Is nursing really for me?

Maybe pediatric nursing just isn't for you.

Can you try a new specialty?

You're kinda short on experience, partner, to really call it not for you. (6 months or less if we exclude your preceptorship on some high acuity floors!)

IMHO, the first year is like your first year married. It sucks. I am giving nursing at least 3 years before I say good bye. Would advise the same to you.

I experienced the same kind of feelings in the first 2 1/2 years I was a nurse. I was certain I picked the wrong profession and was ready to go back to college for a career as a teacher. I decided to try something completely different so I applied to ER and NICU. NICU offered me a job first so I accepted. In a short time I knew I was exactly where I was supposed to be and did indeed pick the right career. It's now 14 years later and I am still at the same hospital in the same NICU and can't imagine doing anything different. I love being a NICU RN!

So only you can answer the question of whether or not nursing is really for you but I recommend you take some more time to try an area or areas you haven't worked yet, you never know!

I wish you the best!

Those are some pretty heavy units to get your feet wet in. Especially Pediatric Burn.

It's not been so easy getting a job at all, much less one in the specialty I think might click for me... So, I took this opportunity in order to get experience and start learning...

I know I need to give it some time... I guess maybe I am only seeking some words of encouragement or support or something like that ...

Maybe you should go more general. Or maybe peds actually isn't your thing. All new nurses stress and wonder if they made the right decision. Hang out in the First Year or New Grad forums. There's lots of support there!

I will say this with confidence.....job hopping isn't going to help your situation. You need to give a position time before you decide it's not for you.

HeartNIC,

Thank you for sharing your story - really does help :)

I have been thinking that something in Women's Services or the NICU might be what clicks for me too, and tried everything I knew to get into the specialty.

Working w/ sick kinds is very draining!

Maybe switch to Adults for a while.....

As a new grad I went to adult ICU. I was so stressed before, during, and after EVERY shift. I stuck it out for 1 1/2 years. My supervisor really wanted me to stay. She promised me I would have less anxiety with more experience. I ended up leaving for public health. It was so boring and believe it or not, I missed the ICU. I had absolutely no stress but wasn't getting the same satisfaction as in the hospital. I have been a stay at home mom now for 6 1/2 years so have no current skills, but I always think about going back. Crazy.

No advice, just wanted to share my story.

Have you thought about adult nursing? It could be that you aren't cut out for peds. I know that I tried working w/ peds once (I lasted 6 months). There's not enough $ to get me to go back there. I love my seasoned citizens.

NO idea if nursing is for you or not as i don't even know if it is for ME!. I have been working for about a year in med/surg and I can say that that feeling for me at least has decreased but is still there. In other jobs you have had(non nursing ones), did you feel the same way? If so, how long did that take to go away, if ever? Maybe you can try to find a job in a med/surg area in peds or adults? I think step-down units or ICUs may be too stressful for most new grads. ON top of the high stress from nursing even if you were on the "easiest floor" in Utopia General Hospital.