Overwhelmed

[butterfly_kisses9188]

I wanted to post on this board because I don't really feel like I am getting a lot of support or understanding in the non-nursing world. I recently quit my job at the hospital I worked at. I am technically a new grad and had only been working there for 3 months. I am getting a lot of criticism from some family members (one who is a nurse) about not hanging in there and about not trying hard enough. I was beyond miserable,overwhelmed,depressed,stressed,crying most nights and at home becuase of where I worked. There was a huge turnover rate & not ever enough nurses or help of any kind. I felt like I was stuck in a nightmare. Even though I know at times we all have to stay and catch up, it was becoming a pattern for me to be working 15 hour "nights" and I felt if I stayed my sanity would not be intact right now. I am the 4th person that I graduated with who left this particular hospital. Although I am feeling better, I am now looking for another job,which is stressful as well. Has anyone else ever had the problem of family not understanding what you go through as a nurse?I felt so ashamed of leaving and feeling like I wasn't tough enough or headstrong. Any replies would be appreciated.

[butterfly_kisses9188]

Just read all the latest posts. Thank You all. I appreciate the support. I just wanted to comment on those who told me that I should've hung in there until I got a new job. I am not sure if those of you who have said that have ever had severe anxiety and panic attacks, but there is no hanging in there when a person goes through something like that. Panic attacks and anxiety can be paralyzing and some nurses do not realize that it is real, and not just something we can make go away. It is misunderstood and I think that it's a shame that in this day in age many nurses and doctors do not realize this. Our mental health suffers just like our physical health can. I don't know why that's so hard to understand. I am not trying to come down on the few that did say that because everyone is entitled to an opinion and can appreciate the time it took to comment on my posts. However, as nurses, we are supposed to be empathetic to people even when they experience something we don't understand or if it's something you've never experienced. From what I've seen-nurses are expected to be invincible and never get sick,but only help others that are sick. We are human too, and vulnerable to any illness just like any other human on earth. I just wanted to shed a little light on the subject of panic/anxiety since I have personally suffered from it myself. Anyways, that's my two cents. Thanks for taking the time to comment and read my posts.

[PineappleCrush]

I am a new grad as well and left my first job after about 3 months. It was too toxic of an environment for me, my preceptor spent more time talking on the phone or leaving the floor than mentoring me, I then precepted with four other people making it very hard to actually get a solid routine down, and then after a mere 5 weeks on orientation on the Progressive Care Unit I was in, in an inner-city hospital of 600+ beds, they wanted me off orientation and wouldn't give me any extra time on orientation due to budget constraints. I was just like you, crying on my way to work, crying on the way home from work, crying DURING work.... It was awful. Management seemed sympathetic on the outside, but they essentially told me to suck it up or leave and "step down" to Med/Surg. And so I left.

I'm now on a Med/Surg unit at a different hospital but still within the same organization and it is better. The people at my new job understand that my time was hard at my old place and they try to help me as much as possible. It's hard because the unit is super busy with rapid discharges and admits, but they help when they can. It's important to find a place that has that kind of attitude. I still cry sometimes because I can just get emotional when I get overwhelmed (because I still do get overwhelmed, and probably will for the next year or so) and the management is very concerned when this happens. It's a sign of a good place. You'll find your place. Be open about your experience and talk about how things should be better, and how you would work to help make things better in your future jobs :) There is still a lack of empathy from "higher ups" concerning stress levels, sick leave and all that kind of stuff, but that all boils down to money, unfortunately, and I've quickly found that money is EVERYTHING in healthcare. Its depressing and hard to deal with sometimes. On a random side note, I had a patient who was going to be discharged with a PICC line, but the PICC nurse was near the end of her shift and apparently management had been getting on her case about staying late, so instead of doing the PICC line and staying a little over her time, management told her to leave and do it tomorrow so the patient got needlessly charged for an extra night's stay because they didn't want to pay the PICC nurse a little overtime. Sad.

[rbekt2010]

precipice,

I agree with your post 100%. I've been a RN for 30 years. So many times I hear people say," I just lost my job, I signed up for nursing school." Are they crazy?

I can't say I love my job. I've had 12 different nursing positions (in different hospitals, clinics, and nursing homes) in different cities. I think that may be my coping mechanism. When "things" get to stressed or I get too frustrated, I move on. I did find my niche in emergency. I can be the hardest a$$ you ever met or I can be the most compassionate person in the world. This can occur within 20 minutes of each other. I've had doctors cower at my feet, and have roses delivered by my patients.

I truly believe; in order to survive, you have to let things roll off. Good or bad, don't take anything too personal. You can only be as good or do as good as what you have available to you.

[strawberryfields]

It is horrible that this profession is now based on money not about care any more. CEO's are banking while we work our butts off. Why don't we get paid more? I'm sorry but I was shocked when I heard how much occupational therapists make... am i right? Regardless, I take my time, do the best for my patients so I go home with a clean mind and knowing I did my best to deliver the best care.