Am I cut out to be a nurse?

[nurse112813]

Hello nurses! Please share any words of wisdom for I am desperate. See after I got out of nursing school I got a steady job at a doctors office but the only problem was I got no benefits and manager always had money issues which made me feel my job wasnt stable however i lasted 3 years with them. Recently i got a better job offer at a hospital in a specialty unit (ER) and I took the job. During orientation I am now having a hard time adapting in general sometimes i get so discouraged that i feel as if i made a mistake. I also want to mention i have a hearing disability and the hospital knew when hiring me yet I am treated as if I should be at the same level of hearing people and truth is i cant. Not that i dont want to but am LIMITED TO DO SO! I have been a total different person and dread going into work ALL the time. I think maybe i picked the wrong profession yet i have read many nurses LOVE their jobs. Please what should i do im still orientating and not sure if i can suck it up for 1 year. ANY ADVICE??

[NewGradNurse2014]

Hi, I am very sorry to hear about the challenges you are facing in your new position. I just graduated and I have not yet worked as an RN so my advice may be limited. BUT I think that you should really think about what you want to do and whatever it takes to succeed and most of all be HAPPY! Maybe you just haven't found your niche yet? I mean a clinic and ER are both pretty specialty units IMO. If you like the ER and want to give it a little bit more time, is there someone that you could talk to about your hearing challenges? Maybe a manager or anyone that you feel comfortable with? Maybe there are some adaptations or accommodations that can make things a little easier on you? Also please don't be discouraged about the transition from clinic to ER. I feel that clinic nursing is a whole different beast and so I am sure that there is just a natural, yet big learning curve you will have to get through. I'm sure that with some time and hard work you will be wonderful at your new job. :) And if you decide the ER isn't for you (which some nurses feel) then maybe try switching to floor nursing or even a med-surg unit just to get some experience? One thing that drew me to nursing was all of the opportunities! Remember you aren't just limited to the clinic or hospital! Try researching your other options such as home health or community nursing or even more administrative opportunities... have you ever thought about working with other people that have hearing disabilities? Giving them a great example that you can be whatever you set your mind to could possibly be very rewarding for you?

[LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN]

In any specialty, you have to do some self-study to understand the concepts of the specialty at hand; also, what do you use to be organized? Even creating a small brain to keep you in stride on what patients you have, then cross out, and then add on since you work where your patients are always turning over.

After your shift, think about what aspects of the complex pts you took care of, and research on your day off.

Honing your nursing practice takes time; it takes about two years to feel competent in a specialty; it has nothing to do with your disability; they believe in you to have you in this position; it's time you believe in yourself too...you got this.

Best wishes.