Am I in over my head?????

caliotter3 · Feb 18, 2010

You are in a tough position. Unfortunately the job market makes it very difficult to have other options. I would make provisions for your safety, even if it is no more than to call home after your are in the hospital building. I would also keep looking for work that is going to be easier on you. Personally, I don't see me going to the ER for my first RN job, even if it were the nicest ER around. But you need a job. You can't afford to be too picky. Good luck with this.

Rabid Response · Feb 18, 2010

Congratulations. I think your new job sounds very exciting. I wouldn't stress too much; just see what happens.

1) Language barriers are difficult, but you will learn to communicate. Buy yourself a book of medical phrases in Spanish. Sometimes I go weeks in ICU without having a patient who speaks English. My Spanish has gotten pretty good, I know a few phrases in Russian, and I'm almost ready to tackle a Cantonese phrase book. My hospital uses AT&T's translators in a pinch--speaker phones are a godsend.

2) I work nights, and it is hard on the body (and the social life), but I have found that night shift nurses in all departments of my hospital are very team oriented and supportive. I feel there is less competition and more cooperation. Most people find a way to cope with the physical stresses (lots of threads on this subject).

3) Commuting. I commute 30 to 45 minutes each way. I thought I would hate it, but it is often the best part of my day. I listen to music and radio shows and decompress before and after work. I studied for my CCRN exam by listening to CDs in the car. Some nights I wish my commute was longer.

4) Having a job is so much better than not having a job. You are one of the lucky ones!

5) The gang stuff is a little off-putting, and I don't think too many of us would choose to work with that population given a choice. But I'm of the mind that if you treat people with respect, most of the time you will get respect back. I've taken care of a few rough types, and they haven't given me nearly as hard a time as some of the businessmen and old ladies I've had to deal with. There is an old lady patient in my ICU right now who I would trade for a gangbanger any day. Last week she grabbed a heparin syringe from a nurse and tried to stab her with it, and she is not even confused--just wicked!

Don't go into this job thinking you are in over your head. You can do it. Practice some positive affirmations to repeat in your head whenever you start doubting yourself. A positive attitude is half the battle!

Good luck and, again, congratulations on your new job.

Lucky0220 · Feb 18, 2010

I agree with everything that NOCnewbie said! I also think that you were very lucky to get into a Versant program, as I have never heard anything but great comments about them. I bet you will be well prepared and I wish you the bes of luck. I too, moved from the east coast to Texas for my new job. So far, been here three months and it's been great. How come you chose to live so far away from the hospital, though?

classicdame, MSN, EdD · Feb 18, 2010

the hospital should have a language line or access to licensed and certified medical interpreters. Use them!

Buy heavy dark material and tape it to a tension rod the size of your window. Put it up when you sleep and tuck under the bed when you want light.

Commute - I recommend you buy fruit juice to drink on the way home. That was my way of staying alert in traffic after working nights. I would feel just fine till I actually got in the car and was able to be still for 15 minutes. Then I got sleepy.

During orientation bring up the subject of your anxieties regarding violence in the workplace. They should tell you what processes are in place to protect you.

GOOD LUCK

jennash · Feb 18, 2010

Thank you everyone for your posts! NOCnewbie especially, you made me feel a LOT better!!!

To Lucky0220: I relocated to California with my boyfriend who works in 3D animation. I didn't originally have a job when I moved here, so I rented without knowing the location of my hospital. Also, I live by the beach so it IS a nice place to come home to!

I am very lucky to have a job, especially in a Versant program. So many new nurses are struggling in California these days. Thank you all again :)

PostOpPrincess, BSN, RN · Feb 18, 2010

after about 9 months of job searching and a cross-country relocation, i finally landed my first position. the hospital is rated good, however there are many changes i am about to experience with this new position and i am worried that it may be too much for my first job. the hospital is in an area known for gang violence and a predominantly mexican population (spanish speaking only). my position is in a versant new grad program in the er on nights. these are the massive changes i am about to experience...
1. language barrier. i took french in high school and don't know a bit of spanish.
learn spanish.
2. working nights
many people work nights; learn from them how they do it.
3. commuting about an hour away (possibly longer or shorter depending on traffic)
have good working transportation.
4. having a job, especially my first rn hospital job
somehow i am picking up that you have never had a job before? am i mistaken? if so. congrats and welcome to the adult world.
5. dealing with gang violence and culture
unless you are a gangbanger yourself, you will learn what to expect as those gsws roll in--you will also learn which gang is which. they are a colorful bunch.
is this too much to handle?
you sound scared. you should be. "them's a whole lotta changes.", as my mom would say. learn to cope; learn coping skills. that is my mantra. and also...this will be the time you're going to figure out what your character is made of. are you gonna be as as hard as a rock or a wuss? you decide. finding another job seems silly in an economy such as this, but i don't want to ruin my views on nursing and my chances to succeed.

if you already know you're not ready for it, don't do it. but if you are just scared...unsure....jump into it. it will be a great learning experience, and the credibility you will get for working in a tough environment is like earning a gold medal in the olympics.

good luck.

helikias · Feb 19, 2010

I used to work with gang members when I was a librarian. As long as you treat them with a normal level of respect (which I am sure you would do anyway, as you sound very nice), don't ever act shocked or scared (this is a big one! Never look surprised), AND you have a security guard in the facility (which I am sure you will), you will be fine. Congrats on the job!

nyteshade, BSN · Feb 19, 2010

I'm sure you will be fine. But just to lighten the mood up, don't put the guy with the red bandana next to the guy with the blue bandana. lol.

allnurses Guide · Feb 19, 2010

Also, the security at hospitals like that usually aren't guys that look like Wilford Brimley or stare at a crappy TV all night watching re-runs of I Love Lucy.

mustlovepoodles, RN · Feb 19, 2010

I've worked with teen gang members in some pretty heated situations and you just have to keep yourself calm, treat them with respect and never stand in front of the only door out.

I don't work ER, but I do work with a lot of Spanish-speaking immigrant families. I have to tell you, I have never found a people group that I loved as much as these people. As a general rule they are very family-oriented, polite, concerned and generous. You can get a Spanish for Nurses phrase book which will get you started. When I moved to Miami I found out pretty quick that I needed some basic Spanish. So I wrote out a list of phrases and yes/no questions which a friend translated and wrote phonetically. I put one question per card, Spanish on the front, English translation on the back, and put them on a large O-ring. I used these questions a LOT. If nothing else,they were a great ice-breaker. It's pretty amazing how quickly they "learned" English when they heard my Spanish. One boy told me, "Your Spanish is okay but you have a terrible American accent." :clown:

jennash · Feb 19, 2010

I put one question per card, Spanish on the front, English translation on the back, and put them on a large O-ring. I used these questions a LOT. If nothing else,they were a great ice-breaker. It's pretty amazing how quickly they "learned" English when they heard my Spanish. One boy told me, "Your Spanish is okay but you have a terrible American accent."

I think this sounds like a great idea - very useful!