Please Help!

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I've only been an RN for a few months and I'm new to the med/surg floor. Everyone keeps telling me hang in there, it will get better, but my days seem to get worse. My orientation ends May12th, and I don't think I can handle it on my own. There is so much I still haven't done like starting PCA's, collecting different lab samples, I'm slow at starting IV's and doing admits and discharges. I loved psych when I was in nursing school and considered it, but many told me to get med/surg experience. Should I quit med/surg and try for a job in mental health? Will they hire a new RN. I need advice please!:o

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In my opinion, psych is SO specialized that if you have no other experience it would be hard to leave there. Not impossible, just hard.

All I can say is hang in there. It's difficult for all new nurses, and how bad it is can depend on the coworkers. Can you talk to your preceptor about how to prioritize? And let everyone know that you want to learn PCAs and lab collections; hopefully they will grab you when one comes along and teach you.

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Confidence and skill is something earned. It is earned from facing your problems and overcoming them.

This hardship you are going through has happened to me and most other nurses.

Try sticking it out for a year. Think week to week survival. If then you want to move on to something else, you can say you gave med-surg a fair try, you can leave on good terms with your employer, and with a year of experience you will be more employable.

As a new grad, expect to ask your co-workers for help, and be available to help them in return.

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Yes, you can get a job in psych nursing.

You can find managers that will train you.

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Specializes in nursery, L and D.

I would stay at least 6 months. 6 months looks alot better on a application/resume than 3. A year looks better.

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Can't Wait~

I just started my new job as an LPN 2 weeks ago and I can relate to how you feel. Altho everyone on the job tries to assure me that I'm new,,it takes time to build speed and learn the routines, I end each shift feeling inadequate and on the verge of crying. The ole "fight or flight" kicks in and my gut tells me to RUNNNNNNNNN while my brain says listen to your coworkers,,settle down,,take your time,,things will work out. I too had 2 weeks of orientation, and on the 8th day, the nurse that was training me got a call from the supervisor informing her that she would stay on and give me one more week of training. I'm still scared to death but I go back to work tomorrow. Hang in there. This too shall pass.

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Specializes in Tele, Acute.

Here's my story about my first night alone as a new nurse on a tele unit.

I was working 3-11 on tele, scared to death because it was really busy and I did not want to get behind. I remember tightness in my belly, feeling like I could'nt breath, basically having a panic attack. I was giving meds and when I walked into on of my patients room, I looked up at the TV and could not believe what I was hearing and seeing. It was the night that Princess Diana was killed. My anxiety turned to heartache and sorrow. The rest of the shift, I passed meds, answered call lights, charted and all the stuff that comes with 3-11 shift. When I was driving home I realized that all nursing I did after I heard about Diana just came to me naturally, without any doubts or problems, I charted, gave meds and did everything like I have been a nurse for years, because I had something else to preoccupy my mind. All the fear left me. It is very hard to get beyond the anxiety that goes with going it on your own.

You will be fine, try not to let it take over. Relax, it is really amazing and rewarding when you realize you are actually making a difference in your patients life.

Best of Luck!;)

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Specializes in Cardiac, ER.

I am amazed everytime I read about new grads having ony 2 weeks orientation!!! I can't imagine!!! Our new grads are on orientation a minimum of 12 weeks,.they work several weeks on day shift,. and several weeks on night shift,.much of the dayshift time is spent taking various classes (computerized charting, hospital policies, EKG interp., etc), they spend a week floating to different areas of the hospital,( OR, cath lab, radiology, lab, etc ) to see how other areas of the hospital interact w/nursing. They spend a couple of days w/the unit sec., a couple of days w/the aides. An experienced nurse that transfers to a different unit gets 4 weeks!! I can see how you all are feeling overwhelmed.

I guess all I can say is,.ask for more time if you need it,.and, as I tell all my orientees,.remember you are never alone,.there is always someone around to help even after orientation!! Good luck you guys! It really does get easier.

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Have a good friend who worked med/surg right out of school. He hated every minute of it. After two weeks he quit without even giving them a notice. He applied for an OR nurse job, which is were we met, and has loved it ever since.

I can sympathize with how you feel. A number of years ago I had to leave the OR to get some ICU experience to further my career. I hated most days.

The point is, there are just too many different types of nursing jobs to wind up doing something you hate.

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Well maybe my advice is a touch different than the norm...but I say, if you have a heart for psych, then DO IT. Don't suffer another moment in a job you dislike. Life is far too short. Yes, it is specialised, but mentally ill people get medically ill too, so even though I'm a psych nurse, I have regular experience in medical things. In fact, it is often more challenging, because on med/surg, you EXPECT people to be physically ill...in psych you rely on your own assessment and diagnostic skills.

In addition, there are very specific medical conditions that occur exclusively in a psych setting. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome, EPSE, anything drug and alcohol related (seizures, all kind of heart problems etc) ... the autonomy is wonderful in mental health too... since it is often not a precise science, you get to use your own creativity with each and every patient.

Anway... if I were in your shoes, I would jump into psych with both feet :-)

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Hi......I can completely relate with what you are saying!! I graduated last May and went straight to a fellowship in the ER. It has been really tough.

I have learned so much, but feel overwhelmed and basically not happy where I am. I, like you, am trying to hang in there til my year is up. I am torn because, like many of the nurses here are saying, you want to do your best and give yourself a chance to learn and get better and give your employer at least a year. On the other hand........life is short and precious.

If you truly know in your heart that psych is what you want, and you have given 6 months.......I'd say why not go for it...... I wish you all the best.

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Specializes in Psychiatric.

I thought I was the only one that HATED Med-surg!! I would cry almost everyday in the med room... I even purposely failed my NCLEX the first time so I wouldn't have to work there (I know, I know, looking back it was STUPID, but I couldn't see another way out!!). After I passed my NCLEX I went straight to psych...Loved it!! GO FOR IT!!

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