Only been a nurse for 4 months

[ncriverrat]

Hi All!,

I know there are a lot of posts like mine, with people saying they're burnt out, etc., but I've only been a nurse for 4 months, and I already feel this way.

I work on med-surg, but we are more like a ICU step down really. We have some complex pt's that demand a lot of care, but the nurse to pt. ratio is usually ok.

I just feel REALLY stressed out, ALL the time. I come home, with no one to talk to, when I tell my husband or my mom the response is mostly "it'll get better, you're doing fine" or something to that effect, constantly. I feel like they don't take me seriously when I tell them I don't know if I can handle nursing.

I feel like I was not cut out to be a nurse at all, and I want to go back to school for a different major. Whenever I tell my husband or mom this, I get a lot of flack about needing to stay a nurse.

I find myself crying when I get home because I'm so unhappy, I feel like I'm in the worst health of my life(i work nights)- whacky sleep patterns, unhealthy eating, fights with my husband(we never fought before, now I blow up over small things), I smoke more than I ever have, I quit exercising, my stress level is through the roof, no time for my friends, etc.

I'm so tired of having these mini-emotional-breakdowns when I get home from work. I just don't know what to do. Maybe I'm just looking for people who've been in my shoes, or have a word of advice, or just took the time to read this. Thank you!

[Haunted]

Your critical thinking skills have led you to explore your options! Also congrats on finding this site and expressing yourself so well !!! Your not alone and you will find your "center" in time, it's frustrating for you because you feel so isolated, you are tired and stressed out. It's easy to dish out this advice but here goes: Take care of yourself more than ever right now. Pamper yourself and put yourself FIRST!!!! Keep in touch, you are very brave.

[nurseKim28590]

I am sorry for what you are feeling. Though it has been many years, I remember having the same feelings. I stuck it out and found that it did get better. I ended up transfering to a different unit after the first year, and found that I had just started out in a unit with a level of stress I wasn't ready for. I have sinec gone back to that unit where I began 17 years ago and am totally happy there. Certainly, you have to be happy at home. I encourage you to do some soul-searching regarding the arguing at home and unhappiness. I, too, had the same issues. What I found was that I was actually not very happy at home. This, combined with the stress of a new career and job that are extremely stressful, excelerated the unhappiness at home, but certainly wasn't the cause of it. Make sure you aren't using your unhappiness at work as an excuse for the unhappiness at home. Is there an underlying problem that has surfaced as a result of the stress you are feeling at work? I sure hope this makes sense. Just wanted to share my experience. Ultimately, do what makes you happy. There are other areas in nursing that may be more interesting for you. Just consider all options. It is very hard in a small town. I am in eastern North Carolina and have worked in those small towns. It isn't easy to find your way. Good luck to you! God Bless!

[ann945n, RN]

first of all (((hug))) im sorry you are feeling so bad. Dont give up on nursing yet when you have spent all this time to get there. I would give your current job a few more months and if it doesnt get better i would look for a new job one on days. i know for me working nights messes me up big time and i just couldnt do it. try out all other options before you through in the towel, you owe it to all your hard work and time to find the solution.