Job jumper?!?

Flo., BSN, RN · Jun 12, 2011

The first year of nursing is hard and scary. I used to cry on my way to and from work. But it does get better. Try to stick it out, around the 9 month mark I stopped dreading going into work.

BigButtNurse · Jun 12, 2011

As hard as a job is to come by for some people, I think you should hang out where you are for a while. It's okay to feel overwhelmed because hopefully it will get better.:)

CCRNDiva, BSN, RN · Jun 12, 2011

I agree with the above posters. You should stick it out in the unit. Nursing is hard work, especially your first yr. It takes a while to get your bearings no matter where you are. I don't feel like you are giving yourself a chance to like or master any of your jobs.

As for your preceptor, she may be one of those nurses who like to eat their young but I think she may just be trying to make you a strong nurse. You have to remember, there are patients' lives on the line. She is not there to be your friend. Your success is a reflection of her. You called her little miss know it all but how about calling her miss knows more than me? You should respect that she is your preceptor and she does in fact know more than you. Humble yourself and allow her to teach you. Once you're on your own, you can develop your own nursing practice but while you're in orientation you will succeed by learning what she wants to teach you. Now, if she's being cruel and disrespectful, that is another subject all together, although I didn't get that impression from your post.

There are many graduate RNs who are scratching and clawing to get the opportunity you've been afforded; don't be so quick to throw it away. After you've spent some time in the ICU you may find that the ICU is truly not for you, however, a year or two there will make you a better RN. Plus, you don't want to burn your bridges at this facility in case an OB position does open up. Unit directors look at the time you spend in a position. They don't like job hoppers because they screw with their budget.

Look at the bright side, once you have a yr or two in the ICU you should be able to get a job anywhere. Good luck!!

MyGranniePanties · Jun 12, 2011

I agree. While this might not be your dream position, the experience you will gain will look great on a resume for a better position. However, please keep in mind that if you hate the position so much that you are not performing to the best of your ability, it might be better to look elsewhere.

Nurseclark · Jun 12, 2011

Remember that just because something seems bad does not mean it always will be. All new nursing jobs are scary and overwhelming to begin with because its ALL new stuff. Patients, building, people, etc. Whats in the nursing books is NOT whats really out there. Keep your head up and learn. And remember NH ratios from patient to nurse are 25:1. Hang in there.

tokmom, BSN, RN · Jun 12, 2011

What they said. After working ICU, you will be more marketable. Give yourself some time.

RN_lor · Jun 12, 2011

I do respect my preceptor & I know she knows so much more than I do. I think it's just that way she talks to me. Like I'm supposed to know this & that already from school & when she was a new grad this was her first job too, only had 4 days of orientation & was never afraid. I guess she's that strong..

Anyway, when I accepted this job, being more marketable was definitely what I had in mind. I know that I'd learn a lot of things here. I don't see myself in ICU for more than 2 yrs though. But yeah, I do hope things will get better. I'll stick it out... Until I still can...

chuckz, BSN, RN · Jun 17, 2011

Lor,

I got hired as a grad nurse in an ICU and let me tell you, I wanted to quit everyday. I would drive to work with a messed up stomach and have it until my last of 3 days where I could walk out the door and know I had 4 days off. All I wanted to do was not feel stupid.

6 month mark: Started to grasp things. Thought I might be able to do this. Thought I might not just walk off into the sunset myself.

9 Month mark: Things becoming routine. Started to anticipate care more and make myself more efficient.

1 year mark: Ok. I can breath a little. The thing is the more experience you have and the more stuff you see, the better off you are. It's the experience of dealing with a major GI bleed that makes the next one not so intimidating. It's the first couple codes that make the next one doable. It's experience. You will get it and thank yourself for it. Stick this out.

Amy3901 · Jun 17, 2011

I say stick it out... in my area ICUs are very difficult to get into as a new grad RN. I think that you should respect your preceptor, but you should also remember that everyone is different... Maybe she had been a tech before she became an RN or maybe she just picked up on things quickly. Whatever the case may be, I think you should hang in there, because when you FINALLY get it you will be so proud of yourself!! Good luck!!

RN_lor · Jun 18, 2011

So this week, I actually felt more comfortable.. Although I still doubt myself a lot.. Then my supervisor talked to me, told me, I seem to be unhappy about my job... & she can see that I look afraid.. Asked me things like, " do u think within ur 90-day introductory period, will u be able to do this?" .. "do you wanna continue with ur training, but at the same time u have to come back strong, show me that u wanna do this," etc.. She was the best supervisor! Then I started crying,, she gave me this weekend to think about ICU or if I wanna be transferred to another unit... Soooo.. Here I am.. Thinking about it... She told me to do some soul searching.. Let her know by Monday.. I am so confused

nicu4me · Jun 18, 2011

i had a preceptor actually ask me if I was enjoying my position.....made me wonder what I was portraying. I said yes, but I am taking it very seriously, so right now I don't think that it's that fun, but I keep looking at the other RN"s who are able to laugh and joke while doing their cares. I will get there I told her and I have. Sats of 2, HR of low 40's, and going down, yeah, come help me but ya just gotta go with it, except that I am scared in my boots still after a couple of years with NICU. Come up baby is all I think about! We all worry about things until they become second nature. Maybe you are a more mature RN? SOme of the younger RN's without children, just outta high school, then RN's, don't see the same things that I do. They will when they have kids. Maybe you are so serious that it will take you a little longer to feel comfortable? I used to look at those HFOV's, coming and couldn't concentrate on my feeder grower threesome, scared to death of what was coming up next in orientation. Now, yep it's me with 6 drips and a HFOV, and another babe. Think of the positives that you do, perhaps if you talked to your NM and ask for another preceptor once in a while and see if that helps. We had MANY that precepted, too much IMHO, however, one day someone said or showed me something, same thing as another and it just clicked better when she did it. Maybe that would help you. Youre not ratting our your current one, just ask for another once in awhile.