Should I quit or try to transfer

[goodnurse22]

Hi everyone! I'm trying to seek an objective opinion on my situation, in order to decide whether to quite or try to transfer to other units.

I have slightly over a year of nursing experience. I previously worked for a governement hospital in one state and decided to transfer to another government hospital in another state, same agency, just different hospitals so the systems are similar. I left my first govt hospital because I was "bored". I felt that I've learned so much but there are more opportunities to learn elsewhere so I decided to interview at another government hospital in another state, where I was told I will be in a "very busy unit". I wanted the challenge so I took it.

So here I am, 6 weeks into orientation, and I'm grateful to have new co-workers who are very supportive of me. However, I feel overwhelmed. I'm expected to manage 5-6 patients and right now I'm doing 3 patients. I'm having very little trouble handling 3 at this time due to my supportive co-workers. However, after being here in this unit, I came to the abrupt realization that this place is too fast for me and 5 would be unsafe for me . The doctors can be so demanding, and I've seen how my coworkers get pulled into multiple directions all at once, in a way that I perceive to be unsafe. For example, a co-worker had to go to the OR to set up a PCA pump in a middle of an OR procedure. I was like what? What if his other patient coded? The staff are supportive but they are thinly stretched. We have very little ancillary support here. Sometimes we have to run the pharmacy to get the medications for our discharged patients. It seems like everyone has their own "crisis" to handle especially in the mornings. Again, I transferred from one government hospital to another so the systems are pretty similar to me, just that the culture is different. I asked for busy but I'm getting it times 10.

Again, let me reiterate: I'm managing 3 pts fine but I cannot give the care that I feel these patient deserve when I have 5. I've seen how they treat my other co-workers, and that will likely be my situation once I'm off orientation.

Should I begin the conversation of trying to transfer to another unit, quit, or move back to old hospital, in which I'm welcome back. Thank you for any objective feedback you may have.

I'd like to reiterate that nothing "bad" has happened to me yet, but I feel

[Nurse_]

Be careful what you wish for...

I think you'll do fine. You think you can't handle it but you will. You will learn how to think faster, do things in a safe manner while being pulled in multiple directions.

Should you quit after 6-weeks? Will you transfer to a better facility where you are not being pulled each and every way?

Nursing will be like that. You need to prioritize and learn to speak up for yourself and for your patients. You need to learn when to say no to doctors. If you decide to stay, you'll probably be a better nurse because you are challenge and force to grow as a nurse.