[smileysenior]

I started my job as a nurse on Monday....I'm working in medsurg/telemetry.......we have been covering the basics all week in orientation, havent been on the floor yet. I was really excited and eager to start..........but I feel drained after all these boring lectures and checkoffs, like a continuation of nsg school. I moved to a new city to work so I dont know anyone......there are around 28 other nurse in orientation with me and there are alot of cliques because they all went to the same school here and I just moved here.......I miss the familiarity of my class and the hospitals we did clinicals at. I have felt like crying so much.....my head aches, I'm tired of sitting on my a** from 7-4 every day for lectures and skills around strangers. Tomorrow I have to take a CPR class and finally meet with my nurse manager and get my schedule and all.........I havent even done anything on the floor yet, but I feel drained and am already having second thoughts about this. I just feel so crappy and tired and stressed. Feel like I dont know enough to be a nurse, dont know if I'm up for this back breaking work........help!

[steelcityrn]

I think we all have been there. It not easy being the new guy on the block. Take good care of yourself during this very stressful time. Call home often if you need to. Once your on the floor working, you will start to get used to it Im sure. What made you go to another city at only 21? Just wondering, that takes alot of spunk

[crb613]

I went through the week long stuff also.....It can be sooo overwhelming.....But once you get on the floor its just a little at a time. Just relax, when you get with the nurse that is training you it is a lot better. Take it slow & easy, learn, and don't let anyone rush you to do more than you feel comfortable with. I have been on the floor about 9 whole days! Good Luck to you!

[RNKittyKat]

Those early weeks do feel like a continuation of nursing school, only more draining. So many rules. So many different people getting up in front of you talking about really boring stuff. It's hard to feel like a nurse. Add to it all the new faces and new environment and it's stress city. I could have written your post myself a few months back, having moved from Florida to PA to begin my nursing practice. I had to contend with nursing school cliques too. The beauty of the whole thing is that once this classroom orientation stuff is over, everyone goes to their designated units and the cliques are broken up. Unless of course everyone is going to the same unit.

This becoming a nurse thing is a process. It will take time. You will make good working relationships and won't feel like such a loner once you get onto your floor. Six months out for me now and it feels like the difference between day and night. It will come. You will see.

[JentheRN05]

Let me tell you from personal experience, be glad you got an orientation. I didn't and OH how did that suck. Thrown onto a floor with no knowledge of their habits or routine. It may seem monotonus now, but the fact is, some of us didn't get that, if you hadn't you would've been in a world of hurt! Trust me, I quit my first job because of it

[ZASHAGALKA]

Just remember: nursing doesn't teach you how to be a nurse, but arms you with the skills to be a nurse OJT. If your first job feels like nursing school: IT IS A CONTINUATION OF NURSING SCHOOL. On the bright side, you're GETTING PAID now. So, that IS a significant difference, yes?

It takes a good hard year before you wake up and 'get it'. Keep your head on straight and ASK QUESTIONS. OH, and my pat advice to new nurses: never give more than 2 of ANYTHING without double checking with somebody!

As far as being new: don't let your orientation experiences get to you. You probably won't frequently interact with those nurses anyway.

Soon enough, you'll get to 'your' area and meet the people that will be your routine 'co-workers' and form the relationships that will define this job.

Good luck,

~faith,
Timothy.

[perfectbluebuildings]

Smiley- I could have written your exact post almost a year ago!!! From the overwhelming classes, to being in an unfamiliar city (bigger than any city I'd ever lived before), not knowing all the other nurses who'd graduated from most of the same schools, etc. I can sympathize with you- I remember how lonely and crazy it was and it wears you out. The best I can say is it DOES get better- hopefully once you start your orientation on your unit, you will see more of the practical applications of things, etc. And remember that ALL those check-offs are not things you will probably do every day and you can ALWAYS look up your policy&procedure if there's something you're unfamiliar with; for example we rarely hang blood on our unit and almost all the nurses even most experienced, will print out the policy when it's needed. It will probably still be overwhelming once you start working with patients, but it will be a different kind of overwhelming. It's the hardest, hardest part moving to a totally new place, the first few weeks, starting a completely new job you don't have experience in at the same time- NOTHING seems to make sense but from my own experience, I can tell you that time slowly made things easier. Almost a year later, I'm still a bit lonely and nursing is definitely still a big challenge, but it's so much easier and more comfortable than those first weeks- I was sure I'd never make it, but I did and I'm kind of proud that I was able to go somewhere I'd never lived and didn't know anyone, and make it okay! Sorry, I've gone on rambling so long, but your post struck a definite chord with me, I know things will get better for you soon, I'll be thinking of you!!! Let us know how it goes...

[smileysenior]

Thanks for all the support........Its good to know I'm not alone. Today I took my CPR class and met with my assistant manager and saw the unit I'm woring on.....the nurses their seemed nice but they said it was a busy unit and all....I felt stressed immediately. I'm grouchy and tired and have been eating bad all week. I feel so drained! Good news is I go to the floor on Monday! finally some hands on stuff.....I am working days and evenings so thats cool..........getting paid will be cool. I just never imagined I'd be so tired and worn out......and just moody. I'm scared that it will be overwhelming and I will hate nursing like so many people I hear about.......I just am.....really drained

[TXNurseBSN]

I am so sorry to hear you are off to a bad start. I think we often believe that finishing nursing school is the end when it is actually the beginning of our "real life" learning. I am glad you posted because I know on my new floor, 3 out of the 4 of us are from the same school. I will try to make sure I am friendly and welcoming to others outside of our group. Good luck, hopefully things will start to get better.

[smileysenior]

Originally Posted by TXNurseBSN

I am so sorry to hear you are off to a bad start. I think we often believe that finishing nursing school is the end when it is actually the beginning of our "real life" learning. I am glad you posted because I know on my new floor, 3 out of the 4 of us are from the same school. I will try to make sure I am friendly and welcoming to others outside of our group. Good luck, hopefully things will start to get better.

That is so true about how we think nursing school is the end LOL! Thanks..........so much for the support.