skimom88

AnonRNC, you're right on the money! It is a "comfort" zone that I'm looking for. Thank you for your reply.

Thank you for the advice. I have plans to continue my education sometime this year. I'm fortunate to have a manager that doesn't "micromanage" and is supportive of new grads. Thanks for your reply.

NolamomX2, thank you for the encouraging words. In the past 2 months, I can honestly say I've had one "good" night. Good meaning...no threats of bodily harm from patients, no restraints having to be used, and no repeated IV pull-outs from dementia/confused patients. You know what I'm talking about. In addition, I still have to chart and do admissions. Again, I'm grateful to be employed, but this is NOT the kind of nursing that I want to be in. My dream is to be a nurse educator. But, I'm paying my dues for now...Thank you for taking the time to reply.

Thank you for the encouraging words. Some days it does feel like "sink or swim".

I wanted to clarify. It's not only the different body systems per se that I'm expected to know that cause me anxiety, but it's also the fast paced environment of med-surg. At nights, I'm expected to do a little bit of everything so it has gotten to be quite overwhelming. As another member said, it's a "sink or swim" feeling. There are days I love it! Then there are days that I have no words to describe my day other than "glad it's over". I hate feeling that way about my first job, but I'm just being honest.

First of all, I am acquiring an amazing amount of skills and knowledge that I didn't get in nursing school. I like my schedule (nights) and my colleagues have been helpful. What I don't like is having to know different body systems and disease processes at any given time. It's extremely stressful. I was told it as I gained more confidence in my abilities (typically after a year of being on the floor) I wouldn't feel so overwhelmed. I knew med-surg wasn't for me even when I was in RN school. It was the first job offered post-graduation so I jumped at the opportunity. Don't get me wrong, I'm very grateful to be employed during these tough hiring times especially for new grads. But I can't seem to shake this feeling of dread going into work because I'm just not happy. Any advice on how to cope would be greatly appreciated.