You can always tell when I've been hanging out on the Allnurses.com forums too much -- I get up on a soap box. I'm amazed, though, at how many new nurses are grasping at straws to find "reasons" to quit their first jobs because they're unhappy and they're just positive that things are going to be better elsewhere. Even if there is no elsewhere in the immediate future. It's not THEIR fault that they're miserable -- it's the job. Or their co-workers are all mean and out to get them. (Probably because of their incredible beauty.) Staffing is a nightmare, the CNAs are all hiding and they're afraid they're going to "loose" their license. They'd better quit RIGHT NOW, so they don't "loose" that license. (I wonder if that one is as transparent to spouses who are looking for a little help with the rent -- not to mention those school loans you've racked up -- as it is to some of the rest of us.) The job is ruining their lives and their mental health -- they're seriously worried for their mental health if they don't quit right now. Where did all of these fragile people come from?
Seriously, folks. The first year of nursing sucks. You have the internet and all of that -- how could you not know that the first year of nursing sucks? It does. We've all been through it. The only way to GET through it is to GO through it, but there's a big group of newbies every year who are SURE that doesn't apply to them. No one as ever been as miserable as they are. No one understands. They HATE going to work every day. Management is targeting them and they're sure they're going to be fired. They're concerned that their mental health might be permanently damaged by the trauma of staying in that job ONE MORE DAY. Given the inevitability of "loosing" that license and permanent damage to their mental health, it's all right to quit that job tomorrow, isn't it? Or maybe it's that their DREAAAAAAAAM job is opening up, and they've been offered the job. It's OK to quit this job to take their DREAAAAAAAAM job, isn't it?
How do they even know their dream job is hiring if they have every intention of making their first job work out? What are all those job applications doing out there, floating around if they're serious about this job? You DID intend to keep this job for one to two years when you took it, didn't you? If not, shame on you!
The first year of nursing sucks. You're going to hate going to work every day, and some of you are going to cry all the way to work and all the way home. You'll be exhausted, both mentally and physically and your normal hobbies and activities may take second seat to the job. You'll be constantly afraid of making a mistake, and you will MAKE mistakes. You'll feel incompetent. You may lose sleep because you're worrying about your job. Switching jobs isn't going to miraculously make you confident and competent. It's just going to delay you on your path through that first miserable year. It may even look bad on your resume, paint you as a job hopper. (I'm always shocked by how many new nurses are on their third or fourth job in less than two years who will assure me that they're not job hoppers. Honey, if you're on your third job in less than two years, you're a job hopper. Really.)
Don't people have bills to pay? Or is it that no one feels responsible for paying their own bills anymore? How is it that so many people feel free to just up and quit a paying job without another one in sight? I guess I'm getting old, because I really don't get it.
I'm a new nurse and I both love and hate my job. Every shift, I dread going in and when I'm there I usually want to tear my hair out. Patients make me crazy. The pinging monitors make me crazy. The pace is flat out ridiculous (I work in an ED). And yet, I couldn't imagine doing anything else. This is what I want and if I have to go through the hard knocks to get it, so be it.
I know that each day is a learning process. I know that every time I go in and successfully complete a shift that I become a better nurse. I have no intention of quitting my job. That place is teaching me how to be a competent, efficient, creative, gutsy, innovative, "do whatever I gotta do to get the job done" nurse. Why would I want to be anywhere that didn't teach me all that?
Not all new nurses expect to be handed a silver platter upon graduating as the OP seems to imply. Some of us know what we're up against and we're up for the challenge.
Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
You sound like someone who definitely isn't a Millennial. It seems your issue is with the generation and not with the actual "new nurse" itself. You're getting old, OP. All of the "symptoms" you've described run right in line with the characteristics of the "Millennial" generation. And it has more to do with how they were raised and much less due to being a "nurse". This is an "issue" all over the nation in all different kinds of career paths. And it only seems to be an issue for Generation Xers and Baby Boomers, who are retiring in the next 10 years.
Change in the workplace is such a difficult thing for people to adapt to, but I'm afraid you are just going to have to adapt instead of wasting precious time complaining about it on the internet.
It's her time and she can waste it how she likes....that is the beauty of the internet.
I think you just need a little communication from your fellow nurses. Unless you did not like your course in the first place. First timers often have a shock but will get used after few months. Just happy. It is what is all about. Being happy.
