when to look for a new job?

[liz steinmetz]

Hi

Im a new grad working on my current floor since July (med/surg, telemetry/ transition care unit). I didn't feel good about it when I started but wanted to give it a chance. its been a few months and my feeling haven't changed. how do i know if it is the floor or nursing in general? Im tempted to look for a new floor, but I've already invested time and don't know if a new floor will really change my feelings about work.

I wanted to give it a year, but Im feeling really negative about my floor. i don't feel like i have any support. I rarely sit down for more than ten minutes my entire shift. i don't eat lunch because i don't feel comfortable asking anyone to cover my patients since i know i can't cover theirs. everyone is so busy with their own patients that there isn't anyone to help out. we have so many services that I don't know the doctors i work with and i get constant phone calls from people i don't know asking me to do things i don't know how to do. I feel like Im completely on my own and nobody understands how much im already trying to do when they ask me to do things.....im just overwelmed and exhausted. I feel like Im an unsafe nurse because Im trying to do so much.

anyone got any advice?

thanks

liz

[bjm]

It sound like you are being stretched to learn to many areas med/surg/tele, etc. I would suggest if you are that unhappy, to not give up nursing. Instead, maybe you need to be looking at another area of nursing, or another facility that won't be stretching you in so many different directions. If this area is too busy for you, you may just need a change of job, not career...and remember, hospital work is not for everyone...there are other opportunities out there in nursing besides hospitals, clinics, insurance companies, county jails, major corporations. Don't throw away what you already worked to hard to attain. You became a nurse because you are a caring person...you will find you niche', give yourself time to find it and keep banging on the doors...one will eventually open.

[KatieBell]

First of all, let me congratulate you on passing NCLEX and getting you first job.

Now, you have only been there 4 months! That is not enough time to feel comfortable in your situation at all. Transition care unit sounds a bit like a step down unit to me, and those tend to be very very busy. It can be especially difficult as you mentioned when patients are coming from 6 different services- and then they are also consulted on 3 other services!

I don't actually think the answer at this point is to change jobs. Because then you will have all the new job stress, PLUS, the idea that somehow you couldn't cut it on your other unit.

Have you sat down with your manager- or someone on the Unit who is helpful to you and expressed your frustration and concern? Perhaps they can assign a resource person who KNOWS they are your resource person, and is WILLING to be that person for 3 more months. Knowing you have backup that is willing is a great comfort. If you know that person is already going to be your resource, then you might feel alright about eating lunch, and going immediately to the resource RN for help. People may assume you are doing fine, and you will not get a lot of positive feedback in nursing- so you have to really be vocal about how you are feeling, and ask for appropriate help. Sounds as if you are doing alright on the basic patient care- but when a physician calls asking for something new or different, you have problems.

It might be best to schedule a meeting with the manager and if there is a permanent charge RN on your shift- that person as well.

In addition- when I was a new grad, I used the "new grad" coin all the time- telling the physicians loud and clear- "What are you asking me to do, I do not understand the abbreviations you are using because I am a new grad" This explaination helped a lot to the physicians who sometimes looked at me as if I was crazy until I explained I was new.

I know it can be difficult, and the first year can really be a struggle, but try to hang in there- let your needs, and feelings be known to those who can help you (Was there a particularly good preceptor you can talk to?). Hope you start to feel more confident and less stressed soon!