Is nursing REALLY worth it??

[lisa41rn]

I've just begun my first nursing job the first of July. The floor mgr states I'm set to go on my own, without a preceptor since I'm doing well. Things have been good until today. I really try to not bother my preceptor, but for some reason today stunk!! Even the CNAs were nasty. I really need the CNAs to help me as I'm so new, but I can almost read their minds...they act like I do nothing!! I had no breaks or lunch today I was so busy. I asked for two sets of vitals to be taken and within a half hour they were done, but my preceptor came over and said something about it. I'm sure it was because the CNA complained to her about me which really frustrates me. I have to say I treat everyone with kindness. I thank the CNAs for all their help. I do my best to keep a great attitude and to this point I have not been a ***** to anyone. Like I said, I'm new and it's too easy to be a jerk to others. I don't want to live like that. I can't tell you how many urinals I emptied today. Should I be letting the CNAs know everytime I do this!!?? Of course not!! I do everything when I have time, but I had a lot of paperwork, meds, etc today and couldn't help the CNAs as much as I would like. Once I feel more at ease, I have no problem helping to change an Attends or whatever is needed. Right now, I'm just struggling to keep my head above water. How do you handle the nasty CNAs/nurses? I'm not expecting life to be perfect, but like I said, I've been great to everyone, and don't expect others to be jerks to me. If I have too many days like today, I won't be staying.

[showbizrn]

i've just begun my first nursing job the first of july. the floor mgr states i'm set to go on my own, without a preceptor since i'm doing well. things have been good until today. i really try to not bother my preceptor, but for some reason today stunk!! even the cnas were nasty. i really need the cnas to help me as i'm so new, but i can almost read their minds...they act like i do nothing!! i had no breaks or lunch today i was so busy. i asked for two sets of vitals to be taken and within a half hour they were done, but my preceptor came over and said something about it. i'm sure it was because the cna complained to her about me which really frustrates me. i have to say i treat everyone with kindness. i thank the cnas for all their help. i do my best to keep a great attitude and to this point i have not been a ***** to anyone. like i said, i'm new and it's too easy to be a jerk to others. i don't want to live like that. i can't tell you how many urinals i emptied today. should i be letting the cnas know everytime i do this!!?? of course not!! i do everything when i have time, but i had a lot of paperwork, meds, etc today and couldn't help the cnas as much as i would like. once i feel more at ease, i have no problem helping to change an attends or whatever is needed. right now, i'm just struggling to keep my head above water. how do you handle the nasty cnas/nurses? i'm not expecting life to be perfect, but like i said, i've been great to everyone, and don't expect others to be jerks to me. if i have too many days like today, i won't be staying.

:angryfire

welcome to when the going gets tough, the tough gets going!

we all have our horror stories to tell about the first 6 months - one year of floor nursing aka direct patient care. you learn but it sucks. hang in there.

:) yes, nursing is worth it. this is your first job. you're new, inexperienced, give yorself a chance. like a close friend of mine says, "nursing ain't easy." and unfortunatley, no one warns you until you get there. by then, the warning is a tad bit late.

why is nursing worth it? because like any other profession, you've got to pay your dues. and then, comes the big pay-off. right now you're planting important seeds to nourish a lifelong career in professional nursing with many career options (too many for me to list in this forum).

:) you positive attitude on the unit is an excellent asset to help you survive your "first job" stress. meet with both your preceptor and nurse manager for recommendations for survival tips, time management and problem-solving skills in order to strengthen your skills.

:balloons: i personally and professionally celebrate your success in nursing and welcome you!

[cardiacRN2006, ADN, RN]

There are SOME techs that just don't like new nurses (and we have all come across them in clinicals!!!). They do this because, for a variety of reasons, they think they can get away with it because you won't fight back. Just do what you can do, focus on nursing, but if you see a urinal empty it, and ignore the behavior of the CNAs. They just want you to know that they are not insignificant. Through time, they will simmer down, but until then stay focused on what you have to do.

How has your preceptor suggested that you handle this???