New Nurse Blues

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Allnuses.com has been very helpfull for me to see that alot of people go through new nurse blues and it WILL be ok. I graduated in May, moved to my first new house in a very very small community, husband deployed, got my license in July, got my young 2 children enrolled in school and got my first job as an RN at a great hospital an hour and 15 minutes away, worked for 3 months with a 7:1 patient ratio on a telemetry unit, to then come to the panicked realization that I'm not wonder woman, I CAN'T DO IT ALL. The administration was very understanding and worked with me but I had to quit. I just couldn't deal with the patient load, drive, stress, everything. My plate was full and I wasn't using the good china. My husband was very supportive. So its a new year, and I'm gonna try, I will find a new job closer. Its just soooo hard finding a job being a new graduate, can't do night shift and not having to drive over an hour away. My heart is with geriatrics but long term care facilities like LPNs and CNAs. The local hospitals want experience or night shifts. But I'm hanging in there. Something will come up that is a perfect fit. This site has shown me that alot of people go through the same thing and its OK. Thanks.:up:

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Anyone notice how the topic of high nurse to patient ratios are behind the bulk of complaints posted here?

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Specializes in LTAC,LTC, Med Surg.

I can so relate to you and what your going through. I graduated in May and took a job in a very busy Med Surg/telemetry unit. Even though I was told I was doing a fantastic job there, I had to leave. I was literally going crazy with the stress of this job. To top it off, I have several children at home that need a sane mom. The commute was about a hour away and some days were way to long. My husband spends long hours at work and doesn't pitch in with the cooking and cleaning. Well so I left. I came to the conclusion my first job is mom and so I left that job. I am contracted on a month by month basis by my agency to go to a local LTC facility. Its very close to my home and I work 24 hrs. per week. I work when I want to and the hrs. I want to as well. I am a RN and get to utilize my skills. This suits me now. My stress level is way down compared to before. Once I get a little more experience I will have even more opportunities. I know if you keep looking, you will be bound to find a job a little more tailored for you and your family. I know it can be difficult when your a new nurse and have a family to raise.

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Hi there...Just wanted to let you know that I'm sending good thoughts your way! My hubby deployed last Jan of 2007. We also just recently adopted our 3 foster kids that we have had for the past 2 years....In addition to the soon to start nursing program and my grad degree, I def understand the levels of stress and learning how to re-prioritize. I used to try to be superwoman as well! This just means you're getting to be more emotionally mature and taking on what you can handle! That is to be applauded.

Allnuses.com has been very helpfull for me to see that alot of people go through new nurse blues and it WILL be ok. I graduated in May, moved to my first new house in a very very small community, husband deployed, got my license in July, got my young 2 children enrolled in school and got my first job as an RN at a great hospital an hour and 15 minutes away, worked for 3 months with a 7:1 patient ratio on a telemetry unit, to then come to the panicked realization that I'm not wonder woman, I CAN'T DO IT ALL. The administration was very understanding and worked with me but I had to quit. I just couldn't deal with the patient load, drive, stress, everything. My plate was full and I wasn't using the good china. My husband was very supportive. So its a new year, and I'm gonna try, I will find a new job closer. Its just soooo hard finding a job being a new graduate, can't do night shift and not having to drive over an hour away. My heart is with geriatrics but long term care facilities like LPNs and CNAs. The local hospitals want experience or night shifts. But I'm hanging in there. Something will come up that is a perfect fit. This site has shown me that alot of people go through the same thing and its OK. Thanks.:up:
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NewNurseBlues, I wish you the best in your job search. Don't give up, there is something out there for you.

My hubby is retired from the Air Force and I understand how difficult deployments are. Are you near a base? When I was ready to quit my job, there were plenty of nursing jobs at the base hospital.

If your heart is in geriatrics, then keep trying! The elderly need more people like you in their corner.

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Specializes in A myriad of specialties.

I'm sending you good thoughts too! I wish you all the best in your endeavors--you've already taken the most important first step(i.e.,realizing you can't do it all) so you'll do fine.

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I can relate. I started in LTC as a new LPN. Unfortunately it was a very busy floor with very sick people. I went home in tears many days. I finally got it together and could handle the workload, but I went home stressed and tired. There were times I called off because I just couldn't go in. After 2 1/2 years I finally moved to nights. Life is so much better and I'm not so stressed. I can actually be a nurse and take care of my residents.

You WILL find your fit. What about a dr.s office or school nursing?

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Have you thought about hospice? Im in LTC and we have hospice nurses coming in all day long to set up new pt under hospice and planning their care.. give it a shot you might enjoy it

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Specializes in Med Surg, Tele, PH, CM.

Hang in there, kid, it will be better someday. You have just described my early life as a new grad. My husband is retired Air Force, so been there, done that. Still refer to that time as my "life sucks" period - everyone has one. If you are near a base, get involved there. Military wives are a club, and they could be your biggest supporters. Get back into acute care if you can, even if you only had 3 months experience, it is still experience. I can remember working 2 days a week for a few tours, you just can't juggle it all. But when my children reached the age of reason, I increased my hours one day at time. Hospice is like case management, most employers want a little acute care experience. Don't give up....

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what about home health? i have a friend in oklahoma who does this and she finds it very satisfying. she went right out of school into home health. she makes a fine living to boot. she gets to work with mostly the elderly, which she loves, and actually has daytime hours to work and evening and nights to be a mom.

my hubby is retired army. i completely get it. our kids grew up, they are high teens now, with their dad having to go out on deployments. i got close to the other women in my husbands unit, it made an easier transition, plus, we had this back up sitter pact, which was nice.

good luck!

thank you to your husband, and your family for your service to our country! :usnvy::usmc::usarm::usarfrc:

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Specializes in Did the job hop, now in MS. Not Bad!!!!!.
I can so relate to you and what your going through. I graduated in May and took a job in a very busy Med Surg/telemetry unit. Even though I was told I was doing a fantastic job there, I had to leave. I was literally going crazy with the stress of this job. To top it off, I have several children at home that need a sane mom. The commute was about a hour away and some days were way to long. My husband spends long hours at work and doesn't pitch in with the cooking and cleaning. Well so I left. I came to the conclusion my first job is mom and so I left that job. I am contracted on a month by month basis by my agency to go to a local LTC facility. Its very close to my home and I work 24 hrs. per week. I work when I want to and the hrs. I want to as well. I am a RN and get to utilize my skills. This suits me now. My stress level is way down compared to before. Once I get a little more experience I will have even more opportunities. I know if you keep looking, you will be bound to find a job a little more tailored for you and your family. I know it can be difficult when your a new nurse and have a family to raise.

Hi Holly,

quickie questions:

Did you have any problems registering w/ an agency as a newbie? How did you go about it, and what skills did you have already? I need to be employed!! Granted it's only been a month, but I too left my highly stressful job for my health's sake and now just do not know what to do...

Thanks!

Chloe

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Specializes in LTAC,LTC, Med Surg.

Chloe,

I happened to stay with the agency that employed me as a cna. I know its rare, but my agency was able to place me with a few government LTC facilities which their only requirement was for me to have my RN license. I do IV therapy, foley catheter insertions, bladder irrigations, tube feedings, suctioning, accuchecks, dressing changes and various treatments to name a few of the skills I use. Contrary to some peoples beliefs about LTC, I even get to use my critical thinking skills. This is good for now but I am still trying to figure out what my niche is. I know when I get to that one year mark I will have more opportunities to do more. Like I said previously, my stress level is way down. Another plus is I'm making a higher hourly wage as well. Keep trying till you can find something thats suits you. Their are several areas you can explore.

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