Reasons I left the hospital (as an RN)
As a nurse, whether than be an LPN, LVN, RN, NP, etc. there are SO many options when it comes to where you want to build your career. That’s the best thing about this field, is that you can basically do whatever you want to. Most of us start out in the hospital because that’s where society tells us nurses are most helpful, that’s what school prepares us for, and because (let’s face it) the hospitals pay the most.
Nurse burnout is a real problem, and most of the nurses that get burnt out end up this way from working in a hospital setting. Everyone is different and I support any and all nurses no matter where you end up, some nurses love working in the hospital and that’s okay, it just wasn’t for me. Here are the top reasons that I personally left hospital nursing and went to outpatient nursing instead.
1.) The BIGGEST factor in my choice to leave the hospital setting was work-life balance. 12 hour shifts 3-4 days a week doesn’t leave a whole lot of time for family, fun, OR self care. I was exhausted and missing weekends and activities with my family and friends was not cool. I was living, but I wasn’t actually “living” if that makes sense.
2.) Mandatory holiday rotations. If you have children under the age of 18, especially young children, spending every holiday possible with them is important (or at least it is to me). My oldest was 4 months old when I left hospital nursing, I couldn’t fathom missing her first holidays.
3.) COVID. I can’t say this one loud enough. When Covid first hit the US in 2020, it was scary and no one knew what to expect. Nurses were being called “healthcare heroes” but also were being ostracized by the public anytime you stepped out of the hospital or tried to go to the store on your way home, because “oh my god you might have Covid on your scrubs or shoes!”. This was so stressful for a lot of nurses. Hospital protocols were also unsafe and led to exposing a lot of unhealthy patients who did not have Covid to the virus due to mixing sick patients on the same units as non-sick patients and using the same equipment. We also were expected to use the same mask for weeks and let it “fester” in a brown paper sack between shifts, totally safe right?
Not to mention that we had family to worry about going home to and possibly exposing. There were several shifts where I got home at 8 AM and stripped out of my scrubs and shoes in a tent on my back porch before I stepped foot in my house, for fear of exposing my 4 month old baby. Obviously we now know A LOT about the virus and it isn’t nearly as scary as it was 5 years ago, but a lot of nurses left the work field when COVID first hit.
4.) Being Over-worked and short-staffed. A lot of hospitals are short on nurses, so the ones that they do have end up carrying patient loads that are dangerous ratios. It is never okay for one nurse to have seven-eight patients by themselves, I said what I said and I stand firm on that. This leads to medications not being given on time and patients not being rounded on as often as they should be, which is so unsafe. Not to mention as a nurse you can FORGET about getting a break or a lunch when you have this many patients on your shift, because none of your coworkers are going to agree to cover for your seven-eight patients on top of theirs too.
The only perks to working in the hospital from my perspective, were keeping your skills sharp and having 3-4 days off some weeks. But the reasons not to work in a hospital far outweigh the reasons to work in one, for me personally.
I have been working outpatient for 5 years now and nursing is actually enjoyable (most days) on this side. I get to go home at the end of my EIGHT hour shift, no waiting to give report or finishing up charting. I get ALL of the weekends off, and get every federal holiday off with pay.
I get to know my patients on a personal level because I am “their nurse” and I am the one that they talk to when they have questions or concerns. Knowing your patients makes the job more enjoyable, because you feel way more helpful in the long run and helping these patients just feels more rewarding.
You also have a lot more steady coworkers when you work outpatient because the turnover is not nearly as high as in a hospital. So you actually get to know your coworkers in a more personal way and develop professional relationships, including with the doctors!
If you’ve ever thought about leaving the hospital, it can be scary, I will not deny that, but it’s worth it! If you have any questions, I would be happy to answer them if I have the answer. To all the nurses out there, remember that you are a rockstar and if you aren’t appreciated where you are now, just know that there ARE nursing jobs out there where you will be! 🩷🩷
Hearing so many nurses echo my own feelings about the hospital environment made me realize how widespread this issue is. When I first started as a nurse, I truly believed I was meant to be in a bustling hospital, saving lives every day. But the reality quickly set in, and what once felt like a calling started feeling more like a never-ending cycle of exhaustion and frustration. It’s not just about the long shifts; it’s the cumulative effect of constant stress, moral injury from unsafe patient ratios, and the feeling that your dedication is being taken for granted. If you're reading this on Lemon8 and nodding along, chances are you've either experienced or are currently battling nurse burnout. It manifests in so many ways – beyond just physical tiredness. For me, it was the dread of going to work, the constant anxiety even on my days off, and finding myself snapping at loved ones. I started feeling detached from my patients, something I never thought possible. Recognizing these signs is the first crucial step. Don't dismiss them as 'just part of the job.' Your mental and emotional well-being are just as important as your patients'. So, if you're feeling like your current hospital job has become a 'lemon,' what next? It can feel incredibly daunting to even think about leaving, especially with the financial stability a hospital often provides. But there are so many avenues for nurses outside of the traditional hospital setting. I started by researching different specialties: clinic nursing, remote telehealth, school nursing, home health, even administrative roles. Look at what aspects of nursing you love and what you want to avoid. Do you enjoy patient education? Maybe a role in a specialty clinic. Do you want autonomy and a set schedule? Outpatient surgery centers or school nursing might be a fit. Don't be afraid to network! Talk to other nurses who have made the leap. LinkedIn and professional nursing groups are fantastic resources. Update your resume to highlight transferable skills like critical thinking, patient assessment, and communication, even if the environment was challenging. When I was preparing to leave, I felt scared, but the thought of staying in a role that was actively draining me was even scarier. Taking that first step to explore alternatives felt like a huge weight lifted. Remember, leaving a hospital doesn't mean you're a bad nurse or that you've failed. It means you're prioritizing your health, your family, and your passion for nursing. There are places where your skills and compassion will be truly valued, and where you can thrive without sacrificing your entire life. It might feel like a 'lemon' now, but there's a whole orchard of opportunities waiting. You've got this!
Hospital work is brutal. Glad you found something better. Respect. 🙌