Quitting Less than 90 days???

[ichiro12]

I'm a Med-Surg RN with a 1:5 nurse to pt ratio working in a Level 1 Trauma hospital. I like that I'm never bored and I'm always learning something new.

However, almost everyday I get off shift, I feel like a failure. I'm also a single dad and before I started working, my soon to be ex worked days and it worked out for the both of us with our 3yr old son. I have no family here. I also feel like I'm sleeping my life away when I'm off because technically, I do work on my days off up to 7am so it feels like I have no days off. My unit has a dayshift position open, but at this point, I see Med-surg isn't for me. I've always preferred a day clinic setting and now a dialysis position opened.

Should I apply being that I worked at my current unit less than 90 days? or switch to dayshift on my current floor? Should I stick it out? Part of me wants to quit because I don't feel like I can keep up with the acuity level and the temptation to fall asleep from 2-4am.

[Hoosier_RN, MSN]

Apply for both and see what happens. You may get neither or an offer from both

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

You have not given yourself enough time to learn what you want and need. I have a feeling night shift is already wearing on your circadian rhythm. Read some threads here on shift work and dialysis. No need to quit a unit with a 1:5 ratio if you can get on days.

I have heard some bad reviews on dialysis nursing. 12 hour days turning into 17, etc.

[ichiro12]

Thank you.

[ichiro12]

Thank you. I read that alot on these forums where new nurses aren't giving it a chance. You are right. I will stick it out. It's been getting better but I've also been getting more patient load as orientation progresses which can explain why I don't feel like I'm improving, but I am because I am taking on one extra pt a week until I reach five pts. I did apply for the dialysis position. I can always decline, but we'll see. I go in tonight. This will be my first day with FOUR pts. Excited but scared.