helppp, i think i hate nursing

notthereyet0 · Oct 8, 2011

I sincerely feel your pain. I have stuck it out for a year, about the shortest time that looks good for looking for another job. It is rough working the night shift and not being a night person. I also have had minor things that would not have happened if you weren't half asleep at work all the time. My suggestion is to start applying for day jobs and see what happens. Keep the night job but start looking around to see if you can find something else. It is hard to judge something without having anything else to compare it to. Good luck!

silentRN · Oct 8, 2011

I started off on a floor unit when I was a new grad. I didn't mind it, but I felt very unfulfilled with my job. But, I knew this is what I needed to do in order to move onto things I actually wanted to do. After I put my year in, I looked for a job in the ICU and that's where I have continued to work today. My advice is to stick it out, and go through what everyone else on this site has gone through. In the long run, it makes you a better nurse and builds character. You shouldn't always quit something when times are bad or hard, but stick it out until another opportunity arrives. Believe me, not all nursing is bad, and a lot of people have said the same thing that you are saying now. The fact is, there are bad floors and hospitals to work for, but if you stay with it better things will come along.

Oh ya, I work nights as well. There are times when I have trouble sleeping. I've given Lunesta a try, and so far it really works good. I will only take it on my work nights and not on my days off.

xtxrn, ASN, RN · Oct 8, 2011

Slow down and breathe :)

You're learning from your mistakes- that's better than repeating them... :up:

Give it time for you to settle in- it takes more than 6 months to really get a rhythm for how YOU work... :)

Queen2u · Oct 8, 2011

I think that what you are feeling is somewhat normal. You may just need a nice little get-away. Nursing can take a toll on you if you are all work and no play. I make it a point to go somewhere at least once every three months....at least for a weekend, just to spend some time treating myself and getting away from the work environment. 12 hour shifts catering to someone else 3 or more times a week can be taxing but rewarding at the same time. And the fears that you have are normal as well. ALL, I repeat, ALL nurses have made mistakes here and there on the job. The best thing you can do is to make each mistake a learning opportunity instead of beating yourself up about it. I believe you will be ok. :redpinkhe:nurse:

carolmaccas66, BSN, RN · Oct 8, 2011

You are so sleep deprived, it's making u depressed.

Firstly, go see your Dr for a mild sleep relaxant, just to get u back into a sleeping pattern. You can't do anything if ur sleep deprived. Herbal remedies can help too, also pilates and relaxation exercises.

Sedonday, if u really need to leave, brush off the CV and apply absolutely everywhere as u have some experience, try all the nursing agencies.

Thirdly: if u can stick it out, make sure u have a plan when u go into work, like a cheat sheet. Perhaps ur making mistakes cos ur disorganised? No judgements here, but if u get organised u won't make as many, or no, mistakes.

Can u go on afternoon shift instead of days & nights? We do all 3 shifts here in Oz if we're full time, I don't know why you have to start off on nights. If ur organised and u have all your patients and duties written down for the night, u should be able to gain more self confidence & get into a routine. If u don't have a plan, time runs away from u & u get behind, then flustered.

Plan something fun on ur days off, if u have a family go somewhere relaxing, go to the gym if ur single, get a takeaway instead of cooking. U need YOU time, that is for sure. Don't answer any calls from work on ur days off. Nursing can become all-consuming if u let it be that way. Take control of your work when ur there, or it will take control of you. Learn good time management and assertiveness skills, & the job will become easier. Do not let people - patients or families - manipulate your time or your energy. Be firm when u say you can't do such & such now, but will come back to do something later. Familes will manipulate ur time; other nurses will too and so will doctors if YOU LET THEM.

Manage ur time & ur patients & hopefully the job will get easier.

Good luck & let us know what happens.

fede · Oct 8, 2011

Hang in there!! I understand what you are going through. I am not a nurse, but I work as a Nursing Assistant. I see what you Nurses go through. I really pride myself trying to do the best that i can to help the nurses i am assigned to. Nursing is a tough job. I think you just have to just push through this. I really think you will find your true passion in Nursing. Hang in there and let us know how everything is with you. :heartbeat

GoECU · Oct 8, 2011

Acute care isn't for everybody and thats ok. There are many other areas of nursing that are less stressful. Good luck whichever route you choose!

Gratefulprn · Oct 8, 2011

You may find long term care to be a better fit..or look to a health dept., or home health. These areas of nursing, depending on where you live, will hire a nurse w/less than a year. If nights is tough on you, I don't think switching to days would help..in fact, the stress on some level may rise because of the additional people being present...is there another area of the hospital - like outpatient surgery - you would work in? Do not beat yourself up over this - there is no crime in realizing where you are isn't where you should be - staying in something that doesn't fit is the poor choice. And I agree, you sound sleep deprived and that can effect a lot as well. Good luck.

blondy2061h, MSN, RN · Oct 8, 2011

One of the great things about nursing is that no body hates all areas of nursing. It's too diverse for that. I would try and stick it out a year.

Da_Milk_of_Amnesia, MSN · Oct 8, 2011

I messed up my first job, in fact, I was essentially fired except when they told me to turn my stuff in I said can I resign first, and I did just that. After that happened I never thought I was going to make it. I was ready to throw in the towel give up and go become a paramedic and forget everything about nursing. Buttt I got right back on the horse, got another job, and now I work at one of the best hospitals in the country. I'm sure you could find someone who has made the same types of errors you have, everyone makes mistakes, learning from them and not repeating them is ket. You've only been a RN for 6 months so you're learning and people who have many more years of experience are still learning. Either way, it's only been 6 months, I didn't feel comfortable in my own skin until a year, and even still sometimes I dont feel comfortable, but you work thru it. I hated floor nursing, and when I said hate I mean hated with a passion. I got myself into ICU and I love it, now I'm working toward my CRNA. Maybe working on floor isn;t for you?. Look at it this way, there are thousands of new grads who would give their right arms to have a job in a hospital and gain that oh-so-important 'year of experience' that you hear and see so much about, don't throw in the towel just yet. Once you get a year you can bounce to wherever you want, for the most part.

Stick with it! You'll be finneeee just believe in yourself.

SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN · Oct 8, 2011

Your litany of error is pretty light for six months as a new grad. I hate the hospital and learned this the hard way. I do not belong there and won't go back. That said, that's not all of nursing. Stick out the year and re-evaluate. Maybe you belong in LTC, maybe hospice, maybe home health - the first year in nursing is hell. Hang in.