I do not want to go back

caliotter3 · Nov 28, 2008

Pay off your debt and sock money away in savings while you gain more experience on the job and explore other options. After a year your viewpoint might change about nursing. You might have decided upon another path and even started taking courses to follow that path. Whatever you do, keep in mind that if you keep your nursing license active by taking any required CEUs and paying the fee, you will always have a backup employment option should life throw you another whopper. Do what is best for you and enjoy yourself. Good luck.

07302003, ASN, RN · Nov 28, 2008

Yeah, the first year sucks, hospital nursing can be awful at times.

I chose nursing as a second degree. Maybe because I spent 15 years in the non-nursing workforce, know how awful the economy is now, I think nursing is a good choice and work through all the crud I put up with.

Other jobs have downfalls too. Are you in your early 20's? Have you worked at anything besides nursing? Is this more about being out in the workforce (which can be hard, period) or about your career choice?

Think about where you want to be in 5 years and what it will take to get there. There are a lot of opportunities in nursing but you may need to "do your time" to get to where you want to be.

Best of luck.

1styearsucks · Nov 28, 2008

Yeah, the first year sucks, hospital nursing can be awful at times.
I chose nursing as a second degree. Maybe because I spent 15 years in the non-nursing workforce, know how awful the economy is now, I think nursing is a good choice and work through all the crud I put up with.
Other jobs have downfalls too. Are you in your early 20's? Have you worked at anything besides nursing? Is this more about being out in the workforce (which can be hard, period) or about your career choice?
Think about where you want to be in 5 years and what it will take to get there. There are a lot of opportunities in nursing but you may need to "do your time" to get to where you want to be.
Best of luck.

Yes I am in my early twenties. i am 23. And the other jobs I have had were simple jobs like a cashier at a grocery store.So it may be just getting used to all of the administration and politics that goes with having a job. As I think about it that is the part I hate the most. It is not interacting with the patients.

robred · Nov 28, 2008

Well, you have a little taste of nursing in an acute care setting. I've been a nurse in that setting for more than 12 years now and, quite frankly, I think I began to find a comfort level in the last 6 or so (years, that is). Fortunately, nurses aren't all relegated to work in hospitals...so, please reconsider throwing in the towel and try other settings...home care, long term care, primary care, camp nursing, and the list goes on and on. Take Care and Good Luck!

PiPhi2004 · Nov 28, 2008

I think most people dread working those first few months as an RN. I have just gotten through my 'hell year'. I spent most of that year guzzling the pepto bismol because the thought of going to work made me sick. It is really hard being so young (I am 23 now as well) and doing such a rough job when you see all your college buddies seeming to live it up. I felt all these emotions when I started and there were days I wanted to turn that car around and never go back.

I also do know how it feels to accomplish that first year and to have it all 'click' in your brain after a year or so. You will also have so many more options if you just stick it out for a year. Also, the bills gotta be paid. If it seems to be the atmosphere in the particular unit is impossible to work in, management is unsatisfactory, or its unsafe, then by all means leave ASAP. However, if its just a bad case of the jitters, know that this is normal and no one expects you to know everything whether you have 1 year or 20 years experience. There are always people there to help you and you will learn who the 'go to' people are who wants to 'eat their young'. Just know that most new grads feel the same way you do and that there IS a light at the end of the tunnel. I would stick it out a year or longer and see if nursing really is for you and try to pinpoint things you like and don't like and move around to find your niche.

I do not think 3 months is long enough to really grasp what you need to grasp, heck, in 3 months you're lucky if you've found the bathroom! I would say give it a chance, you may be suprised how you feel a year from now.

november17, ASN, RN · Nov 28, 2008

Get out of med-surg. Work nights.

imenid37 · Nov 28, 2008

I thought you were my daughter posting at first. She finished school in May also. I agree w/ the above poster. Med-surg is a thankless job, there is no way to get it all done. Get out of Med-surg ASAP and if you can really sleep, often night shift is better. I have been doing this for almost 22 years now and I know how hard it is for me some days. I am just amazed and appalled at how downright nasty some of the experienced (often not highly experienced) nurses are to new grads. All I can say is give yourself time. Know it is not you. Those who tell you they were "doing way better than you at this point" are either sufferring from early onset dementia or telling the biggest lies of their life. No one comes out of school ready to hit the ground running. If the new grad thinks so, they need a psych evaluation. I think the truth of it is that some nurses feel they have earned the right to treat others the way they were treated when they were new. Try to focus on the positives and the positive people. Usually it is just a few who are nasty, but this seems to be magnified many times over when you are the target. Though school didn't prepare you or any of us to function completely, do not sell yourself short. You have a lot to offer. It is just that your learning is not complete (not that is ever is) at the moment. Time will make such a difference for you. Nursing is a huge responsibility, in time you will feel up to the task, but you should never slide into total comfort with the job. You always have to be alert for potential problems. That can be stressful but once your other ducks are in a row, it is usually okay.

Nights may be a good option for you. On days, you have all of management, doctors writing orders, irritating families, etc. Many times, you can learn more on days, but it can be overwhelming. I spent three long years in med-surg cardiac, and the past 18+ in Ob, many of them nights. I have never regretted changing specialties. It is a much more doable job, but certainly there are many others. I have a former co-worker who works for an insurance company 9-5, wears nice clothes and loves her job and lifestyle. Finding your niche, is the biggest task and can be hard. There are many things you can learn along the way. Honestly, I had a terrible time as a new grad, but I am very glad I stuck with it. I hope I never lose sight of how hard it is to be new. I wish you all of the best. ((((HUGS)))):

catshowlady · Nov 28, 2008

I have also recently finished my first year as a nurse. I, too, dreaded going in to work at first. New job, new work environment, new people, new profession - it's a lot. And I had five years experience as a tech/unit clerk, so taking care of patients and the hospital workflow were not new to me, just the RN role. I am also older than you (36), and I had been working jobs with a fair amount of responsibility before I changed to nursing as my career. So I can only imagine how you might be feeling.

Remember that a new job ranks as one of the top life stressors a person can go through, right up there with a divorce. I can't think of a single job I worked at that I felt halfway competent at before being on the job at least six months, let alone something as challenging as nursing.

Give yourself some time to adjust. I still feel pretty green most days, but the pieces are starting to fit together better. So have faith, it does get better, and don't be too hard on yourself in the meantime.:icon_hug: It isn't easy, but (I think) it's ultimately worth it.

debi49 · Nov 28, 2008

Hope for the best with this new job. It may be way better. And if find hosp. nursing isnt for you, try clinic, group homes, assisted living,school nurse, home care., privated duty....try to stick this out for a year tho, as most jobs want a years experience. Good luck!

Melinurse · Nov 28, 2008

Hope for the best with this new job. It may be way better. And if find hosp. nursing isnt for you, try clinic, group homes, assisted living,school nurse, home care., privated duty....try to stick this out for a year tho, as most jobs want a years experience. Good luck!

I agree. Maybe it is just that hospital nursing is not your thing. Try other feilds of nursing too. I'm a new grad too working LTC and agency. I feel much more confident and happier. Good luck.

RNperdiem, RN · Nov 28, 2008

I found working on my "med-surg escape route" plan helped me get through my first year.

Don't be too quick to give up on nursing.

I'm curious about what type of jobs your friends have.