Not sure if I hate nursing or I just hate bedside nursing

[NewGradRN114]

I am a new grad. I've only been working at the hospital for about 2 months and I hate it. Some days are good but most days are bad. I work on a busy orthopedic unit and nursing is not how I thought it would be. I am a lot more stressed out now than I was when I was in school and I am not enjoying my profession. Some days I am so busy I don't get to take a break and there are a lot of new nurses on my unit which makes it even more difficult. Since I've started working on the unit there have been about 5-6 new nurses that have been hired. This makes it difficult for me to find someone to go to when I need help and I feel bad for the people I go to for help because they have all of these other new nurses asking them questions as well. During my shifts I feel like I am being pulled in a million different directions and I don't have as much time to spend with my patients as I would like. We get a lot of admissions and discharges on this unit and most of my days are spent completing tasks rather than actually taking the time to talk to my patients and provide health teaching. On top of this, management keeps adding work to our workload. Sometimes when I am charting I have to chart the same thing on two or three different forms. The hospital also has broken or missing equipment making the job that much harder when I have to take time out of my shift to go and find something. A lot of other nurses feel that they are overworked and staff morale is low.

The other part time jobs I had while in school required me to work weekends/holidays and shiftwork. They were also physically demanding jobs. So after only two months of being a nurse I already feel like my back/legs are starting to hurt (even on my days off) and I am really tired of working weekends/holidays.

I can't decide if I hate nursing altogether, if I hate bedside nursing or if I just hate the job I am at now. Most people tell me that the first year as a nurse is the worst but I don't see it getting any better. Does anyone have similar experiences or suggestions for me? I really don't want to give up nursing. This has been my dream since I was a kid, it's just not what I was expecting.

[kataraang, BSN]

That's rough, I'm sorry. Can't say I relate (yet) because my first day on the unit was Wednesday. I am a new grad. 2 months...aren't you still with your preceptor? My hospital does 12 week preceptorship.

I hear others as well saying the first year is the roughest. I believe it. It's a lot to learn and a lot at stake (people's lives!). But once you break past the barrier of insecurity I'm sure it gets easier. I suggest sticking to it? Ask your preceptor for help (even if you are off orientation, they are still a resource). Ask the techs for advice. They have a lot of the same challenges with time management as you. Just because you don't have the same license, doesn't mean they can't offer you some very valuable advice. I feel for you!!! I'm beginning this journey as well.

[HeySis, BSN, RN]

Whooo, I'm seeing some big red flags.

1. A floor staffed with a lot of new nurses,

2. broken/missing equipment and

3. that you are already off of orientation as a new grad only 2 months in.

It does take time to acclimate to nursing and having a full assignment. We never carry a full load as a student, or end up doing all of the paper work involved, so an adjustment period is normal. Most good facilities realize this and work it into their process. A longer orientation with a clinical coach, a unit educator that makes sure you know all the things you need to and is another resource. And enough seasoned staff to act as mentors to the new grads (even if informally).

Don't give up on nursing, but you need to either talk with your manager about your concerns and request more training/help or start looking for something else. With only one of these concerns I'd still be talking to your manager but with all three..... You need to be able to have resources, both people and equipment in order to do your job.