New Nurse - Unhappy

[Mandapandaa]

Hi all. I am a new nurse. I just graduated nursing school in May, took the Nclex in July and started working in August. Less than a month in to it I am extremely unhappy. I go into work feeling really stressed out and leave feeling the same way each shift. My preceptor and mangers constantly are really encouraging and tell me that I am doing a great job I just honestly do not feel like I am. I am constantly seconding guessing myself and honestly I do not believe floor nursing is for me. I signed a 3 year contract with the hospital I'm working at currently and I honestly don't know what to do. I don't know if I should continue pushing through although I feel absolutely miserable or just go ahead and break the contract and pay 5K to get out of it. I am so torn. Any advice would help. Thanks!

[Froggybelly]

It's perfectly normal to feel overwhelmed at first. That doesn't mean you should quit. It sounds like your team thinks you're doing a good job, even if it doesn't feel like it right now. They've seen enough new grads to know you're where you should be. Nursing has a steep learning curve and no one expects you to be perfect. Practice some calm breathing before you start your shift. Consider reading Benner's From Novice to Expert.