I want to quit 4 months in

Nurses New Nurse

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Hi AN,

I am getting burned out of my job and I am only 4 months in. I work 11pm - 7:30am night shift 5 nights a week and I don't think I can take it anymore. I actually like my job and I like my coworkers, but staying up all night so often is hurting my well-being. I get 6-8 hours of sleep per day but I am still tired all the time. I never have time to cook or clean and I constantly feel nauseous and fed up. I want to quit now.

I know that quitting with 4 months of experience looks really really bad. But I can't take working nights anymore. Every day before I go to work, I want to quit because I never have time, never have energy, and am tired. I don't think I can manage a year. I know no one wants to hire someone who quit after 4 months, so I may just leave nursing entirely.

EDIT: I can't exactly job hunt now, as my schedule is too messy to allow for me to go to a job interview

Specializes in corrections and LTC.

Not everyone can work night shift, regardless of how hard they try to make it work. Do not worry about your manager thinking poorly of you. Just tell her you have been unable to get quality sleep in the day.

Specializes in Public Health.

I don't mean to sound harsh but, you have 16 hours per day to sleep and get things done. Get blackout curtains, a sleeping mask and a sleep aid and do what you have to do. You are being short sighted. Ask if you can switch to another shift but for Gods sake don't quit your job or career because you haven't acclimated yourself to working nights yet. Part of the problem may be that you are working 8 hr shift so five days a week sounds awful.

I feel similar to you--I also work 5 nights/week, sometimes 6-7 depending on how they make the schedule. It's a miserable schedule. And yes, I've gone to interviews and even took a continuing education class after my shift although I was really exhausted afterwards. It's not easy at all for me, but doable. I don't see a problem if you ask to switch to day shift if you just can't physically handle nights. The manager should understand that nights is not for everyone. If you can afford to do it, you can even try switching to part time or per diem nights if they don't want to give you days. That way you'll have more time off, can sleep a normal schedule and job hunt. Just don't quit. Especially if you like the job and the coworkers. It will only make it harder to get a job. I have almost a year experience as of now and I am still having such a hard time even getting interviews. I'm trying to get into acute care and am currently working subacute so that's likely why. Maybe you'll have an easier time but I still wouldn't quit if you're a new grad.

Specializes in Med Surg, PCU, Travel.

Hoorah for those who petition for 8 hour shifts in nursing. Getting up every day, driving to work 5 days, burning gas money to travel the same distance for an extra 2-3 days...I want nothing to do what that. If you were working 3 -12's it would leave you with 4 days to recoup and feel normal.

My problem on night shift is I can't stay asleep long enough during the day or in don't feel I get into a deep enough sleep. I got a script for trazadone which helped tremendously.

I sleep deeply in the day but I have to devote my whole day to sleep and rest. I can't go out to the grocery store or do too much cooking and cleaning because I am pooped all day

Hoorah for those who petition for 8 hour shifts in nursing. Getting up every day, driving to work 5 days, burning gas money to travel the same distance for an extra 2-3 days...I want nothing to do what that. If you were working 3 -12's it would leave you with 4 days to recoup and feel normal.

amen

I agree

I feel similar to you--I also work 5 nights/week, sometimes 6-7 depending on how they make the schedule. It's a miserable schedule. And yes, I've gone to interviews and even took a continuing education class after my shift although I was really exhausted afterwards. It's not easy at all for me, but doable. I don't see a problem if you ask to switch to day shift if you just can't physically handle nights. The manager should understand that nights is not for everyone. If you can afford to do it, you can even try switching to part time or per diem nights if they don't want to give you days. That way you'll have more time off, can sleep a normal schedule and job hunt. Just don't quit. Especially if you like the job and the coworkers. It will only make it harder to get a job. I have almost a year experience as of now and I am still having such a hard time even getting interviews. I'm trying to get into acute care and am currently working subacute so that's likely why. Maybe you'll have an easier time but I still wouldn't quit if you're a new grad.

I don't think I want to go into acute care after this job. I want to go somewhere with good hours like a clinic or public health, or work part time in the same type of unit I am in now. I am willing to take the pay cut. I will go to grad school anyway and I may even leave nursing if no valuable employers think my experience is good enough.

Specializes in Med Surg, PCU, Travel.

You don't have to leave nursing altogether...acute care is highly overrated. Many nurses do not work in acute care and are happy. You can also start you own business and work for yourself in home health etc.

Specializes in retired LTC.

On a totally different thought - any chance you may be experiencing something medically wrong? Have you had a GOOD physical/doctor visit recently? Like with las?

To have your kind of debilitating fatigue is not the norm for just being run-down or un-acclimated to 11-7. I speak from experience when I say that it turned out that I was experiencing some serious health issues.

