help! want to quit....how long do i have to stay to avoid looking bad?

[limonada]

I have been working on a med/surg floor for about 2 months now. My orientation will be over in a week and I am terrified! I dread going to work everyday. Some days are fine, but others I just want to run away. Lots of times I cry as soon as I get in my car to go home. I haven't made any mistakes really, but I sometimes think of things that I forgot to do once I get home and am afraid I'll get in trouble. It's never anything serious, just stupid little things. Anyway, I pretty much HATE my job. I usually have 5-7 patients and I just feel so overwhelmed! If everything runs smoothly I'm fine, but lots of times when things happen I just feel like I don't know what to do and when I'm off orientation I think the other nurses will get annoyed with my constant questions. And I just feel incompetent, like if a pt has something really wrong witht them I might not notice. I did really well in school and I actually have a B.A. in psychology as well as my RN. I know that this job is not for me. I went into nursing because I wanted to help people. I am more interested in the psychological aspect. I feel like I have NO time to spend with the patients and I hate that. I hate running around like a chicken with it's head cut off, never knowing what to expect, and only having enough time to give the pt their med and then run out of the room. I just know this is not what I want to do. I want to either go back to school for my master's in social work, or OT. I also think I might like home health because then I would actually have some time to TALK to the patient. I love people and I hate that if a pt is upset or trying to talk to me, I don't have time to stop and listen. Would it look completely horrible if I quit now? Would it make me look really bad to future employers? What's the shortest I can stay here without looking bad? I feel nauseated every day on my way to work and I just want to cry. please help! thank you!!!

[EmilyLucille523]

I wish you the best in your future endeavors. I too quit yesterday after only being on my own for 3 months. I totally understand how you feel. I feel horrible about the whole thing but at the same time I am so elated because I know I won't be there anymore. It is such a difficult decision to make during these times when other New Grads are begging for work.

Good luck with everything you do and I hope the same for me!

[Wsmith16, ADN, BSN]

Get another job before you quit. Bedside nursing isnt for everyone. Good Luck.

[limonada]

emilylucille, how are you doing? It's nice to know someone feels the same way I do...What do you plan to do now? I am considering trying to get into psych nursing or addictions nursing...good luck :)

[EmilyLucille523]

emilylucille, how are you doing? It's nice to know someone feels the same way I do...What do you plan to do now? I am considering trying to get into psych nursing or addictions nursing...good luck :)

I am currently orientating in my new job at a small hospital on Med/Surg. I know, I know...but it's so much better than where I was. The nurse-to-patient ratio is still high (1:7), but the patients are not as acute as where I was before (cardiac/stepdown unit with 1:6 patient ratio). I feel so much better about myself as a nurse and I now look forward to going to work! I also now work in my home town so no more commuting. And to top it off I get paid more an hour and the benefits are lower in cost, so all in all it was the best move I made.

Yes, I still feel terrible about leaving the other place but I'm in the process of trying to go back PRN to work once in a while for a few years to "pay them back" for the opportunity they had given me. Maybe it's a stupid move, but I almost feel like I betrayed them in a way. I don't know, I'm still debating it. We'll see how it goes.

Whatever you do though, I hope you are as happy as me!*wine

[mustlovepoodles, RN]

Good for you! Every work environment is different. Sometimes it's just a better fit one place over another. When you're working in the right fit, it makes everything nicer. Hope your new job is going swimmingly.

[Gerlich8]

Good luck to you and I would recommend trying to find a job in MICU or SICU at night. The pt ratio is 1:3 or 1:2 and the night shift allows you to acclimate to your new job. Once you find the right place, you will be happier.:)

[caliotter3]

The problem is that another hospital job will probably be similar and long term care facilities can be lots worse than hospitals in terms of stress. Try some of the tips you have been given, and see how you feel in nine months to a year. By then you will most likely feel a lot better about things, or at least you will feel more confident to seek another position.

[Jules A, MSN]

Since the OP has a psychology background I get why it was suggested that she try psychiatric nursing but for anyone that thinks it is an easy, low stress nursing job I'd suggest doing a share day on a busy, short staffed unit before committing to it. I've seen a couple of new grad nurses quit quickly in psych also due to the level of stress and lack of comfort with psychotic, often violent patients.

[krstxn]

Ooops..never mind

[KeepItReal21]

I'm so glad that I have found this post. I too am having anxiety issues with my new grad job. I started off working in critical care and getting 3 months of orientation. I asked if I could get more time. After I did, I still felt uncomfortable with the staff nurses at night and didn't want to work during the day because it was too stressful and chaotic.

In the beginning it was hard for me because the staff wasn't very welcoming, and it was difficult for me not having some of my patients communicate their problems or pain level. I asked to switch to med-surg to see if that would be a better fit and thought maybe I needed more of the basics care of nursing in order to feel more competent in order to build my confidence level. I started last week and having 5 pts doesn't make it any better and I still don't get a chance to really communicate with some of patients because there is no time to really do anything but do tasks oriented things and hope that you can get your charting done on time. Before I know it, it's 4am and I still haven't done any of my charting and have to start passing out meds.

It's pretty ridiculous how unorganized I feel and I wish that bedside nursing wasn't so much about tasks and more about patient care. I know because I have more than mild anxiety it effects my thinking but I feel really bad all the time that I am not picking up things fast enough and that I'm constantly needed assurance or double checking that I am doing something right. I need to feel confident in my skills and do an intervention instead o of waiting and asking first.

My health is my priority but I feel guilty quitting a job because I just started and need more experience. I also know a lot of my anxiety comes from the staff, the hospital, and the patient population. I really want to be in an environment where that I am able to do more preventative care and teach individuals and families about nutrition and how to live a healthy life as opposed to popping pills to lower high blood pressure or cholesterol levels down. I want to get to know my patients and be able to care for them without feeling that I am just punching a clock in and out and getting a paycheck. This job is too stressful to just get a paycheck and not be satisfied or passionate about your work. My heart is not into the care that I'm giving and need to feel good about myself when I go to work.

Thanks for letting me vent. It's always nice to get your thoughts down and paper and expressing it this way.

Any advice or tips are welcome!

[BettyBoop01]

I am a new grad and OP I feel your pain. I dread my job, i literally get sick to my stomach before going to work each day. I feel like I can handle 4 or 5 patients, but we normally have 7, and sometimes 8! I feel like they dump a lot on me, they keep telling me that as a newbie I need to prove myself. All I want to do is quit, it feels unsafe. I worked so hard for my license I dont want to lose it because I have 7 patients, usually at least 1-2 that are total care. I feel like there is always 1 or 2 patients that I just dont get to see much at all because of the ones that are constantly calling. I just dont have the speed yet that I need. I have been interviewing for the last few weeks, I have a second interview at the end of jan and I had an interview yesterday, so just having this job seems to be helping me get interviews elsewhere. I know i cant quit until I find something else, but I also know when I quit the director is going to be furious. I am terrified that even a new job will be this same feeling again, but I need to give it a shot. I am terrified of starting over somewhere else, but feel like it is necessary.

I am glad you quit, I envy you!!!!! I cant afford to quit til I find something else.I wish you the best & hope you find what you are looking for! Please let us know what you find and if you like it!

[linearthinker, DNP, RN]

I'd say at least 12-18 months.