should i just quit?

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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.

Specializes in NICU.

Have you tried talking to your preceptor on the unit? I know I can always talk to mine about how I am feeling but we have a good relationship. Is there anyone there you could trust and tell them how you feel and see if they think you should stick it out or transfer? Someone on your unit may have better insight on the situation. Good luck to you. I wish you all the best.

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How do exp. nurses do their assessments of the whole pt. when time is of the essence and you just do not have time?

I'm a new nurse, so I know how you feel. Here's my strategy for getting a good head-to-toe assessment done along with other tasks.

  1. First, I pull all of the meds from the pyxis so that I'm ready to give them. I try to prioritize who to go to first based on status or meds to be given (if status isn't an issue).
  2. Before I give the meds, I do all of my listening: apical HR, lungs, bowels.
  3. Next, I palpate the abdomen, then move to the feet & feel for a pedal pulse, check cap refill, and look for edema.
  4. At some point during this process or while giving meds, I look at the IV site and check out any other "lines" (foleys, O2, wound vac, etc.).
  5. Throughout the process, I assess orientation by chatting with the pt and I assess pain.
  6. Plus, if I have to check labs or vitals (esp BP) before giving a med, I take a quick look at the chart right before walking into the room.

The actual focused assessment (listen, palpate, feet, lines) doesn't take too long, but there are always things that happen to delay the process (missing chart, change in status, new orders...). A more thorough skin assessment takes longer, so I tend to do that throughout the day.

My biggest downfall is that I end up waiting to complete my charting (we still use paper) until all of my initial assessments & med passes are completed. I jot down pertinent info on my brain sheet, but need to get faster so that I can get things on the official assessment sheet earlier.

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Specializes in behavioral health.

My preceptor told me that if every patient is safe and breathing and nothing horrible happened, it was a good day =P I was getting really down on myself the last few days, watching how every other person seems to be much better at what we do than I am.. but after years and years and years of experience, i would hope to be more skilled than a new grad; it is not a fair comparison.

My preceptor is definitely my mentor. He helped paddle me through mud lakes of self-doubt, fear, and dread. Still paddling, but I suppose it is life of a new grad =P

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Everyone went through the same situation as you.. It's not a good thing to quit.. This is just the beginning of YOU putting everything you've learned into ACTION.

I dont quite agree with what you have said that it seems like everything you have learned is just a waste of time or whatever... Honestly, when I graduated, the only concern that I had was, "This time, it's gonna be just you.. No instructors are gonna tell you what to do... the knowledge that you earn will give way to application.. Yeah, i do believe that Theoretical Knowledge is somewhat different from the application but since you already know the basics, a little bit of adjustment will do...

This is just the start.. Have courage to overcome it. Dont be afraid to ask assistance, considering you're experience, it's understandable.. Although there would be co-nurses who will definitely put you down, but hey, always think that, they actually experienced the same thing...

Relax... In time, you'll be confident enough and somehow, when it becomes routinary... you could actually do ur job even if ur blindfolded... hahaha.. Just kidding... Life is at stake, so remember, take note of every error you made.. keep that on ur head and never make the same mistake again..

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Specializes in neuro, critical care, open heart..
Sweetie: ICU is a tough place to get your feet wet. Usually, there are a lot of strong personalities, not to mention high acuity patients.

I would suggest you transfer to a med surg unit and learn your profession there. School gives you the basics, but you learn at your first job. I would never hire anyone without at least 2 years med surg in ICU.

You have to have become confident in yourself and your skills and assessments and prioritizing - before even thinking of ICU. That my opinion. What is a WBC? What does it indicate? If you had a 78 y/o patient with a WBC count of 3.8, temp 96.8, tachycardic, low BP 78/40 hx of CHF, Pneumonia, GERD recent c/o of "hurts when I pee" What would you think with this information. What would you do whilst waiting for a doctor to get back to you. Play dective - put 1+1 together to equil 2. Pt is currently rousable, pale, clammy, tired. Card 1 Bun and Creat elevated, otherwise WNL. This is what you learn to do before you go to ICU.

