first RN job proving to be a disappointment, tips please... - page 2

I am also a new grad who was hired straight out of school into a unit. I was miserable and overwhelmed. I lasted 2 months off orientation and then I transferred to their stepdown unit.

I like the stepdown unit. It's still fast paced, I still get similar patients just not on a critical level. I have learned a lot in the past year. The nurses on the stepdown unit were also accustomed to new grads and much more likely to help.

It took me a long time to get my confidence back, but I feel so much better now and I know now I am good at my job.

I am a firm believer that new grad RNs, including myself when I was, are not meant for critical care in any shape or form. My reasoning? Things are just too quickly paced to be learning time management, accountability, and general nursing abilities at the same time as specializing.

Granted, there are always the exceptions. You have the PCTs who've worked in ICU/Stepdown (myself) who don't want to work anywhere else. You've got the thrill-seekers who think they're above "floor nursing" (guess what? That SICU patient you finally transferred went to the floor! Don't knock the floor!)

I guess my point is, we get done with nursing school, and we think we have an idea that we want to specialize in higher levels of care before we master the art of nursing.

Don't overwhelm yourself.

P.S. - This post I guess is more for the un-initiated, as the OP obviously has made their bed and now must lay in it. :P Just kidding. You'll make it, just hang on.

Sorry to hear about your situation in the CCU, I recently transferred from the stepdown tele unit to the CCU and even after 3 years of stepdown some days it is overwhelming. You need to learn to use your resource nurses on the floor when you are starting to feel overwhelmed and dont be afraid to ask for help from your coworkers. This helps all of us to get through the day, when we do have the window of opportunity of being caught up we always ask each other if we need any help. Please stick with it for the next 6 months, it will fly by & the experience you will gain will prove to be very useful in your nursing career. If this is not your niche then consider shadowing another nurse in a different unit, and ask around the hospital about other specialty areas that may interest you. Just know that it will get better each day and you will start to feel more comfortable and confident in your ability to take care of your patients. Good luck to you with your future nursing endeavors and feel free to vent here anytime. I hope this helps you with your career choices in the future

Try all of the above, but it might NOT get better. Nursing is not fun, seldom rewarding, and even less seldom will your efforts be appreciated by anyone (from upper management to your unit manager to your patients). It is, however, a steady paycheck. If you're young, and it doesn't get better, GET OUT before it's too late!!!!