New RN.... Did I pick the wrong career?

[RN1221]

Hello,

I am a brand new RN working on a med/surg/tele floor. I am working at a hospital that has a 2 month new grad residency training program and I am feeling SO overwhelmed. I did well in Nursing school and I feel like starting out on the floor I know nothing : ( This isn't the area of nursing that I want to be in, but I know that I have to get experience and start somewhere. I feel like I should know more about things but I don't. I am very anxious about taking on patients when I don't have a preceptor any longer. I hear from people at the hospital that the floor I work on is one of the busiest, I am just feeling like I can't do it and will never be up to speed. Is this a normal feeling for a new RN or did I pick the wrong career? Any advice would be much appreciated!

Sincerley,

SUPER STRESSED OUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[RN890]

Hello there!! I am a newer nurse too (2 years experience) and I think what you're feeling is totally normal!!! I too, started out on a med/surg/tele/stroke unit. It is VERY overwhelming at first. I think med/surg can be overwhelming to even the experienced nurses too because of the acuity of the patients and high nurse to patient ratio. I also did not like med/surg while in nursing school but when I graduated it was the only job I could find! I am no longer working on the med-surg floor..I decided to go back to school full time to finish my BSN. I am currently looking into critical care.

This is a normal feeling. Take a deep breath and know that you can and will do it! I got through it and I know you will too. Honestly, I think med/surg floors are the toughest (my opinion and from what I hear)! All you can do, is do your best! Don't be so hard on yourself..it's small steps. If you are ever unsure, ASK QUESTIONS! Find an experienced nurse who can be your "go to" when you go off of orientation/preceptorship. I think another hard concept as a new nurse is realizing that you can't save the world. You do the best you can for you patients but you can't always do ever single thing that you would like too, especially on a busy med-surg floor.

You will learn a lot on med/surg. I say give it at least 6 months and see how you feel then. If you really don't like med/surg start shadowing other specialties & possibly try to get into a nursing shadowing or internship program in a specialty that interests you!

Just remember the basics, airway/breathing/circulation and ASK QUESTIONS!

Good luck : )

[all_over_again]

You probably didn't pick the wrong career. You just ended up in the wrong place. In my experience, new RNs sometimes end up on units that no one else wants to work on. The facility just needs a warm, qualified body in the position, and you fit the bill. Do your best, pay your dues, and eventually you should find your "happy place" in nursing.

Regards, AOA