Is this all there is?

EmmaG, RN · Feb 28, 2008

Been there, done that. Move on to another unit, specialty, facility...

UM Review RN, ASN, RN · Feb 28, 2008

I really can relate to your feelings, nurseby.

Non-nursing friends just do not get it.

A lot of us have BTDT, as Emmanual says, and the adjustment period seems to happen no matter what unit you start on. Bottom line: nursing is HARD. Learning skills is easy, but putting the overall clinical picture together and learning how to appropriately intervene (and when not to) is HARD.

It takes time. I'm a slow learner, so it's taken me YEARS to get comfortable on my unit.

But now I'm in my comfortable little rut and it'd take a lot to get me to move again. I hate the thought of starting over on a new unit with new people and new expectations.

I've gotten pretty good at Tele nursing. Not the best by any means, but pretty good.

Sometimes you just have to give yourself enough time to adjust, sometimes the unit isn't quite the right niche for you. Whatever you decide, you'll always find support here.

Let us know how it's going, ok? :)

julezzz26 · Feb 28, 2008

I'm sorry you are having a hard time. Have you thought about other specialties that might interest you? The hospital I work at has a program where you can transfer to a speciality with a mentor......maybe your HR department would know? Good luck and hang in there.

johnnrachel · Feb 28, 2008

Just my two cents,..... I was in the same rut:innerconf:omy::wtosts: Hated every minute. A year ago switched to ER and LUV

cherilee · Feb 29, 2008

:nuke:Dont get discouraged; There are alot of different types of nursing jobs out there!

I posted a resume on the net and get calls everyday from all different kinds of nurse recruiters, looking to fill , lets see... I got a call for an office type job, looking for someone with an rn background; I got a call for a psych position, I got a call for an icu position, etc. I only have one yr of experience, too.

I am leaving med surg myself, its just a bit too much for me, the pace, the patient ratio, the paperwork, etc. I am amazed at what they put on us nurses. We are the secretarys, the therapists, the nurse, the room cleaner, the waitress, the family sounding board, the list is endless:lol2:

I just landed a job in psych. I dont know if itll necessarily be "easier" but I am hoping for a bit of a slower pace and more of a nurse patient relationship. So there are certainly many avenues you can go toward, too.

You have that license, and guess what? It is PERSONALLY YOURS> You can do with it whatever you like:redbeathe

follow your bliss

Lisa

EmmaG, RN · Feb 29, 2008

Angie's post is spot on. But if it's making you ill, and affecting your personal life to that extent, perhaps you should look into other areas. Nursing has far too many opportunities to stay somewhere you hate so much.

WDWpixieRN, RN · Mar 1, 2008

Sorry to hear you're so unhappy with your current position, but I'd like to reiterate:

Find another job with your degree.

I obtained a bachelor's in information systems in '99. About 18 months later (and after surviving the first of 2 layoffs) , I realized I hated my line of work. Guess what? I was in my mid 40's and didn't really have much relevant experience to move easily in to another area of 'business'.

I started looking in to health care, being the "in-demand" field it was. I settled on nursing due to the huge amount of options that are available. I felt so boxed in before, but feel like my options are endless once I obtain that RN and gain some experience.

There's no shame in moving on/around. Take advantage of the opportunities you have that so many others don't in other lines of work (e.g. -- your "friend").

Reach for the stars!!!

Virgo_RN, BSN, RN · Mar 1, 2008

I've found that most non-medical people don't understand the stresses of nursing. They see things from a completely different perspective. They have ideals about what nursing is "supposed" to be, and are disturbed to hear the realities. I don't vent with non-nursing friends anymore because of this. It's just too frustrating.

As far as whether you should stay or move on, I can't say. When I first started working on my unit, it was so stressful that I was looking around for other options. But the longer I stay, the more comfortable I feel, and ultimately, this is where I want to be right now. So, you could give yourself some time, say six months, and if you still feel the same way, then start looking around. Or you could start looking around now. Only you know what's best for you.

Just remember the grass isn't always greener, and nursing is stressful pretty much everywhere.

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide · Mar 1, 2008

Hi everyone.
I don't mean to sound like a whiner. I tried talking to my best girlfriend (non-nurse) about this and I think I made her mad because I make 3x what she makes as a receptionist and I still complain about my job. It took me so long to get here, and now that I am here I find that I am so depressed. It finally came to me: I hate my job. I hate the nights, the stress, the fact that I could kill someone. I work three nights a week with great co-workers, but we are so busy! I mean, the other night I had one guy who was actively dying, yet not a DNR, on a vent spewing blood everywhere, one guy who had just shot himself on suicide watch with a cna who kept wondering the halls, one old sweet lady who turned into hell. All on tube feedings, old lady pulled hers out, one was clogged, iv's infiltrated, etc etc. Hanging blood, abx, drawing labs. I try to keep upbeat but I just count my required days down and when I am home I am too exhausted I spend my days in my jammies watching tv. Yesterday while staring at my third infomercial, wondering if I could call in sick for today, it hit me. I really just hate med-surg. I am burned out. I used to pride myself on my scrubs and three day work week. Now I think that I would really like home-health (I did as a cna) and work everyday, but at least I would be doing something I enjoy rather than spending my days off thinking about "having" to go back. I think I am depressed. Thanks for the ear.

Gee, sounds about like the last year or so I spent on a med/surg floor.:icon_roll

I've said it before, but it bears repeating: Life is too short to be this miserable. Get out of there and follow your bliss while you still have a love for nursing..........it can be better, I promise!!

nurseby07 · Mar 4, 2008

Thanks everyone for the replies. Everyone said that this was a hard unit, but that as a nurse you would learn so much from it, but it has a high turn-over rate. I only have 4 months left and will then begin to persue the options that I am really excited about. This year under my belt has been an awesome gift given. But man! Four more months to get even more comfortable, to make even better friendships, and now they have me orienting. I am too old for this. I'm hoping that this latest lottery ticket is my chance to just work per diem!

TigerGalLE, BSN, RN · Mar 4, 2008

Hey there. I really have been in your shoes, at one point I was counting down the days until my year was up so that I could move on. And honestly, as cliche' as this sounds... I joined a gym... I started exercising on my days off. I also bought a bike. On my days off I ride my bike and exercise. Just from going to the gym I've become much more active on my days off. I do yard work, garden, ride my bike, play basketball. I really enjoy my days off now. I don't just sit around and sulk in my PJs like I used too....

I've made it past my 1 year mark. I am still on the same med-surg unit. No, I don't love it everyday... BUT I no longer want to leave. There are more and more moments at work that I am glad to be a nurse. Sometimes when I'm off for a few days I find myself wondering what is going on at work, who is back in, who has died, who has gotten better and gone home... I'm actually sort of looking forward to going into work tomorrow...

Maybe you can find something that helps you escape. Something that allows you to enjoy your days off.