Should I leave nursing??

LuvLife · May 30, 2003

Hi, thank you all for the support. I carry my reference books with me too work everyday (Just in case I need to look something up) We have only 32 patients in the building so it is always just one nurse, occasionally the DON is also there during the day.

agnewRN · May 31, 2003

Hang in there. I think any job is overwhelmiing when you first start out. There is always soo much to remember and follow up on. Someone gave me good advice when I was in similiar situation - It takes at least a year at a job to really get to know your job and gain some confidence in it. I still get overwhelmed 50% of the time and have to step back and prioritize . Its hard sometimes because you want to do everything at once , I go home disappointed that I didn't do everything I wanted to do for my residents. We've all been there and if anyone tells you they haven't had the same feeling than I wouldn't want them to be my nurse.

mario_ragucci · May 31, 2003

Sometimes i think nursing is a job that gets easier as you get older because of the experience you accrue. There is no way you could become complacent as a nurse, because individual people, who we all are, would need individual treatment. Even though there are protocols for CHF or DM, for example, you have to treat every person anew because of their unique history and the like.

2bPhD · Jun 25, 2003

It is the new nurse who doesn't question their skills who frightens me. Luv, it sounds to me like you know what you know, and you know what you don't know. That is good. I means that you care about your residents. Find a mentor at work who can help you to continue learning. You will be fine, don't worry.

nursnancy, LPN, RN · Jul 9, 2003

Hang in there, Luvlife! I started out in LTC. I've been a nurse for a little over 4 years (all in nursing homes), and was starting to feel like you do. For instance, I would be on my feet the whole shift all the time, and I would look at other nurses sitting at their desks, and I would think, 'What am I doing wrong? Am I slow or am I stupid, or what? I've been doing this for 4 years and I still can't get everything done and sit down for a few minutes even on a good day.' Recently I voiced these fears to an RN supervisor working with me and she said, 'Nancy, you are on your feet the whole shift because you care about your patients and you're doing a good job. Your biggest weakness is that you don't believe in yourself. ' I have just this week started working in a hospital for the first time on a geriatric psych unit. I'm excited about working in a hospital now, and I have a whole new set of insecurities. But what that RN said to me that day will stay with me, and I'm starting to believe more in myself as a nurse. So start believing in yourself, hang in there, and luv life, baby.

Sue RN GNC(C) · Jul 11, 2003

In my Honest Opinion, nursing is less about "book learning" and more about experience.. you can read all about G tube insertions, but until you actually do, you won't "get it"..

I would suggest hooking up with some way of doing a preceptorship with a nurse you respect.. one you feel best demonstrates the direction you wish to take your career..

i think you need more experience, and thus building confidence to get on with your career.

LTC is not a simple field! It is very complex with multi system failures, more residents to care for, as well as supervisory responsibilities.

You sound like a nurse that really has the heart, you just need a little more confidence in yourself.

I wish you luck!