yecart1

i have been in hh for a little over 3 months. i am already burnt out. i haven't done laundry or dishes but maybe once during that time...my family has to do it because my 40 hour week is really 50-60 hours. i just put in my 2 week notice. i hate being a quitter. i worked in the hospital for 4 years in med/surg, acu, pacu, and ed. at least when you were done with your shift you could go home and relax. there is no relaxing or a day off in hc. in fact, i have a day off today and there are 3-4 charts that i should be working on. but seriously, i not only need a day without work. i'm physically ill! i'm torn between taking some time to myself, cleaning. hell, i don't even put my clothing away, i just pile it up. this is not a life i want. good luck and god bless all you home health nurses. you are a tough lot and very much appreciated. you put in way too much work. i do love my pts and coworkers. but can't do it anymore.

Babs Thank you so very much. I'm hanging. I'm an overachiever/hard on myself by nature. I'm learning and that is all that matters. Like one of the hospital persons said at orientation We(nurses) don't come to work to hurt anyone. We come to work to care and help. I just need to get my perspective in the right frame of mind and know that orientation isn't forever, it's a short time, and I'll get it despite the challenge/people that seem like they are impatient with me will have to get over themselves. Everyone learns at a different pace and it's THEIR problem not mine. I'm doing the best I can. I've got one more schedule for orientation and I believe I'll be good during regular work hours. My manager isn't going to push with the on-call, as I was told yesterday. I'm excited to get orientation over with and get back to a 3-4 day week. I NEED at least one day off during the week, ha ha, for getting my stuff at home done. PS I got some much needed sleep....can you tell? *snerk*

Question: Does your hospital have PACU nurses on call? Or do the OR nurses recover pts after hours/on call on the weekends? We as PACU take call. My sister in law said their hospital has the OR nurses recover the pts and the PACU nurses never take call. Just wondering. I'm glad that this forum is here. What books are good for new PACU orientees?

Thanks for the advice Zoe's Mom. I guess I misrepresented the choice part. I was bumped and I had a 'choice' of going to Med-Surg-which I don't consider a choice, PACU, or ED-which I'm unqualified for). So my three 'choices' were PACU, Med-Surg, and Per-diem. The gal that bumped me went to PACU and tried to come back to her job, which was within the 21 day period, only to find out her job was no longer available. Then she wanted to come back to Ambulatory Care and bumped me, with a lower hourly option. She was a 32-40, I was a 24-40. She is putting a grievance in with the union, but I doubt it will go anywhere, and also, even if she gets her job back I highly doubt they'll repost my job. I have one year from the time of displacement to get my job back IF they make it available. I get first choice. I'm just overwhelmed. This weekend I was on call with another nurse and it went okay. I'm so glad this board is around. I just need to bounce things off and make sure I'm not over reacting....Which can happen when I'm overtired and overwhelmed. I think I've turned one corner and one of the gals that's been working there told me to not panic just realize that I'm learning and she said I"m going good. I guess I needed to hear that. It's just such a small unit compared with my old place. I'm slowly accepting it, but boy is it difficult to change when you really love your job and you're basically forced to change it. Again, thanks so much for your words of encouragement and hope. Tracey

I haven't visited here in a long time. I was bumped into a PACU position. I had approx. 1 year in Med-Surg, basicially part time with my LPN/RN License, then had 1 year of ACU experience. I'm very overwhelmed. There's a lot to learn. I thought ACU had alot to learn, which it does. I didn't feel comfortable (really comfortable) until about 6-9 mos. Now I'm back to being the new one again and I'm not liking not knowing. I realize I must give myself time to learn, but I'm not patient with myself. I took the ACLS this past week and I probably should have waited. But it's over. I did well enough. I just need to put the pieces together. My brain is saturated. Between one full week in PACU, the next in with Anesthesia, then a 1/2 week in PACU, one night on call-on my birthday-not leaving work from 0730 to 2230, then taking ACLS after that, I'm a bit scattered/unnerved. I'm taking call with others to get me use to it. I'm not sure I'll be ready to be on my own for a bit. I'm also afraid they will push me to be on my own with the on-call. I'm already planning on letting them know I'm not going to be ready for call by myself at least until Dec possibly Jan. I'm so GREEN. I'll get it. I'm hoping things click sooner rather than later. A few good things are I'm 2nd in the Senority line up. Another good thing is you just do one job, unlike ACU where you switch from day to day doing different jobs. I loved the variety of ACU. I'm having a little 'rebellious' time...I didn't plan on leaving ACU for awhile and I'm a little ticked to be pushed into something I'm not quite sure I'm ready for. But it can only help me in the long run. I hope I like it. I've read the You know you're a PACU nurse when and I laughed at all of them, because I've already experienced most of them. The loaft of bread was hilarious. I'm so glad this message board is around. It seems like I'm not alone. Thank YOU.

