I HATE my job....what now?

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Specializes in Telemetry/CCU/Home Health.

It's a common thread it seems, but here goes my version. I originally posted this in response to another unhappy new nurse, but I thought maybe a good idea to start a new one.

I just got off orientation 2 weeks ago (a couple of weeks early at the request of my supervisor), and I HATE my floor. I really got to see the difference in patient load that the new nurses get compared to the senior nurses. When I was on orienatation with the senior nurses, we would have one "complete" care or isolation patient, now that i am by myself, I have had 2-3 complete care patients and 2 isolation patients to care for, and some of the NA's don't lift a finger to help! So as a result I am running around changing patients, getting water and ice, grabbing blankets, heating up food, and all of this before I can even get my meds done!! It sucks!! I am so depressed, I hate this work....I am only one person, but I feel like I need to do everything. I don't like to make waves, so I just do everybodys job.

I want to quit right now...maybe go the OR, which is where I wanted to go originally anyway, but decided I needed to get some tele/med surg experience first. I am a shadow of the old me right now, I used to like to do things, go places, see my friends, now I don't care about any of that. I feel miserable just thinking about work all of time. I need to do something, and fast! I just don't want to leave before 6 mos. Thanks for reading......:o

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Specializes in Education, Administration, Magnet.

I am in the same boat as you, only that our floor does not have nurse aides at all. All the stress takes the fun out of nursing. But I know that I want to stay there for a year, because after that time I can go anywhere. Try to stick it out if possible for 6 months to a year. If you can do this, you can do anything.

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If your heart is the OR, then I'd go there . . . .

However, there are definitely some things about where you work now that are unfair distribution of labor and a talk with your supervisor is in order. Not whining - just conversation.

I wish you the best - don't settle for less than what you really want and don't buy into having to work a year in med/surg before going to your specialty area.

steph

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Specializes in ER, Medicine.

I too have noticed that most of the threads started on this "1st Yr" forum are ones with unhappy, dissatisfied nurses.

It's funny because well, I'm starting on my second RN job since July! Today is my second day of general orientation at this new facility...and while I'm "excited" most of my feelings are a complete bundle of uncertainty/worry/stress. And I haven't even touched the floor yet! However, I am trying my hardest to remain positive. It is kind of nice to know you're not alone, but it still doesn't help when you're out there trying to do 10 things at once.

Nursing school was a stress, worrying about passing the HESI, worrying about passing the NCLEX, wondering if you'll get a decent position...working was supposed to be the fun and exciting part. It was supposed to be great being a real live RN... I had no clue the strain of nursing didn't drop drastically after passing the boards. :-|

It sucks that most new RNs are unhappy (at least as evidenced by this board)...but I do believe there's a magical hump where everything becomes wonderful again. If only I knew when and where.

Maybe we'll all have that happy point sooner rather than later. I wish I could give you advice...but all I can say is you're so not alone.

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To the OP....if you stay you'll need to ask someone why you're getting a different patient load then the other R.N.'s or it'll breed resentment in you, if it already hasn't.

As to the NA's.....delegate tasks to them. If they see you're going to do the work for them..... by golly they'll let you, that's for sure.

Trust me I don't have it figured out by any means. I've made bad choices w/ jobs I've choosen since getting my license and it's depressing!

I got out of those places A.S.A.P. though. First mistake- E.R. which was way too fast pace w/ a "bad" orientaton set up. Second mistake- private psych hospital (I had been warned by disgruntled employees that it aweful and it was) the pitfalls of the place could be pages long...

Sooooo, now I'm waiting to hear back from a big city hospital w/ a good reputation this time (about another psych job) they're currently checking my references.

Although it's sad I had to start out this way, it is a learning experience. Also, I'm only putting one of the jobs on my resume, not both. I just want a job that I can physically and safely do w/ half way decent management!!!! Little did I realize how hard that was going to be. I'm praying this next job will be it!

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Specializes in Home Health, Geriatrics.

All of you seem to be very new nurses and I am an old, long in the tooth one, but perhaps I can pass on some wisdom I learned the very hard way. First of all, you are the NA's supervisor. They are to do what you ask of them. I don't mean for you to bully them, but be firm in what you expect and if they don't do it, take them aside in private and ask what their objections are and what do they offer as a solution. Also, every new job will be difficult. You are new with your skills and are working very hard to remember everything you have just learned. Try to stay the course and not job switch too often. It doesn't look good and if you live in a small community, word gets out and you may have trouble getting a position. I wish I could give all of you a hug but please know, it does get better and you will develop that strong knowledge base and before you know it, you'll realize that you are working the floor without a problem!

