Miserable New Grad

[PippyM]

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!!

[Subee2, BSN, MSN, CRNA]

Get your overwhelming anxiety treated. If you have never had therapy, you are probably not aware of what, exactly, is triggering this anxiety, or how to deal with it. But make a rule now: I will NEVER allow anyone to bully me. A therapist will help you with that. Even if you have to spend another 6 months there, it sounds like you can get that clinic job. But you may require anti-anxiety drug therapy and are suffering only because you don't reach out for a professional. But, I give you credit for not quitting. I was pretty miserable for a whole year because I wasn't perfect.

[tammymize]

On 8/9/2019 at 6:06 PM, PippyM said:

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!!

Give it a year, 6 months is nothing. Push yourself harder to excel in areas where you have anxiety!!

[LemonDrop26]

I feel the EXACT same way right now. I've hit the 6 month mark in my residency program and I've already started looking into other potential jobs. I work in a very very very busy ED in an underserved area that is consistently understaffed. The team is amazing and we all help each other out, but I dread going into work. I get nausea as soon as I wake up knowing I have to go into work. Sadly, most of my car rides home consist of me crying because I'm so stressed and overwhelmed. I felt I was a strong candidate and was excited to be part of the team, but the ED broke me.