New RN struggling with new job: any advice?

Nurses New Nurse

Published

Hello!

I completed my ADN in May and had been working in a residential treatment program for pregnant and parenting teens since January as an LPN. There were great expectations of my new RN degree: I would be the nursing coordinator (I work with an LPN with 35 years of experience!) and would take on all of the duties that the LPN could not due to her licensure.

Well, to make a long story short, the pay is much less than working in a hopsital in this area (around $10,000 less than my classmates are making, and with no overtime) and two weeks after I began working full-time, my co-worker left for spinal surgery, and will be out until October. The agency says they do not have enough money to hire someone to help me this summer while my co-worker is out. I feel very stuck and very isolated-- I am the only nurse, I am a new RN, and I am trying to do the work of two people.

As much as I would like to quit, I feel this would be horrible as then there would be no nursing staff while my co-worker is out. I feel very "stucK"! Any advice?

Thanks so much,

Sarah

Up Vote Up Vote ×

As a new nurse, you are doing no-one any favors by sticking around Sarah. Your concern for the program is admirable. But, without an experienced nurse to guide you, you are setting both you as well as the facility up for failure.

Move on, learn, take charge of your situation. Take care of number one Sarah!

IMHO,

Mark :smilecoffeecup:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Trauma ICU, MICU/SICU.

I agree with PP. Run, do not walk from this place. Not enough money to replace a worker on disability (which is paid with disability insurance) is unacceptable. In addition, in most areas LTC pays more than hospitals, not less.

Do yourself a favor and get out and don't look back.

Good luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in orthopaedics.

i understand you feel some loyalty to the place you are at, but you need to think of youself. working from now until october with one nurse and not being compensated :nono:. do what you think is best but, you have to truly think about how this is going to affect your well being.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment