I feel stuck...

[Mattastrophik]

Hey everyone:

So in a little under 2 weeks, I hit 7 months as an RN at my first position in LTC. I currently only have my associates, and I was looking to go back for my BSN, but I work 5 days a week with 8 hr. shifts, where I'm usually staying a little bit after to fix things, or carry out late replying doctor's orders, so I can't imagine going to school with this kind of schedule. My plan was to get into a hospital with 3 12hr. shifts a week, and use the other days to attend school, etc.

But at this point, I feel like I've found the field very undesirable. I'm not sure if it's just the facility I work at, but I remember not even getting full orientation. They showed me how to do med pass for 2 days, and on the 3rd day, dropped me off and had me working a double shift. Over the almost 7 months, I've learned along the way, and gained a little more confidence, got better with time management, assessments, etc. But it honestly feels like this job drains me, especially the patient load. I'm full time, but sometimes I get floated to floors where people haven't correctly carried out orders, are signing for meds that were never delivered, and it's just time consuming and a nightmare.

I used to let the backlash of other employees get to me, but now I feel like all I care about is getting my job done as quickly as possible so I can leave on time. I originally never wanted to go into nursing (why I did is a long story, and even my original reason is too late to do now), but I don't know what else to do. I'm a male in my early 20's, and people say I should be glad I'm making this kind of money at my age, but the way my schedule is set up, it's not like I ever get to enjoy it anyway. I kind of feel like I'm rambling... it's just my one day off this week and I guess I don't feel like going back in tomorrow morning. I called out for a whole week with a psych diagnosis on my last doctor's note a month ago because I just can't take being here. It's messing with my eating habits and I'll dream all night that I'm at work, only to be waken up by the alarm clock to go to work. When I'm off, all I think about is how much time I've got left before it's time to go back.

I feel like working in a hospital, even without the whole 25-30+ patient ratio, I'd still hate it somehow. If anyone just had any words of encouragement or something, it would be greatly appreciated, thanks...

[JBMmom, MSN, NP]

You're too young, with too many working years ahead of you, to be feeling that you're stuck somewhere. I'm sure that it would be daunting to give up a good paying position, but if you're just going to hate it, what's it worth? I'd say, give yourself a timeline, save up some money and then look around for what you really want to do. If you're disciplined enough to give yourself some financial freedom you can decide whether you want to go back to school, find a position that doesn't require additional schooling (but might pay less), or even look elsewhere within nursing so you don't feel you've wasted your education to this point. LTC is tough- not necessarily tougher than a hospital, just in different ways. Wish I could tell you what you should do, but you need to figure that out. Good luck.

[Mattastrophik]

Thanks JBM, that actually does make some sense. I just need to think about what else I might like to do. Sure nursing has its rewarding moments, seeing someone get better, or someone appreciating you doing a little extra to make them as comfortable as possible, being glad that you've comforted the family of a hospice patient etc. I was originally a graphic design major, but I wanted to feel like I was making a difference. Now nursing just feels like another job to me. I can certainly do it, I just couldn't believe how much I'd be disinterested in it once I actually got into it.

I was thinking of hanging in there to get more experience to find another job in another field, but the requirements in my area seems like you have to be the god of that specialty in order to get in, which also is a bit discouraging; that you can't be the kind of nurse you REALLY want to be.

But thanks, it gives me something to think about while I'm working for now.

[LakeEmerald]

Five more months - get your year and move on with your chin held high. LTC is not for you and employers will understand that. Male nurses seem to get hired pretty quickly here in GA. Keep a good attitude, cut back some hours if you can, and look around. LTC is not for everyone and it's OK.