I know KILLER FATIGUE - it is very real. Like to wake up & take your shower then GO LAY DOWN. Get up and put your makeup on & get dressed then GO LAY DOWN. Get up to eat a breakfast/meal then GO LAY DOWN. How I drove back and forth to work was sheer luck.

I pumped up on caffeine at work so I straggled on until I just couldn't function anymore. I was then diagnosed.

So I'd suggest ruling out something medical if you haven't done so yet. And I know that as nurses we tend to disregard S & S in ourselves - so I'm just saying to check to out. At least then you can rule out health problems.

Good luck.

On a totally different thought - any chance you may be experiencing something medically wrong? Have you had a GOOD physical/doctor visit recently? Like with las?

To have your kind of debilitating fatigue is not the norm for just being run-down or un-acclimated to 11-7. I speak from experience when I say that it turned out that I was experiencing some serious health issues.

I know KILLER FATIGUE - it is very real. Like to wake up & take your shower then GO LAY DOWN. Get up and put your makeup on & get dressed then GO LAY DOWN. Get up to eat a breakfast/meal then GO LAY DOWN. How I drove back and forth to work was sheer luck.

I pumped up on caffeine at work so I straggled on until I just couldn't function anymore. I was then diagnosed.

So I'd suggest ruling out something medical if you haven't done so yet. And I know that as nurses we tend to disregard S & S in ourselves - so I'm just saying to check to out. At least then you can rule out health problems.

Good luck.

I know I don't have any medical issues because I am at a 3 day period where I orient on days and I feel healthy and have been sleeping 8-12 hours per night . Being exhausted on night shift doesn't mean I am sick. It means that 5 days per week I am contradicting my body's natural, inborn rhythm to sleep in the night and awaken in the day.

Some me people may think I am lazy or entitled for wanting to quit after working a schedule that is 5 nights per week without any medical problems. That is fine. To each there own judgements.

I just started in ICU, i only have 3 months orientation, so you can imagine how nervous I am because I don't want to get let go after 3 months because you're right, that doesn't look good at all..even though they may refer me to another unit within the hospital...Anyway, I'm lucky because, at least for now, I am working 3 days a week on average..12 hour shifts in the morning. but that is just for orientation, since during the interview I agreed to work 3-11 5 days/week and 1 day on the weekend every other weekend.

I would stick it out if I were you. You're getting enough sleep clearly. Maybe it's the time management that you're having trouble with. Your career is your number one priority, at least for now. So if you can't go shopping or workout after work or whatever it is you try to accomplish off the clock, then you may have to sacrifice. Although exercise is very important. I think you're just not used to your work schedule. working nights clearly messes up your sleep schedule. You already agreed to the shift, so you might as well get used to it. If you feel unsafe taking care of people, you need to talk to your manager or the department of nursing education. I don't know if there's any point to asking this but, what are you feeling unsure about when you take care of your patients? the nursing judgement or passing meds? Know where you're resources are and don't be afraid to use them. At this point, as a graduate, and as an RN 4 months in, you should know how to question something. It's perfectly ok to not be able to "critically think" your way through it and to not have an answer, but know when you need an opinion. Don't blindly follow orders and get paperwork done, take the time to look at your patient and interact with them. I don't know what kind of unit you're on, but frequent assessment in ICU where I'm at is key, which means I'll have problems with time management, that's for sure! especially for those critical patients since the patient is #1.concern-forget about documentation when it's absolutely necessary to pay attn to your pt..Anyway, I hope I addressed your concerns.

Review: Utilize your resources when you want a second opinion or you don't know someone. an Ex: unless you're 100% positive 2 drugs are compatible, double check. there's a ton of drugs that I do remember from school, but i do not remember compatibility. That's when I refer to the drug book in the med room. If there's resources, such as books or internet, I use those before I consult with another nurse. But some things require second opinions

...and lastly: don't quit. it sucks at first, I'm only 2 weeks in and i'm realizing how much i need to review material, which scares the hell out of me. I'm totally supervised (my preceptor checks in with me and makes sure things are done, but I am not always prompted) and I am given one patient now (I'm not given the critical or new admission patients yet). Things are coming together, but I definitely don't feel like I can provide safe care to critical high acuity patients.

Sorry that was long. Good luck.

Specializes in Emergency Room, Trauma ICU.

I'm sorry you're having such a rough time, however the odds of you finding a day position are pretty slim. If you want to work in a hospital you generally have to work nights until a day spot opens, which can take more than a year. The other options are clinic jobs and those can be hard to get as a new grad with minimal experience.

I don't really have any advice other than sticking with your night shift schedule on your days off and just sticking with it. Good luck.

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