Depressed, Discouraged, Ready to Call it Quits....

hypnotic_nurse · Jul 10, 2004

My best friend says, "I was looking for a job when I found this one." Keep your options open and start looking now if this isn't working out for you. Sometimes workplace personalities just aren't a good fit.

Old Broad New Nurse · Jul 10, 2004

Yes, I have heard that saying on many occasions...have even told myself that on THIS one more than once. I really felt like I was becoming more knowledgeable, becoming faster, prioritizing better, becoming more proficient at finishing the paperwork. Not to mention assessing my patients better.

Mind you at this hospital there are no CNA's, they have one functioning BP machine for the floor [how do four or five nurses with 4 to 7 patients each get Vitals done in 20 mins?], and they are currently experiencing financial problems with several auxillary personel let go. All the paperwork is done without a computer, and the night shift is responsible for changing out the mars and Nurses notes.

I really like most of the Nurses I work with...have had no apparent run ins with any of them. We seem to all get along well.

I have looked for other options. Been looking on the computer and that is how I found this site.

mac23 · Jul 11, 2004

I agree that sometimes jobs don't work out no matter how well you think you may fit. Take me for example, my first job was in the NICU and I LOVED it. Thought I was doing well. My preceptors always told me what a wonderful job I was doing THEN we got a NEW manager and suddenly I wasn't doing so good anymore. No matter how much positive response I got nothing I did in her eyes was right. She and a few of the other staff were not new grad friendly..... I stayed for a year (BIG mistake) because I was miserable and began getting the attitude that I wasn't a good nurse and that i shouldn't have ever gone to nursing school. When I finally came to my senses and went to a teaching hospital there was a world of difference in their approach and I gained my confidence to continue on knowing that i picked this career for a reason and I was able to do the job and do it well. Now I've been a nurse for 3 years, still doing NICU and I'm about to graduate from NNP school. So keep in mind that there is life beyond your current job and if you know things aren't going to work out don't wait to be let go....move on, learn and reflect from your experiences on this floor and don't let this one experience ruin your career. i learned a ton on my first job but it was at the expense of my happiness and well-being. Don't do that to yourself. I'd be happy to talk more about my experiences anytime you want. Take care and good luck!

Yes, I have heard that saying on many occasions...have even told myself that on THIS one more than once. I really felt like I was becoming more knowledgeable, becoming faster, prioritizing better, becoming more proficient at finishing the paperwork. Not to mention assessing my patients better.
Mind you at this hospital there are no CNA's, they have one functioning BP machine for the floor [how do four or five nurses with 4 to 7 patients each get Vitals done in 20 mins?], and they are currently experiencing financial problems with several auxillary personel let go. All the paperwork is done without a computer, and the night shift is responsible for changing out the mars and Nurses notes.
I really like most of the Nurses I work with...have had no apparent run ins with any of them. We seem to all get along well.
I have looked for other options. Been looking on the computer and that is how I found this site.

barefootlady, ADN, RN · Jul 11, 2004

Please reread your post. You are a new nurse and in need of reinforcement, positive encouragement, and clear and concise information when you perform under par. I think you need to look for another job, leave on your own terms. It may be hard to do, but there are jobs out there, even for us older ladies, and, I am sure, one which will allow you to learn and develop into the nurse you want to be. Good luck.

Old Broad New Nurse · Jul 12, 2004

Gosh, Barefoot, I always wanted to move to W Va. since the days of John Denver and "Country Roads". Do they need nurses there?

I have thought that it would have been nice for them to have said at least something to me the last couple of month's and not to have just sprung this on me like this when I thought I was improving. I do not think that asking questions and for specifics is being disagreeable. Why would I agree? Why would I not question such a thing?

barefootlady, ADN, RN · Jul 15, 2004

Yes, there are jobs here. Low pay, horrible hours, and not much respect for nurses here. I am thinking of doing some travel nursing and looking into opportunities on the border of WV and Ohio. It is so nice, clean, and seems like there are jobs that one can really contribute to a patients positive outcome and feel good when the day is over. I wish you well. I think as older ladies, we bring a different slant to the way we treat the patient and how we want to be treated. I am looking forward to getting back in to job field. Good luck.

