[HMP83]

Hello all!! after reading so many posts, I see a lot of people are in a similar boat. I currently work in a med-surg/onc area for about 3 months. I had a good orientation, great coworkers, my preceptors were good and I had support from management if I needed it so I can't complain there. My problem is that I'm 100% sure that onc/med-surg are not my niche. I went into nursing for OB (L&D especially) and did an externship in it and absolutely loved it, however I wanted to get that "1 yr of med-surg experience". However I'm disliking it more than I thought I would, I dread going to work every night, can't sleep, constantly counting down the days until I can leave it, just completely stressed out. I'm moving away in about 7 months bc i'm getting married. just looking for some advice: do I just stick it out 7 more months even though i dislike it so much (just to put my time in) or do i look for something else to do for the next 7 months knowing i'm going to be leaving a few months off of orientation? i just worry about how this will look on my resume. sorry so long just looking for some advice best of luck to everyone!

[RNLisa]

I don't actually have advice per se, but I do know where you are coming from. I, too, am working Med/Surg, am off orientation as of this week, and my goal is OB/L&D nursing. The hospital I am working in does not have OB, but I wanted to work there because it is smaller and I think I can get a good experience at a slower (although they are busy) pace than say a larger hospital. BUT, my heart's desire is OB. I think that a year is so far away and some days I think I want to try to get in to OB now. I really don't think M/S is the type of nursing I want to be in for very long. I love the staff, my manager, and the hospital as a whole, but I don't like the nursing there. I guess I am in need of advice as well.

I want to give it my all, but am so nervous about being on my own and everything. I don't want to get burned out before I find an OB job.

When you say you are moving away, is it far away? Or would you be able to commute? Maybe sticking it out would be best, but if you are unhappy, making a change is better. Are there any OB jobs around that hire before a year M/S experience?

[Marie_LPN]

I'd probably stick it out for the 7 months if it were me. With a wedding, moving, all those changes, a new orientation would be added stress, in addition to what you're dealing with now.

And then i'd apply for the floor i wanted in the area i'm moving to.

[HMP83]

Thanks for your responses. I see your point that starting a new job will just add to the stress, but I dont think I can be anymore stressed. I can't sleep, i'm constantly preoccupied and have held back tears several times as I walk in and out of the hospital before and after my shift. I'm so unhappy and it is making me contemplate being a nurse altogether. It simply is not worth this unhappiness to me and the stress in my life. i'm afraid if i stick it out for the next 7-8months, i'll turn away from nursing altogether bc of burnout. Sorry to vent.

[blaaveispiken]

I can't sleep, i'm constantly preoccupied and have held back tears several times as I walk in and out of the hospital before and after my shift. I'm so unhappy and it is making me contemplate being a nurse altogether. It simply is not worth this unhappiness to me and the stress in my life. i'm afraid if i stick it out for the next 7-8months, i'll turn away from nursing altogether bc of burnout.

I can TOTALLY relate! I'm just waiting now to see if it's a "go" for another job that will be less stressful.

Although I know hospital nursing is stressful and the learning curve is steep when just starting out, I can't help but wonder why new grads are being thrown out there after 6 to 8 weeks of orientation expected to function as seasoned staff nurses. Why not ease the new grad into the position and let her have 3 patients for several weeks and then move on to additional patients after a few months? I would even be willing to take an initial cut in pay if something like that were implemented. I just think it is too much too soon and leaves me with my head spinning and worrying if I'll be able to keep my license!

Guess I was expecting something different than the brutal reality -- and I've found it to be brutal.

It's difficult to give someone else advice, but for what it's worth -- listen to your heart!