AMEN AMEN AMEN to ALL of what ALL of the crusty old bats have said lol!
And I'm a millennial nurse!
The generalizations about my generation couldn't be truer, in my opinion. And try the dating scene! Loads and loads of beautiful, smart, single, entitled narcissists out there.
That's why my DREEEEEAAAAAMMM job is on a boat sailing around the horn of Africa doing free elective surgeries on undeserved people. I've had about enough of my generation, my culture, and my civilization lol. Is that too extreme?
Wow. mc making microwave popcorn as we speak.. Nichefinder, with all due respect you don't know what you're talking about . You've only been on Allnurses since Dec. 2013, yet you make these incorrect assumptions about someone you don't know? RubyVee is probably THE most respected nurse I've seen on this board. I doubt she's had a "cushy" job in her life. Go back and read some of her posts, her knowledge and insight are amazing. You could learn a lot from her, ya know??? As to your statement "I am plan to quit here after my 6 months so I can transfer within the hospital to somewhere where the pt is knocked out and I don't have to talk to them or the family member. " Why on earth did you even become a nurse in the first place?????
Ruby, I think it has to do with the fact that some "kids" today are not able to deal with disappointment, and don't know how to handle things when things don't go their way. I blame our generation. We didn't like the way our parents raised us because they were too strict, so we went too far in the other direction. God forbid someone gets their feelings hurt, or something doesn't work out like they believed it should. And no, not everyone loves each other all the time at work. There are people and situations we don't like, they don't like us, and it's being called being mean. I see this all the time. Grown men and women who don't get what they want when they want it, and basically have temper-tantrum like a 2 year old.
Ayvah, "however I'm wondering why this aspect of nursing is considered 'ok'? What other job routinely makes new people cry and hate waking up each day as a new person in the field? I've seen so many nurses (not just the new ones) stressed, crying, having symptoms of depression (to the point of having to go on medication for it), and other symptoms such as high blood pressure and even chest pains". What other job is there that has the life of a patient in their hands while simultaneously doing 10,000 other things, of which 9999 are totally ridiculous?
Popcorn's ready, gotta go.
mc3:cat:
Before I get flamed, I know not all young adults of today are like that - of course I know that. There are some great young men and women out there! It just seems to me, as I get older, I see many more people with the "it's all about me" attitude.
Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
I think a large part of the problem (patient satisfaction surveys and corporatethink aside) is the pride some nurses have in being "crusty old bats". There seems to me to be a culture of "we had to put up with it/earn our places/kowtow to the system, so you must too". This in turn perpetuates the culture of bullying and meanness and stops nursing advancing as a profession. Do you see this with junior doctors/lawyers/engineers etc? Of course not.
Seriously, crusty old bats, get off your high horses/broomsticks/whatever you ride and knock it off. You are not helping.
I don't know about lawyers, although I do remember some engineers who would pound nails in another guy's tires because "he's a jerk". I remember seeing some mighty nasty words from attending physicians to residents as well. They aren't generally any nicer to the residents on their service than they are to the nurses they encounter. Usually less nice, because the "Crusty Old Bats" won't take that sort of BS.
Crusty Old Bats aren't bullies and aren't mean to newer nurses. Most of us don't criticize or correct to be nasty, but rather to help newbies to perfect their practice and occaisionally to keep them from killing their patients. We may be rather more direct than you're used to, but we don't have time to molly coddle. This "everyone wins" style of parenting that seems to be all the rage these days doesn't seem to prepare the children for constructive criticism or any sort of negative feedback. That's a handicap. I might not have time to praise every little thing you do correctly -- although hopefully I'll notice and remember to summarize at the end of your shift -- but I HAVE to MAKE the time to correct the things you get wrong. Sometimes, when you're not taking gentle correction, I have to step in and correct more forcefully. I can't let you do something dangerous to a patient just to avoid bruising your ego -- although I'll try to avoid bruising it if at all possible.
As far as your last comment, grow up. Then you'll see how much we ARE helping.
Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
being new was no excuse for accidentally killing someone. She didn't preface it with "please" or "sweetie" or "let me give you some edifying advice in a soothing way." She was strict, to the point and a little angry, because it wasn't her job to advocate for me...she was advocating for her patients.
"Being new is no excuse for accidentally killing someone." What a great line!
