Conflicted about jobs…

klone, MSN, RN · Dec 19, 2022

I think it's a mistake to make a decision about your future and your specialty after being in a role for only 3 months. I personally would recommend anyone give it at least a year before making such an important decision. It's very normal to have stress, dread, and angst about your job as a new nurse. And being a nurse since September does not make you "relatively new," it makes you brand-spanking new. "Relatively new" is what you can call yourself after a year, IMO. I would recommend checking out the "Novice to Expert" theory of Patricia Benner.

School nursing is a very autonomous role, and not something I would recommend to a brand new nurse. New nurses should have their colleagues around them, people who can mentor them, people to whom you can ask questions.

So yes, based only on the words of a stranger on a screen, I think you are making a mistake. But I'm not you, and I don't live your life. Best of luck in your decision.

MaleNurse53, BSN · Dec 19, 2022

12 hours ago, klone said:

I think it's a mistake to make a decision about your future and your specialty after being in a role for only 3 months. I personally would recommend anyone give it at least a year before making such an important decision. It's very normal to have stress, dread, and angst about your job as a new nurse. And being a nurse since September does not make you "relatively new," it makes you brand-spanking new. "Relatively new" is what you can call yourself after a year, IMO. I would recommend checking out the "Novice to Expert" theory of Patricia Benner.

Thanks for the response! I just had a chat with my assistant manager and am going to give some more thought. Honesty, without judgement, is incredibly insightful and helpful!!

JKL33 · Dec 20, 2022

I agree completely with @klone; very sound advice.

18 hours ago, MaleNurse53 said:

Since transitioning to RN, I have been overwhelmed, stressed, unable to spend quality time with my patients, and disheartened in general.

I think this is fairly common for the role transition period. I was going to use the word normal instead of common, but didn't want you think I was minimizing what you're feeling. I would venture a guess that a large majority of new nurses have felt some version of this, although we may process it in our own various ways. It isn't just a role transition but also somewhat a life transition with the increased responsibility, the aspect of staring badness right in the face every day, people dying, sad circumstances, fear of hurting someone, the (almost immediate) realization that real-world nursing is a whole other ballgame compared to nursing school...not to mention just being an adult with a professional license and a grown-up job---there's a ton of new realizations (about the world, life) that can be stressful.

I started in a similar specialty and it was all of the above. I remember names and faces just like it was yesterday.

You will be okay. You'll get your bearings. You will learn how to process emotions and how to do your best for patients while keeping yourself separate from the things you are encountering every day--instead of carrying them as a personal burden.

I say stick with it if at all possible.

Best wishes ~

JBMmom, MSN, NP · Dec 20, 2022

You have chosen a very challenging specialty. And being familiar with the unit in the role of PCA was certainly helpful to you in many respects, but as you're seeing, the role of the RN brings a new set of worries and responsibilities. I agree with the others that what you're experiencing is not uncommon in new nurses in any setting, although not everyone has had to deal with a dying child which is a stress I can't see myself handling well. I agree with others that if you see yourself with any interest in remaining in your current position that you give it some more time.

As far as spending time with your dog and family, I completely understand missing that connection while in this transition period. The best I can offer is to maximize your quality time when you can. When I started I felt like there was so much I wanted to study and learn, but I did try to make family time the priority. When I was home it wasn't time on my phone or the computer if anyone was around. My kids knew if they wanted me to read a story or play a game, go on a walk, etc. that was my top priority. I look back on years of missing out on things, but my kids don't remember it that way. It will be worth it in the end, despite the short term challenges, as hard as they sometimes seem. Good luck to you!