discontent for wanting to quit my nursing job?

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