Frustrated with my new career...

[Nellie Nurse]

Hi,

I'm new to this forum and I just need to vent. Here is the scenario. I graduated in May, moved 1 1/2 hours away from my previous home and am now working in an 800 bed hospital (up from a 200 bed hospital where I worked as a tech). I am working on a neuro med/surg unit. I have now been off of orientation for about a month. Had approx 3 months of orientation.

Now that I have painted the picture let me say that I am feeling horribly overwhelmed, overworked, and miserable. I'm thinking- I know that I was meant to be a nurse and I've worked my butt off for the past 3 years to get to this point so I should at least strongly like my job. I can't even sort out what I think that the main problem is with the job. I work 12 hour nights which probably is partly to blame because I'm sleeping all of the time when I am out of work. There are a slew of new grads that have all been hired for the night shift so there are usually only 2-3 people that we can turn to when we have questions.

My average assignment is approx 6-7 patients with 1-2 aides to help which creates another problem because when there is only one aid on the floor then I basically have to provide total care for my patients because how can an aide be in 37 places at once? In addition on the night shift there are no transporters so if a patient needs an MRI (very likely on neurosurg.) then I am expected to take them there, and bring them back. No food available on the unit so if a patient needs food, I have to go and get it.

Now this scenario is usually manageable when the patients are fairly self sufficient but throw in a couple of pts with trachs/pegs, add an admission or two, you get the picture. I never leave work on time. I am usually there at least 1/2 hr- 1 hr over every day.

At this point I feel like I never left my nursing assistant role but I added 100x more responsibility. I don't like this job, I am frustrated. The nurses that I work with are all very nice and willing to help out but I'm thinking that maybe floor nursing is not my thing. Very stressful, unpredictable, and hard on your body.

I have 2 more months until I am eligible to transfer to another area of the hospital. I am seriously considering a transfer. I just don't know what to do.

Is it new grad jitters?

Am I working too many hours in a day?

It it the job?

I feel like I am stuck, my husband is in school so I am the breadwinner right now. I can't just quit (I wouldn't want to anyways), and I can't transfer yet. I know that I can hold on for another few months but I just don't know if I should stick it out and see if things get better or bail when I can and hope for greener pastures on the other side. I'm seriously thinking that I might like to work in surgery, as it is a totally different area of nursing and I could work days or evenings with less weekends.

I'm a christian and I believe that the Lord let me get this job for a reason but I just can't see it.

I just don't know !! Does anybody have a similar perspective of their new jobs? Any advice for a newbie? Thanks.

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

Neuro med-surg is tough back breaking work and very high acuity. Been there and done that.

Don't have any advice to offer, except to say it's very common the first year to have feelings of being overwhelmed, etc. Been there and done that too.

Good luck!

[NurseKate]

I am still on orientation and have about 6 more weeks to go, so I am not aware of what the feeling is of being alone without a preceptor and all that. However, I work on a Surgical Intermediate Unit, which is considered critical care and have only 4 patients on vents, tele monitors, etc...you name it and I still get overwhelmed with a preceptor around to help! I can't imagine what it's like for you and your 6 or so patients! There are days where it seems that there are just not enough hours in a day to get everything done. While I can relate on some issues you bring up, there are others that I can't yet. I'll try my best to offer support and advice...

Anyway, if you have been on your unit for three months and are not somewhat happy then maybe you should consider transferring. Nurses will always have something about their unit they don't like, but it sounds like there are some real issues at hand on your unit so maybe it's not a good fit for you. Do your research about other units and see what people are happy or unhappy about and see if it's really greener on the other side. Hang in there, though. Just know that you won't reach a dead end. You are doing the best you can do now given the situation and your experience.

What has your nurse manager or charge nurse done to help the situation? Are they aware of your feelings about the lack of resources and support? This issue could very well be a pressing problem for other nurses on the unit and really needs to be addressed. Nothing will get changed if they aren't aware. Be civil about it (as I am sure you would be anyway) and say that there are some things concerning you and maybe they can give you help regarding resources or other ways of how to handle the situation. Offer suggestions if you have any. This is a real important issue if these things are compromising the safety of your patients and/or the quality of care you are able to provide.

I'd say don't just get it in your mind to transfer until you have tried to address the issues. If that doesn't work and you aren't getting happier on the unit, then a switch may be best.

[purplemania, BSN, RN]

It is typical for new grads to feel overwhelmed, perhaps for a year or more. It is very important to seek help from your manager or charge nurse or both. Even if the manager can't help you personally, how can he/she prevent losing new nurses in the future if problems are not addressed? Experienced nurses can help you save time by giving you pearls of wisdom. Otherwise, request a transfer to another unit. Just bear in mind that whereever you go, you have to learn how things are done on that unit.

[happystudent, RN]

I must concurr with the previous posts. Yes! You are overwhelmed and Yes! Its completely normal.....I am a newbie as well. I work on the busiest floor in the entire hosp...so i can sympathise w/ u. They only thing I can say is hang in there....If you do decide to transfer, just keep in mind that you are starting ALL OVER!! On the other hand..if you are getting burnt out and its affecting pt care, then you must talk to you nm.....

Good luck on what you decide....keep us updated...

[Nellie Nurse]

Thanks for your advise guys, gives me more to ponder. Side note- I have talked to my manager and charge nurse about some of the issues, seems as though they have heard the same things from other people. They are trying to get more support staff on nights but it seems to be a tug of war game with the higher ups. This floor will be moving to a different area of the hospital in a few months and is supposed to be turning into more of a neuro step down unit so we'll see where that takes me. Wish me luck.