I'm wondering if anyone else has had a similar experience to mine and I'm looking for advice. I quit my first nursing job while still in orientation. It just wasn't for me, I tried as hard as I could. I was just slow. I was constantly running around like a chicken with it's head cut off. The whole experience left me questioning if I could even be a nurse. My big struggle was time management. Before coming to the unit, I had no experience with some of the skills or medications used. There was definitely a learning curve and I was way behind. Before taking the position, I shadowed the unit and spoke with some of the other nurses and asked if this would be appropriate for a new grad. There was nothing that made me feel that I wouldn't be supported in my learning. I knew it would be challenging, but I was told they would teach me, and I would learn so much, I would do well etc etc. I wasn't the only new grad nurse to the unit as there were several others that started with me. The other orientees didn't seem interested in sharing their experiences with me, so I don't know if they felt the same way. All throughout my time in orientation I felt I was constantly being compared to the nurses that had been on the unit who had been there for years. I thought that was strange, wasn't it to be expected that a new grad wouldn't be up to the same level as a nurse who had been on the unit for several years, at least while still in orientation?? I felt I was left to stumble through without any real guidance as to how to balance it all. I did have meetings with the unit educator and my preceptor, didn't really help. I didn't feel supported at all. I found myself crying everyday before and after my shift, and even sometimes during them. I resigned from that position, I couldn't do it anymore. I felt like a failure and sometimes I still feel like a failure. I want to try again, but I am terrified of history repeating itself. I will say, I learned sooooo much from my short time on that unit. I probably learned more there than I did in my entire nursing school clinicals, I feel at least I got something out of it, maybe it will prepare me more for my next go around, if I can muster up the courage. I feel like I owe it to myself to try again. I spent so much time and energy in going to school and graduating, I feel it would be a waste if I were to just give up now. I spent years working at that particular hospital also, working my way up through the departments to become a nurse. I feel like that was wasted time as well. I'm the only nurse in the family and I don't have any nursing friends, so it's struggle trying to find someone to talk to about this.
Anyone else have a similar experience? Any advice would be appreciated, thanks for taking the time for reading my story and commenting!
Yes i did it too. but luckily for me right before I went to the other job I went to PRN at my current job so I never ended up quitting my original job. No one was the wiser and I never told anyone about it
This person has stumbled upon, (or maybe even wisely planned), a useful strategy for furthering one's career in a positive manner. Good advice here if one can manage it when faced with a bad work experience.
Specializes in Med/surg nurse, 9 years experience, 5 as travel.
17 hours ago, Bettyloublu14 said:
I really appreciate those who took time to reply to my post and share their experiences and advice! Thank you so much! I am not ready to give up just yet. I learned from my previous experience, I learned what questions I need to ask and what questions I need to ask myself. I look forward to my next go around and I'm hoping to take my negative experience and turn it into a positive! Thank you again everyone! I
All that and it's all ok...see it appears to be self destruction. Glad you found what works for you though. It's NOT the end of the world, it's nursing, it's a job. Take it one day at a time, heck one hour at a time, you will be just fine.
My very first job was on a cardiac stepdown unit. The preceptor assigned to me was a monster from day 1. The clinical coordinator was even worse. There was this group of nurses on the unit who ran that unit and ran off every new nurse they could. I went to the unit manager twice in my 12 week orientation and he said there was nothing he could do. So I put in a two week notice, and they immediately took me off the floor. Now, I have come to find they marked me ineligible for rehire because of this notice. The funnier part is that not long after I left, another nurse went to management with the same problem and the unit manager finally had to admit he had a problem with this group of nurses.
My next job was on a medsurg/tele floor in another part of my home state. And it was a whole different world. The nurses there actually wanted to train me. They worked with me. I will always be thankful for their patience.
The point? Try again. You just might find a floor or unit where people want you to succeed. Don't give up. You can do this.
