Hello everyone, I am a new grad. I've been working on the med surg floor for about a month now. & I realize that I do not like it at all. I am very stressed out. I suffer with a hx of anxiety and bouts of depression before going into nursing school. I used to have full blown panic attacks. & I sense them about to start again. I love nursing, I love taking care of people.. But not like this.. (the hospital i work at is the largest in my city ((Chicago)) the hecticness of the hospital is not the right environment for me. I know that every RN is not meant to work in a hospital. And I'm starting to see that I am one of them. So I was just wondering from any nurses out there who did not go into the hospital setting where should I work? I have my BSN and my RN license of course. I'm willing to go back to school if I need to get my masters in order to find a job. Any suggestions would be great. I remember my clinical professor told me that she went into public health right out of nursing school. And never worked in the hospital.
I just want to say I really do take my hat off to any nurses that work in the hospital acute setting. That is not an easy job at all! And I've seen from first hand you guys rock and deserve more credit than you get;)
I'm not looking for the easy way out, I know nursing is hard in whatever Avenue I decide to take. Im starting to think things like I hate nursing or why did I go to nursing school in the first place. And I don't want to be that person where I build up animosity in my heart because i actually do love taking care of people.
Oh and forget all the brain washing about med-surg as the foundation of nursing. There's a reason why the floors have the highest turnover rates and why some experienced nurses dont like it not being treated as its own specialty. One person from my class bypassed the whole butt wiping at bedside and got new grad position in research as Utilization review nurse. She is very happy. So it is possible
So I graduated in the top of my class from a top school, raring to go with ICU and ER in my headlights....I stuck it out for a year....MISERY. I stuck it out because everyone wants a year....you really just need to do the year then GO!!!!!! I left for community nursing...I'm essentially working with chronic homeless who are stabilized in housing, lots of triage, education and referring to resources. Its what I wanted out of nursing...the human aspect...the corporate bs environment of hospital nursing turned me bitter and exhausted. I mean really...please don't stand in my face talking about press gainey and waitressing bull while you understaff us so you can make a profit margin....screw that. I'm thankful for my experience there (ER and step down), but NEVER AGAIN. You know you don't want to be there, but I promise everyone is going to want at least a year of exp, so transfer within to find a better home for the year or just set a timer of the days left. It will help.
LOL! Why because I dont passively let people say whatever they want to me and give no response? She basically just told me that she doesnt know if I should be a nurse, because I get anxiety as a new grad on a med surg floor.
Now that I have four cents, I can really buy me something nice
Oh and forget all the brain washing about med-surg as the foundation of nursing. There's a reason why the floors have the highest turnover rates and why some experienced nurses dont like it not being treated as its own specialty. One person from my class bypassed the whole butt wiping at bedside and got new grad position in research as Utilization review nurse. She is very happy. So it is possible
Thanks Arrow RN! I appreciate your comments :-) hey I also love that show, I am a huge fan of the flash too
Getting good information from a forum like this is tricky sometimes. No matter how carefully you word your question, there always seems to be some people who will make assumptions about you and give unwanted advice rather than trying to answer the original question. My friend told me the story of her dad, who was the slowest moving nursing student in his class and thought of quitting, but was told by the teacher, "Don't worry, there is a place in nursing for you." And it was true! He became a great ICU nurse focusing on just one or two patients at a time. Good luck!
Wow thats amazing!!! See these are the stories I need to hear. That's phenomenal. Yeah on my floor before I got there the manager said that there have been 9 med errors in the month of January. That is unbelievable in my mind. The only thing I can think of was the fact that they were moving too fast and made the medication errors.
