New nurse cracking under pressure

llg, PhD, RN · Sep 26, 2007

Do you think you can handle your old job or not? ... and do you want to? Those are the questions. If you just had a temporary melt down, but really want to succeed on that unit, then swallow your pride and go back. Apologize for resigning abruptly and ask them to help you succeed.

However, if you don't want to work on that unit and or really don't think you CAN succeed on that unit, then there is nothing to gain by going back and being miserable.

You need to be brutally honest with yourself and do a thorough self-assessment. Do you have the knowledge, skills, and determination to succeed on that unit? Do you really want to do it? Then committ yourself one way or the other. Go back, ask for their help, and do whatever it takes to make it work .... or stay away and be prepared to face the consequences of that decision. Prepare an answer for the questions about why you left your first job. Reheorifice what you will say and how you will talk about your experience there -- not only for your interviews, but as you work with your new colleagues.

Only you can decide which path is right for you.

deeDawntee, RN · Sep 26, 2007

I would call tomorrow and see if you can get your old job back. You have been through too much to give up now. Remember the old adage

that you never quit a job until you have another one in place? Go back and talk to your manager, it sounds like she is a pretty good one. Ask for her advice. She may be able to support you in a transfer to a less stressful unit. Often managers work together and don't want to lose promising new nurses. Go back, nobody is going to care. We all have done similar things, believe me. You will not regret it. If you can't get a transfer, then start sending out resumes while you are still employed and be sure to give your full notice, if possible.

In the meantime, you may find support by posting on Allnurses about how to deal with stressors, or to just vent how bad your shift was. That is OK and people do it all the time. You will certainly will have supportive suggestions and caring comments from many.

Hang in there!! :yeah: :yeah: :yeah:

seenitallERnurse · Sep 26, 2007

hey, not-so-jolly holly,

don't give up on the profession.

after i graduated, i interviewed for a busy med-surg unit. the interviewer assured me that it would be very busy (3-11 shift--lots of post-ops coming back after am surgeries). she scared me enough that i waited six months and hired in on another unit. i graduated may and hired in the next february. not a good idea, but my pedi unit mgr was generous and gave me eight weeks orientation (usually allowed six weeks).

through a twist of fate beyond my control, i was on the very med-surg floor a year later. of course, by then i did have some experience and confidence but yes, it was busy!

i agree with the suggestion to consider returning to the same employer but see if they could re-assign you to another unit. or, just consider another employer and avoid med-surg. if you could find a single-focus unit (neuro, oncology), you would still have to learn specific new things but maybe not as hectic as med-surg can be.

we need nurses--you, your skills, and your knowledge are in high-demand. don't walk away from it. something will work out just for what you need!

abundantjoy07, RN · Sep 26, 2007

It's your license. It's your happiness. It's your joy.

If you are hating something, if it's taking away from you, and if you just aren't happy then you have a right to say, "No, thank you" and leave.

So you quit. Quitting means you recognized that your job wasn't a good fit for you and that's okay. No one position is meant for everyone. Everyone has their own areas, their own niche.

It's good that your manager said positive things about you. You didn't leave the job on bad terms. I would go ahead and apply to another facility/floor and when they ask why you left your old job be honest and tell them it just wasn't for you. Let them know you left on good terms. Maybe you can even ask your old manager for a letter of reference.

The unit has a large turnover...that says a lot. I would not go back to your old job just because you have an oppourtunity to go back. Nothing is going to change overnight and you'll probably want to leave again. Except this time it will look bad leaving a second time in under a year.

There's lots of places looking for nurses. Just let bygones be bygones and apply to as many new jobs as you can.

ALWAYS trust your instinct. If you weren't happy you just weren't happy. Your husband might be mad but he's not the one working those 12 hour days in your shoes so he really has no right to be upset. Unless he was nursing up there for 2 months he cannot say a word about how mad he is.

I wish you good luck in your new job...you'll be back on your feet before you know it.

cat2007 · Sep 26, 2007

I feel like I could have written your post myself! I graduated in May and worked on a med-surg unit for 2 months. I knew it was a hectic floor but I was determined. By the second month though I was dreading going to work.

We worked short everyday because 90% of the time a RN would call out sick. The night shift was staffed better than days. If my preceptor was off, no one wanted to volunteer to precept because they were just as stressed with 8 patients. It was a chaotic environment to learn in. Granted - I am very detail oriented, but I did not feel safe. I know there are shortcuts that all nurses learn, but I did not want to take any shortcuts being a new RN. I need to find my way and the best way for my patients.

I left 2 weeks before my preceptorship officially ended. They were disappointed and I felt horrible, but I had to do what was best for me and my family. I was lucky. I was able to get rehired at a hospital closer to home where I worked during school. They only have part-time available but I know I will be much happier. I can always work extra if needed.

Best of luck in your job search. You can make the 2 months you spent at the hospital more positive by saying that the 12 hour shifts were just too much or the commute was too far. Let us know what happens!

coffeeholic · Sep 26, 2007

Hi,

I read here often, but haven't posted before. You've done what I've dreamed of doing. I'm a new grad nurse and have only been on my unit (orientation included) for about 5 months. On days that I have to go to work, before I leave the house, I find myself on the computer searching for new jobs. I start dreading work the day before I have to go in--panic, anxiety, dread.

