Help?!

jessi1106, BSN, RN · Jul 25, 2007

hey, I'm in MI too. How long have you been at your job? Is it just initial anxiety?? As you know, there are many hospitals/nursing jobs and opportunities here as a nurse. If you are actually crying due to your current job, I think that is a pretty clear sign that perhaps you are not placed in the situation where you will best learn and grow......listen to your heart. Perhaps you should start your nursing career in LTC...again only you know.

Kemccanha · Jul 25, 2007

I've been at this job for 6 weeks. I don't think it is anxiety. (trust me, I know what a panic attack is and haven't had one yet!) I just don't feel like I will ever catch on. Ortho is very new to me, geriatrics is not. I'm thinking it's a comfort thing! Thank you so much for the response!

48RVRN · Jul 25, 2007

I'm really in need of some advice here. I graduated in May 2007 and will take my NCLEX on Aug 15. I am currently working on an ortho floor at a major hospital in our area. I hired in through the internship program (which has been an excellent experience), however, I really dislike my job!! I'm just feeling like I'm not cut out for this!? Is this normal? I worked as a CNA at a LTC facility for a few years while going to school and absolutely LOVED it! I'm wondering if this is my calling? I just don't think I'm cut out for this hospital stuff!! What's my problem! I'm tired of crying the whole way home from work and dreading going in the next day! I can't keep this up! Any advice would be so greatly appreciated. I'm depressed because I've always wanted to be a nurse and now I feel this way. What to do?! Thank you for listening to me vent!!

OK Kemc, you're allowed to vent. This is a difficult and scary time. Believe it or not this is normal! You'll find that your anxiety will decrease as you get used to the routines and learn all of the stuff they didn't teach you in nursing school. Anyone that tells you that graduating or passing your boards makes you a nurse is full of it. It takes a solid year of patient care to really make you a nurse.

Do you have a good support system on your floor? Someone that you can turn to no matter how dumb you THINK your being? If not try to find one. You're not dumb but you are inexperienced. BIG difference.

You'll be amazed at how much you don't know. And you'll be amazed at how wonderful this job really is. We, as nurses, don't only touch people, We change lives. And that's the most awesome job there is.

Sorry if this sounds sappy. It's 2 am here.....

ericalynn, BSN, RN · Jul 26, 2007

LTC always needs good RN's and if thats where you feel your calling is, go for it!:monkeydance:

al7139, ASN, RN · Jul 26, 2007

So totally normal!!!

I am a new grad who is on a cardiac unit. I often go to my car after work and cry. I have even cried at work. You have chosen a very stressful (but fulfilling career). My Nurse Manager told me that this would happen, and she was right. Don't give up! Part of my experience has been that there is SO much that you do not learn in school, so I feel inadequate or stupid. If you have a good nursing staff they will understand. I am now in my 7th week of work, and everything is coming together, and most of the time, I even feel like I know what I am doing.

All of what you are going through is normal and OK! Have patience with yourself, you will find that those rough days get farther apart, and you will feel more confident in yourself. I swear it will happen!

Amy

cardiac.cure03 · Jul 27, 2007

Just a bit of my own experience...

I worked on an ortho floor as a PCT while I was finishing up nursing school... And it was hell!! There were several times I cried as well... The patients are (rightfully) needy, and in tons of pain, and have all sorts of contraptions. Even some of the nurses I worked w/ at the time broke down. I've heard from many that ortho is a tough floor. And to the nurses/aides who can handle it, much kudos to you!!

Don't let it discourage you... You know what you need to do.

Best wishes :)

GeminiTwinRN, BSN · Jul 27, 2007

of course you're feeling vulnerable. you've not had the experience working in a hospital environment until now, and it's definitely a different world from LTC!

ask yourself some questions. you worked as a CNA in LTC. did you notice how the RN's or LPN's workload was? do you think you'd do well in a med pass of 30+ residents? it's important to look at the differences between your being in a CNA role in LTC vs. being an RN (or LPN- not sure of your status, but it doesn't really matter, a nurse is a nurse is a nurse, especially in LTC).

there are huge differences between LTC and hospitals. how long have you been at the hospital you are employed now? perhaps you've chosen a floor that isn't your cup of tea. I'm sure there are many other choices at this hospital or another that you could consider.

I shadowed an RN at two facilities before making my decision. I had been a cross-trained monitor tech/CNA/unit secretary prior to graduating with my RN. I wasn't sure if I wanted to continue on the floor where I had that role (it was an ICU) after school. I was lucky enough to do my preceptorship on the same ICU floor where I was offered a new grad position. The best part about having already worked on the unit as both tech and preceptorship was that it showed me the difference in the roles.

Long story short, I ended up taking a position with another hospital from the one where I had tech'd/precepted. Knowledge is power. I knew it wasn't a good fit for me. It wasn't the work, it was the STAFF! And the staff can make or break you. Believe me. The patient population comes and goes, but you've got to be comfortable with the people you work with. It makes 10000% difference! I don't come home crying at the end of shifts anymore, I may have had the day from hell, but it isn't because I've been bullied, yelled at, etc.

HTH and isn't too confusing! :)

AprilRNhere · Jul 27, 2007

If you loved LTC you should do that. Not that I think you won't get used to the hospital, but because so few people really care about LTC. They need good nurses just as much (maybe more) than hospitals.

Either way....you'll be great.