wanting to quit

Nurses New Nurse

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I've been working on a postpartum unit for the past three months. It's my first nursing job and im beginning to wonder why i chose this profession. When I was in nursing school everyone asked me, "do you know what field of nursing you want to go into?" and without a doubt the only thing i ever wanted to do was postpartum. I never even considered anything else. NOw that im here, i really dislike it. I work in a hospital that delivers over 9,000 babies a year and has a 68 private bed postpartum unit. Just like every where else our unit is short staffed and they assign RN's 5,6,7 patients. Not only do you get the moms but also the newborns. Taking care of 10-14 patients is rediculous. I was orientating on day shift staying 1-2 hours past my 12.5 hour shift to chart. The stress is unbearable. Ive never been the one to handle stress very well. Im the first to crumble. Everyone tells me "you just need cofidence and time management which are the last two things you'll acquire." Even RN's who have been there 5+ years seem to be just as stressed out and I dont want to spend my working career stressed out like this all of the time. I just dont know what to do with myself everyone tells me not to give up on nursing yet and to give postpartum at least 6 mo before i start looking for another job. Nursing is such a big responsibility and i dont know if i can handle all that responsibility on my shoulders... Does anyone have any advice..please help:uhoh21:

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i feel the same way. i know there are other things out there, and i'm going to start looking for them. sadly, the longer i stay in the hospital, the more i don't want anything to do with nursing. i'm so anxious, angry, and disillusioned. mostly i'm mad at myself for not having the savvy to realize that this is such a bad situation (for me, anyway). i'm in a constant state of panic and stress and believe my working conditions are unfair and unsafe. i routinely have 8 telemetry patients with no monitor tech. i don't get to talk to patients. i don't get to go to the bathroom or take a break for 12-14 hours. i worry about work on my days off, want to throw up before work. i thought i was tougher than this. was thinking about getting into psych, but my hospital doesn't have a psych unit... going to apply elsewhere (though i feel i'll end up in a psych ward anyway at this rate, as a patient!) hate being a quitter but every hour at this job is torture for me, and seasoned nurses don't seem to fair much better. i know there is a nursing shortage, but i cynically believe that the hospital administration doesn't really care about our ratios...:o

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Specializes in Dialysis, Home Care, Hospice.

I want to tell both of you that you are going to be stressed no matter where you work. Nursing itself is just a stressful profession. The good news is that we nurses do have options and we dont have to stay where we are miserable. I have left jobs for that very reason. I suggest that you both start looking. Hospital nursing is not for everyone. I have been a Dialysis nurse, Home care and Hospice. I hated working at the hospital and wanted to throw up every time I pulled into the parking lot. It's no way to live.....or work. Get out before you hate nursing. We need good, caring nurses but you may find your talents are better utilized elsewhere. Whatever you decide, I wish you both luck. It can be better than what you are dealing with. Don't give up on nursing after one bad experience.

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Specializes in cardiac/education.

Have you guys decided anything yet??:uhoh21:

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Specializes in Did the job hop, now in MS. Not Bad!!!!!.
I want to tell both of you that you are going to be stressed no matter where you work. Nursing itself is just a stressful profession. The good news is that we nurses do have options and we dont have to stay where we are miserable. I have left jobs for that very reason. I suggest that you both start looking. Hospital nursing is not for everyone. I have been a Dialysis nurse, Home care and Hospice. I hated working at the hospital and wanted to throw up every time I pulled into the parking lot. It's no way to live.....or work. Get out before you hate nursing. We need good, caring nurses but you may find your talents are better utilized elsewhere. Whatever you decide, I wish you both luck. It can be better than what you are dealing with. Don't give up on nursing after one bad experience.

KJB,

where might some other options be for we newbies that are sickened and stressed by the hospital atmosphere?

Chloe

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Specializes in Acute Care Cardiac, Education, Prof Practice.

In nursing school they told us

"Wait about six months to start rocking the boat on policies"

I know the intention was to keep a bunch of excited, hot head nurses from plowing in and making change.

However, I threw that out a long time ago.

If you are stressed talk to your supervisor, talk to the HR department about your conditions, ask other nurses how they cope, and for safety's sake to the person without the TELE TECH go to the CEO! Your patients safety is on the line!

We can all move on to different positions, but always remember what you are leaving behind won't get any better, or safer for your patients until you at least stop, look over your shoulder and let someone know what is going on.

Tait

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I to felt very stressed in a hospital I also felt very inadequate and not only do you worry about the patients but the staff under you.I felt that I was not working up to my standards of care and frankly I hated the paper work

I do home care now and love the interaction with one patient I do peds so I really get to know the children this can also be stressful when the kids start getting sick on top of there diagnosis so your always trying to stay ahead of the game but when I'm at work I love it its rewarding to get hours cut because the child is getting better but and they dont need you as much but it is hard to be attached and lose them but I wouldn't go back to a hospital for any thing

LYNDA

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Specializes in EMS, ER, GI, PCU/Telemetry.

where might some other options be for we newbies that are sickened and stressed by the hospital atmosphere?

doctors office, home health, hospice, outpatient like wound clinic or dialysis center, insurance companies, research, school nurse... lots of places!

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Specializes in Did the job hop, now in MS. Not Bad!!!!!.
doctors office, home health, hospice, outpatient like wound clinic or dialysis center, insurance companies, research, school nurse... lots of places!

Good to know Allison. Thanks! But can a new grad work em?

Chloe

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Specializes in Acute Care Cardiac, Education, Prof Practice.
Good to know Allison. Thanks! But can a new grad work em?

Chloe

New grads can work a lot more places than you would think! New grads offer a fresh look on patient care, are often cheaper as the base rate is lower, and are more moldable.

New grads aren't devoid of experience, you have all been nursing for 2+ years in clinicals! Don't forget that!

I was a waitress for all of my schooling, I thought I was going to have a hell of a time getting a job, but I just walked out there said here I am, and got the job!

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Specializes in Did the job hop, now in MS. Not Bad!!!!!.

I only ask b/c it seems these job types require a lot of autonomy, less orientation, and I would wonder what employer would want that going to a new grad.

I'm aware of hospital jobs that will take any new grad (speaking fr my own most recent experience). I work-studied through NS doing museum work and as a research assistant for a PhD student, and most of my clinicals was in geri psych and community health. So I graduated w/ only knowing PCT work. I was very awkward w/ most procedures. And after 8-ish weeks on a unit doing 3-day 12+ hour shifts, I am now fairly comfortable w/ the most basic routines and procedures. But lots of self-doubt and if I'm in the field or in a private doc's office, or elsewhere, who do I turn to w/ questions???

As an aside: do most hospitals put a new grad on orientation shifts like I had, or isn't it usually 5 days of 8 hour shifts?

Thanks for all the input !!!

Chloe

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Do you have career services at the school that you graduated from? Are you an LPN or an RN? After we pass the boards (I have just started a LPN program) we will meet with career services. I don't know how helpful this really is but it came across my mind while reading your post. I pray that things will get better for you. My goal right now is to just make it through A & P!

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