This patient is most likely uroseptic, dehydrated. Needs Blood cultures, hydration, antibiotics, I&O's, etc...

That's my 2 cents. I wish you luck, and peace AND confidence

You took the words right out of my mouth!! IMHO, any nurse should have at LEAST 2 years med-surg before entering into any Critical Care area. I'm not saying that nurses do not do well if they go straight into CC, but I think it would be a lot easier on them if they took a couple of years to gain confidence in their abilities and skills.

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That's odd... The hospital that trained me rotates nurses to ICU with atleast 2 years of experience.. It is a sort of promotion when you get to be assigned in the ICU.. That is right, you need MS ward or gen ward training to attain skills... But just in case you are already in that position.. Strive harder.. Be observant and vigilant.. It does not hurt to ask...

Senior nurses should also be concern with training newly licensed nurse in the particular area. Gauge their knowledge and exposure. I remember we undergo 3 stages: Trainee, Probationary and then regular... As a TRAINEE we are task with first orienting us with the policies, the ward itself, the paperworks and only minor treatment.Every 3 months we have evaluation... so see, if the hospital there are conducive to the new employees, it will not be that SUPER HArd...:D

I was once assigned at :nurse:MS ward where we practice different nursing strategies... If there are a lot of seniors and few trainees, Primary Nursing strategy is good. If there are a lot of trainees and few seniors practice Functional nursing... Ummm, i dunno if it applies there but hey, it's a good way to train newbies and let them gain confidence...:p

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i think i'm quitting nursing.... for now. i think i just need a break from it. i'm such a disappointment. i just feel so bad to all the people that have invested in me... i'm so defeated right now.

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i think i'm quitting nursing.... for now. i think i just need a break from it. i'm such a disappointment. i just feel so bad to all the people that have invested in me... i'm so defeated right now.

oh my goodness...

even sitting where i am, i still feel your disappointment.

have you seen anyone from your eap?

they are the ones who would steer you in the right direction.

please, don't quit just yet.

go see them.

they've heard it all in re to employee problems and will know how to direct you accordingly.

yes, you need a vacation now.

no doubt.

but there's a good chance that eap will arrange this for you, so talk to them please?

many hugs to you...

leslie

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Specializes in Med surg, Critical Care, LTC.

iheartnurses: I agree with earl. Go see human resources or employee health and see what they can arrange for you. You've put so much into your education and beginning your career - it would be a shame to just walk away without seeking help - you owe it to the blood, sweat and tears you have already put into nursing. I'm NOT trying to suggest you should stay if you REALLY want out, but at least go tallk to a professional councelor who may be able to help you before you throw in the towel.

God bless dear

Babs

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i think i'm quitting nursing.... for now. i think i just need a break from it. i'm such a disappointment. i just feel so bad to all the people that have invested in me... i'm so defeated right now.

I can feel your sadness! Please listen to what the others have told you, and go see HR before you quit. See if you can take a break, settle your mind, and then maybe try another unit at the same facility. There are so many different areas of nursing that you are sure to find the right place for you.

Please remember that all of us newbies feel like you from time to time. If I was orienting on ICU, I'd feel completely overwhelmed. I was one of the top students in my class, did great in clinicals (even our ICU rotation), but I knew there was no way I needed that pressure when I got out on my own. Some like it, some don't.

Let us know whatever you decide.

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Specializes in Clinical Research, Outpt Women's Health.
i think i'm quitting nursing.... for now. i think i just need a break from it. i'm such a disappointment. i just feel so bad to all the people that have invested in me... i'm so defeated right now.

Just join us in the non acute care ranks. Do clinic nursing or research or public health. You may love it outside the hospital environment!

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I heart, I cant PM you because of THE RULE....MUST POST 15...to be able to use the email...so ill post and post...ill be making a new thread in hearts...until I can PM you.

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