in over my head

Nurses New Nurse

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I feel like I am completely in over my head. I am a new nurse and only in my second month of being on my own as a hospice case manager. Is it too soon to feel like I bit off more than I can chew? I only got two weeks training before I got thrown to the sharks. I love my patients but working with caregivers of group homes is growing very tiresome, most don't understand hospice or the dying process no matter how much I educate them they think if I don't solve the issues that come with the natural dying process that I am a bad nurse or they think they are nurses and bc I don't sedate my patients or convince the doc to order what they think is appropriate that I am doing nothing. My job is 5 days a week and I feel like I take it with me everywhere I go. Am I doing something wrong or am I not cut out to be a nurse. I feel so lost!

In my area, hospice and home health won't hire new grad nurses. They require 1-2 yrs experience as a nurse! Maybe you should look for another job.

I am currently looking because it is really starting to take control and affecting my personal life. Really questioning if I am even good at this stuff.

Specializes in Cardiac.

Oh my gosh! I imagine you are overwhelmed.. I think case management is a pretty overwhelming job even for someone who isn't a new grad, especially with hospice. Could you possibly ask for some more orientation time? Or maybe consider switching jobs? In my areas all home health / hospice nurses have to at least 2-3 years floor experience.

Specializes in Cardiac.
I am currently looking because it is really starting to take control and affecting my personal life. Really questioning if I am even good at this stuff.

Don't be too hard on yourself.. Your new !! I'm sure you're doing a good job! I hear it takes at least a year to be comfortable as a new nurse... I don't know, I'm not there yet either!

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