So I graduated in the top of my class from a top school, raring to go with ICU and ER in my headlights....I stuck it out for a year....MISERY. I stuck it out because everyone wants a year....you really just need to do the year then GO!!!!!! I left for community nursing...I'm essentially working with chronic homeless who are stabilized in housing, lots of triage, education and referring to resources. Its what I wanted out of nursing...the human aspect...the corporate bs environment of hospital nursing turned me bitter and exhausted. I mean really...please don't stand in my face talking about press gainey and waitressing bull while you understaff us so you can make a profit margin....screw that. I'm thankful for my experience there (ER and step down), but NEVER AGAIN. You know you don't want to be there, but I promise everyone is going to want at least a year of exp, so transfer within to find a better home for the year or just set a timer of the days left. It will help.
Just curious, how do you stick out something that you say is miserable? ((Serious question!!)) I have a very happy go lucky, laid back personality. And being stressed 24/7 is just not my idea of a life. But I do eventually want to complete my year. So what did you do on your off days to stay sane? Or to keep your spirits up? I've read so many posts about people crying in their car and having complete dread before going to work and leaving work. And yeah... that's just not for me.
also, I want to say that I am not totally against working in a hospital. It's just this particular hospital, which has a high turnover rate. is known to hire mostly new grads because of this, and also their pay is very low. The hospital is about 2 hours from my house. Plus I have to pay for parking. I should have known something was wrong, when my preceptor was crying in the managers office for 40 minutes. And always saying that she hated working at this job...
I've been told that I have an alpha female personality type. So I definitely don't give up easily. But I do not care to be miserable. I really thank everyone for their comments and suggestions. I have a lot to think about. I will definitely try to get my year elsewhere.:-D
Yes, there are countless other career opportunities in nursing besides working in an acute care hospital or LTC setting -- but nearly all of those opportunities require real nursing experience to be considered qualified.
I have worked in psych and community health after graduating nursing school. Is none of my experience considered "real" to you?
I have worked in psych and community health after graduating nursing school. Is none of my experience considered "real" to you?
I'm not sure how you got that out of my post. I've spent >30 yrs in psych nursing myself. The OP, a new grad with onemonth of experience, is asking about nonbedside opportunities. My point was that s/he would need more time working in nursing, in some (any) capacity, in order to be considered qualified for most of the cushier options that people always suggest for getting away from the bedside. I thought my first sentence in the earlier post made that clear.
Next week is my 1 year anniversary of being a nurse. When I was in school I had in my head hospital hospital hospital for work when I graduated. I told myself I would never work in a nursing home again after being a CNA in one. However, my whole first year of nursing I have been working at a SNF/LTC facility specializing in Alzheimer's and dementia. This facility was only my 2nd interview and I was offered the job on the spot so I took it. My plan was 6 months in I would start applying at hospitals again and do what i had originally planned. However, I didnt end up doing that either. While nursing home nurses get a bad rep, I have seen some pretty disturbing care given in the hospitals around me. I get a terrible report from the nurses at the hospital before our admissions. They all sound tired and over worked. While working at a SNF is not my ideal job, I dont think I see myself working at a hospital anymore. If you're like me youre probably thinking you'll lose your "skills". But skills can be relearned. I don't do anything hardcore at my job but I have learned a great deal about how to care for the geriatric population ESP those with dementia. I've walked families through learning about hospice and seeing their loved one through til the end. You dont have to work in a hospital to be considered a great and compassionate nurse. A nurse is a nurse is a nurse and it doesnt matter where you apply your skills. If youre unhappy with your current job, look elsewhere. My SNF pays $4-6 more than the hospitals around here do too. My next plan is to do office or hospice nursing. Yes, nursing in general is a stressful and busy job, but theres places where it doesnt have to be all the time! I hope you find something that you like better soon!
I graduated with my BSN in 2013 and went straight into school nursing. I also live in Chicago, and know that many school districts are always looking for nurses!
ArrowRN, BSN, RN
4 Articles; 1,153 Posts
Oh and forget all the brain washing about med-surg as the foundation of nursing. There's a reason why the floors have the highest turnover rates and why some experienced nurses dont like it not being treated as its own specialty. One person from my class bypassed the whole butt wiping at bedside and got new grad position in research as Utilization review nurse. She is very happy. So it is possible