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Wow, I was so relieved to read your post. I am a new nurse starting my third week of orientation and I can already see how unfair the distribution of patients is. I'm embrassed to tell anyone that I don't like my job at all. I'm trying to form good relationships with the PCA's now, so they will hopefully be helpful when I am done training. I stay busy the whole shift, if I'm caught up and ask the PCA's what they need help with. I'm going to stick it out for 6 months because everyone says that's the bare minimum you need on a med/surg floor before going on to a specialy floor. My interest is in ER or ICU.

Good luck to you and remember that you are certainly not alone, a fresh group of us graduates from nursing school each spring.

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Specializes in hospital, nursing home, independent livi.

the nurse assistants need to get off their butts and do their jobs.....when i worked as a CNA at a hospital and nursing home, the nurses depended heavily on the aides.....actually, the work at the hospital was a lot easier than the work at the nursing home; the aides need to do what is required of them

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I'm sorry that you are feeling this way. I've been there!! Are you completely sure that assignments are really being divided unfairly? I'm just trying to look on the bright side, but maybe it isn't as it seems. Perhaps when you were on orientation, the acuity levels weren't quite so high on the unit, for whatever reason. Or perhaps the precepting nurse was given a ligher assignment so that he/she could spend more time teaching you. Are the other nurses taking on heavy assignments too?

I agree that your assignment does seem a bit much though. One thing that you could do is when you arrive on the unit and discover what your assignment is, talk to the charge nurse before accepting it. You could explain that you are having a difficult time keeping up with everything and see if the charge will allow you to switch out a patient for one that is lower acuity. If other nurses really do have a lighter assignment, don't be afraid to point it out! If it continues to be a problem, take your concerns to the NM.

As far as the NAs are concerned, you need to learn how to direct them in a diplomatic way. For example, say something to the effect of, "The patient in 24B needs a blanket/help up to the BR/water and I need to get her AM meds together. Could you please help her while I get the meds? Thanks." If they don't respond, pull them aside and say it in a more direct manner. Then take your concerns to the NM.

Focus on the priorities. Administrating the meds and taking care of nursing tasks is more important than getting someone a blanket. Just explain that either you or the aide will be back in to help, but you have something that needs to be taken care of first.

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Specializes in tele, ICU.

ugh..the first year is soooo tough. the same crap happens everywhere- the newbies get the heaviest assignments, always first up for new admits, most isolation patients, etc. its unfair, but switching to another hospital or job won't necessarily make that better.

i started out as a really shy, timid shiny new nurse who wanted to get along with everyone.. learned quickly that that wasn't happening in this lifetime.. you have to remember you and your coworkers are ultimately there for the PATIENT.

i know the feeling of being new, not wanting to make waves, etc, but as others said you have to remember who it is you're there for. yes, you want to make your patients comfortable, and be able to get them whatever they need- but they also need meds and dressing changes and their charts updated. you CANNOT do it all yourself. try and find ways to respectfully (firmly) ask for assistance.

you are brand new and when you first start on your own, you EXPECT difficult situations, but i think most of us expect those to be in terms of difficult patients, or learning what meds do what, or getting our clinical skills down. no one tells you about all the strong personalities you'll encounter and how on top of trying to learn how to be a safe practicing nurse, you have to learn to grow a set and deal with people trying to take advantage of you.

it DOES get easier with time, and you learn how to speak up in whatever context you're in. you are forced to learn- otherwise you stay miserable. speak to your NM or nurse educator, as well. also if you get a heavy assignment one day and are back the next day, let them know it was too heavy and needs to be broken up. i know it sucks royally now, but before you know it you'll be standing up for yourself and realizing how much you've adapted and maybe even stop dreading going to work!

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Specializes in Telemetry/CCU/Home Health.

Thanks for the replies, the last night I worked I had a better assignment and I worked with aides that were not on my floor usually, so the night went alot better. I can't stand working with the aides that "work" on my floor all of the time, even the other nurses in the hospital say the same thing if they get pulled to our floor-they hate it!! It's not like the Nurse Manager doesn't know about it, she just says "well you have to get more assertive". I can't stand it.

It is so very difficult for me to be assertive and say excuse me, am I the only one who works on this floor!! I am going to try and stick it our for 6 mos and then I am outta there if things don't change. Others have said it too. :down:

My question is, do you think it is a good idea to tell the NM this? That I will leave if things don't change? I am not the type to threaten anyone, but its the truth!!

Thanks again!!

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I wouldn't say you'll leave, because she/he may decide to replace you now. I would tell the NM you have concerns that you'd like to discuss, set a time to meet, and voice your concerns.

This way if nothing changes and you do leave they were given an opportunity to address the issues and didn't.

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