should i just quit?

Nurses General Nursing

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i'm a new nurse and dread going to work... everytime i'm walking from the parking lot to the unit feels like a death sentence. i don't know when this feeling is going to go away... everyone in the unit seems nice, but everything just seems so unfamiliar and my BSN is completely worthless at this point. i've actually worked as a tech before in a different unit that was bearable and would like to beg for that job again in a heartbeat. i know i should give it time... just don't be so hard on myself...but i feel so incompetent. and the more i'm exposed to this profession... the more i hate it... charting, passing out drugs, carrying out orders, demanding families, being a maid... oh how i just hope that it will get better. but the aforementioned job description is not what i intend on being for most of my work life...i am so lost and i don't know what to do. i feel like i wasted a lot of time, money and effort just to do something that i don't think i want to do. i feel such a failure.

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Specializes in LTC, MDS, Education.

HEY , Sympathy to you. You're in a bad place now. How long have you been at that job? What type of unit? Do you have a support system at home? My advice is to ask your MD to start you on Zoloft or other SSRI. Give it at least a month. We have all felt that way about jobs, and luckily there are many different areas of nursing. Your BSN is not wasted. Get a little more experience and you can teach CNA or LPN classes. I did that for several years and got major job satisfaction! Hang in there, and let us know how you're doing. :smokin:

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One of the things I always tell new nurses: Nursing school doesn't really teach you how to be a nurse. It gives you some basics. Once you graduate, get your license, start your first job, that's when the real education begins.

The first year is the toughest, but you will continue to learn something new everyday for as long as you are a nurse.

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Specializes in NICU.

I am not sure you should quit. I know how you feel. Perhaps it is just the new and not knowing how to react to different situations. It is always hard starting a new job but even more difficult beginning a new career. Try a different area of nursing like peds, nicu, pacu, etc...

Don't give up. :clown:

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Specializes in LDRP.

I dont know--you dont necessarily sound depressed to me. You sound like most of the new nurses I know--including myself.

Can you give it 3 mos or 6 mos more before making a decision? Perhaps give yourself an out date--that is what I am doing. I also dread work right now--I am anxious and scared whenever I go in. The learning curve is really, really steep!

Good luck!

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Try to think of your initial reasons for wanting to be a nurse. I doubt that many nurses would say that they went into it to chart, pass out meds, & deal with difficult personalities. And, if that's all there was to the job, not many would stick with it. The point is that since you are new to the job (& I'm right there with you...), these tasks seem to consume you. As new nurses, we are often overwhelmed by the facility specific tasks we need to learn. Without the proper support, it can seem overwhelming.

What helps me is to think back to how I felt when I started nursing school. The amount of information to learn seemed to be unmanageable. What got me through it was a one day, one task at a time mentality. It really wasn't too bad when I took that approach. That same approach is helping me during my orientation period. There will be moments when I feel like I couldn't possibly get all of my work done --- meds to be given, charting stacking up, new orders, last minute problems, and the call light from hell. At those moments, I take a deep breath, recognize that worrying won't make a difference, and tackle it all one task at a time. It works. Of course, part of the reason it works is because I have a supportive preceptor with a laid back attitude. Evaluate whether you need more support from those around you. We may graduate with a great deal of book knowledge, but we're new to the demands of our work environment.

Good luck!

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You have my sympathy. Nursing is one of the hardest jobs you will ever do and one of the most stressfull. I've been in nursing for 3 years, have tried different units, peds, med-surg, rehab, telemetry and am now doing correctional nursing. To be truthful-I'm sorry I ever went into the profession. The only thing that is keeping me in is the salary. Try to be kind to yourself and stay a little longer - you need to feel confident about your nursing skills and critical thinking skills. Time will help you gain the confidence you need. If after a while you still feel miserable and anxious then you need to rethink about what you want to do with your nursing license. You have worked very hard for it - I hope you can find the right area for yourself.

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thanks so much guys... yeah, i guess i just hate the feeling of being uncomfortable... i do have a great support system, my nursing friends and i do always talk about our experiences but i feel that they have adjusted to the nursing culture much better than i am... i don't want to quit, but for now i don't really see myself retiring as a nurse... and i feel guilty because i know the patients deserve nurses who love their jobs.

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Perhaps you just don't like the area of nursing that you're in. Maybe try to ride out whatever floor you're on and if it doesn't get better, test out a different specialty.

Good luck. I hope things get better!

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Specializes in ER.

what area are you working in?? That might have a lot to do with it....

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what area are you working in?? That might have a lot to do with it....

icu...

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Specializes in Home Health, Psyc, OR.

I also think that you should try a different unit or different area of nursing before you give up completely. I started out working nights at a pediatric home health care agency. I did not mind the work but HATED working nights. Becaue of that, I was miserable at my job. I accepted a position at a psychiatric hospital rotating from am's to pm's. I have been there over a year. There are many things that can make or break your feelings towards a particular job. Coworkers, hours, duties, salary, they all play a factor. Don't give up without trying a few different areas!! Good luck to you.

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