Need some support

DidiRN · Feb 21, 2006

No, I don't think it's normal at all. It's very, very difficult to be a new grad nowadays, and most of them are already under tremendous stress, and if you are feeling this bad about things (ie crying), then I think it would be the right thing to do to leave.

But if you have to stay due to the tuition help, would it be possible to go to Human Resources and talk to them about transferring somewhere else?

I read your other post on another thread, the person who said something about writing down pro's and con's, that's a great idea.

Don't feel too bad about this, I've had jobs that I've done the same thing (ie crying). I've never regretted leaving them at all. Good luck to you, hon :)

I posted an earlier thread about how I have been feeling. I just looked at my clock and realized it's 4pm and I have to work tomorrow and started crying. Is this normal and has anyone just picked up and changed

ladydame · Feb 21, 2006

Thank you DidiRN. My fiance stated that he would support me in whatever I chose to do, he just wants me to be happy and love what I'm doing. Which I do love being a nurse. I don't want others.....ie mom&dad to think I'm a quitter, which techinically I'm not, I'm just switching hospitals. I'll keep what you've said in mind. Thanks again!

Town & Country · Feb 23, 2006

I didn't read the other thread but it sounds like what alot of new nurses go through. I don't know where you are in your orientation or whatever, but if you are off orientation; I suggest you request more instead of throwing in the towel. This is unfinished business. Your crying suggests to me that your feelings are internal and not really frustrations about the unit itself. I think you are just stressed-out and maybe not feeling alot of support on the unit and feel scared.

I also suggest a candid talk with the Unit Director.

benette · Feb 24, 2006

ladydame,

im going throught the same thing. i cry almost after every shift, have nightmares when i sleep, have trouble sleeping, and think of work almost all the time and dread the thought of going back to work the next day! i am a nervous wreck! not a normal thing definitely. crying helps a little just to get off some emotions. talking to friends and other nurses help a great deal. find someone who can nurture you and can be counted on for love and support. focus on what your doing good rather than the weakness. just hang in there if leaving is not an option for u yet. i have to toughen it out because i have immigration issues that wont let me leave yet. i know in my unit, nurses never stay long. the other new grad i oriented with is planning to leave. another orientee is also thinking of going back to her country. i mean its that bad that new nurses are thinking of leaving a career here. so yes, new nurses do leave until they find a comfortable place they can work in. i try to get support from anywhere i can, even the forums! spoil yourself and do lots of fun things, like one said. i hope it gets better for us. but feel better, u are not alone!

mtngrl, ASN, RN · Feb 24, 2006

I posted an earlier thread about how I have been feeling. I just looked at my clock and realized it's 4pm and I have to work tomorrow and started crying. Is this normal and has anyone just picked up and changed hospitals before really getting comfortable? I just feel that I worked so hard to get my degree and license that if I'm not happy then I should fix it. Please, some kind words would be wonderful right now. :(

I felt that same way a few months ago when I tried working at a hospital. So I quit. I had only been there 4 weeks. And yes, that was enough time to know I hated hospital nursing. I will never work in a hospital again. You should leave a job that you are unhappy at. But maybe you should try something less stressfull than a hospital, because I think they are probably all the same in that you will be unhappy at any of them.

ladydame · Feb 24, 2006

I don't think it's the hospital setting. I enjoy being in a hospital and want to work at one no more than 15 miles from my house. By the time I get up, commute, get report, commute home I've just put in a decent 14-15 hour day. I can't do it. I called in today I didn't want to go so bad. I cried all last night about it and my fiance said if you don't call in and relax for a day then I'm calling in. Between my fiance and my good nursing friends from school I have a lot of support. My friend works at the same hospital just a different unit and told me that we work too hard to be miserable. I'm in the process of setting up an interview with a local hospital today. Hopefully, I'll be able to get the job and start there within the next two weeks. I can't just quit now, because every bill I have is past due, so I need to keep working to help pay for that and my wedding. I just want to be happy and entirely closer to home. I realized yesterday working that I miss talking to patients. I'm currently in the NICU and it's so BORING and QUITE! I love talking to patient's and their families and being able to interact with them. Hopefully the lady will call me back today and I'll have an interview on Monday or Wednesday. Thank you for all the forums support and wish the best of luck to the rest of you. I'll keep you posted.

NYCRN05 · Feb 24, 2006

Ladydame,

I just wanted to say I'm going to be keeping you in my prayers!!! I'm going through a similar situation and for the next two weeks will also be looking for another job. Thank God we have such supportive people in our lives, right? GOOD LUCK AND GOD BLESS!!! Let us know what happens!

medsurgcutie · Feb 25, 2006

I can relate to how you feel. I had a job I quit just last night cause it just wasn't the right place for me. I mean I spoke with my bf about it and he said the usual you should stick with it and it'll get better, but I'm sitting in my room crying my eyes out cause I just couldn't go (that place had major issues). My feelings are if you are crying cause you dred it that much than maybe that isn't the right place for you.

jesshopper12 · Feb 25, 2006

I can relate to how you feel...I started my job in July as a new grad and hated it pretty much from the beginning. I too wanted to quit...I would cry before the shiftand contemplate calling in sick...I started looking around at other hospitals - even went on an interview - but in the end I ended up staying where I started. It turned out that what they say is true - it DOES get better after 6 months! Listen to your gut and your heart - if your heart isn't in it, it's impossible to love the work/patients and do a good job. I just tried to look at every patient as a great new learning experience and did all that I could to make them comfortable and happy w/ their stay. Look at your unit, your patients, and your co-workers - I have some of the greatest nurses working around me that it would have been a mistake to go elsewhere. Best of luck in whatever you decide to do - keep us posted!

hurricaden · Feb 25, 2006

I, too, have that feeling of not knowing what is going to make me the happiest. I was just about to sign a contract when I realized that I did not want that big of a commitment out of school. It was my dream job, however, the terms were that I do nights only. There was nooo way I can swing that with two babies at home (2 and 6 mos) and a husband going through nursing school too! So now I am back to the drawing board to seek something more fitting for my life. It was the toughest decision EVER! all my supporters basically say the same things as your previous threads, you have you do what is going to make you the happiest. Being a nurse today means havng options, it is finding the right option so you and your patients benefit. Good luck!

lyallch · Feb 25, 2006

Gee whiz...I am a new grad and into the 5th week of nursing in a surgical ward. We have a high rate of turnover of patients and I feel that i have gone into the wrong ward because I miss the interaction with the patients too. I have not got to the point where I am crying after every shift but I understand how you feel. Some days it is overwhelming and I feel like I am not getting any better and still feeling disorganised and so ignorant!

I have a fellow graduate who talked about crying after and before every shift - her preceptor was being unkind and unsupportive. Things are better now because they have changed her preceptor. Is it support you are lacking?