Anyone else frustrated with being a new nurse?

Published

I have been a nurse for 4 months. So far, I've been disappointed and frustrated with my job. I am not sure how much has to do with my hospital, floor, and shift, and how much has to do with me. In the last month 5 nurses and 2 CNAs have left. 2 more nurses and 2 CNAs turned in their notices tonight. We have a new chief nursing executive that has us on a bare bones staffing grid and people have been dropping like flies. I work 3-11 on a Med/Surg floor. I dread going into work, am stressed the wole time I'm there, and cannot wait until I am off for a few days. I never expected to practice in the "Ivory Tower" like they taught us in school, but I never expected it to be like THIS. I never do anything for my patients except, "Here take this pill" or "Here's your shot." Is anyone else as disappointed with nursing as I am?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Welcome to nursing. That's just kind of the way things are in most places.

Year after year, I see posts just like yours on allnurses. Browse this board: the First Year in Nursing board. The messages just like yours are many, and they go waaaaay back. Now you know what so many seasoned nurses are complaining about.

Not to be insensitive, but it is incredible. Nursing is never going to change.

Many places are bad places to work. I always say there is no nursing shortage, just a shortage of people willing to put up with the kind of conditions that you describe.

If you look around, you can find a good place to work, but good places are not the norm, in my experience.

Don't give in to it, don't let anyone push you around. You can find a decent job.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Transplant, homecare, hospice.

Yeah, I was going to say, 'welcome to nursing.' Some of the people I went to school with are saying the same thing. It's sad but true. With the shortage, money crunches...leading to staffing issues....higher acuity patients, less staff....it's very stressful.

HellllllloNurse gave some good advice. I agree.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I have been a nurse for 10 months and there was a time when I thought things would never get better. I was working evenings 3-11, and I was working on a medical floor and we tend to be very busy. There were times when I never thought I could make it through the night. Also, I was scared to ask for help if I needed it. I finally got over that fear and asked for help when I needed it. That helped some, but I also made sure to take a break every night that I worked. And when I say break I mean getting off the floor for a few minutes to clear your head. Your charting will always be there for you when you get back. Your own piece of mind is more important. Also, with time I found that my organizational skills got better. So, hang in there! Things will start to get easier for you. Going from nursing school and transitioning to actual nursing is very hard. That's why we all have to stick together and encourage one another. I wish you luck, feel free to chat with me at anytime if you ever need to talk or even vent about your job.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ACNP-BC.

I've been an RN for 4 months as well, and I know what you mean. I hate those days when all you have time for is to pass meds and barely get by with what absolutely must get done-it can get very frustrating. I'm lucky because I feel I can get help on my unit when I need it from my co-workers. Usually if one of us is having a bad day, others will pitch in-unless everyone is having the same bad day! Good luck-hopefully it will get better for you. Maybe it is also the unit and/or hospital you are in that is not great. Perhaps you can look elsewhere to find a better place to work.

-Christine

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Trauma/ED.

I've been working on the surgical floor at my local hospital since I got my RN last June, but I actually LOVE my job. I enjoy going to work. Yes it's very busy but my patients get better and go home, our staff works as a team and I have FUN! I'm not sure what some people expect in "nursing" yes there is a lot of work, yes it's stressful, yes your not always appreciated, yes you probably won't get rich, yes the hours are long, yes you won't make every patient happy, yes you will work with burned out cranky nurses at times. But if you aren't happy doing what your doing, nursing is very diverse profession, maybe you should find a job at a clinic or jail or something, or just go to a different department in the same hospital. I just think if you don't like where you're working there is no need to punish yourself by keeping the job when there is so many options out there.

Good luck and I'm sorry for your experiences so far...

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Surge.
I have been a nurse for 4 months. So far, I've been disappointed and frustrated with my job. I am not sure how much has to do with my hospital, floor, and shift, and how much has to do with me. In the last month 5 nurses and 2 CNAs have left. 2 more nurses and 2 CNAs turned in their notices tonight. We have a new chief nursing executive that has us on a bare bones staffing grid and people have been dropping like flies. I work 3-11 on a Med/Surg floor. I dread going into work, am stressed the wole time I'm there, and cannot wait until I am off for a few days. I never expected to practice in the "Ivory Tower" like they taught us in school, but I never expected it to be like THIS. I never do anything for my patients except, "Here take this pill" or "Here's your shot." Is anyone else as disappointed with nursing as I am?

Wow-we must work for the same hospital!! Or at least the same company!! LOL. I have been a nurse now for almost 6 months and I am not disappointed in my job but more in the company than anything else. Those types of working conditions are very stressful and make the transition to nursing for us "newbies" even harder. I am switching jobs next week, new hospital and hopefully lots better working conditions. Hopefully I will find that it isn't the same way at this other hospital. good luck and don't give up. We will get there someday.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency.

I have been in the ED for almost 6 months. I hated it the first three months but now I love my job. I love the people I work with, I love what I do, I just have fun and I don't mind going to work. Only problem is there is a waiting list for days and I can't stand nights physically. Anyway, maybe you just need to find a place that works for you. Keep a positive attitude and positive things will come your way. Don't just think that all nursing is like this. I can tell you first hand that it's not. Good luck, I hope you find something that clicks for you!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatrics.

Yes... find a nursing job that makes you happier to be a nurse. I don't think hospital nursing is going to be for me long term, which I always thought it would. I am giving it at least a year out of school- till next July. If I still feel the way I do now when I come home from work, I don't want to do that any more. It's just not worth it. I'll try to find a job in an office or school somewhere, though I know with my lack of experience that won't be easy. But hospital nursing, even in my great hospital, isn't something that I can see myself doing the rest of my life- by ANY stretch of the imagination. Unless I have to. So, no you're not alone!!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I completely understand your frustration. i've been a nurse for 10 months and I work on a fast paced cardiac telemetry unit. It never seems like we're adequately staffed and admissions calls our unit all the time to send overflow patients just because we have open beds. Luckily there are many experienced nurses I can turn to. I'm not frustrated with nursing, but with the job. It just doesn't seem reasonable. Like you said, I feel the job forces us to be task oriented, instead of using a holistic approach. I never feel like I have time to address my patients many needs.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care.

Prepare for a lifetime of frustration, if you plan on staying in this field for any length of time.

Just the way it is, honey.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Educator, OB, Critical Care.

Asilmk, I am sorry you feel that way. I have been a nurse for over 20 years, and finally found a job that I like (sort of). Am back in school after all of this time working on my MSN for FNP or CRNA, have to decide by the first of the year which track I will take. I figure by having more autonomy that nursing will be better. Just keep thinking why you got into nursing, to take care of patients, not the place you work. Best of luck, and you might look around to see if there is another place to work. Debra

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion