Feeling like a new grad all over again. Stick it out?

[Jaellys]

I switched from small hospital to huge hospital. I’ve only been training for a week and am finding myself overwhelmed. I even have asked help for certain drips that I’ve never given at my small hospital on med surg. I’m overwhelmed by finding who to call for what, where everything is, different and many procedures that I’ve never dealt with.

i guess I feel like I thought this transition would have been smoother since I’ve worked in a hospital. I’m feeling like a new grad all over again and only the basics come to me easily.

how long will it take for me to be comfortable? I just feel ashamed because I have a few years of experience already.

[Nurse Beth, MSN]

On 6/7/2019 at 8:14 AM, llg said:

I don't see anything suggesting that she is not being oriented properly. She describes herself as being "in training." It sounds to me as if the original poster is simply overwhelmed by how different her new workplace is that her previous one. As other posters have said, that's pretty normal. Just about everyone takes a few months to feel comfortable in a new place. That's especially true when you move from a small hospital to a large medical center.

Hang in there Jaelly's! Don't feel bad about feeling uncomfortable and a bit overwhelmed. That's normal. Find a few good resources (preceptors, unit educators, charge nurses, co-workers, etc.) who can give you some help and support when needed. Establish good relationships with them so that you feel you are among supporters when you start to feel overwhelmed.

I missed the 'in training' somehow, thanks.

Good, and I guess when I saw 'asking for help for certain drips' I assumed she was on her own. Am thinking her preceptor should be right there when hanging any drip for the first time.

Validating her competency before she's independent on hanging any new drip.

[Swellz]

I think it's perfectly normal to feel like a newbie, because you are a newbie in this particular environment. Definitely ask for resources for meds you don't know, but also write them down and review them on your own later. I've been on a lot of different floors as a traveler and even when I think I'm on a floor I'll be comfortable with, there are always meds or procedures I'm unfamiliar with. Just ask for help, print med references when you need them, and do a little homework on days off so you are more prepared for the next shift. Keep at it!