I dread going to work :(

Nurses New Nurse

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How many of you felt that way as a new grad?

I had the "I'm finally an RN!!" high for a while after graduation, passing NCLEX, and starting my new internship. It has very quickly faded into "efffffff I don't want to go to work."

I got what I thought was my "dream job" as a new grad. Working in a cardiac ICU at a level I trauma center.

I dread going to work. I dread it for 3 days before I have to actually go.

Is this a normal feeling?? Does anyone actually like the first year of nursing, or does everyone question their career choice!?

It's very disconcerting because this is my second career, I quit working to go back to school for my BSN and worked my ass off to get here, only to feel this way. I dread going in, and usually cry on the way home. It's nothing like what I thought it would be.

Anyone who felt this way and came to love their job after a while?

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Specializes in Medicine.

It will get better! I had such a hard time coming off orientation (even 3 months in!). This is a second career for me as well, and I had a hard time dealing with the fact that I didn't pick up on everything super quickly and I didn't become this amazing nurse after just a couple months. The learning curve is just crazy, and it's even tougher when you've previously succeeded in a career and you expect to do so well right away.

I said this in a previous post, but it took me around 6 months to get to the point where I wasn't dreading going into work. You're in an amazing specialty and maybe you won't end up there forever but the experience you'll get will be incredible. Keep posting on here, there are so many of us going through the same thing and it helped me to get through the first 6 months or so. Now I'm looking forward to the next 6 months :)

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Specializes in Ortho-Neuro Rehab, CRRN.

I didn't start mt first job yet, although I am excited to like you were ...

Just wanted to share this article - and have ready lots of posts regarding this subject so search around AN some more

Read this --> https://allnurses.com/first-year-after/full-circle-my-271914.html

I think its pretty common from what I have been reading around here. I just accepted my first RN job and I know and accept that the first year is going to be tough and a learning process.

How long have you been there?

Hang in there - from what I read ... it does get better.

Wishing you lots of luck.

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Can I ask why exactly you dread it---e.g. are you anxious about messing up? Do you lack good friends/co-workers on the unit that make the day easier? Do you just not like nursing itself? I'm just curious.

I started in a cardiac IMC at a large trauma I, and while I wasn't always excited for work, I didn't mind it most days, and only felt burdened by it when I didn't get enough sleep or something. The single most important thing for me though was the environment. The doctors are awesome and value nursing input, and 95% of my co-workers are the most supportive, funny, and knowledgable people I could hope to work with. I found work quickly became less stressful and easier to look forward to once there were people I really looked forward to seeing and working with (this includes patients too, since we have quite a few frequent-flyers and longer length-of-stays).

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Can I ask why exactly you dread it---e.g. are you anxious about messing up? Do you lack good friends/co-workers on the unit that make the day easier? Do you just not like nursing itself? I'm just curious.

I started in a cardiac IMC at a large trauma I, and while I wasn't always excited for work, I didn't mind it most days, and only felt burdened by it when I didn't get enough sleep or something. The single most important thing for me though was the environment. The doctors are awesome and value nursing input, and 95% of my co-workers are the most supportive, funny, and knowledgable people I could hope to work with. I found work quickly became less stressful and easier to look forward to once there were people I really looked forward to seeing and working with (this includes patients too, since we have quite a few frequent-flyers and longer length-of-stays).

I think mostly I dread it because I feel like I don't know what I'm doing, and I feel unsupported. Some of the nurses on my unit are wonderful, supporting, and great teachers. However as a whole I haven't felt welcomed onto the unit.

But some of it is the job itself. It's not what I expected. I feel like all I do is chart, check orders, chart some more, check orders again, give some meds, and repeat. I think it's just the reality of what nursing is kind of hitting me like a ton of bricks.

Also, I don't like 12s. I have been orientated to days and nights during my internship and I hate hate nights. My body doesn't handle it well. I got super depressed, never slept, was sick to my stomach all the time, and never saw my husband. By the end of my last shift for a few days I'm so exhausted and burnt out I start becoming a huge ***** and I can feel myself doing it. The thought of doing this for a year is awful.

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I am a new grad as well, and felt the same way the first 5 months! It will get better. I am in my six month and this past month has been much better finally feeling comfortable, and getting used to it. Although I hate 12s too there just exhausting!

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Specializes in Operating room..

The great thing about nursing is that there are so many different areas to work in! Don't like it? Just move on!

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Specializes in L&D, infusion, urology.

I think many new grads, especially in hospital positions, feel like they don't know what they're doing.

Have you considered applying for other positions? I'm sure you know there are many avenues within nursing, even for new grads. However, if you leave now, you may find it hard to crack back into acute care, if that's your goal. Just proceed with caution.

I hope things improve for you!

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So I've been trying to stay positive so far-I'm in my 2nd week on my own. Well, my last shift just took it all out of me. The shift started on such a bad note and it was all downhill from there. It's so hard not to feel incompetent when that's how others view you too. I question everything I do because I'm so new at all of this. I feel like I bug the poop out of everyone and it takes that much longer to get everything done because I need the help and I need my questions answered. Everyone says I will get the hang of it eventually, but at some point you wonder how much of that is truth. :(

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I'm in my 3rd week of orientation in a Trauma 1 ICU. The first week I thought to myself...Oh Crap! What did I get myself into. I was completely overwhelmed. I am finishing my 3rd week and I look back and see how much I have improved. I figure if I can keep this up, I will get the hang of it. I can't say that I have dreaded going into work, but I was not as excited as I was in school. That excitement is coming back as I feel I am getting a handle on things (although I have a long, long way to go).

I have been told that it will take a year before I am truly comfortable as a nurse. I'm shooting for 9 months.

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I think many new grads, especially in hospital positions, feel like they don't know what they're doing.

Have you considered applying for other positions? I'm sure you know there are many avenues within nursing, even for new grads. However, if you leave now, you may find it hard to crack back into acute care, if that's your goal. Just proceed with caution.

I hope things improve for you!

I have considered quitting and finding something else, but I am unsure if that's the smartest move. I know I won't be very marketable without a year of bedside experience.

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I know exactly how it feels, some days I feel the same way. Don't feel alone, I believe a lot of us feel that way and maybe even more for some others. I personally dreaded going back to work..literally counted down the hours till my shift started, anxiety attacks, and I would cry just thinking the worst. It doesn't get easier, but we learn to cope with it. Nursing is not what many people assume looking on the outside. It's mentally and physically challenging, but in the end it's still a rewarding career for me.? hang in there, it will get better

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