Hello all. I've been a member on the site throughout my journey in school, nclex and starting out as a new RN. I'm hoping to find some advice or relief here in my time of need.
I have been an RN for 3 months now, and on my own (off orientation) for almost 2 months. I work on a medsurg floor as this was the only job that I had an interview/offer for. Medsurg is not my dream. ER or ICU nursing is. But nonetheless, I had to take the job when it was offered because there was nothing else out there for me.
95% of the days I work, I hate it. I have 5-8 patients a day (5 is a good day). I sike myself out about work the day before I'm even scheduled. My stomach gets sick, I can't sleep (especially before a night shift), and there have been a few times that I have cried before and/or after my shift. I feel overwhelmed. I never get to spend any amount of time with my patients short of shoving meds at them. I'm lucky if I don't get the patients confused when a doctor asks me a question.
I search job postings daily. I have a friend that works at an outside hospital in their ER that is trying to get me hired there but no luck yet. I am just unbelievably disgusted and bitter about my job, and that isn't at all the type of nurse I wanted or expected to be.
I keep trying to tell myself that I'm new and it's just the unit that I'm on. I tell myself that it's good experience. But I am hating it every single day. I called off tonight because my stomach was so upset and sick and I was crying.
How can I get out and get to where I want to be with so little experience? Is this normal? Help
Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
Thank you so much. I have so much doubt in myself, wondering if I just don't like the unit I'm on or if nursing just isn't for me. But I truly think it's the unit. I hope I can tough it out for 6-12 months. I believe I'm able to transfer at the 6 month mark but I'm not entirely sure. I know I'll be trying to if I can. This crying before/after work and feeling sick isn't working for me.
Changing jobs at six months is a mistake. You're already halfway to the one year mark, and even though you're miserable, changing jobs is unlikely to make you LESS miserable. In fact, you're just going to have to start over learning a new job, new co-workers, new doctors, new manager, new routine, new hiding places for CNAs and equipment . . . . In short, you're going to have to start over from scratch. And then it will be another year from when you start your new job until you're through the worst of the misery. Hang in where you are and you're halfway there.
The first year of nursing is miserable. We all cried before and after work and some of us cried DURING work which is an enormous mistake. I spent a lot of time in the employee bathroom having diarrhea, because I was so anxious about making a mistake, proving myself, learning skills that we'd barely touched upon in nursing school. Winston Churchill said "If you're going through hell, keep going." I think this applies here! Just keep going! One day you'll be less miserable and before too long you'll realize that you're only miserable some of the time while other times you feel competent. Keep going! It'll come.
Wow. You can't change the floor you are working on; you can't change the intensity of the work you have chosen; you can change how you choose to react to it. You need to go back and remind yourself of the various coping strategies you learned in school and apply them to yourself. Make some time for yourself to recharge. Exercise is an awesome outlet for stress. Even just a leisurely walk (with your kiddos too) will do your mind some good. Be kind to yourself during this time. It's a challenge, no matter where you are. I am not in a hospital and after reading some of these posts, part of me is a little glad. But, I do private duty nursing and I have ripped apart my shoulder but still have to go to work. I don't get paid days off or disability, so... I come home and cry from pain now and again, but when they ask for extra shifts, I protect myself and say "no". I never let myself give into that urge to stay in bed unless I am actually sick. Find your fight, lady. You got through life, you got through childbirth, you got through nursing school, adapt and you will get through this too! You can do it! And, one day you will look back and think, "that really sucked! but, I killed it!". Embrace the learning experiences, they are invaluable. And, don't sweat not being able to hold your patient's hand. They just want to know you competent and reliable and will help them get outta there. ((((hugs)))) Leave work at work.
I understand how you feel. The only job I was able to get out of Nursing school was at an LTC where I have a least 15-17 patients at a time but since we are so short staffed it is more common for me to have 30. I feel like crying every single day. I always knew that I didn't want to work in LTC but as it was the only job I was offered what else was there for me to do? I just graduated with my ADN in May and didn't get this job until the end of September so I have quite a way to go before I hit that year mark. I have also been applying to other jobs. But until another job comes calling this one will have to do. Try to keep your head up. Things will get better.
Hello all. I've been a member on the site throughout my journey in school, nclex and starting out as a new RN. I'm hoping to find some advice or relief here in my time of need.
I have been an RN for 3 months now, and on my own (off orientation) for almost 2 months. I work on a medsurg floor as this was the only job that I had an interview/offer for. Medsurg is not my dream. ER or ICU nursing is. But nonetheless, I had to take the job when it was offered because there was nothing else out there for me.
95% of the days I work, I hate it. I have 5-8 patients a day (5 is a good day). I sike myself out about work the day before I'm even scheduled. My stomach gets sick, I can't sleep (especially before a night shift), and there have been a few times that I have cried before and/or after my shift. I feel overwhelmed. I never get to spend any amount of time with my patients short of shoving meds at them. I'm lucky if I don't get the patients confused when a doctor asks me a question.
I search job postings daily. I have a friend that works at an outside hospital in their ER that is trying to get me hired there but no luck yet. I am just unbelievably disgusted and bitter about my job, and that isn't at all the type of nurse I wanted or expected to be.
I keep trying to tell myself that I'm new and it's just the unit that I'm on. I tell myself that it's good experience. But I am hating it every single day. I called off tonight because my stomach was so upset and sick and I was crying.
How can I get out and get to where I want to be with so little experience? Is this normal? Help
I've been off orientation about two months too. I had a realization that although I really wanted this job to work for me long-term, it likely will be one I leave in a year. That being said, I'm so green I think it would be worse to start somewhere new now! My attitude is that this is my job and I want to do my best, but when report is given I am done. I give myself an hour after work to vent, but after that I refuse to think about it. When I do, I clear my mind and count backwards from ten until I stop dwelling on work. Some days I can only get to eight but I am getting better. I am forcing myself to be more social and find my fulfillment outside of work. No job is worth your mental health. However, switching jobs right now might not be the answer, especially if the newness of the situation is something that is throwing you off. If you can stick it out, it seems like a good idea to stay a year. But if you get that ED job and you think it will improve your life, go for it. Good luck!
Ruby Vee, BSN
17 Articles; 14,051 Posts
Changing jobs at six months is a mistake. You're already halfway to the one year mark, and even though you're miserable, changing jobs is unlikely to make you LESS miserable. In fact, you're just going to have to start over learning a new job, new co-workers, new doctors, new manager, new routine, new hiding places for CNAs and equipment . . . . In short, you're going to have to start over from scratch. And then it will be another year from when you start your new job until you're through the worst of the misery. Hang in where you are and you're halfway there.
The first year of nursing is miserable. We all cried before and after work and some of us cried DURING work which is an enormous mistake. I spent a lot of time in the employee bathroom having diarrhea, because I was so anxious about making a mistake, proving myself, learning skills that we'd barely touched upon in nursing school. Winston Churchill said "If you're going through hell, keep going." I think this applies here! Just keep going! One day you'll be less miserable and before too long you'll realize that you're only miserable some of the time while other times you feel competent. Keep going! It'll come.