Discouraged new RN

Do-over, ASN, RN · Jul 19, 2012

It does get better. After a year or two, you will look back and be amazed at your progress. Or, at least that was the case for me.

Born_2BRN · Jul 19, 2012

I'm sorry to hear you are facing difficulty and struggling. I am also a new nurse and working on M/S. Believe it or not although it is tough on this floor I'm glad I work here. My previous job for 6 months was at LTC and I hated it. I was dreadful knowing I had to work. Now is not so much. Hang in there. It does get better although there people make you feel you know nothing.

Columnist · Jul 19, 2012

Moved to First Year After Nursing Licensure.

I am sorry you are going through a struggle. It is normal to feel stressed and overwhelmed in any new job, especially when you are still learning how to use what you learned in school and transfer that to the clinical experience of real nursing situations. It does get better as you become more comfortable and confident in yourself.

Hang in there!!!

NewTexasRN · Jul 19, 2012

Contrary to the popular belief. I got the stupid advice to do "one year of med/surg first." When I really wanted to do icu. By the time I got into the ICU, it was harder for me. I had a so many bad habits. They had to undo the bad habits and I had to start all over again.

Yea, we all know, the market is pretty bad. Start looking else where. Perhaps...NICU, motherbaby, oncology etc., I know how you feel. I too, dread med/surg. It's not a bad specialty. I just feel like they want to milk blood out of stones. I was so depressed that I eventually considered quitting all together. Money doesn't matter as much when you feel miserable, anxious and depressed all the time. Sure, I understand. People have responsibilities and don't have a choice. I refused to start a family, buy a house or do anything permanent. Why would I do that when I knew that I wasn't gong to last very long in this profession? I thought of doing the world a favor and just let the license expire. I just couldn't stomach it anymore. Even with the mountain high student loans. I just can't betray the spirit within that says, "You should live a purpose driven life." Honestly, I didn't think the purpose driven life could be like this. (Being screamed at by disrespectful MDs, the insomnia, declining health, no lunch breaks, excruciating bilateral food pain, and depression). As a matter of fact, it's one of the most exploited careers out there. Yet, I get "You are making the big bucks!" I laugh internally and nothing, but anger comes out. I would fight back saying, "Do you know that's blood money?" Of course, I'm just whining again.

Well, my break came when I got a position in radiology oncology. I think it was a God send. No more night shifts. Work hours are 9 to 5. Co-workers are great! I even talk to the MD's on a first name basis. The patients are great! No more running around like a crazy person. They practically beg me to take lunch breaks! What a difference? And I was actually going to leave this profession. I see it as God's doing to show me that there is another world out there. Don't get me wrong. I work hard, I just don't have make blood out stones. So the morale of the story is, yes it does get better. You may need to stay there for 6 months to a year. Who knows maybe peds is your niche. There are so many things out there. Hang in there. We know you sacrificed a lot! Don't give up now ok? Hold your head up. It gets better. Trust me!

krm2010 · Jul 19, 2012

It does get better! My last semester of nursing school, I started working as a tech on a med/surg floor. I knew I didn't want to be a nurse there, but I was handed the rn job on a silver platter. Why spend (potentially) months looking for a job I wanted when I could start as an rn the day after I passed nclex? So I chose to stay. I lasted 6 months before looking for other jobs. I was depressed. I started having blood pressure issues. I developed migraines. Sometimes I would get physically sick at work. We were understaffed, our patients were way too high of acuity to have a 5:1 ratio (sometimes up to 7:1), and we had absolutely no support from management. One day I applied for my dream job, thinking there was no chance I would hear anything. I had 6 months of med/surg experience, and I was applying for a job at a level 1 trauma center. Much to my surprise, I got my dream job. I'm much happier. My blood pressure is back to normal. No more migraines. I feel so much better, even though my job is technically much more stressful now.

Moral of the story: figure out what you want and go for it. You can do so many things in nursing; don't give up just because you hate your job now. It will get better. Keep your head up, and good luck :)

LeighaChristineSN · Jul 19, 2012

I'm so glad to hear I am not the only one out there that is not enjoying their first time nursing job. I've only been at my facility for 2 months and I am not enjoying myself and constently asking myself why am I doing this again? It is not that it is hard I just feel bored and judged and am not enjoying myself in the least bit. I can not wait to have enough experience to get out. Thank you all for your words of encouragement, I actually logged on hoping someone felt the same way I was feeling. We can do this!

