Resigning 1st RN job

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Hello all,

I resigned my first RN job as a new grad on a general med/surg floor. My manager and preceptor were both concerned that I wasn't progressing at a steady rate during my orientation period. I was still making the same mistakes I had been my first week on the job. Time management and critical thinking skills (seeing the patient's whole picture) were my weaknesses. I found it difficult to manage 5-6 patients when things were going unexpectedly on the unit. Charting also took a lot of time for me. I always felt rushed, stressed out and most days nervous to go to work. The responsibility of high acuity patients weighed down on me heavily and I felt unable to care for them efficiently.

I questioned if this was the right type of role/ setting for me as my first job. Soon after I resigned (during the orientation period).

My clinical educator suggested a specialty with less patient acuity and/or a slower paced environment like a nursing home, which I agree with.

Some advice would be greatly appreciated! My questions are vast, so bear with me please :)

1) What are my chances of getting another job in a different nursing specialty (OB, nursing home, psych)? Especially with my (still) lack of experience?--had been only 6 weeks on the previous job.

2) Should I go on to get my masters as an NP (given my lack of experience)? Any comments on completing an NP program without having much RN bedside nursing experience? What's the transition like?

2) Should I mention my 6 weeks of work on the med/surg floor for future interviews? Or will it discourage employers from hiring me given the short amount of time?

Thanks! Any feedback is much appreciated.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

I am so sorry that you had this experience. But, as an educator, I can assure you that very few new grads "get it" after such a short amount of time. Most are still feeling very unsure at the 6 MONTH mark - it's widely acknowledged that it takes 12 months to function independently at the Novice level. Srsly. You didn't give it enough time. Critical thinking is going to be required in any setting. If you were having difficulty with 6 patients, the RN role in LTC is probably going to be overwhelming; responsibility for ~ 20 patients as well as supervision of subordinate staff.

It doesn't seem to make any sense to try to move on to NP education before you have become competent with the basics. Give yourself more time. Keep that big picture in mind & try not to be too hard on yourself.

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Specializes in cardiac/education.

Awwww, so sorry this happened to you. I do agree with Hou that more time was needed but I had (have) the same problems as you so I know that dealing with a toxic level of anxiety on a daily basis and continuing to tell yourself "this is normal" "this is normal" while you want to puke in the elevator every morning is super hard. WAY easier said than done. Nobody wants to be miserable at work. I really do feel like those of us that have anxiety prone personalities really struggle when starting a new nursing career. And if you are not mentally robust starting out it only gets harder......to succeed and to stay calm and rational. Seeing the "big picture" becomes hard both with your patients and in your own life. I have a strong work ethic...I just want to find a job that I half enjoy that doesn't send me into a panic on a daily basis. I don't mind working hard for my money. What I mind is feeling that I am sacrificing both my physical and mental health in the process. I have not found the magic bullet but I will tell you that counseling and Klonopin are now in my life. I can't tolerate SSRI's so that is just how it is. ;)

I hope you find something that is a better fit but don't completely exclude the hospital. Could be you did need more time to feel MORE COMFORTABLE but more comfortable may always be somewhat anxiety ridden for you, FYI. I think this comes with dealing with the unknown. You just never know what you are gonna get in nursing and that is a hard pill to swallow for some of us!

Just know I am giving you a big cyber hug because I know it is so hard at first. And so hard to remain calm and rational when you are experiencing toxic levels of stress and anxiety! Consider outside intervention of some kind, it will likely help you!

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Specializes in cardiac/education.

What is your Enneagram personality type? I am Type 6 so finding that out helps it all make sense. Check it out!

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