Does anyone regret leaving acute care?

6 At the stroke of midnight tonight, after almost 25 years at it, I am officially resigned and done with acute care. I am in another phase of nursing now, one that isn't hospital based. I feel very free, free at last!!! But I wonder if I will be missing the excitement, the fast pace, the gossip and most of all the patients. Anyone here leave hospital nursing and regret it?
Quote from janhetheringtonAt the stroke of midnight tonight, after almost 25 years at it, I am officially resigned and done with acute care. I am in another phase of nursing now, one that isn't hospital based. I feel very free, free at last!!! But I wonder if I will be missing the excitement, the fast pace, the gossip and most of all the patients. Anyone here leave hospital nursing and regret it?

I actually enjoyed the learning aspect that I got from acute care.. however; the politics and b.s. ruined it for me. You'll probably miss it, but more than likely won't regret leaving it. = )Best to you!

Quote from janhetheringtonAt the stroke of midnight tonight, after almost 25 years at it, I am officially resigned and done with acute care. I am in another phase of nursing now, one that isn't hospital based. I feel very free, free at last!!! But I wonder if I will be missing the excitement, the fast pace, the gossip and most of all the patients. Anyone here leave hospital nursing and regret it?

NO!!!! Left it June 2007 and pray to God that I never go back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Quote from janhetheringtonAt the stroke of midnight tonight, after almost 25 years at it, I am officially resigned and done with acute care. I am in another phase of nursing now, one that isn't hospital based. I feel very free, free at last!!!

I loved acute care nursing but wanted a different lifestyle. Once I left, I did occasionally miss it, but never ever regretted it.

not one regret. there's so much more out there but if you think you're not sure about staying away definitely do per diem so you can be rehired just in case because if you're out >5 yrs it's tough getting back in without paying for refreshers....

I moved from full time to part time then to per diem for 6 years before quitting altogether. I think the per diem was harder than anything because every time I turned around there were changes, new policies and protocols (and mandatory meetings to learn about some of them). It became torture to try to keep up with it.

Miss acute care? Hah!! Not a chance!!

I left hospital nursing early in my career. I did just short of 6 years bedside nursing at a very prestigious local hospital. That was 12 years ago. No, I do not regret it once. I was burned out after only 6 years, and actually I was contemplating leaving the whole feild right after graduation with my RNIP. I witnessed so much back stabbing, non camaraderie and lack of support for the floor nurse I was at my wits end. My employer offered wonderful benefits, a prestigious hospital with perks if you donated to the huge foundation.. including certain rooms, certain nurses and can you believe this?? Making sure you were happy by having the hospital liaison visit you daily. Not what I thought nursing was all about. I had a pivotal moment when one of our millionaire donators who was one of my patients asked me if I could soak her feet and give her a pedicure. ( I don't even do my own nails.. ) I had to leave, not what I thought this was. My hats off to anyone who works in a heavily regulated, often shorted environment of the hospital. Its not what i wanted to do

Quote from janhetheringtonAt the stroke of midnight tonight, after almost 25 years at it, I am officially resigned and done with acute care. I am in another phase of nursing now, one that isn't hospital based. I feel very free, free at last!!! But I wonder if I will be missing the excitement, the fast pace, the gossip and most of all the patients. Anyone here leave hospital nursing and regret it?

I left 3 years ago - working hospice ever since and it keeps me involved with the patient care I love.I miss the ER sometimes. Not L&D. Not being in charge and having no OB coverage. I don't regret it.Good luck!steph