New RN working in PCU want to quit.

Good Morning, Gil · Aug 30, 2012

No, it is not like that everywhere, but it is like that in many places. Such is the nature of bedside nursing. Even with better ratios than what you're describing, there still will be lazy support staff or lazy co-workers in general. The goal is to find a place where laziness is minimal, and most people have a good work ethic. You will find that there aren't as many job postings in those areas with good working conditions, so keep an eye on the postings, and put in for an internal transfer after a year. (If you find there are always postings in certain areas, do not apply there).

Keep your chin up, and hope for better days. Working in a tough environment will only make you a stronger person.

MJB2010 · Aug 30, 2012

Any interview you go to, add 2 to whatever ratio they tell you. I usually ask to speak with some of the RNS on the floor or shadow to get the scoop before accepting a job after being burned on this one myself. The people who hire you lie lie lie lie about ratios. If they told the truth everyone would run for the door.

llg, PhD, RN · Aug 30, 2012

1. If you decide to quit, don't do so until you get a new job. Leaving a job that soon will raise suspicions that you "couldn't handle it" and that will hurt your chances to find another job. So get a new job all lined up (and confirmed in writing) before you resign the one you have. If you don't, you could face few prospects and a long period of unemployment.

2. I think you should give it a few more months -- and do a little reading on "reality shock" and "transition shock." What you are experience is quite common among new grads. The stress of adapting to the real work world (rather than the ideal world of everyone's hopes and dreams) is draining. At some point (usually in the 3-6 month time period), new nurses go through a period feeling overwhelmed, stressed-out, and/or dissatisfied with their jobs. If you just keep plugging away at it and take good care of yourself it usually resolves in a few months. You learn skills that make the work a little less stressful, find people in the environment who can help you, etc. So if at all possible, you should wait a few months before you resign. Give it a chance to work out.

3. Staffing may be down a bit below average right now because of people taking summer vacations. It may improve a bit now that school is starting and families are not taking vacations. Again, that's another reason to wait a few months before jumping ship.

Find someone in your work environment (senior nurse, mentor, educator, etc.) who can give you a little background information on whether or not the current conditions are typical for that department or a temporary dip in staffing that will be resolved soon. Someone like that can also help you find ways to make your situation more palatable to you -- and possibly salvage this job rather than starting over somewhere else that might be even worse. Give that a chance.

allnurses Guide · Aug 30, 2012

Any interview you go to, add 2 to whatever ratio they tell you. I usually ask to speak with some of the RNS on the floor or shadow to get the scoop before accepting a job after being burned on this one myself. The people who hire you lie lie lie lie about ratios. If they told the truth everyone would run for the door.

Eh, this is not really true. Where I work I was told honest ratios of 4-5:1 on days, 5:6-1 on nights. I never had more than 5 on nights and have never had more than 4 on days so far. There are honest managers out there with well staffed floors and a good team. Finding one is the hard part, as turnover tends to be low.

Ruby Vee, BSN · Aug 30, 2012

1. If you decide to quit, don't do so until you get a new job. Leaving a job that soon will raise suspicions that you "couldn't handle it" and that will hurt your chances to find another job. So get a new job all lined up (and confirmed in writing) before you resign the one you have. If you don't, you could face few prospects and a long period of unemployment.
2. I think you should give it a few more months -- and do a little reading on "reality shock" and "transition shock." What you are experience is quite common among new grads. The stress of adapting to the real work world (rather than the ideal world of everyone's hopes and dreams) is draining. At some point (usually in the 3-6 month time period), new nurses go through a period feeling overwhelmed, stressed-out, and/or dissatisfied with their jobs. If you just keep plugging away at it and take good care of yourself it usually resolves in a few months. You learn skills that make the work a little less stressful, find people in the environment who can help you, etc. So if at all possible, you should wait a few months before you resign. Give it a chance to work out.
3. Staffing may be down a bit below average right now because of people taking summer vacations. It may improve a bit now that school is starting and families are not taking vacations. Again, that's another reason to wait a few months before jumping ship.
Find someone in your work environment (senior nurse, mentor, educator, etc.) who can give you a little background information on whether or not the current conditions are typical for that department or a temporary dip in staffing that will be resolved soon. Someone like that can also help you find ways to make your situation more palatable to you -- and possibly salvage this job rather than starting over somewhere else that might be even worse. Give that a chance.

What she said. The first year of nursing sucks, and the only way to get through it is to GO through it. We've all done it.

DizzyLizzyNurse · Aug 30, 2012

I finally fulfilled my dream of becoming an RN. Got my first job working on PCU in FLorida. The manager informed me that the patient to nurse ration was 5 to 1 which I thought was fine. I find myself on my 3rd month working on this unit and have yet to have just 5 patients. I usually have 6 patients, short staffed, I put up techs who are unhelpful and just plain lazy and not helpful when I need help with a patient. If I ask a tech for help I usually get rolling eyes or I am busy. I am completely overwhelmed. I wonder is it like this everywhere???? I always feel guilty because I know I am not giving the attention that my patients deserve. I always feel like I am rushing to get in and out of a room and hoping I don't miss anything.

Maybe the techs really are busy and also feeling overwhelmed. Are you helping them as well? (Within reason, of course, no need to try to do someone's job for them.) Just a possible thought.

I also agree it's very common to feel overwhelmed for the first year or so. It will get better.

deemarys · Aug 31, 2012

Maybe the techs really are busy and also feeling overwhelmed. Are you helping them as well? (Within reason, of course, no need to try to do someone's job for them.) Just a possible thought.
I also agree it's very common to feel overwhelmed for the first year or so. It will get better.

We are all busy, even the techs at times so I always help out. I clean patients, empty bed pans, answer lights, its when I need help turning a patient or lifting a patient there is no one available to help. It's annoying when I finish and I see that they are usually at the desk chatting with staff. It's pretty overwhelming. Thanks all for your tips, I will defenitely have something lined up before I put my notice in.

Ruby Vee, BSN · Aug 31, 2012

OK, I still don't know. What is a PCU?

llg, PhD, RN · Aug 31, 2012

OK, I still don't know. What is a PCU?

In a lot of places, it stands for "Progressive Care Unit" -- usually an intermediate level of care, sort of an ICU-step-down. The patient has "progressed" from ICU to this lower level of care that is still not "general care." I have always thought it was an awkward use of the term "progressive" -- and that term usually has a different meaning in other contexts.

I assume that is what it means here, but I guess I am not 100% sure.

beeker · Aug 31, 2012

I am with you! I was told at my interview 4-5 patients at night. We got a new director of nursing about 3 months ago, and since then I have had 6-7 per night and the techs are spread way thinner. And they keep getting mad at us because people are falling, and it is taking longer to answer call lights. Bed alarms are not a lot of help if there is no one there to respond! I really do not care for my job, the stress along with working nights has left me exhausted and crabby all the time. I feel like all I do is work or get ready for work or recover from work. I don't ever leave my house anymore.

deemarys · Sep 3, 2012

I am with you! I was told at my interview 4-5 patients at night. We got a new director of nursing about 3 months ago, and since then I have had 6-7 per night and the techs are spread way thinner. And they keep getting mad at us because people are falling, and it is taking longer to answer call lights. Bed alarms are not a lot of help if there is no one there to respond! I really do not care for my job, the stress along with working nights has left me exhausted and crabby all the time. I feel like all I do is work or get ready for work or recover from work. I don't ever leave my house anymore.

I feel exactly the same way beeker. I am now looking for work elsewhere.