I literally hate my job

Nurses New Nurse

Published

So,

I graduated in December 2016, passed and got my NCLEX in February and got my dream job in March in cardiology. I loved cardiology in school and thought it would be a great fit. Three weeks into orientation I absolutely hated it, now 6 months later, I still hate it. I went into nursing because I want to be a CRNA. I'm an introvert, I don't like being around people or talking to people all day long, dealing with their problems. That's why I think CRNA is the perfect fit for me.

I don't think it is just this particular floor that I don't like. I do believe this is just the nature of floor nursing, or nursing in general. I absolutely cannot stand the constant business, busting my ass, admissions, discharges, social work, doctors, families, dietary, rapid response, and exhaustion I feel at the end of every shift. I have called into work THREE TIMES IN 6 months, I am just absolutely miserable. I am looking for other jobs but you know everybody wants experience and with only six months I don't have very many options. Why does nursing seem like such a good career choice in school then in reality I regret it everyday.

Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

Since you need experience to pursue CRNA- have you thought about a switch to nights? MUCH less outside interference- more time spent on actual patient care.

Wuzzie

5,116 Posts

Why does nursing seem like such a good career choice in school then in reality I regret it everyday.

Because it seems the majority of students these days get their image of nursing from "Grey's Anatomy".

Castiela

243 Posts

So,

Why does nursing seem like such a good career choice in school then in reality I regret it everyday.

Because nursing school isn't nursing. It helps you build a foundation, but you aren't responsible a large majority of what nursing is when you're in school. I would recommend getting more experience before applying for further schooling. Just think, cardiology will give you a solid background for when your patients are monitored.

It's cliche, but if you can't change your circumstances, you can change your attitude towards it. Other options could include dropping to a casual position to give you more time to recharge after a shift

sotelo.dixie

4 Posts

You are potentially a good nurse with unhappy start. It is hard to take care of cardiac patients because most of them are really sick, their families are anxious, all are very demanding, and here you are trying to relate but just getting exhausted. New nurses wanted rewards, not materially but through appreciation or something that makes them feel important. In today's patient care reality, it seems like nurses have been put as the least important. Nobody sees you sweating, hungry, needs to pee etc😂😩. Try mother and baby, NICU or L&D where every effort goes to shared happiness: family.

Specializes in Research.

I know how you feel, I also cannot stand bedside nursing. My patience level is not what it could be and interaction with people drains energy from me faster than physical activity ever could. I've had several different jobs and the one I enjoyed most required short interactions with patients on the IV team. I can see why you think you would like CRNA, but to be honest, I don't think you have enough experience to know if it will be a good fit. You need critical care exp before any grad school will take you seriously due to the number of highly qualified applicants. Another thing that stresses me out is being responsible for people's lives, not sure if that bothers you too but CRNA would be a bad choice.

mbcnurse

2 Posts

I see someone else already commented you should try nights and that was going to be my suggestion too. I have worked nights for 13 years and that's a big reason why I stay on them. I tried day shift 2 years ago and lasted 2 months. I could not stand the constant flow of people. Doctors everywhere using all the computers, nursing students following you around, try to use the bathroom and they're all occupied. You get the picture. I do love my patients and my nurse coworkers, I am just naturally an introvert and can't stand so many people around all the time either. I totally understand.

cyc0sys

229 Posts

Specializes in EMS, LTC, Sub-acute Rehab.

No one ever tells you in school how much floor nursing sucks until you're knee deep into it. Definitely one of the busiest, thankless, and drama filled jobs known to humankind. The only people who romanticize nursing are students and masochists.

Any chance of transferring to Cardiac Cath Lab, ED, or ICU? Seems like you're going to have to do a stint in one of the former if you're going to go the CRNA route and there is still going to be patient, family and team interaction.

Do a long hard self check in a darkroom alone to understand if this is really what you want to do. Envision yourself at that end goal. Then get a plan and timeline together for your CRNA. At least mentally you'll be working on reaching your goal while you serve time in your private hell.

You bought the ticket, you might as well take the ride. 6 months doing anything, isn't even a blip on your career timeline.

kconrad1712

18 Posts

I suggest looking into other nursing careers, such as nurse education, OR nursing at an ambulatory surgery center, etc. My sister made the switch from floor nursing to OR after her 1 year mark, and has been extremely happy every since! Good luck!

amzyRN

1,142 Posts

Specializes in ED, Cardiac-step down, tele, med surg.

Have you considered ICU? I've been told it's much more mental, less running around like a chicken with your head cut off.

Ruby Vee, BSN

17 Articles; 14,030 Posts

Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
So,

I graduated in December 2016, passed and got my NCLEX in February and got my dream job in March in cardiology. I loved cardiology in school and thought it would be a great fit. Three weeks into orientation I absolutely hated it, now 6 months later, I still hate it. I went into nursing because I want to be a CRNA. I'm an introvert, I don't like being around people or talking to people all day long, dealing with their problems. That's why I think CRNA is the perfect fit for me.

I don't think it is just this particular floor that I don't like. I do believe this is just the nature of floor nursing, or nursing in general. I absolutely cannot stand the constant business, busting my ass, admissions, discharges, social work, doctors, families, dietary, rapid response, and exhaustion I feel at the end of every shift. I have called into work THREE TIMES IN 6 months, I am just absolutely miserable. I am looking for other jobs but you know everybody wants experience and with only six months I don't have very many options. Why does nursing seem like such a good career choice in school then in reality I regret it everyday.

The first year of nursing is miserable. No one can tell you exactly what it's going to be like: the overwhelming responsibility, the fear that your ignorance is going to hurt someone, the feeling of being stupid or incompetent. Even if they did try to tell you, most of us wouldn't believe it. The first year of nursing is miserable. After six months, you're about halfway through it. The only way to GET through it is to GO through it.

Usually, about the one year mark, new nurses feel that "click" as things begin to fall into place. Suddenly you know that you can handle about a third of what the shift throws at you with no problem, 1/3 with just a little help and the last third is a learning opportunity, but you know where and how to find out what you need to learn. That's when you realize that maybe you don't hate your job after all, and maybe your coworkers aren't all horrible either. And about the two year mark, you can handle most of what the shift throws at you, you know how much you don't know and you're becoming competent.

Give it at least that year before you decide you hate your job. I'm an introvert, too and I had a horrible first year. But you know what -- after forty years at the bedside I feel like I've had the best job in the world.

MJ48

50 Posts

I know the feeling. I graduated in June 2016. It took me a while to find a job since every potential employer wants experience. I ended up getting a job in LTC. At first it was okay but then things just started going downhill. My DOC and I have had a few talks. She had some issues with the way I was doing things. Needless to say I hate going to work. Every morning I wake up hating going to work. I am not sure if its me but I feel like I'm being constantly picked on by this new DOC. I have only been working at this place for about 6 months. I have been trying to look for another job but again its hard when employers are looking for prior experience. Since working at this place I've been stress and anxious cause I'm constantly worried that I'm going to be fired or that I'm constantly doing things wrong that I haven't really been sleeping or eating. I like the residents for the most part but everytime I'm there I'm wishing that my shift was over already.

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