I am stuck in a job i hate!!

[cadillac123]

Ok so here is the scoop. I have been working in an ICU for a little over a year now. MY first job out of nursing school. I am the type of person who always strives for the best. always looks for something better ahead. My plan was to work in an ICU until i felt comfortable and then go back to school to become a nurse anesthetist. the plan was going well untill i got off orientation and started working nights. Working nights put a huge toll on my personal life and my health. i never have time to do anything i want to do. i always feel nausous and drowsy. not to mention i just got married and barely have time to see my husband. going to work has been torture for me. i cry going in becasue all i want to do is sleep and i cry when i leave becasue i had a ****** night and i am so sick to my stomach i want to vomit. so not only do i hate working nights i have discovered that i hate working on my unit. the icu isn't what makes me happy, i feel like i am performing tasks and i dont feel like i am making a difference. so in the attempts to get a day position i told my nurse manager that i feel unsafe working nights. i made a few mistakes here and there but nothing that placed the pt in any harm. i was put on probation for 90 days. so here is the dilema. I want to leave the unit. not becasue i am on probabtion but becasue i want to do something else and possible work as a mental health nurse, but i am on probation and for some jobs i would need a letter of recomendation from my current emplyoer. can i leave a job on probation? what do i say to my supervisior? they haven't exactly been very supportive about my need to work days. how do i go about addressing it? do i just wait out the 90 day probabtion period? but what if they decied i didn't live up to there standards and the probation period is extended? i feel like the only reason why i am still there is becasue of this probation period. i need help!!! what do i do?

[Quaffetti]

If I were you I would start looking for a job now that you would enjoy. Don't quit your old one until you have a new one. You are always more employable when you're employed.

It may take over 90 days for you to find another job you want anyway, by then you will be off probation. But I certainly wouldn't stay in a job I hated.

I have never had a place I've applied ask for a letter of recommendation. They do ask for your supervisor's name as a reference, but it is my understanding current employers can't give out too much info. Basically just verify that you work there.

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

Assuming your supervisor does not need another day nurse I would recommend talking to HR about another position in critical care, such as Cath Lab or ED. If that is not possible, consider moving to another facility. Some people simply cannot work nights.

[Rabid Response]

Did your manager put you on probation because you said that you felt unsafe working nights? That doesn't seem right to me. Not everyone can work nights. You've been doing it long enough to know that you are unsuited to it. Your manager should be trying to work with you to keep you with your unit or at least in your hospital. It sounds like a very unsupportive working environment, and I would apply for jobs elsewhere. If you need letters of recommendation, get them from co-workers. I don't think that HR or management is allowed to tell future employers anything about you except to confirm your dates of employment--anything more can get them sued.

Good luck to you. I know what a toll working nights can take on your physical and mental health.

[PiPhi2004]

I think what you are describing is pretty normal for the new grad in the ICU. It is a rough world and you have to learn to adapt to it or you wont get very far. I went to work very sick at my stomach and cried pretty often during my orientation. We were on a rotating schedule, and while I like days, I was basically told to wait at least 10 years before asking for straight days. I am also a newlywed and it did take a toll on our marriage for awhile because I was always stressed and I was jealous of him and his 9-5 schedule. Do you work 12s? I couldn't imagine working straight nights 8 hr shifts and never seeing my hubby. As for being on probation, I am guessing its because of some major mistakes you have made while on the job? I am suprised they didn't see you were a good fit earlier and try to get you to another unit. You would most likely have to work nights there too, maybe a med/surg unit would be better for you while looking for your dream job. GL