New RN burnt out

barcode120x, RN, NP · Jun 4, 2020

The obvious choice is to look elsewhere, but unfortunately you can never know if another facility/position will treat you well. I personally think it's not worth working at place that you dislike and/or is not good for your mental health and if I were me, I would leave. Then again, I don't know how financially stable you are, if 9 months of experience is enough to go somewhere else, etc. There's a lot of factors you will need to consider if/when you leave. But remember, there's no guarantee your 2nd, 3rd, or even 4th job will be better, worse, or neither. You'll come across crappy patients, crappy docs, crappy nurses, crappy management, crappy workplace, crappy everything. You're bound to come across at least one of those but unfortunately, that's the nature of nursing.

It's hard for me to say "you'll get used to it," because sometimes that is the truth to nursing and it is hard to get away from it all. But, there are some things you will get used to. Just like you, I was terrified to have to call the doc for anything because of similar reasons you had mentioned about asking the wrong question, giving the wrong answer, etc. Over time I got used to and now, I just call the doc with whatever I need with no hard feelings on either end. My first 6 months were the most anxious months I've ever lived because of nursing. I would sit in my car after work for 20-30 min thinking if I forgot something. I would lose sleep because I would think about what potential sick patients I might get and what I would have to deal with.

Find good coping strategies and stress relieving hobbies. Weightlifting really helped me through my first year as a new grad; although I didn't nearly have it as tough as you. I found solace with the new grads that started with me. We all hung out and talked about our days. It really helped to talk to others that were dealing with similar anxiety issues. Good luck and focus on your health!

JKL33 · Jun 4, 2020

Sorry you are feeling bad. Start with giving yourself some credit for surviving these 9 months. You undoubtedly have learned a lot more than you realize.

One thing that complicates everything is this idea about acute care. Yes, in acute care there is more support; if nothing else there are just more people around (peers) who can be consulted throughout the day.

It isn't a bad idea to keep putting out feelers for other jobs, but I agree with the previous poster that there are no guarantees about finding a better environment. Hospitals have their own expectations and they aren't especially pleasant about getting done exactly what they want done. They're no different than any other big business.

Some small part of this is internal discomfort and you should continue taking steps to conquer that. For example:

16 hours ago, jennsrn said:
I am scared to ask questions sometimes, in fear I will look like an idiot

You fear that someone else might think you're an idiot or mock you in some way or find your questions ridiculous. Well, realistically it's unlikely that you're surrounded by people who are far and away more intelligent than you are. They probably know some things you don't, especially if they have been there longer than you and/or been a nurse longer, but they learned what they know the same way that you're going to learn what you need to know. They aren't a different breed that is just inherently better and smarter than you.

Ask away and be pleasant about it. Tip: If you are pleasantly assertive (using good posture, eye contact, friendly face, etc.) they will be WAY less likely to find something to pick at. Unfortunately those who look like easy targets are often targeted. If you give off the vibe that there's something wrong with asking questions (by displaying reluctance, insecurity, shame, etc), then others might just follow suit and treat it as if there actually is something wrong with it. Work on what you are displaying/projecting; make sure it is confidence, pleasant assertiveness. Don't be ashamed.

16 hours ago, jennsrn said:
I question what situations warrant me to call the doctor or not to call the doctor, and whenever I have to call the doctor I get so scared because I don't want to say the wrong thing, and don't want to look like an incompetent nurse (even though the doctors are VERY nice)

Ask yourself what's the worst that can happen. This helps keep your own anxieties in check. What's the worst that can happen when calling a doctor? Realistically it won't be much worse than having to hear snide comments or being yelled at. While this isn't pleasant (and isn't appropriate), it's a big whoop-dee-doo overall. Who cares. When others act inappropriately it doesn't say anything about YOU. It says something about them.

If you are concerned about a patient or need something for a patient, get your thoughts together (write down a concise summary if that helps you), have recent vital signs on hand, and have access to the chart. Present your case in a professional tone, and use common courtesies. That's all there is to it. If someone doesn't like that, it's their problem.

