Exhausted, frustrated and worried Nursing student!

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Long story short, I made the decision to go back to nursing school two years ago. I've been going part-time, while working in my office job, and doing very well - which pleasantly surprised me! I love my classes and my teachers, and am an "A" student.

It all came crashing down in January, when my boss found out I was going to school, and laid me off. His parting words were "what do you care, you're leaving anyway". This was a job I had held for over five years with good reviews :(

Instead of trying to find another office job, I signed up for a local Community College course to be a Personal Support Worker (equivalent of a CNA in the states, I believe). I graduated four weeks ago with honours. I was well-liked in my class, successful with everything, and so pleased when I landed two part-time jobs almost immediately (here in Ontario, Full-time healthcare positions are almost impossible to find. I knew that going in).

One job is in long term care. The other is Assisted Living. I knew there would be an adjustment period. I knew it would be soooo different from my desk job.

But I thought I would like it more!

Right now, between the two jobs, I am lucky if I get one solid day off a week. My LTC job is four hours every single morning, and then I usually work 2-10PM at the other place. I cannot cut down to one job, as I need the money (I took a significant - BIG - pay cut from my office job, although I'll be making more once I'm done Nursing School). Add to this, I still attend school two nights a week.

I've been having trouble saying no to extra shifts, as I need the money, both to live, plus to replace the $5000 of savings I dipped into to fund the four months I was not working and going to school full time.

I am a friendly, outgoing person, but the majority of the staff treat me like an idiot, resent my questions, and generally feel I'm a bother. I am run off my feet answering call bells, which puts me behind in my work, and then the other staff get angry because I "should be looking after" MY residents, when I'm standing there assisted "Her" residents because she didn't answer the bell. Then the next day they chastise me for not answering the bells that are not my assigned residents! Two days ago, cleaning up the breakfast dishes, I threw out two bowls of porridge sitting on a table. My co-worker then proceeded to ream me out for throwing out the food she was "saving" for herself and the nurse. Wait a minute, you are getting mad at ME for tossing food you were STEALING (it is certainly against the rules to eat the facility food)?

I know I am new, but I am NOT young and I've worked in plenty of different environments. I've never come across such animosity.

My husband just keeps telling me that it will get better, that I will pick it up, and it's only two years til I'm done school and will be only required to have ONE job and a little bit more authority.

On the upside, the residents seem to like me, I think I give good care (which is what sets me back, time-wise) and I really enjoy caring for them. I just don't enjoy the atmosphere!

I have made the decision to say "no" to some of the extra shifts, and take my second weekend off. I'll work during the week, but I need those days to myself. I've only been doing it for three weeks, and I feel like I've been working every day for years!

I hated my office job with a passion, but I've always gotten along with my co-workers and I'm crushed that this is happening.

Any tips other than "Ha - get used to it?". Tell me that some of you don't experience this. Tell me I'll survive the next two years until I can finish school. Tell me I'll see my husband more than twenty minutes a week at some point in the future....:)

0 Votes

Long story short, I made the decision to go back to nursing school two years ago. I've been going part-time, while working in my office job, and doing very well - which pleasantly surprised me! I love my classes and my teachers, and am an "A" student.

It all came crashing down in January, when my boss found out I was going to school, and laid me off. His parting words were "what do you care, you're leaving anyway". This was a job I had held for over five years with good reviews :(

Instead of trying to find another office job, I signed up for a local Community College course to be a Personal Support Worker (equivalent of a CNA in the states, I believe). I graduated four weeks ago with honours. I was well-liked in my class, successful with everything, and so pleased when I landed two part-time jobs almost immediately (here in Ontario, Full-time healthcare positions are almost impossible to find. I knew that going in).

One job is in long term care. The other is Assisted Living. I knew there would be an adjustment period. I knew it would be soooo different from my desk job.

But I thought I would like it more!

Right now, between the two jobs, I am lucky if I get one solid day off a week. My LTC job is four hours every single morning, and then I usually work 2-10PM at the other place. I cannot cut down to one job, as I need the money (I took a significant - BIG - pay cut from my office job, although I'll be making more once I'm done Nursing School). Add to this, I still attend school two nights a week.

I've been having trouble saying no to extra shifts, as I need the money, both to live, plus to replace the $5000 of savings I dipped into to fund the four months I was not working and going to school full time.

I am a friendly, outgoing person, but the majority of the staff treat me like an idiot, resent my questions, and generally feel I'm a bother. I am run off my feet answering call bells, which puts me behind in my work, and then the other staff get angry because I "should be looking after" MY residents, when I'm standing there assisted "Her" residents because she didn't answer the bell. Then the next day they chastise me for not answering the bells that are not my assigned residents! Two days ago, cleaning up the breakfast dishes, I threw out two bowls of porridge sitting on a table. My co-worker then proceeded to ream me out for throwing out the food she was "saving" for herself and the nurse. Wait a minute, you are getting mad at ME for tossing food you were STEALING (it is certainly against the rules to eat the facility food)?

I know I am new, but I am NOT young and I've worked in plenty of different environments. I've never come across such animosity.

My husband just keeps telling me that it will get better, that I will pick it up, and it's only two years til I'm done school and will be only required to have ONE job and a little bit more authority.

