New Grad in Canada Feeling Clueless

[donsco]

Hi, I'm a newly graduated RN in BC, Canada, and just got my first job as a casual on a med/surg floor of an older community hospital. I'm in my first month and still orientating on the unit, but basically I feel utterly hopelessly inadequate, overwhelmed, and defeated. Also, really alone as the nurses on my unit who all know each other don't really include newbies in their social banter during their down times. So, this adds an element of social isolation and a feeling of being alone and unsupported to the task of learning the new job.

To add to this, the unit is very busy, chaotic, disorganized and also filthy, making it an extremely negative-feeling workplace. I'm trying my best to learn as fast as I can, but every day inevitably brings tons of things I've never encountered, I have loads of questions, and basically feel clueless and demoralized. Could this be just the unit I'm working on, or is any job likely to feel this awful at the beginning?

I preceptored in med/surg. at a newer hospital that I loved (but wasn't hiring). I'm just not sure if I should stick it out at a place I hate, or try to get hired casual somewhere else as well. I try to feel positive, but it is getting harder and harder. I feel really discouraged and emotional and have cried a couple of times at work. It feels like I am punishing myself each and every time I go in for a shift.

Has anyone else experienced feeling like this when they were new? Any words of wisdom or advice would be so appreciated. Thanks.

[Silverdragon102, BSN]

Moved to the Nursing in Canada forum

[Castiela]

I think almost all new grads feel overwhelmed and like they don't know what they are doing. You will likely feel that way no matter where you go until you get the swing of "being a nurse"

It makes it harder when you don't feel accepted by your colleagues. Sometimes it takes a while for the more senior nurses to warm up to you. Sometimes you just need to find that one person you connect with. Are there any other new grads on the floor you can connect with? Focus on your work, be friendly and professional and make small comments to get to know your coworkers and you'll likely find you'll start to fit it more. I know the bcnu has fb groups for different subsets (men and I think new grads are one of them) so my be check that out for your region if that exists or not.

Does your health authority do the new Grad workshops? It's a great chance to network and commiserate with your peers. One thing covered in the one I went to was the stages of being a new nurse. It included a honeymoon phase, a "holy crap, what am I doing?/ I can't do this" and an acceptance "i don't know everything but I can do this" phase.

I know I experience culture shock when I go between wards/ units. It's hard going from the nicest, shiniest hospital to something older and more run down. Keep in mind what you liked about your previous placements and try encourage those practices by including them in your practice.

You can also apply to be casual on other wards/ hospitals/ health authorities. It might be easier to find a position after 3 mos of practice but it never hurts to try. Hopefully that helps.

[TriciaJ, RN]

Filthy? Ewww! I wouldn't worry a whole lot about feeling incompetent or not-yet-accepted by your new coworkers. That's just the crap that goes with being a new grad. But why is the place filthy? Do they not have cleaning people? Are the cleaning people not adequately trained or supervised?

For that reason alone I would start looking for other positions with a clear conscience. When you're only hired on casual you really don't owe anyone anything. Good luck.

[Legonurse]

I know the bcnu has fb groups for different subsets (men and I think new grads are one of them) so my be check that out for your region if that exists or not.

There's a FB closed group called 'Young Nurses' Network-Fraser Valley' that you could share messages with. ������

My two cents on orienting into the nursing world is to imagine yourself having to do a clinical rotation with a first year student, with you as preceptor on top of your normal duties. What could that first year student do to gain your friendship? As a new person on the job, the first year student will be full of questions for you and will appear to do most tasks in slow motion, making you have to work extra hard at times. We've all been there, and to differing extents understand how it feels to be new. If you are willing to learn faster, perhaps you could try volunteering to help/do tasks for another nurse (that you like) after your own tasks are done. Reaching out to others when they're not expecting it might help open the gateway to new friendships. I suggest you stick with your present job for a while so as to gain some experience at least for 6 months but preferably a year, or you might find it awkward answering questions on why you left your current job when interviewing for another job. Wishing you all the best!