I feel like a babysitter (vent)

[PediLove2147, BSN, RN]

I graduated in May and passed the boards in June. I wasn't able to find anything so I worked as a tech for 2 months. Then at the end of August I got a job offer. Now I was excited and thankful because 1) it was a job and I had only a couple of weeks left as a tech and 2) it was in peds which is my dream BUT it was home health. It is shift work so I am with one patient for 8 or 10 hours as a time.

I work one night shift which involves me watching movies and giving the occasional night time medication. On the day shift I feel like a babysitter. Okay so IF something happened I would switch into RN mode but for the most part there is not much to do. I go to school with him and mostly read, sometimes he needs a suction and every 3 hours I give him a bolus via g-tube. When we get home we play games, Monopoly is his favorite. The other child I work with has even less going on and since I work on the weekend it is 10 hours of watching movies and reading books. She doesn't speak either so I could go the whole shift not having a single conversation.

I guess I am just down because this is not what I had imagined when I pictured my first nursing job. I am not learning anything new, I am not stressed, I have no contact with doctors.. the list goes on. I know these are things that people hate about nursing but I want that experience to say for myself. My boyfriend thinks I am crazy for wanting another job, I mean my job is easy but using my degree would be nice. When are the jobs going to open up and will my experience even count towards "experience" in the eyes of nurse recruiters of hospitals since it as far from acute as can be?

I am not trying to be mean to people who do this everyday and enjoy it, I just don't think it is for me. I needed to vent and I figured here was as good a place as any. Thanks for reading.

[Orange Tree]

I would go crazy, too. (((hugs)))

[Guest27531]

You are not in the right job...change as soon as possible.

While you are looking for a new job make a list of all the reasons you want to be challenged. When you find that challenging job there will be times you are frustrated and you can refer to your notes and be glad you are where you are...

[PediLove2147, BSN, RN]

You are not in the right job...change as soon as possible.

While you are looking for a new job make a list of all the reasons you want to be challenged. When you find that challenging job there will be times you are frustrated and you can refer to your notes and be glad you are where you are...

I would love to change jobs, if I could find one. I have been applying but everyone wants that year of experience. The hospital I worked as a tech in talked about opening several new positions at the start of the new year, stating us new grads would be at the top of the "hire" pile but who knows. I will keep looking and eventually something has to come along :)

[AirforceRN, RN]

There is no harm in continuing to look for a job that will be a better fit. But...know this...

You may not feel challenged and that's okay, but I guarantee you are making a huge difference in the lives of at least 2 children. Don't get too down. Something else will come along. In the mean time, keep your chin up. You are doing good work.

[rdsxfnrn]

I feel the same, new grad directly into school nurse. I feel as tho I have really missed out........ I am not really learning anything new, I have forgotten anything I might have learned, lab values, etc. BUT I AM GRATEFUL to have a job :) They are hard to come by around here. (CT) I figure in time I will find my way into my true luv, hospice.

[evolvingrn, BSN, RN]

That's a bummer, i understand your frustration.

[Akeos]

I am so glad to see that i'm not alone, I'm in the exact same position, new grad in peds home health with 2 patients. i work night shift for both of them tho. once which i have 3 days a week i literally only start her feeding and give her meds when she wakes up, the other is a little more intensive because she has a trach/vent but not so much going on with her either.. I'm bored out of my mind and still can't find a job anywhere! it's very frustrating. Thank you for this post, being at work now, it makes me feel a little better knowing i'm not the only one that feels like this is defiantly a waste of a BSN.