Stressed out new nurse

[Babynurse1992]

Hi! I am new to the site, so I'm sorry if I am posting this in the wrong section! I graduated from nursing school in May and have started a job in the ICU. I LOVE my coworkers and manager, but I am extremely stressed with my lack of knowledge. My orientation ends soon, and the hours (night shift, every other weekend, holidays, etc) make me wonder if I should be doing something that would allow me more time with my family. I want to stay in ICU for at least a year because it is really great experience, but I am also in search of jobs with better hours. Nursing is so vast and diverse, so I'm really not sure which route to take! I've looked into school nursing, PACU, outpatient surgery centers, and doctors offices, even considered going back for NP school online, but I'm not sure how to go about making these changes when the time comes! Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

thank you!!!

[Babynurse1992]

To add to this.... I feel I work better in lower stress situations for now. And I wouldn't mind something that is 7-3 or 9-5 etc!

[Sour Lemon]

I don't know you well enough (or at all) to know what's right for you. Just be aware that leaving your first job right after orientation won't look so great to potential employers.

Apply at various places and see if you get any offers. If you do, you can weigh them against what you've got now and make a "real" decision instead of a "sorta, maybe, if it happens" decision.

[Babynurse1992]

Yeah like I mentioned, I want to get as much from this experience as possible, so I plan on staying for at least a year. I just want more information about what else is out there! I guess I'm looking more for advice about what nurses can do that would allow for a more normal schedule! Thanks for the advice!