zacsmimi · Aug 1, 2004

New nurses can have it so rough. And "you cant fight city hall" is often all too true. Dont wait for her to get rid of you. Leave on your own terms, thats good advice. When giving your reason for leaving, you can simply say "not a good fit". You obviously have done well so far, dont let one manager steal your confidence and hope. You have maturity - something that cant be bought... be proud and trust yourself. Good luck. P.S. MedSurg is really really demanding nursing. Maybe you can find something to gain your speed and experience on that isnt quite as tough initially?

meownsmile, BSN, RN · Aug 3, 2004

I've heard this before,, my hospital was looking to pare down some of the nursing staff and thats how they did it. They started off with layoffs in ancillary. They didnt want to have to lay nursing staff off, so they hopped on any and every little error certain people had. Usually it was the low man that was getting the brunt of it (me). So i dropped back to part-time. That satisfied them, and they left me alone. They moved on to someone else that they nudged around till they left. They ended up not having to lay anyone off. If they have layed off ancillary staff, you can bet those departments are screaming about them cutting nursing staff also. Im still there,, work fulltime again and havent had a bit of problem.

Hellllllo Nurse, BSN, RN · Aug 3, 2004

New nurses can have it so rough. And "you cant fight city hall" is often all too true. Dont wait for her to get rid of you. Leave on your own terms, thats good advice. When giving your reason for leaving, you can simply say "not a good fit". You obviously have done well so far, dont let one manager steal your confidence and hope. You have maturity - something that cant be bought... be proud and trust yourself. Good luck. P.S. MedSurg is really really demanding nursing. Maybe you can find something to gain your speed and experience on that isnt quite as tough initially?

Excellent advice.

When I was a new RN, I had a horrible job at a horrible facility, in med surg.

I was detrmined to make it work. I was not going to be a quitter!

In hindsight, that was the wrong approach.

I knew the place was toxic, but I did not want to give up. The place did "steal my confidence". It took a while to get it back.

I have since met others (even one ont his board) who have worked at the same facility and have told me it was the worst place they'd ever worked in their life.

Since I was a new grad and had never worked in a hospital before, I kept thinking it must have been me, but it wasn't.

Look around and see if you can find a better place. I'm sure you can. All the best to you!

mai19 · Aug 5, 2004

And it has been less than one year....to back track, I had gone back to school for one year to get my LPN training after being unemployed for a short time. During that time I also worked a part time job. I made it through with a 91.7 average, which I thought, "Not bad for an old broad"?
I passed the boards..no problem. I got a job with a small hospital on the Med-Surg floor which is what I wanted. At first, it seemed I had a problem getting off Orientation as the the supervisor felt I was "behind" and she had to talk to the Charge Nurses I worked with, then I was scheduled for Nights and was finally signed on. During the month's since then, I was approached for some minor problems that occured [3x's]. Now 8 month's into this, I have had one medication error and that has put me on probation. This resulted in no injury to the patient.
The supervisor did not even talk to two of my Charge Nurses, and her criticism states that I do not know how to use equipment [?], don't communicate well with Dr's, rely too much on my Charge Nurse, and she states that I am not knowledgeable for someone at my level of experience. I asked her to tell me specifics and she thought I was being disagreeable. I said this in a nice way.
Now all this in mind, I cannot afford to lose my job and I disagree with her evaluation. I have discussed this with the Charge Nurses I have worked with and they [at least they claim to] feel that this evaluation is not fair.
What are my chances of finding another position if I lose this job? Do I have any recourse?
My patients keep me going through the night. The feedback I get from them is SO positive. Otherwise, I think I would just give up. Anyone else had this problem?

I dont have your problem as of now but my fellow classmates have also received harsh words like you.There terror teacher always says harsh things that it will come to there mind that they will stop this course. But my only advice to you is that dont make decisions w/o first asking God's wisdom. You must pray and ask for the holy spirit for help especially in your work. Trust HIM(Jesus). I've been into his comfort and help..

GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY AND ALSO TO YOUR JOB..... :)