I wonder how many new grads understand that when we're correcting their practice, we're advocating for OUR patients. They might be your patients today, but yesterday they were mine and tomorrow they might be mine again. They're all OUR patients.
Thank you, not.done.yet. When I started that post, I really didn't know where I was going with it. But writing it helped clarify my thoughts. Thinking of it as a disaster movie really helped me to clarify where I stand. I want to be one of the survivors, moving forward towards a promising future while the movie credits roll and the lights come back on. I'll try to help a few people if I can, but I am not sacrificing myself to save everyone else.
I'm not sure what every nursing school teaches, but mine most certainly did not sugar coat a thing. The difference, I think (as I'm not yet working), will be the feelings experienced when the brutality of reality hits... Make or break / sink or swim... I was born to nurse!!!
I have some bills to pay, but out of consideration for my career I am withholding on proposing to my girlfriend, planning our wedding, moving into our own apartment/home, and starting a family. We are both nurses, have witnessed firsthand how tough the profession is, and how potentially turbulent the first years can be. We agree it is in both our best interest to hold off on all that for a few years. Fortunately I have understanding parents who agree with my career plan and are allowing me to live at home until I am where I want to be (or at least very close). My goal is to reach the peak of my personal achievement, not quickly find a decent paying nursing job so I can encumber myself with bills and obligations at a young age. I feel bad for those who don't have the luxury of such a strategy, whose life circumstances provided a rockier road for them, and for that I do consider myself very lucky.
Still, in my heart I feel this post was rude and insensitive towards new nurses who are struggling to find happiness. It has been a while since you've been in their shoes, Ruby Vee, so maybe you've forgotten what it feels like. Many of us are already down, please refrain from kicking us while we're there.
I have some bills to pay, but out of consideration for my career I am withholding on proposing to my girlfriend, planning our wedding, moving into our own apartment/home, and starting a family. We are both nurses, have witnessed firsthand how tough the profession is, and how potentially turbulent the first years can be. We agree it is in both our best interest to hold off on all that for a few years. Fortunately I have understanding parents who agree with my career plan and are allowing me to live at home until I am where I want to be (or at least very close). My goal is to reach the peak of my personal achievement, not quickly find a decent paying nursing job so I can encumber myself with bills and obligations at a young age. I feel bad for those who don't have the luxury of such a strategy, whose life circumstances provided a rockier road for them, and for that I do consider myself very lucky.
Still, in my heart I feel this post was rude and insensitive towards new nurses who are struggling to find happiness. It has been a while since you've been in their shoes, Ruby Vee, so maybe you've forgotten what it feels like. Many of us are already down, please refrain from kicking us while we're there.
To be direct...pick yourself up.
If anything, this post SHOULD jar you, put things into perspective, as uncomfortable as it may be. You can take the part you need and it WILL get you to your destination.
Not solely directed to you, but in general. If one doesn't, pick themselves up because life is "HARD", then it will get EVEN HARDER before it gets better-TRUST me, as well as the BTDT posters.
. You've only been on Allnurses since Dec. 2013, yet you make these incorrect assumptions about someone you don't know? RubyVee is probably THE most respected nurse I've seen on this board. I doubt she's had a "cushy" job in her life. Go back and read some of her posts, her knowledge and insight are amazing. You could learn a lot from her, ya know??? As to your statement "I am plan to quit here after my 6 months so I can transfer within the hospital to somewhere where the pt is knocked out and I don't have to talk to them or the family member. " Why on earth did you even become a nurse in the first place?????
deenurse76
51 Posts
I'm a new nurse and I both love and hate my job. Every shift, I dread going in and when I'm there I usually want to tear my hair out. Patients make me crazy. The pinging monitors make me crazy. The pace is flat out ridiculous (I work in an ED). And yet, I couldn't imagine doing anything else. This is what I want and if I have to go through the hard knocks to get it, so be it.
I know that each day is a learning process. I know that every time I go in and successfully complete a shift that I become a better nurse. I have no intention of quitting my job. That place is teaching me how to be a competent, efficient, creative, gutsy, innovative, "do whatever I gotta do to get the job done" nurse. Why would I want to be anywhere that didn't teach me all that?
Not all new nurses expect to be handed a silver platter upon graduating as the OP seems to imply. Some of us know what we're up against and we're up for the challenge.