I'm wondering if anyone else has had a similar experience to mine and I'm looking for advice. I quit my first nursing job while still in orientation. It just wasn't for me, I tried as hard as I could. I was just slow. I was constantly running around like a chicken with it's head cut off. The whole experience left me questioning if I could even be a nurse. My big struggle was time management. Before coming to the unit, I had no experience with some of the skills or medications used. There was definitely a learning curve and I was way behind. Before taking the position, I shadowed the unit and spoke with some of the other nurses and asked if this would be appropriate for a new grad. There was nothing that made me feel that I wouldn't be supported in my learning. I knew it would be challenging, but I was told they would teach me, and I would learn so much, I would do well etc etc. I wasn't the only new grad nurse to the unit as there were several others that started with me. The other orientees didn't seem interested in sharing their experiences with me, so I don't know if they felt the same way. All throughout my time in orientation I felt I was constantly being compared to the nurses that had been on the unit who had been there for years. I thought that was strange, wasn't it to be expected that a new grad wouldn't be up to the same level as a nurse who had been on the unit for several years, at least while still in orientation?? I felt I was left to stumble through without any real guidance as to how to balance it all. I did have meetings with the unit educator and my preceptor, didn't really help. I didn't feel supported at all. I found myself crying everyday before and after my shift, and even sometimes during them. I resigned from that position, I couldn't do it anymore. I felt like a failure and sometimes I still feel like a failure. I want to try again, but I am terrified of history repeating itself. I will say, I learned sooooo much from my short time on that unit. I probably learned more there than I did in my entire nursing school clinicals, I feel at least I got something out of it, maybe it will prepare me more for my next go around, if I can muster up the courage. I feel like I owe it to myself to try again. I spent so much time and energy in going to school and graduating, I feel it would be a waste if I were to just give up now. I spent years working at that particular hospital also, working my way up through the departments to become a nurse. I feel like that was wasted time as well. I'm the only nurse in the family and I don't have any nursing friends, so it's struggle trying to find someone to talk to about this.
Anyone else have a similar experience? Any advice would be appreciated, thanks for taking the time for reading my story and commenting!
I hate to say this, but honestly, this sounds like the typical new grad experience, at least without a few more details. What came of your meetings with your manager and preceptor? What specifically made you feel unsupported or like you were being compared to more experienced nurses?
The first year I spent in acute care was one of the most emotional periods of my life. I definitely doubted myself and felt like I would never, ever function as an independent nurse. A few years later and I'm definitely still neurotic, lol, but it's amazing how much you can learn and how that increases your confidence. There is no point where you'll know everything, but realizing that 1) you're intelligent, 2) you can find the answers you need, and 3) you have resources, is very empowering and makes this career just about doable.
When you look for new jobs, be prepared to ask about what their new grad orientation involves. When you do share time, meet as many people as you can, especially anyone who would be training you, and see what kind of vibe you get. It's okay if this most recent job wasn't a good fit, but now that you have an idea of what didn't work, make a special effort to find something that does.
Omg I feel the exact same way. I am only two months in and I hate it. This is beyond difficult. After how nursing school was, we should'nt feel this bad at all. Crying before, during, and after our shift is unfair and shouldn't be like that. i feel that I am falling apart. At work I am sooo stiff, not myself at all. I cry all the time. This is the worst thing I have ever done in my entire life. I regret going to nursing school. There are many good jobs in the hospital that doesn't involve nursing and I should have stuck with that. Now I am sooo lost, confused. How on earth do people do this? I feel soo scared being on my own. not on my own yet but I can't believe doing it. I can't believe I spent all this money, time, effort into nursing school but then I absolutely despise it. I feel any minute I will quit. like this isinsane. it's not fair at all. nothing should be this hard. After one shift, I really thought about suicide to get away from it. I feel that's the only way out for me. I wish I could do anything to rewind the hands of time.
