Med-Surg not for me, need some advice

[TheLAC]

Sorry if this is in the wrong place. First time posting here. I have been a nurse for 3 years. When I first got out of nursing school it was hard finding a med-surg position. So I started off working in sub-acute and acute rehab. I loved working with the patients and my coworkers were a great team. But I still wanted to work in hospital.

Finally after 3 years, I was hired for a med-surg position at night. I was so excited to be working and learning in med-surg. They gave me a month of orientation since I was already experienced. Two weeks of days and two weeks of nights.

The first two weeks I know I struggled a bit because I was not used to working day shift. I thought after I switched to nights things would get easier. My preceptors and educators did noticed I have been doing better on nights. But deep down inside I know I'm not doing as well as I did in rehab. I've had a couple of days on my own now and I'm feeling overwhelmed from the workload. I usually start off with 5-6pts and usually getting 3 admissions during the night. Meds, labs, Dr., fixing Ivs and charting I can never catch up on. I'm not used to getting so many admissions in the middle of the night back to back.

I can also tell from my coworkers that I might not be a good fit. I can hear them whisper about me, saying how come she doesn't know these things. It feels like they're annoyed at me. I feel like I can't trust them and I have never felt this way in other places I have worked.

So I have been working on this unit for about a month. I'm out of the orientation period and into the probation period. I have learned a lot and my skills have have become a lot better, but I really feel like quitting. I know I just started, but my gut feeling says things are not going to get better. I don't feel like I'm part of the team. And I'm not proud of the work I'm doing. Maybe med-surg is not for me. I have another rehab job where I work per diem and they're always asking me to come back. I know by quitting I'm probably going to get a bad reference and I won't be able to work at other hospitals affiliated with this one. Should I really give it more time or quit.

[ivyleaf]

I would try sticking it out at least a couple more months. Experience could open up doors and more importantly, you might find you like it with more practice

[TheDreamJourney]

Hello, I have been a medical surgical nurse for 3 years. It has been my only experience as a nurse. I was hired right after graduating nursing school and passing NCLEX. My advice to you is to stick it out. It honestly took me about 1 year to even feel comfortable working at the hospital. My advice is to please try to stick it out for at least a year, and if you still don't like it you can transfer to another floor or hospital. That is what many nurses on my floor have done. On the other hand, I had a friend who started out with me in med surg and quit after a few months. She was never able to get another job at a hospital. My advice is to stick it out for a year. Plus, you will learn so much in med surg. It's invaluable experience. Also, ignore the bullies in the hospital. I notice that some nurses are so unhappy that they want to bully new employees so they can feel better about themselves. It is best to ignore these types of people and just focus on doing your best. I hope this helps. Good with luck with everything!

[Workitinurfava, BSN, RN]

It would have been better for you to quit before your orientation ended. Now it may be tough for you to leave without getting a no-rehire status. Of course you won't know somethings, but it isn't uncommon for you to be gossiped about because this happens in a lot of places. Just ignore it. Eventually they won't focus on you, because you will know the place inside and out.

[SummerGarden, BSN, MSN, RN]

I can also tell from my coworkers that I might not be a good fit. ...I feel like I can't trust them and I have never felt this way in other places I have worked.....And I'm not proud of the work I'm doing. Maybe med-surg is not for me.....

I have learned a lot and my skills have have become a lot better, but I really feel like quitting. I know I just started, but my gut feeling says things are not going to get better. I don't feel like I'm part of the team. ....

All of the above tells me it is OK for you to resign. I believe that 3 years of work experience in nursing has helped you to know yourself well enough as a nurse. Listen to your gut, because for you in this environment, it will not get better! You do not have the support and the job is not conducive to your way of thinking and nursing for it to be better later. The type of environment you describe is not for every nurse. Some nurses thrive, others do not. That is OK. It does not reflect on who you are as a nurse.

I have another rehab job where I work per diem and they're always asking me to come back....

Good!

I know by quitting I'm probably going to get a bad reference and I won't be able to work at other hospitals affiliated with this one.

True, so do not quit; resign, there is a difference! You can give your two weeks notice and resign as a professional. You do not need a reference from this job or this organization. You just need to leave with nothing on your record. Your other job wants you back, your good nursing references can come from your per diem position. Maybe later you can move into the hospital setting?

I personally would not bother if I were you since you are happy with your former life as a rehab nurse. I know of nurses who have entire careers in rehab and move up and around due to their years of work experience and certifications, etc... Thus, I do not understand the need of going to the hospital setting when you are happy in another setting. Hospitals are not utopias and they are not the only places a nurse can work to be seen as a nurse. Good luck to you in whatever you choose.