>>120179>I wanted to be an RN but now I don't know what I want to do.I've been an RN for about five years now and while treatment can differ unit to unit or specialty to specialty, nearly everywhere everyone is on edge because of short staffing and high acuity. This unfortunately results in a hostile work environment since everyone is tired and stressed and displacing their frustration onto each other. When you're a nurse to a degree you do have to "suck it up" when it comes to stressful situations like a patient coding, someone sundowning, having to place an IV in a hard stick patient who's already angry etc, but you should never accept lateral violence as part of the job. If you work at a hospital, you should reach out to your manager about the hostility and request to transfer if it's not addressed. If you leave, send an email ccing your director and supervisor explaining your reason for leaving. It's short staffed everywhere so don't feel inclined to stay in one department.
I have worked with several CNAs who started out as nursing assistants with the intention to become RNs but switched majors once they experienced working bedside. If you decide to not become an RN I do recommend becoming a radiology tech. The pay is comparable to nursing, two years of schooling, and less direct patient care.