I cannot even imagine being in charge at this point. On our Med surg floor you have to wait at least one year to orientate for charge nurse and then there are plenty of seasoned nurses to help. There's no way I could do it and feel good about it.

Dave I had this exact experience last Spring. I was a new LPN at the time, my RN explained it, I had to ask her to explain it again. Then I thought, wtheck? I ask two really great LPNs to show me wear things were located and how they did it? I"m a visual person, so I needed them to mimic the motions while telling me. I went in there and did just fine. I ask alot of questions and if one person can't explain it to me the way I 'get it' then I go to someone else that I know is receptive or that I'm more comfortable with.

thank you all for commenting on this. i really needed to hear the words at this point. i started out per diem as we live in a small community and didn't feel traveling was for me or my family. i was able to get a temp position for 3 mos on the med-surg, where i was per diem and that helped tremendously. i did okay. had a few bumps but didn't let it get too me too much. i knew this job was ending so i looked at the new job postings each week. i went for the ambultory care unit part time position. i had worked it in clinic and thought i'd like to work in that unit if i could. i didn't think i had a chance but i got the job. i was so excited to have a permanant part time position. the first few weeks were grueling, but expected. now it's been 2 mos and i feel more awkward and unsure. i've had alot of doubting/feeling uneasy with my new position. i'm new. it's harder and there alot more to this unit that meets the eye. most coworkers are patient and say i'm doing okay. there's always a few that i feel think i should know more by now. there's one per diem nurse that reminds me i'm not seasoned and it takes about 5 years to get seasoned. i just feel so out of the loop compared to them. it's a glaring difference, and i wonder if i am doing okay. in this unit you do patient care pre- post-op, call for pre op appoints/order labs, everyday is so different, and everyday you are schdueled for a different time. i am taking longer to adjust than 'i" want to. it's encouraging to know that it's normal.

In my area we have One small hospital, the only way to get your foot in the door is per diem. Then you can see the postings and bid on them. While it's difficult because I don't work every week, except on orientation, it isn't that hard. You don't learn as much, but also you get to work as much or take a break if you need to. I would love part time, but with all of the senority realistically it could be awhile for me. I love per diem because I get to work with many different people, in different areas and knowing that I am per diem they are so considerate in asking/giving me help. They don't give me the hardest patients. They know I'm pretty 'green'. I love it. Do whatever you feel you can handle. If your kids are young now spend as much time as you can. My kids are a bit older and don't mind. I was fortunate to beable to stay at home. I understand about wanting to pay off bills and school loans. I'm in the same situation. Good luck in finding what is right for you. Tracey

I would meet face to face with your DON or Department Manager. Let them know again that you it wouldn't be to your or their advantage to miss clinics. They should understand. Ask them if there is some way that they can help you make it work. I'm sure they'll understand if they hired you knowing you had school obligations. I only missed one clinic day and that was because my FIL passed away. My school is getting very strict about missing clinic days. I'll say a prayer for you. And hope it all works out. Tracey

Cranium GOOD FOR YOU I'm so happy for you. I have 2 weeks left of school then a short much needed vacation with the Family and then studying for the RN-NCLEX! :monkeydance: :w00t: Tracey