New Grad-Hate my Job

Nurses General Nursing

Published

First of all I would like to say that I feel terrible complaining about my job when so many nurses (especially new graduates) are having a horrible time finding a job and a three weeks ago I was right there with them, praying for ANY job to come along.

I started working for a GI clinic about three weeks ago and I started questioning the facility when the doctor (who owns the clinic) wanted me to be on my own after ONE WEEK! Even if I hadn't been a new grad, a one week orientation seems crazy. So, the first day I was on my own I had a patient who needed reversal meds, fluids hung, and oxygen. I guess I should add here that this doctor oversedates (a lot) and being a new graduate I don't have the respect from him to have input in making the calls on how much sedation a patient should get nor do I feel comfortable doing that either. Anyways, I PANICKED! I called for another nurse to come in and pretty much stood in the corner in terror. The doctor then sent an email to the nurse I had followed the week prior to basically let her know she had done a terrible job training me and wanted her to be in the procedure room with me for a couple more days. So now, every time the doctor is around me, he makes comments about how they have "babied me too much" and that I have been on orientation too long. I never feel comfortable at work and constantly worry that I am going to hurt a patient because I haven't been properly trained. I have expressed this to other nurses, my nurse manager, and the doctor. Because the doctor owns the facility, he is the boss and ultimately makes the decisions. I try to ignore his remarks about being babied because to me my patient's safety and my license are the two most important things to me. But, like I said before, he is my boss.

I took this job because I needed a job. At the very least I wanted great experience for the job I want, a paycheck and to have something to put on my resume. I come home every day mentally and emotionally exhausted. I can't call my mom without crying in frustration. I have not once said that I had a "good day" or that I like my job.

Am I being a drama queen? Have they babied me? Should I just suck it up, or should I look for a different job?

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Specializes in wound care.

people expect nurses to be ready to handle what life throws at you, every body has ****** days from time to time , meybe you can apply some were else

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There are a LOT of things you have to learn by doing them. You could follow someone for weeks, and get put out on your own feeling the same way. That's normal. Just ask when your're not sure of something. Take notes if needed. And know that many clinics, rehabs, LTCs do not walk you through everything....nurses know that the best learning is just doing- with someone around to ask questions of......hang in- you're sounding very normal for a new nurse.

:) :up:

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Hmm. Doesn't sound safe. Why is a MD deciding how much training a nurse needs? Maybe he was an RN before an MD? Clearly, nobody is advocating for you. I've only been out of nursing school for one year and what I've learned in that short time is that I'm the only person that will protect my license. Other nurses and MD's certainly will not. Just remember how much grueling work you went thru to get this license and I wouldn't let some MD bully you into more than you can handle right now. Be careful. I'm sure you'll make the best decision for yourself. Good luck!

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Specializes in Peds Medical Floor.

My only advice is if you want to learn don't stand in the corner in terror. Assist the other nurse so you can learn. Your boss sounds like a jerk. I'd look for another job but remember to be responsible for your learning experiences.

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Specializes in ER.

My response to you dear is runnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn ! My phylosophy is I will come work for you with my lincense in my hand and will leave with it. I do not know where you are but I will not recommend a new grad working in a clinic period! As a new grad you need a mentor for at least 6 months, find a hospital to go work at and if you can not find one in your area and you are single with no children spead your wings. Good Luck, and protect your lincense:up:

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Specializes in ER.

First off- why did he hire a new grad, knowing they'd need more than a few days orientation? He is responsible for that.

Second- I get the sense that many "first" and indeed even just "new" jobs can leave you feeling like that. Or even an experienced nurse. We all have doubts at times, and change magnifies those.

Third....yes, protect your license, but if you have not been trained in conscious sedation as a practicing, licensed RN and ACLS, I'd quit and/or explain to both the office/nurse manager and MD that this puts everyone at risk in the event a sentinel event occurred. Not just you, but the doc, the manager as well-(policy and training)

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don't run, learn! Ask questions, how much reading have you done? learn the meds, study the reversal agents you are not familiar with. Look up sedation procedures. here are just a few

http://www.swedish.org/For-Health-Professionals/CME/CME_Files/MPS/ProceduralSedationSelfLearningPacket

http://lacusc.org/ASO/docs/PrivilegeForms/APModerateSedation/1.%20Moderate%20Sedation%20Learning%20Module.pdf

http://www.aacn.org/DM/CETests/Overview.aspx?TestID=752&mid=2864&ItemID=744

It is easy to fear the unknown, learn your way thru it, it is not easy, but you will feel better for it. You know more than you appreciate, you just need to pull it out and find how to use it.

Don't fall in the to MD/RN them vs us bit.

do not run!, learn

YMMV, I know little!

"once in a while you get shown the light, in the strangest of places if you look at it right"

Robert Hunter

cheers

a

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Specializes in CC, MS, ED, Clinical Research.

I'm split on this because your orientation failed you. First, Doc's are thrown to the sharks and that's how they think learning is done. In a lot of units I worked, sink or swim ruled, so its not just docs. Second, if the other nurses assimilated quicker because they came with background experience that should help you feel better; you just need patience and more time. Try to ask one you like to mentor you as soon as possible.

Be active, ask the other nurses to let you lead but have them observe and offer suggestions and tips. Plan to get ACLS certification asap. Once you know you have the skill set to handle an emergencey you will grow confident. Give yourself a timetable to re-examine the situation. If confidence doesn't come start looking. Good Luck and hang in there.

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I don't necessarily agree with running... I am a new grad, and I find that although sometimes I am uncomfortable doing something, I do the following:

1.) Stop and think. A lot of times if I just give myself a second I can either "figure it out" if that is safe, or remember it from a previous learning experience.

2.) Look it up, even if it means I have to excuse myself from the room. Depending on the pt, I let most of them know - "You know, I just need to go check on (insert procedure) before I begin, I'll be back in less then five minutes"

3.) I seek out more experienced nurses on the floor, some are more receptive to questions then others. And if the only one available is non-receptive, tough stuff. I ask anyway.

4.) If the nurse comes in to help, I make sure I am front and center - either doing most of the procedure myself, or helping as best as I can.

5.) Afterward, I make sure to reflect back on the skill or procedure, think of what I can do better next time and how I can apply this to other procedures.

Granted, I am on a tele floor in a hospital, so I might have different resources then you. But I would encourage you to create similar steps before throwing in the towel and running for the hills.

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Specializes in Emergency Medicine.

....lol

Cool, welcome to nursing. Sorry it's not what you thought it was going to be. Now you can warn others. So many students... so many dreams shattered.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Psychiatric.

Are there any hospitals in your area that have an internship? Internships can make it a little bit easier to transition into nursing. You have worked so hard for your license. It sounds like you are working in a smaller private facility. I hate to say this but some of the private facilities do some things that are not always on the up and up. It concerns me that a physician has so much to say about you as a nurse. You need to take care of you and right now, you are not in an environment where you can thrive. If you are that unhappy, leave...with your license. Start looking for another job and when you get one, bounce.

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