LTC New grad, already wants to quit

llg, PhD, RN · Jun 11, 2019

What type of work do you envision yourself doing -- and liking?

How much of your current distress is due to the fact that you "don't like" that type of work/patient population ... and how much is due to feeling unable to do job? If it's more a matter of "liking" than "abilities," then you need to assess your chances of getting a more desirable job in the near future and start applying for jobs that you think you would like more. If it is a matter of your "abilities," then you need to thoroughly assess your skills and be able to articulate what additional information/practice you need -- because those are probably skills you will need in any job.

Have you found anyone on the staff who can give you good, honest input about your abilities? Can anyone help you assess your performance accurately and readiness for working on your own? Or do you just not like the place (or the people who work and/or live there) and want to work in a different type of setting?

Vague feelings of "not comfortable with ..." are one of the new grad's biggest enemies. Until you can be specific about what the problem is, it is unlikely you are going to solve it -- and you might end up jumping from job to job without ever figuring out what is truly wrong.

You are never going to feel totally comfortable in a new job. The question is: are you truly not competent to work in that setting? Or is your distress due to not liking that type of setting?

rmsRN95 · Jun 11, 2019

41 minutes ago, llg said:
What type of work do you envision yourself doing -- and liking?
How much of your current distress is due to the fact that you "don't like" that type of work/patient population ... and how much is due to feeling unable to do job? If it's more a matter of "liking" than "abilities," then you need to assess your chances of getting a more desirable job in the near future and start applying for jobs that you think you would like more. If it is a matter of your "abilities," then you need to thoroughly assess your skills and be able to articulate what additional information/practice you need -- because those are probably skills you will need in any job.
Have you found anyone on the staff who can give you good, honest input about your abilities? Can anyone help you assess your performance accurately and readiness for working on your own? Or do you just not like the place (or the people who work and/or live there) and want to work in a different type of setting?
Vague feelings of "not comfortable with ..." are one of the new grad's biggest enemies. Until you can be specific about what the problem is, it is unlikely you are going to solve it -- and you might end up jumping from job to job without ever figuring out what is truly wrong.
You are never going to feel totally comfortable in a new job. The question is: are you truly not competent to work in that setting? Or is your distress due to not liking that type of setting?

Thank you for your response!

I have applied already to a job and I have an interview scheduled in the near future. It’s in a ortho-spinal unit and it is where I did my capstone/preceptorship. I found that type of environment is where I am able to progress and strengthen my skills because I am familiar with the unit.

I did express my concerns to the DON/ADON regarding the skills I need to work on however, the shifts I get never seem to have given me an opportunities to practice. I often get nurses who would rather just show me what to do rather than having me practice myself. I’ve been on all three shifts and on every floor and I manage to always find it difficult to get documentation/charting/ordering right and knowing what exactly I need to do in each shift. It would be nice to have like a PCC orientation for that or charting orientation.

The environment itself is stressful to me because I feel alone on my floor because everyone else is busy. I had nurses just supervise me but they also helped me with tasks that I should’ve done by myself. Like, I do not think I would have remembered to do it, if my nurse didn’t help me out.

The nurses I trained with are very helpful and supportive but I could tell they can be frustrated with me. And know that I am not ready yet to be alone.

You are right that not being comfortable is always a new grad’s biggest enemy. For me, it’s something I have always struggled with. I am such a timid and shy person, that it’s also hard for me to put myself out there. But I know I must learn, but I also know that if I do make a big mistake, the responsibility is solely placed on me and my license.

I believe that I am truly having a hard time liking the type of setting/environment.

_littlemissBSN, BSN, RN · Jun 11, 2019

I'm having flashbacks of my first job offer at an LTC 2 years ago. I accepted the position, but ended up quitting before I even began orienting. For a week, I couldn't sleep because I was having such a bad feeling about my new job. When they told me I'll be taking care of potentially 20-30 patients, I started regretting saying "yes" to the job. I was anxious for a week and I haven't even begun my orientation yet. I was a new grad and I wasn't getting accepted anywhere I've applied to at that time. I was desperate for a job, so when the said LTC hired me, I accepted the position. My only regret is that I didn't say no sooner.

This might be an unpopular opinion, but I really don't think LTC/nursing homes are a good place to start for new grad nurses. Unless it's some kind of a passion or calling, I would look somewhere else that can give you better support and a better learning environment. It's going to be stressful anywhere else, but at least the patient load won't be as many as you'll have in LTC and you'll have proper orientation. New grads should have at least 6 weeks of orientation. LTCs are infamous for having much less than that (or improper, as you termed it).

Trust your gut, they're usually in the right. If you can afford to not have a job right now, then better leave soon. If not, start applying somewhere else and once you've secured a position, then turn in your 2 weeks notice.

Good luck! Keep us posted.

hardworkpaysoff, MSN, RN · Jun 11, 2019

Unfortunately this is the norm (actually 9 days is a “long orientation”). It is a very uncomfortable and unfamiliar environment in the initial learning stages especially for new grads but after a while it does get easier. Many are unable to experience everything in orientation because, as you stated, the preceptors will have to jump in and do some of the tasks for you for time purposes.

Best of luck with your upcoming interview. Hopefully the fact that you have experience at that unit will reduce some of the anxiety of a new role. The first 6 months-yr will be tough wherever you go but hang in there.

Jedrnurse, BSN, RN · Jun 11, 2019

A couple of things.

First, you said that you wanted to be on the ortho-spinal where you "can progress because you are familiar with the unit." That's certainly not a part of progressing, i.e. staying only in places where you have a history. Progressing often requires you take on the new and unfamiliar.

That being said...

I wouldn't recommend anyone take a job in LTC. The staffing is abominable and the care is impossible (if you really want to do a decent job.) In fact, I think that by taking these jobs, nurses are contributing to the status quo of bad conditions. If nobody did, I imagine things would have to change...