New grad scared to start orientation

[fallie14]

Hi! I am a new grad who just passed boards (yay!). I accepted a position in a level 3 NICU before I was done with school. I thought it was my dream job. I did a preceptorship/internship in a different level 3 NICU before school ended and it was ok but I wasn't completely and utterly in love with it, then again, I haven't found any nursing that I feel like that with. I am definitely a person that likes to have my weekends off and likes to have holidays off (I know that is rare and unheard of in hospital nursing). I am scared to start my orientation in a few days because I'm not sure hospital and/or NICU nursing is for me and im just nervous to work in an intensive care unit also. I moved to a new state for this job and I can't tell if this is just me being scared or if I'm really second guessing my career choice. I've always considered a clinic nurse job but I don't know how much they hire new grads or if I'd be able to find a job! I wish I would have researched this more before I applied for jobs, my school pushed hospital nursing a lot though so it was unheard of to work in a clinic right out of school. I don't know if I should quit before I start orientation so they don't waste money on me or if I should stick to my commitment until at least 6 months or so??

Thoughts? Opinions? Anything will help.

[JadedCPN, BSN, RN]

Only you can decide what's best for you. I personally would stick it out, give it a chance, and even if you don't like it you are going to learn SO much from it - you'll be able to take that with you your entire career and be a better nurse because of it. But you have to go into it with a positive an open mind instead of already planning an escape.

[NICU Guy, BSN, RN]

Clinics are shifting away from RNs and relying more on Medical assistants and an LPN. Most people would love to have weekends off and no holidays. Those positions are highly sought out and are non-bedside nursing which are scooped up by nurses that have put in many years in the hospital. You might try an Outpatient surgery center. They usually don't work weekends or holidays.

[Nurse Beth, MSN]

It's you being scared, and that's normal. It's part of the process. Best wishes and congratulations!

[No Stars In My Eyes]

Yeah, I think your nerves are normal. New grad, new to a hospital and moved to a new state? Maybe it's excitement mixed in with the fear? I know I used to really look forward to making changes in my life back in my 20's and 30's. It was liberating to do something new and different, and get the experiences under my belt. That's what built my confidence, realizing that "Hey, I'm doing okay!"

No job, even a 'dream job' is going to be what you expect...and it could surprise you and may end up being better than you ever imagined. Yes, it can happen! But even that doesn't preclude a fly or two in the ointment. Nothing is as perfect as the imagined expectations of a dream job. And an "okay" job is a fine place to start your career.

Don't keep second-guessing yourself. I think jumping right in and getting wet is the thing to do. Nothing lasts forever anyway, you know..."This too shall pass" ....really and truly it isn't just a cliche'd saying. Sadly, even the 'good' passes, too.

To me that is harder than going INTO something, having to leave or say goodbye to something/someone that was a positive in life.

Believe it or not, regardless of any outcome, you will be fine!

My husband wants to add his favorite saying when he faces something daunting:

"Well, that's okay; they can only kill me, they can't eat me."

(I'm not sure that's helpful; but he hopes it will make you smile)

[member123]

I think it is completely normal to feel nervous and scared, especially with everything being so new and an intensive care unit can feel overwhelming. However, that is why there is an orientation to make sure you are prepared and to gradually progress until you are prepared. If there isn't a nursing area that you completely fell in love with, then I really don't think there is a point to quit this so soon. I would recommended jumping into it with a positive outlook, you might just love it.

An instructor of mine worked at a NICU for 1 year (she wanted it to look good on her resume, so she stuck it out and told herself she will stay for at least 1 year). She said she cried almost everyday on her way home and she hated it. On her last day of the 1 year period, she had a resignation letter prepared, but on that last day she had an amazing day and decided to stay. She ended up working there for 10 years and said it was by far her favorite job.

I think if you enjoyed your preceptorship experience and you got lucky enough to find a position in the NICU, then why not give it a shot. Experience is always great. See how you like it.