On the upside, the residents seem to like me, I think I give good care (which is what sets me back, time-wise) and I really enjoy caring for them. I just don't enjoy the atmosphere!

I have made the decision to say "no" to some of the extra shifts, and take my second weekend off. I'll work during the week, but I need those days to myself. I've only been doing it for three weeks, and I feel like I've been working every day for years!

I hated my office job with a passion, but I've always gotten along with my co-workers and I'm crushed that this is happening.

Any tips other than "Ha - get used to it?". Tell me that some of you don't experience this. Tell me I'll survive the next two years until I can finish school. Tell me I'll see my husband more than twenty minutes a week at some point in the future....:)

0 Votes

You sound like you are in a tough situation right now. Working 2 jobs plus school has got to be rough. Saying no to extra shifts is a step in the right direction. Be careful of the perfection syndrome, "to be all and do all for everyone." If you are trying to get "A"s in school, be a dynamo on the jobs, leaves little time for yourself and family. Don't forget to nurture your own self. You deserve attention too. Your place of employment are lucky to have someone like you working for them.

0 Votes

You sound like you are in a tough situation right now. Working 2 jobs plus school has got to be rough. Saying no to extra shifts is a step in the right direction. Be careful of the perfection syndrome, "to be all and do all for everyone." If you are trying to get "A"s in school, be a dynamo on the jobs, leaves little time for yourself and family. Don't forget to nurture your own self. You deserve attention too. Your place of employment are lucky to have someone like you working for them.

0 Votes

Listen to your husband. He is able to view the situation standing back a little further than you. Make the people you are in charge of a priority. While it's true everyone should answer call lights regardless, there is reality. Some of your co workers could be jeolous that you are bettering yourself. Some of your co workers possess a mentality that is hard to describe--be happy you don't have it, and understand it is not unusual with some of the people that hold those kind of jobs. Above all, don't worry about getting along with them. Just keep your eye on where you are headed and do your job the best you can. You don't have to be liked by them and you don't have to like them.

0 Votes

Listen to your husband. He is able to view the situation standing back a little further than you. Make the people you are in charge of a priority. While it's true everyone should answer call lights regardless, there is reality. Some of your co workers could be jeolous that you are bettering yourself. Some of your co workers possess a mentality that is hard to describe--be happy you don't have it, and understand it is not unusual with some of the people that hold those kind of jobs. Above all, don't worry about getting along with them. Just keep your eye on where you are headed and do your job the best you can. You don't have to be liked by them and you don't have to like them.

0 Votes
Specializes in Hemodialysis, Home Health.

((((((HUGS))))))

So sorry you're going through this. Try to stay focused on your patients, let the rest go in one ear and out the other. You're not there to please your coworkers.. only your patients. As long as you are completing your duties, the heck with the rest of them !

Continue on with your schooling... the sooner you're done, the sooner you can be out of that hornet's nest.

Hang in there. Be kind to yourself at the end of your day. :)

0 Votes
Specializes in Hemodialysis, Home Health.

((((((HUGS))))))

So sorry you're going through this. Try to stay focused on your patients, let the rest go in one ear and out the other. You're not there to please your coworkers.. only your patients. As long as you are completing your duties, the heck with the rest of them !

Continue on with your schooling... the sooner you're done, the sooner you can be out of that hornet's nest.

Hang in there. Be kind to yourself at the end of your day. :)

0 Votes

you have received some wonderful advice from the other posters.

don't try to do all, be all to everyone and don't aim for perfection.

make your own patients the priority.

hold and keep your head up, chin out. you have proven to yourself what you're made of. as op stated, there's no explaining some's mentality.

and yes, some day, you will look back on everything you have conquered and give yourself a much deserved pat on the back. that day will come.

leslie

0 Votes

you have received some wonderful advice from the other posters.

don't try to do all, be all to everyone and don't aim for perfection.

make your own patients the priority.

hold and keep your head up, chin out. you have proven to yourself what you're made of. as op stated, there's no explaining some's mentality.

and yes, some day, you will look back on everything you have conquered and give yourself a much deserved pat on the back. that day will come.

leslie

0 Votes

Hi,

I'm not sure that this answer is what you're looking for...and remember...it's only an opinion.......but I worked at an office job through a temp agency while in school.

It was great, I picked my own hours and the pay was actually quite good.

I'm sure you're priorities now are school and your family (and cash)...but I hope that your OWN mental health are among them.

If this job is going to stop you from maintaining your priorities, get out.

Once you get out of school, your salary will drastically increase and you can worry about paying back your loans then.

Good luck. You sound undervalued in this job, given your talents. Keep your eye on the prize! You're doing great!

0 Votes

Hi,

I'm not sure that this answer is what you're looking for...and remember...it's only an opinion.......but I worked at an office job through a temp agency while in school.

It was great, I picked my own hours and the pay was actually quite good.

I'm sure you're priorities now are school and your family (and cash)...but I hope that your OWN mental health are among them.

If this job is going to stop you from maintaining your priorities, get out.

Once you get out of school, your salary will drastically increase and you can worry about paying back your loans then.

Good luck. You sound undervalued in this job, given your talents. Keep your eye on the prize! You're doing great!

0 Votes
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