I'm sure this is no new story for you experienced nurses. I'm a new grad, 3 months on the job now. I have a B.S in biology and went back for my ADN. (I'm older, not a youngin'!) And yikes, it all of a sudden hit me and wore me down. This floor nursing is so incredibly stressful and intense.
Thought I'd get used to the "12 hour days" (of course always longer). Thought I'd get used to the pace of things as I've had physical and mentally challanging jobs before...nothing compares to this. I'm on a new unit which is a med/surg/telemetry type of unit. I thought I'd be one of two nurses there, but really, I'm the floor nurse. They usually float the other travel nurse that's there. My manager is available for my questions and to help in a crunch. And I have not had a patient load greater than 5 (usually always do have 5), so that should be totally doable. I just am wiped out by the long days,and nonstop stuff to deal with. Three 12 hour days in a row just does me in, plus every other week an 8 hr day is required. Of course lunch, if taken, is rushed cause I know what's waiting for me to do. But I do enjoy taking care of the patients, and think they're amazing for the lives they've led and the courage they have. The pace of things is just crazy.
Also, the negativity of some of the techs is beginning to take its toll. I respect them and what they do for us and contribute to the team--but I think one who has been a tech for 20 years is a challenge. But I think I know what her issues are, I just hope I can deal with it.
I've floated occasionally to the floor I oriented on, and things seem to flow much better there. But I don't think floor nursing is for me.
I think I am getting truly depressed. Can't sleep through the night, getting weepy for no reason. Maybe going part-time would help, I could swing that maybe. Any words of wisdom? Thanks.
