new discouraged LPN

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I am 33 and a new LPN graduate of 4 months and can not seem to adjust. I have quit 2 jobs after a day in the same month( 1 a pediatricians office, other hematology office- both understaffed, nasty precepts and crazy patient loads) and am on my third job at a nursing home. I have been on orientation for 4 weeks ( which I know is great) and the facility has been wonderful to me. I feel sick to my stomach every day that i have to go and hate it. I cant figure out if its the whole nursing in general or if its being a new grad. I have a per deim job at a drug clinic and love it, but I am only there 2/3 days a month (is that why I love it?) I am becoming discouraged and feel like maybe I am not cut out in nursing. I have lasted at past jobs before being a nurse for 10 + yrs. Has any new grads experienced the same unsettlement and if yes how long before you found your nich? Thanks for your replies.

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

Hi and welcome to our group,

I'm so sorry it has been like this for you. I can't imagine feeling sick before going to work and would be inclined to suggest you quit that job to save yourself and your employer if you can afford to.

Were you joking about liking your per diem job because it is only a few days a month? Do some soul searching and if for whatever reason you really don't want to work very much finding another job probably won't fix things. If not I would either look around for other jobs like that one or see if you can't increase your hours there. Definitely do a job share day or two before starting at a place so you know the vibe and can avoid working for a day and quitting. Wish you well, Jules

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Can you tell me why you hated the clinic jobs, besides the fact that they were overstaffed. I have been working as a nurse for about three weeks and I, like you, hate my job. I was thinking about going to a clinic. It will be a big pay cut but I am tired of being miserable at my present job.

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Thanks for the reply.

I was just joking about only liking to work 2/3 days. Actually I love that job and keep asking them for more hours, but there is a dedicated staff that never calls in. The reason i did not like the two clinic jobs I think because of the way the other nurses were so nasty and did not want to precept me (I understand I have to prove myself, But they out right had me stand there and the PA said the the doctor what the hell is she doing here). So that really knocked my confidence at that position. The Pediatrician was so fast paced I was not ready for the fast turnover of patients and was expected to know everything about peds that first day.

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Nurses eat their young. It's not a myth.

Just hang in there and keep your head high and your mouth shut. It'll get better.

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hello,

i am a lpn graduate 2006 i feel the same why :sniff:. i dont think i really want to be a nurse, although i am going back to school for my Rn but its just for the status and hopefully transition into research as a drug safety nurse:wink2:. i also have personal reasons thats controling my career decisions. good luck:)

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Sorry to hear that you hate your job. i feel that being a nurse and enjoying the job has to come from your heart. When you are taking of patients you should be able to think of it lake its your own family. Please give it time and you will find your niche. I worked in the hospital on the med/oncology floor and then to long term care and I love it. I was able to find my niche!!!!!! Godd Luck!:nurse:

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Specializes in Geriatrics.

Thank you for your words to us! This is a life line! Friends in HIGH places!

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Specializes in LTC.

I hated being a nurse the first 4-5 months after I graduated. I constantly wondered to myself and aloud if this is really what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. Depression, confusion, and anger settled in for the long haul, until I had an epiphone: I was focusing on the wrong issues in nursing. I was so tied up in the politics and BS on the unit that the pts fell to the wayside. Once I learned to center my concerns and care for my pts and damn the rest, I began to like my job. Now, I can even say I love it! There will always be some issue lurking about trying to ruin my day, but I learned to say, "whatever", and move on. It's so liberating! Anyway, you'll find what will make you happy, and it may not be nursing. Good luck either way, and I hope you find your Mecca.

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Specializes in ICU, Tissue & Organ Recovery, Surgery.

Agreed, it's all about the networking and admitting when you do not know the answer (usually start with an apology that helps, "I'm sorry what does that mean, I'm a new nurse." Before long you will be eating your young too. :(

I found personally that I need to be in a niche to feel needed (we all are needed, just not as much at first when we're green.) It's the co-dependence of nurses I guess. But also you have to love it for your patients (I knew I would give them the best care anywhere) it's the only thing that will keep you from wiping the tears and walking away. You go back because you know "Mr. Jones" is counting on you to be there to discharge him. ("Mr. Jones" is a ficticious name provided to protect iidentity in regard to PHI in compliance with HIPAA regulations.)

:lol_hitti

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Specializes in ICU, Tissue & Organ Recovery, Surgery.

Yeah i went to be an RN and learned it's not all it's cracked up to be. Pay is not worth the crap you get on the floor; we are way underpaid. Guess I am not a real nurse (some might allege), I can face that I don't like the not-nice people/dog-eat-dog nurse relationships, but the patients suffer. Instead I have settled with non-hospital (non-floor) nursing and I minister to my family and friends by being their advocate when asked. It is a happy medium, also some churches have a parish nurses group you may want to check into that. You went into nursing because you love to help others, so do it and you will feel that tug and realize there are MANY facets of nursing! Best wishes!

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Specializes in Acute and Extended Care.

Writing from a Canadian perspective.Like you I became an LPN as a mature student. I had worked some in long term care prior to school and it was alright. I love helping people, but even then the politics on the floor were hard to take.

As a new LPN I moved across the country, started a job in acute care on a busy floor and yes, I had to prove myself, but found that if I sought out those who would be willing to point me in the right direction and answer my questions I was more respected than trying to come across like I knew everything. I think some nurses are intimidated by new grads as they might think that we believe we're better because we have the newest information under our belts and are mostly eager to go and wanting to show what we can do. If we can remember that the patient always comes first and to let the harsh looks and words run off, then we can survive those first months less damaged.

It is true, I'm afraid to say, that nurses do eat their young. My best strategy was and is to kill people with kindness. Have never found it to fail.

:nurse:

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