It finally happened to me....

[Bezoars]

Well, I said it wouldn't happen to me... but it has. I have hit that "6 month slump" that some talk about. You know the one where you are positive and peppy and a go-getter just out of nursing school, and then at around 6 months, you get up one morning and hate your job?... Somewhere in the past week, I have developed an angry, cynical, depressive attitude toward nursing. It could have to do with the horrid day I had on Oncology the other day (I am in float pool) where I got a horrible assignment and every pt was "needy" and I couldn't meet all of their needs and the CNA's don't help much on that floor, and the charge nurse wouldn't do what I asked of her until I bugged her several times and the doctors wouldn't come up and look at my pt's infected peg site that they just put in and yadda yadda yadda. Left there saying "I will never go back to that floor". OR it could be the clique on the Pediatrics Unit that sticks to their own and their charge nurse who always has an attitude with me and everyone else on the floor. OR it could just be me. Or it could be that I still don't feel as comfortable as I want to feel with my skills and hate having to ask questions after I have been doing this for 7 months now, and hate how there is so much I still don't know. At any rate... I'm bitter and angry and trying to snap out of it. I feel like a need a Carribean Vacation.

Any moral support would be appreciated....

[anzean_rn]

I can't believe your hospital hires new grads into the float pool...that seems incredibly overwhelming! I am sure you are doing a great job, maybe eventually you can apply for a permanent position on a floor that you dislike a little less than the others?

[MAL, RN]

I can see what your saying. You have the stereotypical scenerio of an overworked nurse. But please, as a new grad having a hard time finding a job--you can at least be optimistic about having one! If/when I start to feel like this, I will try to focus on my committment to my patients. Even if they dont seem thankful. Although your frusterated and not feeling that "team" environment, at least you are committed to your patients and giving them the best care possible-- you could be like one of the many nurses I've seen on the floor who dont care at all, and just give them bare minimum. They hate their jobs and dont do well at them either.

Hope things start looking up for you, I'm sure they will. If they dont, maybe try getting out of float position eventually??

[mcleanl]

I am sending all my support your way......

Sometimes our job just sucks.....and then a good day comes along:yelclap:

[DroogieRN]

Oh my gosh! :kiss Sending you virtual hugs -- I feel like I could've written this. I do know how you feel! I have been out of school since May and working on my floor since June and am trying to get out of some serious doldrums... I had a stretch of incredibly bad shifts with impossible (it seemed to me) assignments and I just began to dread going to work and felt like I couldn't handle it. It is helping that my schedule has been switched around a little and I'm now usually working with more positive people. And it's been a little better since it seems like just in the past few shifts even, I feel more confident and more like I know what I am doing just a little more -- every challenging and seemingly insurmountable situation adds to our knowledge base and makes us ultimately better nurses! Hang in there! Many of us are in that boat with you!

And I definitely agree with a previous poster -- float pool is tough for a new grad! Maybe it would be helpful if you had a permanent department. Just my

[Whispera, MSN, RN]

that's why time-off was invented...use it!

[Bill E. Rubin]

During our unit orientation, management insisted that we plan to take a vacation sometime around the 6 month period. It's universal. It is a drag that you have to float as a new grad. That makes it harder to feel like you're part of a team. Hugs and good luck!

[Zookeeper3]

In all HONESTY... after the stress of school, the stress of finding a job... the orientation... the stress of a new job, an damn that is stress.....

You're adrenaline has run out, your cortisol levels through the roof by now. (and don't look it up today if you missed that one)...

You have really hit burn out. Whew, that you recognized it:D don't you dare ever bury that filter that told you, YOU'RE DONE!!!!!

Now it's time to rest a touch... only you know what is best for you... Next schedule for the next three weeks ask for a mid day week off... or if you need a week ask for it (not during easter break, as you won't get it so don't try).

Knocking off even a day a week for a month is wonderful as I group my 12 hour shifts together and taking off a whole week to sit in jammies, watch re-runs, live in the tub with a glass of wine and let the laundry pile up UNTIL THE DUST BUNNIES PUT A LOAD IN.

PLEASE learn this early and quickly.... if you don't take care of you.... YOU can't take care of others.... I learned the wrong and burnt out hard way, protect you... you need you to nurse for many years, you MUST come first.!!!!!!!!!!! Love ya!

[newmissRN]

I went through a period of burn out about 7months after I started as a nurse. I took two weeks of vacation time to just unwind and it helped tremendously. After two weeks of being away from work I went back with a smile on my face ready to face anything again.

[carolmaccas66, BSN, RN]

I do agency and float everywhere, but have had more experience than you.

I can tell you now you are going to too many different areas that you are not trained for - that is why you feel overwhelmed.

Ask to maybe go to a minimum amount of areas, if possible, so you can get more of a 'feel' for the ward and the staff. When you float around all the time, people (other nurses, staff, etc) don't get to know you, and that can make you feel alienated.

Have a chat to your NM for the pool, and ask to work in limited areas until you find your niche. This will be better for you and you won't feel so overwhelmed and stressed.

[CCL RN, RN]

I can see what your saying. You have the stereotypical scenerio of an overworked nurse. But please, as a new grad having a hard time finding a job--you can at least be optimistic about having one! ??

No. That's not how this works. We can't submerge our feelings because other people out there can't get a job. That would be like me telling you not to complain about not having a new grad job, but be happy you are a nurse. There are plenty of people waiting for and working hard in nursing school.

OP: I don't find this to be just a 6 month thing. I find it to happen EVERY six months (for me anyway). I desperately need a vacation right now!

What I do is this, take small weekend trips away. Maybe a camping weekend, a trip to the beach, woods, local winery, ghost town, etc. I must do these small weekend trips quarterly, if not more. They can be very inexpensive as well.

Then save for your yearly big trip. The vacations help.

Also, pick a floor you like, and wrk there if you can. No more float pool, not now.

[CranberryMuffin]

I am exactly where you are right now. I'm a new nurse, almost 8 months into my job and have reached burnout. I've become extremely negative, pessimistic and cynical about where I'm at for the moment. I think part of it is realizing that I don't want to pursue this particular avenue in nursing indefinitely (currently I'm in critical care), which leaves me open to explore other areas. I'm also away this week visiting family and catching up on sleep. I couldn't be happier. It's making me realize I need to get away more often - little weekend trips and overnight stays out of town definitely help. This time of year is also particularly bad if you are in the Midwest (and I'd imagine other areas as well...). Take some time to get some sun and rest somewhere if you can. It definitely helps.