Summary: You're getting by. Go ahead and feel a little more confident that you can handle things. Nothing wrong with continuing to look for other employment possibilities, but in the meantime keep moving forward with your confidence and overall patient management.

Best wishes~

speedynurse, ADN, BSN, RN, EMT-P · Jun 5, 2020

It is good that you recognize you need a change. That is the first step. One thing I recommend is make sure you have a very good resume and cover letter to sell yourself as a future employee. I agree that jobs are somewhat hard to come by right now in the midst of a pandemic, but don't let that stop you from trying. I started in the ER and am still in that environment, so can attest that acute care is very tough. However, the difference is that IF you have a supportive team (and some acute care is supportive and some is not), then that can make the craziness a little less crazy.

Queen Tiye, RN · Jun 6, 2020

Can your sister get you hired at her facility? You should be able to land a hospital interview as long as you include that you are enrolled in a bachelors program. Ask for an informational interview with talent acquisition/ HR. Tell them that you are great at your job but would like to work with higher acuities and more experience RNs. Ask them how best to get onboard. Dress like you are interviewing and have all of your supporting documents with you. Show them you are ready.

jennsrn · Jun 8, 2020

On 6/5/2020 at 10:15 PM, Queen Tiye said:
Can your sister get you hired at her facility? You should be able to land a hospital interview as long as you include that you are enrolled in a bachelors program. Ask for an informational interview with talent acquisition/ HR. Tell them that you are great at your job but would like to work with higher acuities and more experience RNs. Ask them how best to get onboard. Dress like you are interviewing and have all of your supporting documents with you. Show them you are ready.

I applied at the facility... management there is terrible I'm finding. No call back, no interview. I figure it's because they don't want me working in the same building as my sister even though I was told that's not a legitimate reason not to hire someone. Which is unfortunate because I really think I'd benefit well in a strict subacute setting, where it's similar to a hospital setting, but not as extreme. I'm going back and forth on the hospital setting. I'm not sure if I'll like it, but I can't imagine not TRYING, even if it's only a couple years to get some med/surg experience. My problem is I worry too much about what others say and think. I don't want people looking down on me because I have no hospital experience, or desire to work in a hospital. My overall goal is to find a nice job outpatient, I do have interests in forensics and case management. I did apply to some hospitals in my area, so hopefully I get a call back. In the mean time I'm trying to stick out my current job until the 1 year mark, and look for other sub-acute jobs with better hours.

Thanks for your input and advice!!

jennsrn · Jun 8, 2020

On 6/4/2020 at 1:45 PM, JKL33 said:
Sorry you are feeling bad. Start with giving yourself some credit for surviving these 9 months. You undoubtedly have learned a lot more than you realize.
One thing that complicates everything is this idea about acute care. Yes, in acute care there is more support; if nothing else there are just more people around (peers) who can be consulted throughout the day.
It isn't a bad idea to keep putting out feelers for other jobs, but I agree with the previous poster that there are no guarantees about finding a better environment. Hospitals have their own expectations and they aren't especially pleasant about getting done exactly what they want done. They're no different than any other big business.
Some small part of this is internal discomfort and you should continue taking steps to conquer that. For example:
You fear that someone else might think you're an idiot or mock you in some way or find your questions ridiculous. Well, realistically it's unlikely that you're surrounded by people who are far and away more intelligent than you are. They probably know some things you don't, especially if they have been there longer than you and/or been a nurse longer, but they learned what they know the same way that you're going to learn what you need to know. They aren't a different breed that is just inherently better and smarter than you.
Ask away and be pleasant about it. Tip: If you are pleasantly assertive (using good posture, eye contact, friendly face, etc.) they will be WAY less likely to find something to pick at. Unfortunately those who look like easy targets are often targeted. If you give off the vibe that there's something wrong with asking questions (by displaying reluctance, insecurity, shame, etc), then others might just follow suit and treat it as if there actually is something wrong with it. Work on what you are displaying/projecting; make sure it is confidence, pleasant assertiveness. Don't be ashamed.
Ask yourself what's the worst that can happen. This helps keep your own anxieties in check. What's the worst that can happen when calling a doctor? Realistically it won't be much worse than having to hear snide comments or being yelled at. While this isn't pleasant (and isn't appropriate), it's a big whoop-dee-doo overall. Who cares. When others act inappropriately it doesn't say anything about YOU. It says something about them.
If you are concerned about a patient or need something for a patient, get your thoughts together (write down a concise summary if that helps you), have recent vital signs on hand, and have access to the chart. Present your case in a professional tone, and use common courtesies. That's all there is to it. If someone doesn't like that, it's their problem.
Summary: You're getting by. Go ahead and feel a little more confident that you can handle things. Nothing wrong with continuing to look for other employment possibilities, but in the meantime keep moving forward with your confidence and overall patient management.
Best wishes~

