New Nurse Not Happy / Anxious About Job

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Hello, I would like to know if there's someone here who had bad experience with their first nursing job and how did you guys cope with it. Please share because this time I feel like it's the end of the world and would like to quit. Also, Please excuse my English because I'm not a native English speaker. Thank you so much.

First of all, I'm a new nurse and just landed a job in skilled nursing facility 2 weeks ago. I made a mistake for not reporting abuse within the exact time frame to my administrator but I did report it to my supervisor on time. My supervisor didn't do anything about it and she just told me it's okay. I know for sure that it's not okay and I need to report it but I wasn't aware that it should be within 2hrs. What I knew is within 24hrs. To make the story short, I am now in trouble for not doing that. I got all the blame and my administrator was so upset like she pointed fingers on me for not following the policy and now they might get in trouble. Also, I did my part by assessing both involved resident and no one got hurt or harm. My coworkers are just unhelpful. I asked help from them and they just told me the they don't know. DON and administrator was so upset to the point that I cried in front of them. I felt dumb and stupid and so anxious right now. I fee like I wanted to quit. I can't handle the stress. I'm anxious. Everything is just full of negativity on my end. I feel like I don't wanna work there anymore.

Please share your experience and how did you cope with it? How did you handle the situation? Did you resigned? 

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Pediatric Float, PICU, NICU.

If you search through this forum for “new nurse anxiety” you will get thread after thread after thread of people posting similar experiences just like yours. The first year as a nurse is the roughest, this is normal. Take care of your mental health and push through as much as you can.

Also as an aside, your English is perfect. I would have never known if you wouldn’t have mentioned it. 

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Specializes in New Critical care NP, Critical care, Med-surg, LTC.

There are many people with bad first job experiences. I think you got some good responses on your original post about this situation, I hope that things turn out okay for you. However, even if you don't continue in this particular job, many people have a bad experience followed by a successful career. Good luck!

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Can you tell us your current standing with them? Are they disciplining you for this, threatening you with further moves they plan to take, or did they just speak harshly? I'm not trying to minimize the stress of being treated this way after only a couple of weeks on the job, it's just that in my mind harsh criticism is one thing and discipline or threatening you is completely another.

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They gave me written warning that states "Poor work performance". I feel like I don't deserve to be there anymore. I'm traumatized the way the administrator talked to me especially she uses my name like how dumb I am for not reporting this incident during the meeting with all the staff. All staff stare at me like how idiot I am. My whole soul and mind fell apart now.

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Geriatrics, Wound Care.

I'll be honest, if they are writing you up for "poor work performance" at 2 weeks in, I would probably look for  a more supportive workplace.

As a brand new nurse should still be under orientation at 2 weeks. If they are singling you out in a meeting, that is also inappropriate. Discussion of timing of events should be simple statement of facts, "Just a reminder, but incidents need to be reported in 2 hours, here is a copy of our policy"..

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There are no orientation the way it supposed to because they are short staff and they need nurses on the floor. Well, there were quick videos that we watched and that was it. A lot of people told me to ignore the situation but it is so hard in my part. I don't know what to do.

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Geriatrics, Wound Care.

Honestly, If I were you, I would look for another job. Then quit once you have accepted an actual offer. Quitting without a 'backup plan' can be risky.  But, until then, just go in every day and try to get an opportunity to learn. Learn the medications, treatments for various diagnosis, and time management.

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On 1/31/2021 at 1:57 PM, Ariana30 said:

They gave me written warning that states "Poor work performance".

On 1/31/2021 at 2:56 PM, Ariana30 said:

There are no orientation the way it supposed to because they are short staff and they need nurses on the floor.

This is unacceptable treatment in my opinion.

I would do as above--take the opportunity to learn what you can and just provide the very best care that you can. Carry yourself with purpose. Really. Learn the lesson of your mistake but otherwise carry yourself as if this never happened. Be professional and pleasantly assertive. According to what you have told us in your two posts about the situation, there is no excuse for their handling of this. It is a$$hat behavior on their part. It would be a mistake to further injure yourself through your own poor reaction. Put your head up and your shoulders back, smile, be pleasant and professional, and get to work.

And.....look for another job. Continue looking for a place that might be slightly more rational and supportive.

Good luck ~

Edit/P.S.: It is pretty much imperative that you stand up for yourself. The way I see it you really DO need to do these things I'm mentioning to you or you will be at risk for receiving similar treatment wherever you go and simply finding a new place to work won't be the answer. ??

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Update:

I just quit because I got another  offer. And just today, my Don called me to remind not to answer call from DOh for interview about the incident.Why she's telling me that?DOH is not a joke so  I'm really worried like what is going to happen? Am I going to lost my license? I wanted to answer the call if because I want them to hear my side though I made mistake. What do you think? Please enlighten me.

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Geriatrics, Wound Care.

Wow.. The DoH.. Do you have ? Probably not yet, but in the future you may look into it. If you don't, you may want to find a lawyer that specializes in nursing/medical issues and consult with them (and refer the DoH to the lawyer if needed). I'm so sorry you are going through this stuff. Also, I would write a journal about everything you can remember from the incident (patient names, times of incidents, what you did, specifically what did you physically asses and how (visual, palpate), etc), since you may not remember it all later.

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Specializes in Mental health, substance abuse, geriatrics, PCU.

Get a lawyer now, you need an advocate so you don't get screwed by the department of health or your former employer.

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