Need to make a change

[ButterflyBreath]

In 2008 I went back to school to become an LPN (license practical nurse). During that year of school it was very stressful and I developed the beginnings adrenal fatigue and my gut health has gone downhill since then as well. So I can't handle a lot of stress and I don't recover from stressful situations quickly, and I really don't think nursing is for me. However every time I think about going back to school or getting any ole job that is much less than what I'm making now I get anxiety and I can't see a clear path as to what to do.

I don't really have any other skill set except random arts and crafts interests but nothing that would amount to being able to support myself. Not only that the symptoms I have from adrenal fatigue and gut problems are fatigue and brain fog that make it hard to make decisions or remember new things. This of course also makes nursing very challenging. I'm currently working in home health which is supposed to be the least stressful of all nursing areas but it still is stressful at times and hard on my body. I'm just not cut out for nursing or at least not until I can heal but I'm finding it hard to heal while I'm doing nursing.


Anyone have any advice? I would really appreciate it.

[ButterflyBreath]

I removed the color info but it came back. Sorry! Not sure why it did that

[Tammy]

I understand the stress of nursing. It been in it since '97. I've been able to find a niche that works for me. It takes awhile. I also simplified my life along the way so I'm not spending all that I earn. That lowers stress as well.

Finding a peaceful life is a journey that is different for everyone. I wish you well.

[lessisbest]

Our neighbor's daughter went through a similar situation after completing her nursing degree, except her disability was due to health issues. She became a medical transcriptionists through an on-line coarse and it worked out very well for her. Now she can work from home and take care of her young child.

[Florence]

I was a hospital pharmacist for 20+ years and I have the most profound respect for nurses. They are overworked, underpaid, and treated with no where near the respect they deserve. IMHO.

[shadowmoss]

Could you look into maybe doing medical software training? It can be a mobile job, 3 months here, a month there. I have a friend who is doing that now. Not everyone can move around that much, but she enjoys it.

[Ultralight]

In 2008 I went back to school to become an LPN (license practical nurse). During that year of school it was very stressful and I developed the beginnings adrenal fatigue and my gut health has gone downhill since then as well. So I can't handle a lot of stress and I don't recover from stressful situations quickly, and I really don't think nursing is for me. However every time I think about going back to school or getting any ole job that is much less than what I'm making now I get anxiety and I can't see a clear path as to what to do.

I don't really have any other skill set except random arts and crafts interests but nothing that would amount to being able to support myself. Not only that the symptoms I have from adrenal fatigue and gut problems are fatigue and brain fog that make it hard to make decisions or remember new things. This of course also makes nursing very challenging. I'm currently working in home health which is supposed to be the least stressful of all nursing areas but it still is stressful at times and hard on my body. I'm just not cut out for nursing or at least not until I can heal but I'm finding it hard to heal while I'm doing nursing.


Anyone have any advice? I would really appreciate it.

Could you apply for disability?

[Mary B.]

ButterflyBreath, I have known several nurses of my acquaintance who found work outside of nursing in health-related contact/call centres. I am thinking of a couple in an occupational health hotline, one who works in a tech support area for blood glucose meters and some who work for an insurance company.

I wonder if there are non-nursing jobs where your LPN training might be useful? I recognize the health challenges you're facing would make learning a new role challenging -- just wondering about looking outside the direct patient contact role.

Also, I wonder about the idea that home health is the least challenging/stressful form of nursing. I think for me, a bit of an introvert, walking into different people's houses all day long would be more stressful than going to work at the same place every day. (Adding this because you commented that it's supposed to be the least stressful... but maybe it isn't the least stressful for you.)

Hope you are able to find a path forward that leads to healing and enjoyment in your work.

[SteveinMN]

Some very good suggestions here.

My sister is a nurse educator at the college level. She got out of floor nursing several years ago (for reasons nurses here already have provided). The school she's at seems particularly poorly-run from what I'm hearing, but I'm only hearing it from one side (sis's) so there's that. Nursing education likely will require more than an LPN, but it is something else you could look into.

Someone made a suggestion about living more simply; you also mentioned stressing over not making as much as you do as a nurse. I certainly would figure out what your monthly "nut" is -- the money you have to make to pay necessary bills and obligations -- and then figure out if there are discretionary expenses (cable, clothing, newish car, etc.) that you could cut. The less you have to make, the greater your flexibility in finding work that isn't health- or soul-sucking.

Lastly, I would sit yourself down and think about what it was about nursing that attracted you. Knowing that will help you look for other opportunities which could address that passion without that physical stress.