Not sure I should stay at my first job as a new grad RN, will working nights help me?

[AJ BSN 2008]

OK, so I am currently in orientation (just finished my 9th week) on a Neuro ICU as a new grad RN. The last couple of weeks have been extremely rough for me. I have been feeling extremely overwhelmed every day I work for the entire 12+ hr shift and do not feeling happy or enjoying my job whatsoever. My skills are still not up to speed and I still struggle with time management because of this as well as prioritization. Most days I feel like all my instincts are all wrong and am very frustrated with myself and question if I am competent enough to do this job. I am afraid that I am going to develop an ulcer from the immense stress I am feeling or that something worse will happen. Most days I go 7-8 hrs into my shift before I can use the bathroon or take a break and eat something. I have been feeling very depressed lately and even broke down crying when talking with my preceptor about how I think I am doing after the last shift we worked together. I am starting to wonder if I am feeling this way simply because I am new and the first year of being a nurse completely sucks or because this unit is not the right fit for me. I have wanted to work in criticalk care ever since I worked as a tech in a general ICU while I was in nursing school, I absolutely loved the environment. I have been working day shift so far in my orientation and am going to be transitioning to night shift next week. My preceptor thinks that I will do well on night shift as there are less interruptions, traveling with the pt, etc. I am hoping that this is the case but, overall I am still on the fence about this unit and if I should stay. I have even spoken with my boss the other day about what I am experiencing and she (like everyone else) tells me that it is apparently normal to be a depressed nervous wreck as a new nurse. She also thinks nights will help me become more comfortable. My boss is extremely supportive and said that she would help me find another unit to work in, if it comes down to that. I am just very upset about this whole situation and am feeling like a complete failure because I am not coping well with any of this. I don't want to be a quitter but, I don't want to be at a job that makes me miserable and I hate. I have decided to not give up just yet and work the next week on the night shift and see how it goes. I guess I am just afraid of still feeling the way I do even on nights...then what do I do? I am not sure where to go from this unit if I decide this isn't for me. Anyone out there feel like me and then switch to the night shift and it got better?? I am not too thrilled about working nights but, if it helps me deal with this job and adjust then I would be more than willing to work these hours. Any thoughts on this are much appreciated and thanks for letting me vent.

[caliotter3]

Most nurses feel some degree of discomfort like you describe, no matter what department they start out in. It is normal and will decrease with time. You can not expect to have it all down pat after just nine weeks in the ICU. Personally I would stick it out if I wanted ICU. It is very difficult to get a position in ICU, as you know, and the opportunity may not present itself so readily in the future. However, if after, say 18 months on the job, you are at the point where you need to seek medical help for your emotional state and you are on the verge of divorce, then you are probably right to decide to find another department to transfer to. Make certain that your at home time is restful and distracting for you. Remember to maintain good health practices. Good luck with your adaptation.

[CrufflerJJ, BSN, RN, EMT-P]

While doing my role transition in a large hospital's SICU, my preceptor told me (after I asked her) that as a new grad, a night position would probably be "easier" for me than a days position. Less chaos/tests/new admits/....Better opportunity to develop my skills & get up to speed.

Hope it works out for you. I'm drawn to the ICU, and hope that I'm up to the challenge. Time will tell.

[NC Girl BSN]

I am orienting on a Neuroscience floor and days are CRAZY. I recently have switched to nights and the difference is night and day. I like the pace, and I am actually busy most of the night but I have had some down time as well. Suprisingly I am doing well with my sleep pattern. Good Luck to you!

[NeoNurseTX, RN]

I'd definitely try nights before I threw in the towel.

[NC Girl BSN]

I'd definitely try nights before I threw in the towel.

Thats the spirit! And in a yr. you'll be proficient and think back to how in the beginning you struggled but now you are getting the hang of things. Also my hospital has a $6 shift diff. for nights so my paycheck has increased $300 a pay period.

[shinyblackcar]

WOW. I am a new grad in my 8th week in the pediatric ICU and as I read this post I felt like I was reading my own thoughts. It's a bit of a relief to know I'm not alone. Let's give it a bit more time and give ourselves a chance.

[cebe385RN]

.....

[southernbelle08]

I would definitely recommend nights. I have been a nurse for a year and I still think I'd be overwhelmed on dayshift. I work on a surgical floor and sometimes those dayshift nurses can discharge their entire section and readmit their whole section back to full status in a 12-hour shift. It would be too overwhelming to me and I am beginning to feel somewhat better about my skills/self/etc.

I felt EXACTLY as you did when I first started out. I was overwhelmed, terrified I was going to do something wrong, uncertain about every little thing...it was hard!!! I cried some nights, I hated going in other nights, I experienced all of that! Other nurses told me around the year mark I would start to feel better, some even told me around the 6 month mark. I would say it was around 6 months or so before I felt like I was beginning to get the hang of some things, but even at a year I am still uncertain sometimes. You learn, you WILL grow, so give yourself some time and use all the resources you have available to you. Also, NEVER be afraid to ask questions. That is how you learn. Everyone was new once. :)

GL!!!