Miserable New Grad

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I started my first job as a new grad resident nurse on a medical/telemetry unit in February. I just hit my six month mark and am still completely miserable where I'm at. I thought by now it would start getting at least a little better, but I just feel more miserable with each shift. I have such bad anxiety about going into work that I cry before almost every shift. I feel a little better once I start my shift, but I still feel very anxious and overwhelmed. I know the first six months to a year is really hard as a new nurse, but is it normal to feel this way? Will it get better? As part of being a resident I have a contract to stay on my floor for one year and at the hospital for 2 years. I'm to the point where I don't mind paying the fee to break the contract, I just want to be happier. I just don't think inpatient work is for me. I'm really interested in clinic work, but would that be any better? Should I stick it out and hope it gets better? Or move on and be happy again? Any advice is greatly appreciated! Thanks!!

Specializes in Medical Telemetry.
4 minutes ago, River&MountainRN said:

8 hours is great (8.5 if they make you work to make up for your 1/2 hour unpaid lunch so that you get a full 8 hours' pay)...you get there, get busy with the start of the day, before you know it it's lunch, and then the day is already half over! Then the next 4 hours seem to fly by!

That sounds lovely! Especially to be able to take a lunch would be nice! I don’t mind being busy, as it makes it go by faster. What I don’t like is being so overwhelmed I don’t even know where to start to get everything done.

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Specializes in Primary Care, LTC, Private Duty.
6 minutes ago, PippyM said:

That sounds lovely! Especially to be able to take a lunch would be nice! I don’t mind being busy, as it makes it go by faster. What I don’t like is being so overwhelmed I don’t even know where to start to get everything done.

You just need to find the right practice...some will be absolutely miserable, with the teams at each others' throats, the doctors throwing them under the bus, with no hope of lunch or leaving on time in sight...

But then you have the good teams who will cover each other so that everyone has a chance to eat and get away for a while and administrators who will allow flexibility in your schedule so that if you end up working 1/2 an hour past the end of your shift on one day you can either come in later or leave earlier the next day or enjoy the OT pay!

I've worked within both scenarios, and I'd still choose outpatient/Primary Care over any other specialty.

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Specializes in Emergency.

Have you thought about school nursing? My sister has been a school nurse since graduating as an LPN, she obtained her ADN and now is getting tuition payment to get her BSN. But what she really loves is the hours, the kids, and the hours. (I said it twice on purpose.) For extra money during the summer she works camps and such, but only if she wants to.

She was first attracted to it because her own children were young school age and it was an ideal fit. (Her hubs has a travel contracting job-not an RN-construction related.)

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Specializes in Psychiatry/Mental Health.

I was feeling like that at 6 months, also. Can you take some time off to have a mental health break? It might not work for everyone, but it helped me a little. I spent a lot of time asking myself what could I do, personally, to better my days. I decided that charting at the end of the day was associated with a "bad" day, along with a couple other things. When I went back to work, I worked really hard on improving those things. I decided that some patients were going to have to wait for certain things until my med passes were done. I now go to each room with a stack of stuff on my computer. I dont take it in the room unless they need it, but I offer. I ask for help whem absolutely necessary. I avoid conversation with the bullies or negative people. I smile when I can, laugh when appropriate.

I'm at 10 months and I think I can make it to 12 now. Icing on the cake - one of the bullies is leaving. I tried applying other places at 6 months, I was so overwhelmed with unhappiness. I had some callbacks, but my nurse friends encouraged me those positions might not be any better.

Bottom line - I think you can do it. Fight against unhappiness. And when you clock out, enjoy your time away from work!

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Hi PippyM, congrats on making the 6 month mark! To keep coming back into work everyday when it's making you miserable is no small thing, so kudos to you. It's very common for grad nurses to be experiencing high anxiety and low mood from work, but hospitals work to make sure this isn't the norm. No one wants grad nurses to have to struggle like this.

Some companies offer free access to counselling. Is this something available to you? Before meeting with your boss, I would recommend speaking with a careers counsellor, or your Nursing Body for advice. I recommend speaking with your boss about your feelings and concerns. You are not the first miserable grad your manager has worked with, and you will not be the last. Managers have lots of experience and could have some helpful advice and insight for you.

In regards to being fined for breaking the contract, this is often waved on compassionate grounds, or because the employee can prove that the hospital did not meet their duty of care i.e. issues of bullying or not honouring their training promises.

My number one recommendation: Access all of the support resources you have!

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I became an RN specifically to work in Community Health. I have never worked inpatient, nor do I ever intend to.

If you're young, my advice to you is to stick it out an complete your 1 year if you can. When you have that 1 year of inpatient experience, it will open up more opportunities for you down the road if you want to go back. We've had some young RNs who came to the clinic, realized how much smaller their paychecks were, then returned to the floor. Some of them also work full time in the clinic and pick up an occasional hospital shift with a huge differential. Remember, shift differentials/OT are typically not offered in the clinic.

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Specializes in Managed long term care.

I would say try to stay the year if you're able. Most jobs prefer a year hospital experience. The education patient care in the hospital gives you will make you more prepared and educated for whatever area you choose to transition to next. Try to focus on all the good you're doing for your patients in the hospital. What do you feel are your strengths? What do you bring to the table? Value yourself as a nurse, try to hold your head high when you're at work knowing what a difficult job you have yet you still manage to do! Still, your mental emotional health is your priority above all. When you think about leaving the hospital setting, and the relief that washes over you is stronger than any need you feel to stay, consider changing jobs. There are jobs in the hospital setting less stressful than the floor. Is that an option for you at some point? I wish you luck and happiness in whatever you choose for yourself!

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Specializes in Medical Telemetry.

Thank you everyone for your replies and words of encouragement! I decided to go ahead and apply for a couple clinic jobs. They all said they prefer one year of experience, but it can’t hurt to apply! Just applying for a different job makes me feel so much better, so I feel like I’m making the right decision for myself and my happiness.

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Poor honey! I will never forget that feeling! That is a normal adjustment just stick with it and it will become easier! I would say it took me a year as a new nurse to start feeling confident. Ive been a nurse for 8 years and i have experienced with each new career change i have that “new grad” feeling for atleast 6 months to a year.

dont give up now! You will truly get there!!

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Specializes in LTC.

I'm so sorry you are going through this OP. Anxiety can be absolutely horrific. I have an anxiety disorder and went through something similar to you. The only advice I can offer is to see a therapist ASAP, and a doctor to possibly get on some antianxiety medication. Also, if you can, try and find another job.

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Specializes in Medical Telemetry.

I spoke with my manager and she said I could try switching to days. I’m going to try that for awhile and see if the helps me any. Thank you everyone!!

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Specializes in LTC.
1 minute ago, PippyM said:

I spoke with my manager and she said I could try switching to days. I’m going to try that for awhile and see if the helps me any. Thank you everyone!!

I sincerely wish you the best!

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