new discouraged LPN

[jbchero]

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.

[DTC]

I feel your pain! I became and LPN at teh age of 52 and went through4 jobs(1 LTC;2 ASF and 1 addiction center) before discovering a great clinic position. It suits my business/computer skills background and I love the hours. Granted the pay is less than the other jobs, but it works for me. Good luck in finding what suits you best. There is no shame in giving something a try and not liking it. There is a niche' for everyone!

[cinnamon6238]

You have had a generous preceptorship at your current job. I remember when I graduated I had four days and then given a hall of 30 residents in the long term care facility. Half of the people couldn't communicate their needs and then all of the paperwork. OVERWHELMING. Fortunately I found a good mentor and have been doing LTC for 4 years. That would be my advice, find yourself a mentor where you are and it will come to you if nursing is what you want to do. If it's not then find another line of work. Life is too short and unpredictable to spend 1/3 of your life doing something you hate. Be happy in your work.

[iwanna]

jbchero,

I have been where you are now. I think it is just politics in many places. I used to get that sick feeling in my stomach, too. I would sit in the parking lot, thinking that I really did not want to go in there. I did not have the option to quit, as my family was dependent on my paycheck back then. I did look for other jobs, and stuck this one out. And, eventually I was accepted into the clique. In fact, a few times, the unit RNs were arguing that they needed me on their unit more. I just think that, unfortunately, many places are downright nasty to new employeees. In fact, I heard another RN complain how she was nice to new employees, and other employees were not very nice to her in the beginning. Maybe, you can get more hours at drug clinic. I liked working in addictions field. Good Luck to you!:wink2: Hang in there!!!

[Katie82, RN]

I think you should give it another try. You endured the punishment of nursing school, seems to me you would have quit a lot sooner if you really didn't want to be a nurse. I think going directly to a specialty office had a lot to do with it. I work as a case manager for the state and I have a lot of medical practices "assigned" to me. Specialty care is probably not the best place to start, especially peds. The nurses think you should know everything coming in, and are generally less willing to precept you since you should already have that experience. I have found my Family Medicine practice staffs to be much happier - with patients and themselves. Try one. It will give you a good cross-section of the population, since you will be dealing with newborns to geriatrics. THen concentrate on the patients. "Jack of all trades, master of none" may be the best way to go until you find what you like. Another good place to to this is in an Urgent Care Center like Patient First or Nightime Pediatrics.