How many units does it take?

bargainhound, RN · Jul 16, 2006

You did not give any info on what kind of "unit" you worked on.........

Really, you have to learn to go with the flow and modify yourself

to work with whatever team you happen to be with.........

I recall a head nurse telling me " I have a feeling that you are the

one who is going to have to change".

There will always be something "wrong" wherever you are, but you

just have to learn what you are able to cope with......It can be

hard to learn/realize that.

Try to make yourself stay with one "unit" a year at the least when

you first start your career, if at all possible.......for your career's

sake. This will help show stability.

Otherwise, if you cannot cope with any "unit", agency work is one

option because you choose your places/shifts and never have to

go back if you do not like the "unit".

meownsmile, BSN, RN · Jul 16, 2006

Yep, i agree with the above. Most people dont know what or if they want to specialize until they get out of school. But, any good advice includes staying in the unit your hired in for at least the period of time that you get comfortable with your new career. A year,, sometimes maybe a bit more. You'll figure it out when its time, for now just learn everything you can.

scnewgrad06 · Jul 16, 2006

There is an even longer story behind why I am not staying on my unit that I prefer to not discuss. Basically, I wasn't ready for that unit and leaving was a mutual decision between myself and the manager.

I just wonder how long it takes someone to find where they belong in nursing. Thanks for your replies. :smile:

catlady, BSN, RN · Jul 16, 2006

I just wonder how long it takes someone to find where they belong in nursing.

I suspect there are as many answers as there are nurses.

Me, I've been an RN for 21 years and still haven't found my niche. Am I typical? Nope. Am I unique? Nope.

llg, PhD, RN · Jul 16, 2006

If you are looking for a "right fit," then I'll stick with the "fit" analogy. If you are an "odd size" then it is more difficult to find the "right fit." If you are a standard size, then finding a good fit is a lot easier.

Some people find the right fit in their first job. Others take a little longer. Some never find it.

The key is to analyze the situation -- and yourself. If you got yourself into a bad situation with your first choice of jobs, then analyze how you came to make that incorrect choice. Figure out where you went wrong in deciding to start your career on that unit. Then don't make the same mistake again.

1. Do a thorough analysis of your capabilities and preferences so that you will know what to look for in a job -- and you will know if there is anything within yourself you need to work on. Are you an "odd size" or a "standard size" ? Do you have the qualities and skills that employers are looking for? If not, how can you develop them?

2. Then research a job carefully before you take it, making sure it has what you are looking for. Be prepared to make a few compromises. For example, the "right fit" for you might not pay the most ... or it might require that you work a schedule that is not your first choice ... or it might require a longer commute than you would like ... etc.

3. Even having done that, things might not work out. But if you do that homework (and be brutally honest with yourself), you should be able to successfully launch your career in 2 or 3 tries.

Good luck with the soul-searching and the job search.

llg

Trauma Columnist · Jul 17, 2006

Agree with llg.

Myself, when I was an LPN, I did nursing home care. Didn't like it then because I was too young to appreciate the geriatric patients. So...went back to school for an ADN.

Then, I worked in the nursing home some more because at that time there were too many nurses and I couldn't get a job as an RN, so continued to work as an LPN!

Got a job in a med-surg unit with rotating shifts: days, evenings, nights. Hated that business. Liked the patients though.

So...switched to a urology clinic with better hours and like the hours but not the duties.

Then we moved and I got thrown to the ER because that is where they had an opening. Stayed for 10 years because I loved it - that's my niche!

However, I got older (not sure about the wiser part-lol) and decided that I wasn't sure I could do staff nursing for another 20 years. Went back to school and got a med-surg clinical nurse specialist.

Now...I do medical management of dialysis patients. Only in my third week so am unsure about it. So far, I really like the APN practice.

When in doubt, get more education.

happytobehere · Jul 18, 2006

I am a new grad too and went staright into a unit, I was unsure, but after all the time they are investing in me, I really hope I will stay. The people suck! They are mean, sarcastic, and cruel, but I feel like I need to keep going. Because I know I can be the change agent.

Good luck I hope it works out for you!

anne74 · Jul 18, 2006

I am in the process of doing the same thing. I'm in a progressive care setting - acute patients with a 4:1 ratio. I've been working for 5 months and I've lost 15 lbs because I never have time to eat or take a break. I'm the only new nurse on the floor and anytime I make an error, people are very quick to reprimand me- but never mind that I caught a doctor's error or solved a patient's issue. My anxiety level is so high with floor nursing - I'm constantly checking and re-checking to make sure I didn't make a mistake. It's crazy to keep everything on track with constant interuptions and other parts of the hospital constantly dropping the ball. I feel like I'm working at an IHOP. On my drive home, I obsess that I forgot something to the point I can't sleep at night. Days before my next shift I'm already nervous with stomach aches, etc. Also, after a shift, my back hurts so bad I have to take ibuprofen before I can think about falling asleep.

I felt like I had to throw myself to the wolves to gain good clinical skills and call myself a "real" nurse. But now I've decided it's not worth it. I can't bring my anxiety to a tolerable level, and my health is being affected. I can tell I'm getting burned out already and if I don't make a change quick, I'll quit nursing altogether. I feel very guilty and don't consider myself a quitter, so I'm having a hard time with this. And I'm even more nervous because what if I feel the same way in my next job? I guess you don't know until you're in the thick of it. Hopefully I can find a better home.