Suicide is never an option. Please reevaluate your perception of what truly matter in life. This job is not worth all this hurt, why not apply to something at a slower pace like clinic or school nurse, you might find that you enjoy it. There are so many areas to be a nurse, please don't hurt yourself and please take care. Try to find a new job asap
On 11/12/2019 at 12:11 PM, JustGetIt said:
Omg I feel the exact same way. I am only two months in and I hate it. This is beyond difficult. After how nursing school was, we should'nt feel this bad at all. Crying before, during, and after our shift is unfair and shouldn't be like that. i feel that I am falling apart. At work I am sooo stiff, not myself at all. I cry all the time. This is the worst thing I have ever done in my entire life. I regret going to nursing school. There are many good jobs in the hospital that doesn't involve nursing and I should have stuck with that. Now I am sooo lost, confused. How on earth do people do this? I feel soo scared being on my own. not on my own yet but I can't believe doing it. I can't believe I spent all this money, time, effort into nursing school but then I absolutely despise it. I feel any minute I will quit. like this isinsane. it's not fair at all. nothing should be this hard. After one shift, I really thought about suicide to get away from it. I feel that's the only way out for me. I wish I could do anything to rewind the hands of time.
Hello,
Suicide is never an option. Please reevaluate your perception of what truly matter in life. This job is not worth all this hurt, why not apply to something at a slower pace like clinic or school nurse, you might find that you enjoy it. There are so many areas to be a nurse, please don't hurt yourself and please take care. Try to find a new job asap
Omg I feel the exact same way. I am only two months in and I hate it. This is beyond difficult. After how nursing school was, we should'nt feel this bad at all. Crying before, during, and after our shift is unfair and shouldn't be like that. i feel that I am falling apart. At work I am sooo stiff, not myself at all. I cry all the time. This is the worst thing I have ever done in my entire life. I regret going to nursing school. There are many good jobs in the hospital that doesn't involve nursing and I should have stuck with that. Now I am sooo lost, confused. How on earth do people do this? I feel soo scared being on my own. not on my own yet but I can't believe doing it. I can't believe I spent all this money, time, effort into nursing school but then I absolutely despise it. I feel any minute I will quit. like this isinsane. it's not fair at all. nothing should be this hard. After one shift, I really thought about suicide to get away from it. I feel that's the only way out for me. I wish I could do anything to rewind the hands of time.
Hi, I'm a new grad nurse and completely in the same position! I graduated sept 2019, started my first grad job in November on a busy paeds ward. Orientation was only 6 clinical shifts, though this was extended as I was definitely not ready to work independently. I spent 2 months there, still on oreintation and then resigned on good terms. I learnt so much but it was not for me. Taking 3 weeks break in between, I now landed a new grad nurse job at a level 3 NICU. I'm 3 weeks into oreintation, its a 6 week oreintation programme. But i already know, the same will happen. My knowledge is so limited, I can't even think about working independently without a mentor. I'm so introverted, am i really cut out for nursing? I'm 23 years old and definitely don't want to be a failure, but i am so unhappy right now.
You have just described the experiences of 95% of new grads for as long as I have been in nursing (many years). Nursing school prepares no one for the trials of that first real job. Do not allow yourself to throw away all those "wonderful" experiences and hard work in nursing school.
Omg I feel the exact same way. I am only two months in and I hate it. This is beyond difficult. After how nursing school was, we should'nt feel this bad at all. Crying before, during, and after our shift is unfair and shouldn't be like that. i feel that I am falling apart. At work I am sooo stiff, not myself at all. I cry all the time. This is the worst thing I have ever done in my entire life. I regret going to nursing school. There are many good jobs in the hospital that doesn't involve nursing and I should have stuck with that. Now I am sooo lost, confused. How on earth do people do this? I feel soo scared being on my own. not on my own yet but I can't believe doing it. I can't believe I spent all this money, time, effort into nursing school but then I absolutely despise it. I feel any minute I will quit. like this isinsane. it's not fair at all. nothing should be this hard. After one shift, I really thought about suicide to get away from it. I feel that's the only way out for me. I wish I could do anything to rewind the hands of time.
