Help, I hate my job

[TiffTiffRN]

I am a new grad, working at a LTAC and I absolutely HATE it. If this was all nursing had to offer, I would quit the profession. I cry every single day at the thought of going back, even on my days off. The nurse/patient ratio is 1:10, this is very overwhelming to me as a new grad (I am still orienting, so my preceptor still guides me), this is not a place for a new grad to work. It feels like a step-down ICU to me. Does anyone have any advice for me? Stick it out in misery until I find something else? Would quitting make me look like a quitter? I am so overwhelmed. Is this a normal part of being a new grad in the work force? Hating it? Thanks for any advice.

[EmpathyInAction]

I work in a SNF that takes acute care patients from hospitals, often fresh from surgery and/or with significant problems. On any given day I can have between 10 and 16 patients. It is tough, tiring and keeps me very busy. The patient population is constantly rotating: as patients are finishing thier convalescence, new more acute patients are arriving. I do not believe that this type of environment is for everyone. However, it takes time to adjust and you need strong organization skills and to learn how to prioritize tasks. This may or may not be the job for you, but if you are still orienting, you might want to give it more time.

[Hi2Jenn]

I know it's been a while, but I just want to say that LTC and LTAC are NOT the same thing. The LTAC patients are very, very time consuming. I have 18 years of experience. My LTAC had a 6:1 ratio. You may or may not have an aide on any given day. I routinely took 4 hours to pass am meds, and it wasn't just me. LTC the patients are more stable and the higher ratio is expected. It is a very different work environment. Not better or worse, just different. You just can't compare the ratios, it's apples to oranges.