2 Months and want to Run

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Hi all,

I am a new grad who is miserable in my decision...

I was working in nursing school as a nurse intern in peds at a University Hospital. I liked the job, but when I first started working as a intern one of the nurses I precepted with told the manager I would not be a good fit there because "I observed most of the time, did not take the initiative to ask questions or learn new things." I did not know about this, but had a hunch after I asked for a day off to study for finals and my manager said if I was serious about this job then I have to work for it. I later found out from another preceptor who said I was doing a good job and needed to let the manager know. I was so disheartened, I am a slow to warm up person, but once I feel comfortable I know I can do well. I thought I would work there at that hospital, because it is a good hospital, but on a different unit.

At the same time I was doing all my clinicals at another hospital nearby. I liked it ok, I knew I would not learn as much as they don't emphasize EBP there but I was offered a position there right away. I took a job on inpatient psychiatry as I thought psych was what I wanted to do and I was so upset with what had happened at UH I thought this was a better bed. My orientation was 4 weeks and now I am working evenings and absolutely hate it. I am working with all men most of the time and they think I am a child. When I delegate to the NA's they flat out refuse. I end up doing their job and mine every shift for patient's who are and are not mine. I'm exhausted and miserable. The patient's are talked about like they are worthless and this is not what I was expecting. I've only been on my own for about 3 weeks and the assignment I was given the other day was 6 patients and one in restraints, I flat out refused. In the meantime the other nurses ended up having 3 patients. I don't feel like I can ask many questions or for help unless a crisis goes down. Psych was not a good start as a new grad.

I am unhappy with my decision. At the University Hospital I knew I was going to learn a lot, EBP, and was set on going there until I was right away offered the position at the hospital nearby and couldn't refuse. I could stay at the hospital I am at now and try and transfer in 4 months, but there is a reputation that you can't get fired there and so it's not that important to try. These are patient's lives and that is not right to me. I've talked to a few good nurses on my floor from different shifts and they all tell me to get out of this hospital, as it's not right.

I want to feel safe, like a well rounded good nurse, with knowledge and experience. I feel like I am getting none of that and want to go back to the University Hospital on another floor. Psych was a bad bet in the first place and as I have worked on a lot of other floors for my clinicals at this hospital I know I will not be as well rounded. It's only been two months I have been working though.

Advice?

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Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.

Sounds like an unsupportive work environment. 4 weeks of orientation is nowhere near enough for a new grad. Have you applied for other positions at the university hospital? While I wouldn't quite a job without having another lined up, you should still be within the probationary period where you or the employer can merely part ways. It doesn't sound like a good fit for you, and it's fine to explain it as such in an interview.

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Dialysis.

It seems to be easier to get a job when you already have a job for some reason. If you are unhappy in your current position by all means apply for openings at the other hospital. If you are fortunate enough to land an interview there is nothing wrong with saying that your current position isn't a good fit for you and you are looking forward to new opportunities and experiences.

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Specializes in Postpartum, Med Surg, Home Health.

What is EBP?

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Specializes in Postpartum, Med Surg, Home Health.
Hi all,

I am a new grad who is miserable in my decision...

I was working in nursing school as a nurse intern in peds at a University Hospital. I liked the job, but when I first started working as a intern one of the nurses I precepted with told the manager I would not be a good fit there because "I observed most of the time, did not take the initiative to ask questions or learn new things." I did not know about this, but had a hunch after I asked for a day off to study for finals and my manager said if I was serious about this job then I have to work for it. I later found out from another preceptor who said I was doing a good job and needed to let the manager know. I was so disheartened, I am a slow to warm up person, but once I feel comfortable I know I can do well. I thought I would work there at that hospital, because it is a good hospital, but on a different unit.

At the same time I was doing all my clinicals at another hospital nearby. I liked it ok, I knew I would not learn as much as they don't emphasize EBP there but I was offered a position there right away. I took a job on inpatient psychiatry as I thought psych was what I wanted to do and I was so upset with what had happened at UH I thought this was a better bed. My orientation was 4 weeks and now I am working evenings and absolutely hate it. I am working with all men most of the time and they think I am a child. When I delegate to the NA's they flat out refuse. I end up doing their job and mine every shift for patient's who are and are not mine. I'm exhausted and miserable. The patient's are talked about like they are worthless and this is not what I was expecting. I've only been on my own for about 3 weeks and the assignment I was given the other day was 6 patients and one in restraints, I flat out refused. In the meantime the other nurses ended up having 3 patients. I don't feel like I can ask many questions or for help unless a crisis goes down. Psych was not a good start as a new grad.

I am unhappy with my decision. At the University Hospital I knew I was going to learn a lot, EBP, and was set on going there until I was right away offered the position at the hospital nearby and couldn't refuse. I could stay at the hospital I am at now and try and transfer in 4 months, but there is a reputation that you can't get fired there and so it's not that important to try. These are patient's lives and that is not right to me. I've talked to a few good nurses on my floor from different shifts and they all tell me to get out of this hospital, as it's not right.

I want to feel safe, like a well rounded good nurse, with knowledge and experience. I feel like I am getting none of that and want to go back to the University Hospital on another floor. Psych was a bad bet in the first place and as I have worked on a lot of other floors for my clinicals at this hospital I know I will not be as well rounded. It's only been two months I have been working though.

Advice?

What is EBP?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.
What is EBP?

Evidence based practice.

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