I'm a few months into orientation on a med surg floor and I am so stressed out. I have heard that the first year of nursing is hard, but I am already questioning whether or not nursing is the right career for me. I spent 4+ years of school for this, am contracted to over a year at this job (or I owe money), and it is not at all what I expected. I feel like there is no holistic care being given, and like I am not really helping my patients. I thought there would be more "hand holding" and holistic care. I love helping others, so I thought nursing would be a great career for me...but I don't feel like I am doing that.
On top of that, the job is stressing me out in all areas of my life. Five patients is a lot, and I feel like all I have time to do are the very basics. My preceptor says I am doing alright, but I need to be more confident when I am on the floor. It is really hard for me when I feel like I don't know much and I am so nervous. I feel like I am on edge for the 13 hours I am there. I try so hard, giving it my all for the entire shift, but feel like it is never good enough. I come home feeling like a horrible nurse, and I have cried on the car ride home a couple times because the day was just so stressful and overwhelming. I already am feeling like I will burn out at this job.
Part of me is glad that I am contracted for a certain amount of time, so I have to stick it out. But I also dread sticking out another year if this truly not the job I was meant to do. I think about how stressful work is on my off days. The night before, I can't sleep because I am so stressed out about work the next day. Driving to work, I sometimes feel nauseous. Sometimes at work, I feel so overwhelmed that I don't even know where to start. I just freeze.
I really want to be a good nurse, but at the end of the day this is just a job, and I think to myself - why am I so stressed out in all areas of my life because of my job. I need a job to pay rent, buy food, and live life. But this job is so stressful.
Just want to chime in and second what pretty much everyone here has already posted. You are NOT alone - we all feel (or felt) this way when starting out. Hang in there, find a good mentor (i.e. - a nice nurse who sets a good example for what floor nursing SHOULD be), and don't be afraid to ask questions. Also, trust your nursing gut.
I worked bedside nursing for 10 years. I left about 11 years ago due to burnout. During my break from bedside nursing, I did hospice and am currently doing telephone triage for the past 2 years. I just took a PRN position on a med surg unit about 3 weeks ago. Im still in "orientation" and have done 2 shifts so far, I try to remember what I did to survive for 10 years previously and I think organization is going to be key. As soon as I get report, I go make rounds, find out what they need prior to getting started with meds or assessments. Generally I have found if you do that at the beginning, it gives you more time to get things together. I only plan to work 2-3 days a month so as not to burn out again. I can honestly say I'm glad to be back on the floor and back in the "real" nursing world.
Rslovelace, BSN, RN
10 Posts
Just want to chime in and second what pretty much everyone here has already posted. You are NOT alone - we all feel (or felt) this way when starting out. Hang in there, find a good mentor (i.e. - a nice nurse who sets a good example for what floor nursing SHOULD be), and don't be afraid to ask questions. Also, trust your nursing gut.