first RN job proving to be a disappointment, tips please...

[WIchica0732]

I started my first RN job here in St. Louis through a SSN hospital in August. I work on a critical care floor and am having a very hard time with it. I often dread going in to work, and have even used the 'hate' work when people ask how I like it. I am really thinking I made a mistake in my choice and after my first year is over am seriously considering trying to find a job working in a physician office. How am I going to make it throught he next 6.5 months?!?! without going crazy...which I am been very close to already. HELP!!!!

[cardiac mama]

Sorry to hear about your situation in the CCU, I recently transferred from the stepdown tele unit to the CCU and even after 3 years of stepdown some days it is overwhelming. You need to learn to use your resource nurses on the floor when you are starting to feel overwhelmed and dont be afraid to ask for help from your coworkers. This helps all of us to get through the day, when we do have the window of opportunity of being caught up we always ask each other if we need any help. Please stick with it for the next 6 months, it will fly by & the experience you will gain will prove to be very useful in your nursing career. If this is not your niche then consider shadowing another nurse in a different unit, and ask around the hospital about other specialty areas that may interest you. Just know that it will get better each day and you will start to feel more comfortable and confident in your ability to take care of your patients. Good luck to you with your future nursing endeavors and feel free to vent here anytime. I hope this helps you with your career choices in the future

[cdbreez]

Try all of the above, but it might NOT get better. Nursing is not fun, seldom rewarding, and even less seldom will your efforts be appreciated by anyone (from upper management to your unit manager to your patients). It is, however, a steady paycheck. If you're young, and it doesn't get better, GET OUT before it's too late!!!!