Hi, curious to know did it getter? As i'm in the exact same postion, Im now on my 2nd new grad job at a level 3 NICU. Previously on a paeds ward for 2 months and left after 2 months whilst on oreintation due to the same reasons as you mentioned.
Specializes in Psych, Corrections, Med-Surg, Ambulatory.
I will say, I learned sooooo much from my short time on that unit. I probably learned more there than I did in my entire nursing school clinicals, I feel at least I got something out of it, maybe it will prepare me more for my next go around, if I can muster up the courage.
On 8/5/2019 at 5:33 AM, Jory said:
That was true 30 years ago....not with the way nursing schools operate today.
I think part of the problem is the huge disconnect between nursing school and nursing. Some new grads seem to be able to bridge that gap on their own; others are left floundering. It doesn't help that hospitals are continually pushing limits on staffing and workloads and nurses are pushed to precept when they are still new themselves.
What you are left with is someone who has been through rigorous schooling but still needs to be "trained" to do the job. The "trainers" are people who are already staggering under huge workloads and then get saddled with an orientee. Some of these people manage this with aplomb; others struggle and are accused of "eating their young". It's just more and more straws being piled on the camel's back and new and seasoned nurses being pitted against one another.
For the OP: find a manager or educator to talk to. Tell that person that despite your best efforts you are drowning. Hopefully they will work with you on extending your orientation, pairing you with different preceptors, or starting you on a less hectic unit (if there is one).
Otherwise, start checking out other jobs. If we vote with our feet and hospitals are not even recouping orientation expenses, maybe somebody somewhere will start to catch on. Good luck.
Omg I feel the exact same way. I am only two months in and I hate it. This is beyond difficult. After how nursing school was, we should'nt feel this bad at all. Crying before, during, and after our shift is unfair and shouldn't be like that. i feel that I am falling apart. At work I am sooo stiff, not myself at all. I cry all the time. This is the worst thing I have ever done in my entire life. I regret going to nursing school. There are many good jobs in the hospital that doesn't involve nursing and I should have stuck with that. Now I am sooo lost, confused. How on earth do people do this? I feel soo scared being on my own. not on my own yet but I can't believe doing it. I can't believe I spent all this money, time, effort into nursing school but then I absolutely despise it. I feel any minute I will quit. like this isinsane. it's not fair at all. nothing should be this hard. After one shift, I really thought about suicide to get away from it. I feel that's the only way out for me. I wish I could do anything to rewind the hands of time.
Hi, it is almost like you have written exactly what i'm going through. I have one more week left of oreintation, and cannot even think how i'm going to do once i'm on my own. This is my 2nd post since grad in less than 6 months. I absolutely believe nursing is not for me. How did you get on?
Hey, I hope you are doing well. Well after almost a year, I left the department I was in, pediatric float. I couldn't take it anymore. My friends convinced me that nursing home was better because it was small. So I left and went to a long term care facility. It was worse than the hospital. I couldn't believe it. I was only there for a couple days and resigned. I didn't know where else to go. I went to a rehab unit thinking it would be better and sometimes it was but unfortunately nursing is nursing, still patient care so it'll always suck. One thing that bugs me about that place is that they basically force all the nurses to become charge but I absolutely hate it! Not every nurse is cut out for charge. When I realized I was going to forced into it I cried to myself for so long. I thought I was at a steady pace and something else comes up. Most days still I cry and pray to God that if he truly exists,to please help me out of nursing. All that I did to go through nursing school and now I have to start from scratch and somehow rebuild my life. Sometimes I feel like an absolute failure. I'm just praying someway, somehow I will someday be working a job/career where I'm comfortable, not anxious, feel like a ghost, feel trapped and free once I'm done with a shift. I would have never thought things would be this way.
caliotter3
38,333 Posts
This person has stumbled upon, (or maybe even wisely planned), a useful strategy for furthering one's career in a positive manner. Good advice here if one can manage it when faced with a bad work experience.