Burning out and I just started.

coola · Apr 30, 2009

"... do you think i should try and stick it out? thanks for any advice...it was really nice to just vent!"

without details of what makes your unit so stressful, it's hard to advise specifically. however, i also found my first year the hardest thing i had ever done(and i have done a lot of hard things!)! i was fortunate to have my first rn job in a great place with great staff and supportive management. people can make or break your experience and socially unskilled or unprofessional interaction can be very confusing to the new nurse. looking back, i know the difficulty for me was the accumulated technical, physical, and emotional onslaught. all this and the responsibility to do no harm while under incredible pressure! however, i challenged myself and got the benefit of the suggested 2 years med-surg acute care experience which laid the groundwork for having confidence in my skills and abilities.

so assess your situation. engage constructively with rns you respect. if your work situation is just "really crazy" and not toxic then stick it out and be absolutely sure to get some balance with healthy activity outside of work. limit overtime as much as possible. otherwise, check out a better situation and make a lateral move. do not give up.

best of luck. i think you'll make it and looking back be proud of yourself.

Mollypita · Apr 30, 2009

I just finished that "first year in nursing" and I can tell you, it does get better. For the first few months, I had to take a Xanax after my shift or I could never have gotten to sleep due to things constantly running through my head over and over. Give it a few more months, then if you still want to leave, start looking around. But you may just start to feel much more comfortable right where you are.

NIGHTWOLF87 · Apr 30, 2009

i also started out on a medical/oncology floor when i first graduated, and i know exactly how you feel. it was super hectic: patient load of around 14 patients, plus admissions, discharges, and the staff weren't exactly "new hire friendly", and this facility was still using paper charting at the time. so i averaged anywhere from 2-3 hours, sometimes more, charting after my 12 hr shift was done. i was so tired after each shift. nursing school never told me about this! :bugeyes: but i hung in there, learned a lot, and learned how to manage adverse situations. did that for about a year. my first love has always been kids, so when the current nicu position i have opened up, i jumped at it. also tried some ltc/rehab, pediatric home health (too much paperwork!), alzheimers pts, and now i also work part time at a private psych hospital. so i speak from experience, it does get better! you went to school, graduated, passed the nclex, and are an rn, so don't feel like you don't know anything! trust and believe in yourself. there are always those in any job environment who seem to do nothing but criticize no matter what the situation. they are the type that if they won a million dollars, they would complain about the container it came in, so just learn to blow them off. if the your work environment is too unbearable, then look for something else. see what is available on another unit. there are always options. so just hang in there and good luck!

deybozz · Apr 30, 2009

I think it is so Wonderful to find a profession with a group of people so supportive!! I just want to say "Thank You" in advance. I'm sure a day will come when I'll be asking for advice!! = )

SteffersRN87, BSN, RN · May 1, 2009

First... take a deep breath...

When I graduate, I went straight into ICU. I did feel comfortable after being there for six months and it was OK (despite what everyone says about new nurses in ICU). But I quickly got tired of arresting patients and all of the adrenaline action that I came to ICU for. And, I realized that I missed having the interaction with awake patients. I applied for the position where I am now with about 7 months experience. The recruiter and manager both inquired as to why I wanted to make such a quick career move, I told them flat out that ICU was not my hopes and dreams and I just did not love it. They took me in with a warm welcome. I work outpatient and we take care of oncology and cell transplants, administer chemo & IV infusions, and recovery invasive procedure patients. I love it! I felt very much the same way you did with going to work. Look around and see what else there is! It might just work for you too!