RyzenRN, ASN, BSN, MSN · Jul 19, 2012

For the rest of us that maybe haven't got our license yet; what about med/surg is so difficult and bad?

But general advice- If you really don't like it, do what you can to change it. Figure out what steps you need to take to get yourself out of that situation whether it be more education, applying for different positions on different floors/hospitals or even positions in different locations/cities/states. Never forget, you have the power to change your life and if at all possible, don't give that power away to someone.

Looking forward to hearing more about the things you are struggling with and wishing you a brighter and happier future...

Josh

P.S. And always remember, you are NEVER alone. NEVER!

eatmysoxRN, ASN, RN · Jul 19, 2012

I hated my first job. I posted a long thread about it previously. I stayed from November to march before I called it quits with no other employment opportunity awaiting me. Within a month I had two other offers. I'm still not at my dream job. However, it's sooooooo much better than my old job.

Apply for more jobs. If you hate it, just keep applying. It may be "normal" but that doesn't make it better. Do what's best for you. Otherwise, both you and your patients will suffer. Best of luck to you.

sunnyskies9 · Jul 19, 2012

is your hospital magnet? it seems like that makes a big difference. I've been working at my teaching/magnet hospital for a little over a year, and although I don't necessarily love it, I don't hate it either. I noticed during clinicals when we were at the magnet hospitals vs the non magnet hospitals that the nurses seemed to enjoy their jobs a lot better. I realize not every magnet hospital is this way, but that's just what I have observed.

2bnitenurse4ever, ADN · Jul 19, 2012

I am sorry, but all I can say is that out of my graduating class of December 2011, only three people are working at a hospital. This is out of 50 students. My best friend in our class, who graduated with a 3.8 and speaks/reads three languages is working as a 'Home Health' Nurse... She has up to 3 appointments a day, drives 40+ miles to get to her job sites (no gas reimbursement), if the patient is home, she will make $40 or so for the assessment, if the person is not home, she gets a whopping $20. And the most she can hope to do as far as procedures goes, is to do a blood pressure. And what makes it even more interesting is that SHE IS LUCKY TO HAVE A JOB IN NURSING, being that >70% of our class is unemployed.

I hate to sound preachy, but, be thankful for what you have. It is easier to get through the day if you think about what you have instead of what you don't have.

studentmalenurse · Jul 19, 2012

Hi , yes it does get better...However..ive learned alot of things along the way..Here are a couple of things that has made nursing better for me and many other nurses, I still see nurses struggling today who have no clue.

1) wear a watch and check on it constantly, you will be surprised at how you can spend a half an hour or more in a patients room and not realize it. 2) Prioritizing is so important along with your watch..plan your hourly moves and try to accomplish it. For example...I will give meds between 7 and 8, wont pass 8 because i have to do so and so..Hustle to make that happen cause you know there will be interruptions. 3) Avoid unecessary repitition... I see nurses do this all the time..they go to the supply room, get something and are back and forth in there the whole night...Plan ahead assume what you may need, and get as much things as possible in advance so your making less trips. 4) look for short cuts or ways to make things easier, all nurses do it, just make sure when you do its safe and legal. 5) Dont waste time..6) Make sure you take a break, and if you cant make sure you snack on foods through out day or when you feel you need the most boost of energy. 7) Challenge the things you are afraid of or dont know...meaning when you have free time, learn how to use machines that you have used but have issues with, go to codes on your free time, to learn what they do.., look for patterns during the code. If you have never done cpr or been in a serious code, make it a priority that you do.. so that way you can destroy that anxiety. 8 ) And finally learn to say enough is enough, nursing is 24 hours, Do your best and then go home, My limit of staying back is an hour and 15 minutes, after that I am out. Pass it on to the next shift. Cherish the patients that see your hard work and look towards seeing you, these are the ones that are more then thankful for what you are doing for them, these are the ones that can say one word that will remind you that your hard work is appreciated ...:)