Joy4RN

Thank you all for your input! I am working on my assertiveness/confidence and I agree it's a vital trait in nursing. Also, thanks for the encouragement. I am a new grad and I definitely agree that there is a reality shock for new nurses vs. nursing school. My mistake is that instead of building myself up from the trenches post graduation like I should've done, I too went 90-miles-per-hour and found a job at a very busy, well known hospital in the town that I grew up in. The position was too fast faced for me and many new grads usually quit this floor on orientation due to that (I wasn't aware of this). After 2 months and still on orientation, I decided and have come to accept that I need to find something much slower paced. I am currently looking for a slower paced med surg floor (even though it's not where I would like to start out) or a nursing home. I need to do this to improve on my basic nursing skills to get that "med surg" experience. I really do realize that I need to start out at a smaller facility to get my feet wet even though my heart isn't in med surg (sigh), but it will be a good thing for me. Again, thank you all so much for your feedback. Right now I'm going to try my hardest to be the best nurse I can be and to focus on the positives of it instead of the negatives. One (or many) bad shifts doesn't define me and everything is a learning opportunity. If anyone has anymore feedback for new grads or any tips, please comment below I love reading your responses. :) It's so helpful to me.

Thanks everyone for your input. I am looking for another job currently that will be slower paced. I believe nursing may not be for me.

Hi all! I am a new grad that just graduated in May of this year. This is my first job in the hospital setting. When I was looking for nursing jobs post graduation, I decided I would start in Med surg because it was the thing to do, my teachers told me that's the best place to start, and was told "if you can work med surg, you can work anywhere". (I do believe that is true.) However, fast forward 2 months into my new job, I have never been so miserable. I've been told by many that the first year of nursing is just that, but med surg is not where my heart is. I am still on orientation, but my preceptors and supervisor agree that med surg is not my thing and that it doesn't fit my personality. They are working with me to find a better fit as a new grad in a different department. I am compassionate, a perfectionist, and I really do care for my patients, but I would like to focus on less patients at a time (hopefully less than 6 at a time) unlike med surg. I am good with my patients and I love learning, but find that floor nursing does not fit my personality because I was told am sweet, caring, but I need to be more assertive/confident as a new grad (which I agree). I like a more relaxed environment compared to the med surg environment without everyone running with their heads cut off, mean surgeons/docs, and rude patients and responding to their frequent, sometimes unreasonable demands (even tho I know I will find that everywhere). I realize Med surg isn't for me tho I am trying to still find my niche as a nurse and I feel like CCU, home health, hospice, or surgery/OR is up my ally. There is a currently job opening at a hospital that I am looking at for the OR, but I am just testing the waters and I am wondering what are the pros and cons of these units? Do you look forward to coming to work everyday? Any information is truly helpful to me! Thanks!

Thanks for your input! I have been reading past threads about the post surgical unit and I agree there should be a lot for me to learn. However, I really enjoy learning! :) I job shadowed this unit before I was offered a job and I loved it. Also, I will be in a nurse residency program for a year through the hospital I will be working at. I should be getting my ACLS sometime in the next few months. Thank you for the information!

I will have to definitely check out that book! Thank you both! Do you have any advice for a new grad on the PACU floor? I've heard that many people say it is like a mini ICU is this true? Any advice is appreciated! 🙂

Hello fellow PACU nurses! I am a newbie when it comes to the PACU and I really like educating myself when it comes to anything dealing with Nursing! With that being said, what are some great PACU books for beginners? I have heard that Perianesthesia Nursing Care: A beside guide for safe recovery 1st edition by Daphne Stannard and Dina A. Krenzischak and Drain's Perianesthesia Nursing: A critical care approach 6e are very good books. Has anyone read these books and what are your thoughts? :) If not, what are some other books you would highly recommend? THANK YOU in advance!

I just read your post and I couldn't help but think you ARE cut out for this profession. You passed nursing, which is one of the hardest professions and just because you can't find a job right now does not mean this is the end of the road for you! Keep looking and keep applying for jobs. I am about to graduate nursing in two months and I too am overwhelmed with the thought of looking for a job, but I would highly recommend job shadowing a unit. Sometimes if you job shadow and the staff on the unit like you, they may put in a good word for you. Also, you may meet the boss on the unit. I would also recommend on strengthening your interview stills watching YouTube videos or reading blogs or books-it honestly wouldn't hurt. ������ I hope this helps some! Good luck on your job hunt and know that you are cut out for this profession! You've got this!

Okay thank you! I really like the second forum. Any information on PACU nursing and becoming a new grad nurse is beneficial to me. If anyone knows of any good books to prepare myself for my first year of nursing or for PACU, please let me know. 😀

The chances of me working in a PACU/post surgical unit in May, may become a reality in a few short months. I have been researching on google and reading articles whether new grads should work in this unit. I love to learn new things and I am determined. Though, I do not know what to expect when it comes to PACU! I have job shadowed on the floor and I absolutely loved it. I have no hospital experience and I would really love to hear feedback on from any PACU nurses! Please give me insight! Or in general tips on becoming a new nurse!