I feel like I hate the hospital

[Jo89, LPN]

I'm a new grad RN in a residency program on a neuro trauma unit. Previously I was an LPN in long term care for three years. I've only had a few shifts maybe six or seven now on on the floor but I'm already questioning if I should leave. My past three shifts I was miserable. I am training on days and nights. I did days the last three and took two patients on my own. I feel like I have no idea what I'm doing and I'm so overwhelmed. I want to get the experience but now im questioning if it's even worth the stress. The unit is mostly comprised of newer nurses, people are willing to help but I can tell they are busy snd stressed. It's a tough unit, you're only supposed to have four patients but they sometimes get five. Any advice is much appreciated. 

[FolksBtrippin, BSN, RN]

Some nurses do hate the hospital, but I think it's too early to tell if you are one of them. Orienting to days and nights, and just getting your feet wet you are bound to feel overwhelmed and stressed, especially on a busy unit. Before you jump ship, talk to your nurse manager, educator, and/or your preceptor and let them know what you are experiencing and how you are feeling about everything. Communication is very important in this field. Keep communicating openly and honestly about what you are struggling with, and what you need to succeed. If it does come to the point that this role is just not a good fit for you, it will be apparent to your preceptor and manager, and they will be more willing to let you go without a bad review if you have communicated and they understand the problem from the beginning. Recently we had a nurse orienting to our company who was overwhelmed with the responsibilities of the job. She communicated with her preceptor and the manager, and she eventually came to the decision that it wasn't a good fit for her. She left amicably, and was encouraged to come back in a year or so, when she got more nursing experience. This is how you want to leave if you decide to leave. Don't kill yourself for a job, but don't burn bridges either. Let us know how to further support you. Many of us here had rough starts to our careers, and want to help other nurses.

[Compassion75]

Go into home health, or pediatric private duty, psych, hospice, or try clinic nursing or go back to long term care. There are soo many options in nursing and you already have a nursing background as an lpn. No need to be miserable! I've been in nursing 27 years and 24 of those have been in some form of homecare/community health nursing. The hospital was not my thing and I was definitely miserable. I finally found my niche in homecare.! 

[RDF-G, ASN]

All that I can say is that is a tough area to start on! Are either one of those your passions-neuro or trauma, let along the combination? That might be a good place to start thinking about what area that you really want to be in because if those are not your passions, the job will be that much more difficult. Remember the saying, "when you love what you do, you'll never work another day in your life!" Read between the lines to understand the meaning.