Scraggles

Im going at this with a compassionate attitude. I have been a RN for over 20 years and It just breaks my heart to hear of your challenging experiences as a new Grad. Regardless of what your next position will be you need to RUN NOT WALK from that unit ASAP! You are well past the point of wondering if the grass is greener. I guarantee you it is in your case. Your own health be that physical and mental well being are not worth losing over the situations you have described. You have to GET out of there and soon.

For a few years I was involved in the interview and hiring process of my Husbands company. This was during a few years off from Nursing to assist my husband with his new business. So I think I can offer general interview tips that may be helpful. It is and will always be most benefical if the candidate is enthusiastic and gives off a positive attitude, strong eye contact is essential. Also ASK questions, and offer the knowledge you have researched about the facility/Company. Know going in they ARE going to ask about your weaknesses and Strong qualities and NEVER, NEVER say you are a PEOPLE person!!! it is so cliche and EVERYONE especially Nurses will say it. Remember to SMILE, and at the conclusion ask them when they will be making the hiring decision? Tell them you really want the position and how YOU will benefit and make a positive contribution to their organization,and always follow up with a Thank you Email, or letter to the interviewer, that day after the interview then a phone call within the week and weekly thereafter, being tactful and pleasant. NEVER be LATE for the interview, NEVER.:angryfire I decided not to hire someone just because they were 30 minutes late. When asked they said it was " Traffic", and seemed irritated that I inquired. On paper they were the more qualified candidate, that's when I realized the Resume is just a small piece of the hiring process. As some Posters have stated it could be just a quirk and personality issue with the interviewer, its weird you may remind them of someone they detest, or you might be prettier, slimmer than them...of course this is illegal and they will never admit it, but we are all riddled with conflicts and complicated issues. But you do need to follow up with the previous interviewer and feel them out for feedback that can assist you in your search. Good Luck

I worked and:redpinkhe LOVED the 7p-7a shift, for 10 yrs, 3 shifts one wk and 4 shifts the next, in a Cardiology Step down unit ratio 3-6 pts/ nurse, at Duke Med Ctr. We had so much more autonomy and garnered more respect by the Docs than the day shifters. I guess I was one of those night nurses that belonged to that quirkey group of people that thrived on that type of constant sleep deprivation.We were a tight knit team work, hard working group of ladies. I don't recall any transistion issues I had however that was 10 yrs ago. Now working in Specialty Rx sales for 5 yrs and enjoy it very much. I'm too old to ever think of working hospital based shift hours again but admire those that can and do into their 40's. :oI could understand if you are older there would be more challenging issues with night shift hours. Good luck with the transistion.

Life is too short to waste the integrity of your mental health over this mistake. Yes you will feel awful for a while that's ok. However the outcome was positive and hopefully you learned a valueable lesson. We are all human and your colleagues should be supporative because eventually all Nurses will make mistakes, some without the positive outcome you had.

:yeah:Yes, the anxiety will get better. I'm so sorry you had such a horrid first experience in nursing you did the right thing leaving that position. I've been a RN for 23 years, 10 of them working CCU/Stepdown at Duke Med Ctr, and now 5 years in medical sales, which I LOVE. The really good aspect of Nursing is the variety of career choices out there as long as you keep an open flexible attitude. After a few years of Pt care and you are burned out, get out and look at other avenues to leverage your Nursing experience. Don't be one of those nasty burned out nurses, that we all have worked with, GET out before that happens and you jeoparadize a Pt's care and the morale of your unit colleagues.

Take it from an old RN with various specialty experience, stick it out. It will get better, perhaps not easier but better. My number one piece of advice is to prioritize each pts needs into what I have to do, and what I would want to do. Eventually you will understand the difference, always be ready to ask, scream if needed for advice or assistance.