Advice to a new nurse wanting to quit...

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Specializes in Developmental Disabilities.

I am so frustrated! I am almost 6 months in to working on a cardiac floor...and have never been so down on myself! I remember feeling shy and unsure of myself...in high school. 10 years later I feel like this AGAIN ever since I started my job.

I got my review...some of the comments were from peers...nurses that followed me during my orientation...the one that got me was "she seems like she is a slow learner, slower than most..." I worked more than 40 hours a week AND still did well in my classes in nursing school...and also have a four year degree in another field. I thought it seemed more like a mean, back biting comment, not necessarily something that is going to help me. A few of the comments were nice, but seemed to lead towards one thing...she's not cut out for this floor.

Cardiac is tough! I run around like a chicken with their head cut off...getting people ready for tests, carrying out orders, and basically feeling like I can't do enough all day long. I hate it!! I've lost weight...having little appetite, get tongue-tied, feel unsure of myself, throw up before work...I don't know what to do. I guess it's interesting, to a certain extent, but having a four year degree in Psych, I originally went into nursing to do psych nursing. Everyone's said you should have a year of floor experience. I don't think I can stand this though...I feel flustered/nauseated/tongue tied ALL THE TIME. I feel like I'm pissing people off...and I feel like I am holding people back.

My boss has said that I have made great improvements, but the truth is, I just want to quit. I love the patients/families...and could spend all day with them...I need a slower pace, I think. I just feel like my confidence is completely gone...I used to work at a place where everyone was very friendly...it's not like that on the floor, it almost seems like a sorority.

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Specializes in RN- Med/surg.

Psych and med/surg cardiac have very little to do with each other. I'd start looking for a psych job if that's where you want to be. I don't think being miserable...and getting experience in cardiac will help you any in the direction you want to go.

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Specializes in Emergency.

Go looking for psych jobs NOW. Talk to the managers and HR, and see if they even CARE that you have cardiac experience. I would think they have very little to do with one another, and with your previous psych degree they may take that as more valuable than the cardiac experience.

Also, check in with the psych nurses forum here on allnurses, and see what they have to say there.

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The other posters have given you good advice.

I just want to say that your unit/management leaves a bit to be desired. I can't believe that someone would say/print such a negative comment on your eval. That is part of your permanent record and that is their opinion, they need examples to back that up.

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Your job, whatever it maybe, should be enjoyed from the time you clock in til the time you leave. You have tried to stick it out for a VERY long time. 6 months?! You have my upmost respect for not waving the white flag already. I'm sure there are other fields of nursing, like psyc, that you can go into. Don't forget that you have NUMEROUS options!!

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Specializes in Developmental Disabilities.

Thanks everyone!!! I think you are right...just trying not to be a "jobhopper" when I really need to be doing something completely different in nursing...

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Specializes in Emergency.

If you want to be a psych nurse, then that's where you should be.

Psych is not for everyone, and if you feel called to do that then you should do it. We are in such high demand, that lots of "specialty" nursing will hire new grads. Find a place that gives you a good orientation, and has a good rep. Personally, I work on a tele unit (love it), but I know it's not for everyone. Same with psych.

Find the right job for you, and you will be fine.

Amy

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Specializes in Travel Nursing, ICU, tele, etc.

I am soooo sorry that you have had to go through this. I had 6 different jobs in the first 2 years or so that I was a nurse and it NEVER got in the way of getting the next position. "Finding your niche" is an accepted pursuit in the 'nursing culture' and that is the only explanation I ever had to give to a prospective employer and it was totally accepted. Obviously, that isn't true for all professions, so don't let whatever work ethic you may have been raised with get in the way of you "finding your niche". Go out there and explore!! It is OK!!

I too have dealt with A LOT of insecurity in my career (and in my life for that matter) and I would suspect that issue will probably be there in your next postion too (to some degree). It is something that I believe you will need to learn to manage. I promise it can be done. Sometimes, seeing a professional can really help, if that is something you are willing to try. I highly recommend it.

Take care, and keep trying until you find that perfect niche for you. And remember, nursing is a varied and vast field, you can keep exploring it for the rest of your life, if you want to.

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Specializes in Cardiac Telemetry, ED.

Cardiac IS hard, especially for new grads. I am one of the last LPNs to be hired on my floor (the LPN is being phased out here), and on top of it, I am a new LPN, and there are people who believe, and vocally so, that LPNs have no place on my unit, and that RNs should have a couple of years of experience under their belt before working there. Sadly, I am beginning to agree with them, because it really is hard. It is not for everyone. I am so fortunate to have supportive co-workers and have heard nothing but good things about how I'm doing. I cannot imagine how discouraged I'd feel if that were not the case. And even considering that, I've still been tempted to leave, but chose to stick it out until I am an RN (June 08), then see where I want to go from there. I do love the cardiac pathyphysiology, reading EKGs, and I do love the patients and family members, so I may stay on.

If psych nursing is what you got into nursing to do, then I'd be applying for psych jobs were I you. Psych nurses are in demand, so it shouldn't be difficult to find a job. You might do a job shadow first just to be sure it's a place you want to work.

I got into nursing to work in the OR. But after my OR rotation, where I observed several surgeries including a CABG, I decided that I would miss practicing my skills and interacting with the patients the way I do on the floor, so the OR is where I'll go some day when I want to do something new.

Best of luck to you!

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Specializes in Developmental Disabilities.

I just want to thank everyone again for their kind words and encouragement to seek out something else that may be more for me...I'll let you all know what I decide to do!!

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I am a new nurse as well and can feel your pain. The thing that really bothers me about your situation is the lack of support you are receiving. Your nurse manager should never tell you that one of your co-workers thinks that you are slow. First of all, there is a huge learning curve that we must all over come. You are not slow.You deserve better and more professional support. I would not quit - you have worked too hard. I would try to find something that is a better fit. i work in a place that is great for new grads. They are always trying to help me and ask if there is anything they can do for me. These places do exist. Do not let this place get you down. You know you can do it. Hang in there.

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I am also a new nurse. I started 4weeks ago in telemetry unit. I am totally understanding how you feel. It is very hard for me too. I feel like I don't know more than I know. There is a big difference between nursing school and a real nursing job. I am really miss my nursing teachers. I just came home from my job, I am very tired. I feel that I am very slow learner, but I like cardiology very much, I just not at the same level as other nurses are. Also, english is not my first languge and it is very difficult for me. I am trying very hard to learn and act as a nurse on telemetry unit. I guess it will take some time. Well, I just want let you know that not only you feel down it is difficult for me too as a new nurse, but I don't think it will be easier anywerealse. At the beginning it is hard but hopfully it will get easier for you. I hope you will able to understand what I wrote.

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