I am new grad and landed a med-surg job here recently. Never really having done hands-on care except briefly in nursing school, I feel completely overwhelmed and am unsure if I will be able to handle an 8-patient load. I know that jobs are scarce and I should be counting my lucky stars. I really do feel fortunate, however I feel so paralyzed by fear that I wake up every morning dreading going to work and just feel so depressed and horrible.
This position will also be nights eventually which would be difficult because i am a single mom of 3 kids...
I have another job possibility but it is in a clinic. I really think this might be a better fit for me and it is Monday through Friday 8-5. I have heard that clinic experience is not as valued as hospital floor experience and new grads really should work on the floor for at least a year. Clinic does not pay as much as hospital either.. so that is a factor too I suppose.. Does anyone have opinions on this? I'll take constructive criticism, but please no negative comments.. I'm already feeling so down and questioning why I went into nursing... I love people/patients, but just don't know if I would be good at med/surg.. and in fact I really doubt it now...