Thank you!! I really needed to hear that. I am trying to work on the whole self-confidence issue, especially when speaking with doctors, NPs, etc. I just feel because I am so new, I'll say something stupid or look incompetent. But then I tell myself I rather look stupid than risk a patient's health and/or life, and my license. But I realize I won't be the nurse I aspire to be in month's time. The only thing I can do is keep looking for employment elsewhere, and in the meantime make the best of my current situation. Go into work with a positive attitude, ask questions, and also be open to learning. I think part of my issue is that I started in a SNF that had no "new grad residency", so I was kind of just given a short one month orientation and told to figure it out, so not feeling supported and comfortable in my current environment hasn't helped my anxiety, fear, and incompetency. I have made it 9 months so far though, and I'm sure I have made progress, and I need to give myself at least a little more credit!

Thanks for your advice and help!!

jennsrn · Jun 8, 2020

On 6/4/2020 at 1:06 PM, barcode120x said:
The obvious choice is to look elsewhere, but unfortunately you can never know if another facility/position will treat you well. I personally think it's not worth working at place that you dislike and/or is not good for your mental health and if I were me, I would leave. Then again, I don't know how financially stable you are, if 9 months of experience is enough to go somewhere else, etc. There's a lot of factors you will need to consider if/when you leave. But remember, there's no guarantee your 2nd, 3rd, or even 4th job will be better, worse, or neither. You'll come across crappy patients, crappy docs, crappy nurses, crappy management, crappy workplace, crappy everything. You're bound to come across at least one of those but unfortunately, that's the nature of nursing.
It's hard for me to say "you'll get used to it," because sometimes that is the truth to nursing and it is hard to get away from it all. But, there are some things you will get used to. Just like you, I was terrified to have to call the doc for anything because of similar reasons you had mentioned about asking the wrong question, giving the wrong answer, etc. Over time I got used to and now, I just call the doc with whatever I need with no hard feelings on either end. My first 6 months were the most anxious months I've ever lived because of nursing. I would sit in my car after work for 20-30 min thinking if I forgot something. I would lose sleep because I would think about what potential sick patients I might get and what I would have to deal with.
Find good coping strategies and stress relieving hobbies. Weightlifting really helped me through my first year as a new grad; although I didn't nearly have it as tough as you. I found solace with the new grads that started with me. We all hung out and talked about our days. It really helped to talk to others that were dealing with similar anxiety issues. Good luck and focus on your health!

This is another fear of mine. Leaving my current job to go to another job that's just as bad. It's hard making that decision, because I can be just as miserable at my next job. I also think part of the problem is that I started in a facility that has no new nurses. No new grad residency, no other nurses I can express concerns with, and talk about my feelings with. I was given a very short orientation time and felt I was not properly trained on certain things, which I also think hasn't helped my self-esteem and confidence in my abilities. Management never checks up on me, asks how I am, never gives me feedback on what I'm doing good, bad, or what needs improvement, and it bothers me. Unfortunately there are many companies out there that have corrupt and unorganized management.

Thanks for your advice!