New Grad Struggles

Editorial Team / Moderator · Feb 12, 2018

Welcome to allnurses! I have moved your post from the site feedback forum to the first year after licensure forum to encourage responses.

Give yourself a little time! It is natural to be anxious after only a couple of weeks; heck, that will likely continue for a while but should ease in time as you gain experience. We all want to provide the best care that we can, and it can cause anxiety when we feel like we don't have a handle on everything. I assume you are still on orientation? Have you talked to your preceptor?

KenyakeoniRN · Feb 13, 2018

Thank you. I am and I told her that it's really hard for me. This is like a nursing nightmare. I feel stuck in this job. What if nursing is not for me. Im freaking out.

RNNPICU, BSN, RN · Feb 13, 2018

What were your initial reasons for wanting this unit? How are you working with your preceptor? See if there is a way you can take some time to learn the different conditions you see on the unit, what meds are frequently seen, and take some time to read about your patients. Many new nurses have anxiety, especially because these patients are sick. Work with your preceptor on helping you learn about these different cardiac population. Take some time on your days off and read up on them as well.

bugya90, ASN, BSN, LVN, RN · Feb 13, 2018

If you are part of a new grad residency program, speak with your program coordinator to see if you can work a shift or two on another floor to see if you really hate cardiac or if you are just overwhelmed since you're new. If it is truly that you hate cardiac then they may be able to transfer you to a different floor if there are any openings. You may have to wait to transfer until the next scheduling cycle or they may make you wait however long your company policy dictates for transfers but it is normally better to be upfront and honest about it than torture yourself in a unit that you hate.

KenyakeoniRN · Feb 14, 2018

I choose the Cardiac unit just to work at the hospital. It pays for you to continue your education 100%. Thwy say that you have to work a year before transfer but they can move you if its just to much.

KenyakeoniRN · Feb 14, 2018

I am going to speak with them about how I feel and Im appling for jobs.

inthecosmos, BSN, MSN, RN, APRN · Feb 17, 2018

I would definitely recommend talking to both your unit educator and nurse manager before applying and accepting any additional positions. It may be that you're a new grad and the feeling of incompetence is overwhelming. We have all been there. I'd be more afraid if you said you knew everything and felt 100% confident this is what you were going to do.

While staying at a job you hate isn't something I'd recommend, you may need more experience before other organizations take you on. Just a thought.

Editorial Team / Moderator · Feb 17, 2018

What sorts of jobs are you applying for? It sounds like most patients might feel scary for you right now; I would definitely give yourself a little more time before you bail. New employers might wonder if you are going to bail on them as well and might not take a chance. Nursing is hard, and there is no more difficult time than the very beginning.

What other areas might you transfer to in house? How long is your orientation and what would it be in a new unit?

KenyakeoniRN · Feb 19, 2018

What sorts of jobs are you applying for? It sounds like most patients might feel scary for you right now; I would definitely give yourself a little more time before you bail. New employers might wonder if you are going to bail on them as well and might not take a chance. Nursing is hard, and there is no more difficult time than the very beginning.
What other areas might you transfer to in house? How long is your orientation and what would it be in a new unit?

Hey I was looking at Psych or Doctor's office. I am trying to stay for at least 6 months and I am struggling. I cant eat and im losing so much weight. It is hard and i pray it gets better.