New RN; I want to quit my job already.

DavidDudley · Jan 25, 2014

Sounds like you would feel a lot better if you were on days and able to get a full nights rest. Reading about how your feeling reminds me of how I felt when I was working nights.

That being said, it's normal for a lot of nurses to absolutely hate their first job. I hated my first 4 jobs but am in love with my 5th and current job. As bad as my previous jobs were, they were stepping stones for me. Likewise, being on tele is a great stepping stone no matter how bad it is. Pay your 1 year dues and go find happiness on a different floor at a different hospital.

nichefinder · Jan 25, 2014

sorry I can't read all your post, simply too long. But I do get the point that you hate your job enough to cause depression. I am in your shoes right now; I dread my work and I can say with all my body, mind, and spirit that I hate the nature of my work, which is the medsurg.

I simply do not like the nature of bedside care, the meaningless paper works, patient requests that seem so worthless of my time; I want to go into an environment where a nurse and the team needs to do something or else patient may die; like ER, ICU, cath/gi lab, OR, etc. But if you dislike bedside care like me, don't go to ER or ICU. Anyways, it seems that hours are very important for your satisfaction too. Lots of departments have 8hrs-5days/week jobs. I know you or I just haven't found our niche, and I know we will find our place. Be strong!

Been there,done that, ASN, RN · Jan 25, 2014

sorry I can't read all your post, simply too long. But I do get the point that you hate your job enough to cause depression. I am in your shoes right now; I dread my work and I can say with all my body, mind, and spirit that I hate the nature of my work, which is the medsurg.
I simply do not like the nature of bedside care, the meaningless paper works, patient requests that seem so worthless of my time; I want to go into an environment where a nurse and the team needs to do something or else patient may die; like ER, ICU, cath/gi lab, OR, etc. But if you dislike bedside care like me, don't go to ER or ICU. Anyways, it seems that hours are very important for your satisfaction too. Lots of departments have 8hrs-5days/week jobs. I know you or I just haven't found our niche, and I know we will find our place. Be strong!

There are no words to fully describe how rude /disrespectful that was.

You couldn't spend the additional 2 minutes to finish her post, yet felt you could not only advise, but do some of your own venting.

Been there,done that, ASN, RN · Jan 25, 2014

Thinking the night shift is your main problem right now.

You are describing the signs and symptoms associated with shift work. I am grateful and astonished by those who can work nights.

Please talk to your doctor, these are very real and serious symptoms.

As there is no where else to transfer to, I am hopeful that your manager will realize that you need to go to days.

I am also grateful and astonished by nurses drawn to hospice. Check into agencies , find one that will treat you well. You are MUCH needed out in the field.

Good luck, please keep us posted.

TU RN, DNP, CRNA · Jan 25, 2014

sorry I can't read all your post, simply too long. But I do get the point that you hate your job enough to cause depression. I am in your shoes right now; I dread my work and I can say with all my body, mind, and spirit that I hate the nature of my work, which is the medsurg.
I simply do not like the nature of bedside care, the meaningless paper works, patient requests that seem so worthless of my time; I want to go into an environment where a nurse and the team needs to do something or else patient may die; like ER, ICU, cath/gi lab, OR, etc. But if you dislike bedside care like me, don't go to ER or ICU. Anyways, it seems that hours are very important for your satisfaction too. Lots of departments have 8hrs-5days/week jobs. I know you or I just haven't found our niche, and I know we will find our place. Be strong!

If someone dislikes bedside care, why should they avoid ER or ICU? While this is also considered "bedside care," it's very different from the type of care provided on a medsurg floor.

dudette10, MSN, RN · Jan 25, 2014

You've got the double whammy of night shift and being a relatively new nurse. Each of them on its own can be difficult, but together, it can be horrendous. I'm hesitant to just say "go to days" because I'm really not sure which--the night shift or being a new grad--is affecting you more.

Can you take some time off to refresh yourself a bit? I did about a year ago, and it did wonders for me and my attitude toward the job. There are a lot of threads about handling night shift, so maybe you can try some of those techniques first. If you are able to determine it's mainly night shift causing all of these problems (and not mainly the fact you are a new grad), then ask to switch to days.

Good luck!

irishlynn5 · Jan 26, 2014

Im just really stuck between a rock and a hard place. There is a wait list for the day shift D;

roser13, ASN, RN · Jan 26, 2014

sorry I can't read all your post, simply too long. But I do get the point that you hate your job enough to cause depression. I am in your shoes right now; I dread my work and I can say with all my body, mind, and spirit that I hate the nature of my work, which is the

Nichefinder, I find it odd that while you couldn't find the time to read a well-written 2 paragraph post, you found the time to insert your own problems into someone else's post. If you don't read the post, then you can't possibly have insight to answer it.

OP, I know it's not enough to say that so many of us have been there, done that, but we have. You are not alone. Plus, you likely had higher-than-average expectations of yourself since you had worked on the floor in another role and already knew your co-workers.

Some will disagree with my advice, but it worked for me. Go see your PCP. It's possible that medication can temporarily help you deal with your anxieties until you get your feet under you and your confidence returns. For what it's worth, I now look back on those Med-Surg years that I could barely get through (and used meds to help) as the most formative years of my career. Without that foundation, I could not be in the wonderful job that I am in today.

Hang in there. Give yourself a break.

Overland1, RN · Jan 26, 2014

You've got the double whammy of night shift and being a relatively new nurse. Each of them on its own can be difficult, but together, it can be horrendous...

That is something about the Nursing profession that is difficult to understand, much less justify. We take new nurses and put them on a shift in which resources are fewer, and opportunities to do and learn many procedures are almost non-existent. How many inpatients need to be prepped for the OR or cath lab during the hours of 1900 and 0700? In most places, probably few (if any). Then, when the new nurse goes to day shift, that person is starting from near the beginning.

Would a day shift orientation not be a better way? Upon completeion of such an orientation, a night shift would not be too bad - it may even be a refreshing change (i.e., no administrative people running around and in the way) and would allow for more hands-on patient care.

I fully realize the day shifts are a "plum" assignment often reserved for more experienced nurses, but "because we have always done it that way" is really a bad reason to continue doing what may be the wrong way.

shaynurse53 · Jan 26, 2014

Hi it sounds like first off you have the night shift blues. I have worked the night shift for a while you dont have the chaos of families and its quieter but there are other stressors. second u have to learn time management that works for u on the unit,and it will be different for when u were an aid. Get a detailed report even if the other nurse expresses frustration this is your time to ask all you need to know regarding your patients. Then walk to that room with each nurse to visualize each patient . Third starting on a floor where u were an aid is a big no no,with those high expectations there are those that would be happy if you failed including your nurse manager. Whatever u do dont ever let them see you defeated cry at home. Go into your job with your head held high and confident you know the books but you have to learn to apply find a senior nurse u trust and when u dont know something ask.

shaynurse53 · Jan 26, 2014

And as far as going to hospice its a much slower pace and u might do well with it and don't always sell yourself short you are a skilled and efficient registered nurse apply for those hospice positions and if they really need someone experience wont matter. Take an IV course this will help you with IV's. The more certifications u get the less that experience will matter