Not Ready for being left alone...

[NurseWi_JennJenn]

I am a 'newer' nurse and just found out this morning that as of January I will be able to be left alone on the unit (on weekends we normally only have

I know, I will talk to my manager, but honestly, I know what she's going to say... "I can't play favorites" or "you will have a house supervisor on. I'm not asking to play favorites, I'm just not ready or comfortable. I have been crying on and off all day and my mind is set that being a RN is not what I want to do anymore (which I am thinking is because of how upset I am right now but who knows).

I tried talking to my husband about it, but he just brushed it off. He doesn't know how I'm feeling... I know come January, I'm going to be a basket case and anxious all the time. Thinking of this happening in January makes me sick.

If you read this, thank you. Any suggestions, thoughts, advice, support is much appreciated!

[chenoaspirit, ASN, RN]

At our hospital, I was told that if I felt I needed more orientation, all I had to do is ask. Maybe that is an option with you. If not, just know that you need to ask questions. Usually, most nurses are more than happy to help you. No matter what, you will still feel this way when you are first on your own. It's scarey, but Im sure you will be surprised at how well you do.

[NurseCard, ADN]

I assume you knew the typical staffing pattern on nights when you took the job. If you are NEVER going to be willing to work as the only RN on nights, then you should find another job -- one in which you will always have other RN's readily available to support you. However, if the 1 RN plus 1 assistant staffing pattern is appropriate for your setting and you are just nervous about having to do it on your own, that's a different situation.

Also, how readily available are other resources (house supervisor, etc.)?

You haven't given us enough information to know which is the case. My earlier response was based on the assumption that the typical staffing pattern was appropriate for the setting. But if that is not the case, then you are working for an institution that isn't staffing its units appropriately. I wouldn't want to work for a place like that.

It kinda *sounds* like the staffing is not appropriate; however I too would like a more detailed description of the patients and the environment...