Overwhelmed new nurse, ready to call it quits!

[mon00707]

I have only been at my first nursing job 3 months. I'm basically a a charge nurse at the facility I'm in and deal with people who are suicidal but not bad enough to be hospitalized. Our program is a residential voluntary facility with up to 8 residents. There is only 1 RN and 1 aid on and we only do 12 hour shifts which are really getting to me. I usually work 3 days on, 4-5 days off which is now but the work is so busy I'm constantly running on adrenaline for 12.5 hrs. My next schedule has me working 12 hr shifts: 3 on, 2 off, 3 on, 2 off, 3 on, 4 off . My friends keep telling me to suck it up and get my year experience and look elsewhere afterwards so I am trying and so far I'm tired all the time, grumpy and have no interest in going to the gym anymore. I have 2 kids and a husband who has no idea what I deal with daily. I'm lucky if I get out of work on time too. How do you handle stress? I usually make jewelry but have no inspiration lately.

[swtlilngel]

I am in the same position as you; however, I work 8 hrs shifts. I work with psych patients. I am the RN supervisor for 2 units. What makes it worst is that I work 3-11. I like that schedule; however, I have no resources. I work alone and when I have questions there is no one to go to. I end up trying to resolve it myself. Then, the next day the people above me calls me in cause I solved the problem wrong. It is too much responsibility cause I am alone. I have to hop from one nursing station to another and it is just too much. I have the same role as you... do assessments, deal with patients in crisis, do incident reports when patients fight, etc... I feel like giving up and I have only been working less than two months at that facility. My 2nd month is on March 20th. I am just waiting for an opening at a hospital where my mom works to open up so I can call it quits at my job place. It is very stressful. I wish I have another RN to co-charge with me. Also, I have lost interest in gyming as well. I use to love going to the gym, but now I use that time to prepare myself mentally to work the next day.

[mon00707]

Thanks guys,it is relieving to know that there are others in my shoes. Like u swtlilangel I am in charge of the unit and have to deal with crisis' that come up. Then we have turnover of aids all the time too. I have gone back to the gym so hoping that helps. We are buying a new home so that is added stress as I try to get this current home ready to sell so u can't just quit. I'm hanging in there!

[flennin]

You may find this funny but I get acupuncture. That and a massage and my yoga helkps a lot. Not everyone does yoga but the acupuncture really does help believe it or not and come on. A massage will help everyone!