need a little encouragement please

mustangsheba · Feb 23, 2001

Hollykate: Get a good night's sleep! If possible, take a few days off before you start the new job. Try to let go of the old job completely. This is another adventure. Your new place has a good rep, so believe the time has come for your good experience. And the wonderful thing about nursing is you're never stuck. Remember to laugh a lot. Best wishes.

Stargazer · Feb 23, 2001

hollykate, don't let them trick you into believing things are the same everywhere! They're not. It sounds like you now know all the right questions to ask, and the answers you got concerning your new job were all the right ones. Clearly, you'll be working at a facility with a good rep and you'll have some resources and backup when you need it. I've read a lot of your posts on this board and you strike me as a very positive person who is probably an excellent nurse. I agree with mustangsheba--take a few days off in between and shake off the old job before starting the new one. Then go in with a positive attitude ready to make a fresh start. Good luck and let us know how it goes in the new unit.

OC_An Khe · Feb 24, 2001

HollyKate

both Mustangsheba and Stargazer have given you excellent advice. What you are probably expiriencing is what some people call "buyers remorse". It's just a little self doubt after making a decision that involves a major change and is not unusual. Trust in your instincts and enjoy your new position.

Genista, BSN, RN · Feb 24, 2001

Hi Holly Kate-

There's always an element of risk in changing jobs. However, it sounds like your last job was a substandard environment. I remember feeling very nervous and second guessing myself when I changed hospitals a little over a year ago. Some of the staff at my "first job" were very negative when they heard I was leaving. Some nurses were giving me rude farewells (i.e., "I hear they work their staff to the bone over there, good luck I GUESS." and "You'll come crawling back here, you'll see."). It sounds like you heard some good things about your new employer.Hopefully, some of that hearsay is based in fact. No job is perfect, but chances are good that your new position will be better. I thank my lucky stars I switched employers a year ago. While the pace is hectic and the acuity of patients higher, I have found a tenfold more supportive and professional work environment. The difference between the two hospitals I worked for is like night & day. I am very pleased w/ the risk I took a year ago. I sincerely hope it goes equally as well for you. Trust in your instincts, and see how it goes. It may be one of the best decisions you ever made! Good luck!!

~kona

Lynn Casey RN · Feb 24, 2001

Good for you hollykate!I'm so pleased you got out!I was the one who suffered for 8 years in a very emotionally abusive CCU before I realized I was banging my head against a brick wall and left.I am much happier now.I love the "buyers remorse" analagy by ocanke,it's so true.A couple of tips....don't talk too much about "at the other place"Relish in the fact you have preceptors that want you there and a questions unlimited attitude.Sounds like heaven to me!Enjoy the excitement and pat yourself on the back for coming to the best decision!The "other place"is a poisoned work environment and they are acting paranoid because all the scapegoats are jumping ship!Now who are they going to blame?Congatualations on your new job!Enjoy!

Mijourney · Feb 25, 2001

Hi Hollykate. Congratulations on your find. Congratulations especially on knowing when to quit. This is a testament to your level of job maturity and guts in not staying with an employer under any means just for job security. It sounds as though your new position will offer positive returns in many of the right areas. As other posters have pointed out, it won't be a bed of roses. You have to go into this job knowing that foremost, you are in charge of how you respond to a situation. Hollykate, it sounds as though you are on the right path to becoming a seasoned professional which means that you will wisely discern when and how to respond to a circumstance. Some of us, like me, are late bloomers and have willingly suffered for years at the hands of crude, disrespectful employers. Best wishes.

sharann, BSN, RN · Feb 25, 2001

Hi fellow recent grad!

I had a similar experience during my first 3 months as a new grad (just 5 months ago). The unit I was in consisted of as you put it "paranoid staff" who were extremely backstabbing and unsupportive.My preceptors were nasty and ignored me.I tried to be independent and learn all I could, but it was a losing battle.The manager the "let me go" on my last probation day, without any solid reasons or warning as to what I was actually "lacking". She did say I seemed very tense abd should seek counseling! Gee, I wonder WHY I was tense. So now I am in a new facility and am soooo happy. There will always be the complainers and whinere etc who try to bring everyone down, but 90% of the nurses here are terrific. My preceptors are terrific and frequently tell me I'm doing great.They let me do my work and tell me to call when I need help. What a difference!! I'm so glad I didn't give up, becaus I love nursing so much.

It sounds like you made the right choice. Don't panic, and think of this as a brand new start! Good luck.

Shar

hollykate · Feb 26, 2001

Thanks everyone! I am definitely starting to feel a little more positive about going over to the "other" hospital, as it is touted at my present institution. Things will be better, because I am determined to make them that way. Hopefully in a month or two I can post and tell you how great it is- or at leats how acceptable it is!! ha ha. Great may be asking a little too much.