HELP, new nurse and I dont like it

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Im a new nurse, Im on my 3rd job in 6 months that I dont like. Im starting to think I dont like being a nurse. All I do is hand out pills and rush around like a crazy person all day. Theres no way that its possible to do everything correct with meds, treatments and asessments given the amount of work and patient load. Even after shortcutting like advised from other nurses, I still cant pull it off without missing something. Im soo tired and emotionally drained after my 12 hour shift I can hardly stand. The worst part is that the schedule I was just given at my new job is sun,mon, wed, thurs and fri 12 (turns into 13) hour days! No overtime because their weeks are wed-wed. the good thing is I only work 1-2 days the following week however Ive tried to work that 60 hour work week last week and by friday night I was an emotional wreck-cried for an hour. I have to work it again next week and cant even imagine going through it again. I really just want to quit and take a break but I just started nursing! Any advice?

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TAKE A DEEEP BREATH.. do it again. What kind of facility are you working in ?

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Specializes in Emergency & Trauma/Adult ICU.

Why on earth are they scheduling this way?

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I asked that same question, I wish I would have known before starting the job. This is why the last nurse left because of the schedule. They told me 3 days a week, but didnt tell me how their weeks were scheduled. I work in LTC. I know im going to have to find a PT or PRN job quick, Im just concerned about making it through another one of those weeks. Is it even safe to work that many hours in such a short time span?

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Specializes in Community Health/School Nursing.

I was in your position when I graduated nursing in '09. I was hired right out of school onto an ortho/neuro floor. We worked 3-4 12hr shifts per week. It was a very busy floor....I worked nights 7a-7p. Some mornings I would not leave the floor until 9am due to paperwork overload. I ended up with a thyroid issue and on Zanax. At my 10 month mark I would be praying to have a wreck on my way to work just so I wouldn't have to go in....and I would sit outside of my car crying due to the stress I would endure during my shift. I knew at that time it was time to quit! Staying in that frame of mind was not healthy for me nor my patients. I gave my 2 week notice right away.....let me tell you....when I walked off that floor on my last morning it was like a burden lifted! I never looked back, never regreted it....not for one day!

I was concerned just like you....I only had 10 months experience....hated floor nursing...what was left for me?? Well, I found a wonderful place for me working as a school nurse. I LOVE it!!! I could not have asked for a better job!!!!! Now I love nursing where before I hated it....I wished I had never spent my time getting my nursing degree. Now, I am also thankful.

Everything changes when you decide to change yourself. Change your situation. Change your circumstances. Change your state of mind. You will find the right place for YOU. Keep your head up. If you can afford to quit your job now while you look for something else....then do so...quickly. You asked if it was safe to work 60hrs in a week....for some it would be just fine...BUT for you it could be a disaster. You are already exhausted and stressed. Protect your license, protect your health, protect your sanity!!

Hang in there!! I really do feel for you. Been there done that.

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Specializes in Ortho, Neuro, Detox, Tele.

it sounds like it's not a good fit. Seriously expecting you to work Sunday mon wed, thurs friday? 60 hours a week? I would a)complain to the state board of nursing. OSHA, etc. This is NOT safe. There is no way you can work like that. basically only one day off between shifts? I work three straight and am BEAT, refuse to work for 2 days. We are a self schedule, and weeks go sun morning-sat morning.

b. Find another job.

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Specializes in geriatrics.

I agree, your schedule is exhausting. I work LTC and some weeks, I'm scheduled for 5 12's. It is exhausting, and I have 2 days in a row off. I stopped working extra shifts. Look for another job ASAP. Your body won't tolerate that schedule for very long.

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Specializes in PACU.

Wow, that's a ridiculous schedule. I'd be tempted to punch whoever told me it would be "3 shifts per week" in the face on my way out the door.

Have you tried a setting other than LTC? There are indeed nursing jobs out there that don't leave you tempted to slit your wrists to end your shift early.

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Specializes in Cardiac, PCU, Surg/Onc, LTC, Peds.

Do you have anything in writing? Seriously, that's one of the most terrible things I've heard a LTC pull. Try to get out of LTC, maybe hospice or HH if you can't find an acute care position. Honestly I'd have a heart-heart with whomever is scheduling you for these ridiculous hours and ask if they'd like to try it!

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Forget the schedule, if you are on your 3rd job in 6 months....I am going to guess nursing isn't for you, with all due respect.

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thanks everyone for your support, Im going to call today and tell them I cant do that schedule. I dont want nursing to be tainted for me, I actually started looking into hospice and other areas. I can afford to quit thank god, I really just needed to hear that it was the right thing to do from other nurses. No wonder they cant keep anyone in that position. The pay is 22 an hour, is that typical? I was making 26 at my last job but it was nights so I quit because I wanted days so badly, unfortunately I was misinformed of the schedule- lesson learned.

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If you are in a position you don't have to work turn in your resignation today. People will only do to you what you allow them to and this is crazy, dangerous scheduling! The pay sounds about right for new grad/LTC

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