new nurse on orientation,questions?

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hi I've been on orientation for 2 1/2 months , the floor is too fast paced for me,i was think of resigning.if i do, would it be difficult for me to find a job somewhere else at another hospital?

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Specializes in Med/Surg.

Have you talked to your nurse manager about this? Perhaps they can find you a spot on a slower paced floor or a slower paced shift. I know when I started and actually still now...my floor was too fast paced for me...my head still spins. I have been off orientaion for 2 months now...good luck to you in whatever you choose to do.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Geri, Ortho, Telemetry, Psych.

As long as you give notice, it won't be hard for you to find another job. As a new nurse, you may have to try out a few different nursing jobs until you find what suits you. There is nothing wrong with that. Some people are made for the fast paced stuff, others are not. Personally, I like it fast. If it's so slow that I have only one thing to do, I will forget to do it. Some nurses work more effectively in stressful situations, some don't. Keep looking until you find what makes you happy. Good luck.:smokin:

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Variety is the beauty of nursing, there's something for everyone. You just have to keep looking. Just make sure you don't leave your unit short and give plenty of notice.

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Specializes in Cardiology, Oncology, Medsurge.

I totally feel for you and know what you're going through. Because not too long ago, I too was in the same boat as you. Thinking to myself, wow these preceptors expect sooo much from me and here they are explaining things I should be doing while I could be doing them..I wonder if this makes sense??? Just not enough time to fulfill all of their expectations and getting feedback from them: "You need to know your diagnostic procedures better and why they're ordered and such and such, or you should not push your Dilauded so fast, that patient almost coded until we gave him Narcan"...well, oops! Scary, scary business this nursing!!! Anyway, I would encourage you to stay afloat upon the saddle, because ol' bucking bronco Bill (the hospital nurse preceptor and hospital environment appears eager at first to throw you) but really, he just needs to teach you his needs...maybe your idea of nursing was less hectic and maybe your bringing a more calm understanding to the floor could help tame ol' Bill and everyone would be better for it! Remember the phrase: the hurrier I go the more behinder I get??? Anyhow, good luck!

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It's a frustrating situation because on the one hand you might be hearing from your current floor that you need to be "faster" and that perhaps this unit is just "too difficult" for you but then everyone else says that their area isn't any "slower" or "easier" than any other. So you just have to try and see what works FOR YOU. In exploring other areas, try to avoid saying that you're looking for something not as fast-paced. Just say that you're looking for a better match. If you try a different area, it's okay if you don't like it either. At that point, you'd know even more about yourself and perhaps be better able than you are now to see what to try next. Some people aren't understanding of needing to explore a bit, but it's your life and it's worth finding something you're comfortable with. Good luck!

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If you resign during orientation they usually let you leave right then, not after 2 weeks. That's what I did. I did talk to the NM several times and when things didn't get better for me I left. I do not put it on my resume since I was not there long and never got off orientation. I got a job just fine (NOT in a hospital) 2 weeks later that I have been at for over a year now.

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Specializes in cardiac/education.

I don't get it. I thought EVERY area of nursing could be considered fast pace.

In school, the only thing I have ever seen is nurses running their butts off. No matter where they were.:lol2:

I like a slower pace. Time to think. What floor will give you that, do you think? (asking everyone).....:idea:

To the OP...I feel for you. I don't know about your odds of getting a job in the future but I certainly would not stay where I didn't want to...

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Specializes in Cardiology.

For me, I worked a hectic tele unit with 6 pts a night. I now work a pcu unit with 4 pts a night. I feel with 4 pts i have more time to think about their care.... not just running and pushing meds.... What I'm trying to say is that their is better out there. I would go where I felt comfortable. Every single day I am so happy that I moved on. Good luck to you.

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for a slower pace - try private duty (in the person's home or in hospital)

or LTC

home visiting is a bit different, because you are with one patient (and maybe their family) at a time

(although the office can always reach you by phone to change your day)

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Specializes in Almost everywhere.

I feel for you and unfortunately this same situation happens where I work all of the time. The floor I work on is extremely fast paced and we are lucky to keep nurses there anywhere past orientation. Do what you need to do but make sure that you have sat down to write out the pluses and minuses of leaving your current position. Some things just don't work for people but do keep in mind that other employers may get cold feet if you are someone who consistently doesn't stay past orientation. I would keep that in mind for the future. I wish you the best of luck that you find what you are most comfortable with.

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It seems your hospital is being generous giving you that length of orientation. Don't be too quick to give up. Keep trying and see if things get better. Unless the situation is unsafe or you are being abused, try to make the effort. Self confidence is earned by facing difficult situations and overcoming them.

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