Considering New Career

Nurses Career Support

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This is a rather lengthy post.

I was recently let go from my job in wound care just after orientation. All they basically told me is that I am really nice but they thought it was too much for me at this time. I feel like they didn't train me very well and looking back it was actually a toxic sort of place. I know areas I could have worked on, but sadly they didn't want to give me anymore time. Big hit to my confidence.

Before that job I didn't home health for about a year and a half. I needed to change because I was feeling over worked and like my team leader was gunning for me. Among other things she said clients would call her to say I was too quiet or too rushed (I would have loved to have spent more time with people but kinda hard when you're pushed to see at least 5 people daily and some are 2 hours drive apart).

Before that I was at my first job in med-surg. I actually loved the job when I was on night shift but my body and life couldn't handle it. Switched to days which wasn't too bad, but the nurses were cliquey and I was kind of the oddball. This coupled with anxiety over having to cover patients between a few weeks to over 100 yo with varying acuities drove me to seek a home health position.

So now I am stuck thinking that I chose the wrong career. After 3 jobs in 3 years, it seems like it must be me or something. Any advice is welcome. Needed to vent to people who (hopefully) understand.

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It sounds like a few of those places may not have been ideal work environments for you. That combined with your relative inexperience at the time may have had an impact on your view of those positions. I would keep searching for a position that suits you better before you completely give up the profession.

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I'm rights where you are. I've had 3 jobs in 3 years. Last job I got fired from. I like nursing as long as I don't have to work with other nurses. Nurses are a mean bunch. I'm not saying that cuz I got fired. I'm saying that with experience from postpartum, corrections, and med surg. I have no words of wisdom. I'm right there with you.

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It sounds like you are having anxiety with each job you have. In medsurg, you will have people with varying acuities. And it can be difficult to be the new girl on the block, but you have to stick it out as it does get better.

You also have to remember to work quickly while striking up conversations with patients and families so they feel comfortable with you and trust you. Take the time to focus on that patient. Not what you need to get done there right now so you can get on to the next patient. I think in home health, you were too focused on the next patient and not your current one. This job is just as much psychological as it is tasky.

I think you just need to find your niche and change your outlook on the job. If you are having anxiety, get help with it. Give yourself time to adjust and fit in, and realize the job is just not about getting the tasks done, it's being there psychologically for that patient as well. You need to build up that trust, which is just as important as dressing their wound or giving that BP med.

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I agree that my anxiety is a big factor. I am a task-oriented person so that does play a factor as well.

There are things I can work on and I own that, but some of the aspects of each job seem like a lot for anyone.

Like working your regular 40+ hours a week then having to be on call all week, work the weekend and call on weekend then do your regular 40+ again.

Or having a patient load of 5 to 6 with a 104 yo who likes to try to get up (high fall risk) whose family pushes you to the limit and also a baby with RSV on that same team, all of which you have to do hourly rounds on and even more frequently for the minor ones.

What really gets me is that (at least in the places I have worked​) they started me out with no training on the charting system until like 2-3 weeks into the job. I'm told that they are supportive and like teamwork but get irritated if you ask a question or for tips or demean you because you did exactly as you had been shown. Not to mention the whole talking bad about the other nurses behind their backs (very catty).

I have tried to connect with patients and help them in any way I could. Sadly when I took more time I got called slow or doubted.

Perhaps it is a matter of finding a niche. Perhaps it's something more. While I really do love nursing, it hasn't seemed to love me back. My health, sanity, and happiness are all factors to consider.

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Maybe you would like working in the OR as a circulating nurse? The environment and staff can either be tough or supportive, but you might enjoy it if you found the right team. I have heard that the OR is good for nurses who are task oriented, you have one patient to focus on during the surgery which can be nice. Patients are also under general anesthesia for most procedures, and no family to deal with. Usually training for new OR nurses is 4-6 months and is very comprehensive. If that interests you, I would request to shadow a few OR nurses. The surgeries can be cool, but make sure you are watching everything that the circulating nurse does. They make it look easy because they are so skilled. Good luck! Don't give up, you'll find the right fit!

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Moved to another forum - career advice

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Specializes in 15 years in ICU, 22 years in PACU.
It sounds like you are having anxiety with each job you have.

If you are having anxiety, get help with it. Give yourself time to adjust and fit in, and realize the job is just not about getting the tasks done, it's being there psychologically for that patient as well.

As the flight attendant says, "Put the oxygen mask on yourself first before helping others"

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