I need help. =(

Published

Hi,

I never thought I'd actually have the need to make an account on here until now. I'm a new grad nurse working at a free standing emergency room, basically an emergency room that's not connected to the hospital but at an offsite location.

Anyway, I was called into my manager's office last night and he asked me what I feel like I am struggling in. I mentioned pediatrics and he stated he was glad I said that because it is one of my weaknesses. I know that it is, as are so many other things too. I'm thankful he us giving me a chance to improve on my nursing. But here us the thing, if I don't do well on a med/surg floor for this upcoming month, they will have to let me go.

That's what terrifies me. I moved 1600 miles to where I'm at now, sacrificed my friends and family and happiness to get the experience that I need. I'm now at a loss and I'm afraid that I'm going to slip away and end up getting fired.

I have a lot to learn and I'll be working on med surg for a month. I need advice and lots of it. I'm feeling very discouraged at this point in time. If I get fired, I don't even know what on earth I'm going to do. Help me, I'm scared. =(

Specializes in Emergency/ICU.

Your director may have messed up. If the med/surg unit really likes you, and you like them, then maybe there's a new match! Keep thinking positive! Best wishes!

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That's good that it is easier. I hope it keeps going well! :)

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Just an update. =) It turns out the stated issues that my manager had informed me of are pretty much false. If he actually spent a shift with me for one day, he would be able to see what the real problem is, and it's not me. The med surg floor really likes me and has asked me to stay with them. I'm actually going to say yes and put in for the transfer on Monday. Yes, I will lose $3 specialty pay, but my happiness comes first. This is the first time in 10 months of working as a nurse that I haven't cried once for the two weeks I have been on med surg, not even to sleep and I actually feel genuinely happy.

As for the freestanding ER I was working at, I was able to constructively figure it out in my mind the last two weeks what the problem is. I feel like if I were to go back after this month is over that eventually I will get fired, not because I'm a bad nurse (I'm not, at least I don't think) but the fact that they have been singling me out ever since I have worked there. Not really sure why and I really don't care. I just don't think it's professional that they overwhelm me with cycles upon cycles of patients in my section while they barely have patients in their section. Giving me all the patients and drowning me isn't going to help with time management at all, especially if they're all work ups. Over at the freestanding, we are the phlebotomist, the PCA, ER Tech, the RT and the nurse, that's a lot of work for one person, especially if you don't get any help and you ask kindly for it. What's really not fair is I go and help them for a cardiac work up, do the EKG, start the IV while they triage and asses, yet when it comes to when I get a chest pain patient, I'm left to fend for myself.

Anyway, I've made up me mind and I'm sticking to it. Their loss, really. I'll be sad I won't be in ER, but I'll go back to the ER later down the road, just not here, where I live. =)

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Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

I had a feeli g reading this that you were going to excel in your new environment. That is great!!

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Specializes in Med/Surg, LDRP.

Oops, I see you already updated. So glad it worked out for you! :)

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Specializes in Oncology.

It sounds like that ER was a toxic environment and you just had to leave the swamp and see the meadow to know it! Glad you're happier. I'm guessing you'll still have ample opportunity to improve your Spanish?

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Specializes in Emergency Room.

Kinda off topic, but I'm surprised they placed you in a free standing ER. Usually they reserve those so strong experienced nurses because lack of support staff. The nurses are responsible for vent management, Cpap/bipap, and ABGs.

Good luck, seems like you are thriving now.

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The ER where I'm at isn't really run the way an ER should be. Once I get more experience I will apply back to my home town and get into a bigger and better ER later on down the road. This truly was a blessing in disguise and I'm happy I made the decision I made.

As for the Spanish, it's kind of crazy, I'm learning more being in the med surg setting than having been in the Freestanding. So yes, Spanish is improving drastically again. I'll ask my new director if she knows of any classes I can take to help me improve. =)

Thanks all for the wonderful comments and support! I greatly appreciate it.

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