I work nights, and I miss being home with my family in the evenings & I hate not seeing them for 2 days at a time when I work 2 nights in a row.

There have been so many shifts where I want to walk straight out and quit. I work on a busy more than med-surg unit. It's not what I thought it'd be at all. I thought I'd like the variety.

I've found an opening in the OR at another nearby hospital--and I find myself longing to focus on just 1 patient at a time, even if there is more stuff going on with them. I admit that the fact that they can't really talk back for the majority of that time is a draw too. I'm scared, but I think I'm going to put in an application b/c the idea of going in for more shifts for 6 more months makes my stomach turn.

Anyway, if you found yourself quitting, then your heart is probably trying to tell you something. Good luck.

hollyjolly · Sep 26, 2007

I would like to thank all of you for your encouragement. This has really helped me to come to terms with the decision I made. Its nice coming here to know there are people walking in the same shoes as me and have lived the same experiences as a new grad. I will keep looking for the job that will be more suitable for me and my family. As far as I am concerned, like is too short and why be miserable? Thanks again.

RN Randy · Sep 26, 2007

I would like to thank all of you for your encouragement. This has really helped me to come to terms with the decision I made. Its nice coming here to know there are people walking in the same shoes as me and have lived the same experiences as a new grad. I will keep looking for the job that will be more suitable for me and my family. As far as I am concerned, like is too short and why be miserable? Thanks again.

Life is indeed too short for anyone to sit in a swill and drown. I hear there is a nursing shortage, and I hear that sickness and disease will be around a while, so bet you won't have trouble finding a place to apply your skill. I've also quite recently made a life-altering decision only to find that my life didn't alter at all, but my attitude sure did, and by golly I'm once again jolly, Holly!

You have to do what your heart tells you. You have to be happy at your job, and I don't mean 'nursing', I mean working amongst good people at a good facility.

You've got nearly 7,700 places to choose from, so don't be afraid to pick one out and give it a try. Work sucks, and it always will, there's always the bad with the good, but you can really have a great job and a rewarding career in nursing.

That job is out there, you just have to go find it.

good luck!

rb

Beary-nice · Sep 26, 2007

I feel for you.

I too work on a very busy and chaotic med-surg floor. It is known in the tri-county area for having a very bad rep. Heck, even my mom knew about the bad rep and was in tears when I told her almost 5 years ago that I had gotten a job there.

I started as an LPN there and just graduated this May and passed boards for my RN. I thought things would be better...not. I got 15 shifts of orientation which they thought was good enough for me since I had already worked there and this would have been my 18th year as a LPN. Let me tell you, 15 shifts seemed hardly enough. There is so much I had no idea about and it is so overwhelming. There is major turn-over here too, staff and patients. The staff problems that have existed all the while I have been there haven't changed, in fact, I was in my manager's office yesterday to give her my side of the story regarding a major incident between two staff members that occurred Sat. nite and continued on until Sunday nite. I went home mentally and emotionally exhausted Sunday, as if it isn't difficult enough to work on this floor.

I also work all weekends, and get to hear constant chatter by fellow staff members of how weekenders get paid so much money and they don't know anything and they can't prioritize and stay late charting all of the time. I have to stay late sometimes, but not all of the time. That really hurt and even though I don't know that the comments are meant for me, I am offended.

So, what is the answer? I am still trying to figure out myself. Have I looked at other jobs, you bet I have. Today, I went and got an application at a rural hospital close to where I live. Just the sheer fact that I have that in my hands gives me satisfaction because I have the right to do what I want. And then I went and bought some chocolate and some new shampoo and a journal because I decided I was going to start writing when I feel bad.

What it comes down to is I have my sights on a bigger prize. I have always wanted to work in ICU as long as I can remember. To have that opportunity, I need to tough it out where I am at knowing that someday it will be bittersweet.

I hope you find what you are looking for. Just know that there are others out there who feel the same. Thank you for sharing your story and best of luck to you.

azor · Sep 26, 2007

If me for one had to quit like that,i dont think i will want to go back to the same old place cos,i'll hate myself if they have to reject my desire to come back.If you can handle the heat,go back but if you think you wouldnt want to go back to the floor,see if they can transfer you to better floor for you or alternatively,MOVE ON and stop blaming your self.Dont cry over the spilt milk.The did has been done and you got to move on.If you want,you can swallow your pride and go back but if i were you,dont cos you'll hate yourself if they dont consider your request but since you said your manager commended you,follow your heart and goodluck

**canoehead, BSN, RN** · Sep 26, 2007

Maybe I'm an oddball but after 20 years in nursing I have had and witnessed many a meltdown. I think that it is not the fact that you melted that should cause concern, it's how you pick yourself up afterwards. Were you able to care for patients after you had a break, a drink, and a hug? Did you apologize if you needed to? Did you fix the mistake or problem, and accept help if you needed it?

Now if your job sucks, that's another thing. Even good jobs have days from the dark side, and shifts that you talk about for years later. If you have that kind of shift every day, or even once a week you may want to think about another position. New grads unfortunately have to live through that horrible first year. If you're a new grad and you have a good day once in a while give yourself a big pat on the back and soldier on.