KeepItReal21

I'm so glad that I have found this post. I too am having anxiety issues with my new grad job. I started off working in critical care and getting 3 months of orientation. I asked if I could get more time. After I did, I still felt uncomfortable with the staff nurses at night and didn't want to work during the day because it was too stressful and chaotic. In the beginning it was hard for me because the staff wasn't very welcoming, and it was difficult for me not having some of my patients communicate their problems or pain level. I asked to switch to med-surg to see if that would be a better fit and thought maybe I needed more of the basics care of nursing in order to feel more competent in order to build my confidence level. I started last week and having 5 pts doesn't make it any better and I still don't get a chance to really communicate with some of patients because there is no time to really do anything but do tasks oriented things and hope that you can get your charting done on time. Before I know it, it's 4am and I still haven't done any of my charting and have to start passing out meds. It's pretty ridiculous how unorganized I feel and I wish that bedside nursing wasn't so much about tasks and more about patient care. I know because I have more than mild anxiety it effects my thinking but I feel really bad all the time that I am not picking up things fast enough and that I'm constantly needed assurance or double checking that I am doing something right. I need to feel confident in my skills and do an intervention instead o of waiting and asking first. My health is my priority but I feel guilty quitting a job because I just started and need more experience. I also know a lot of my anxiety comes from the staff, the hospital, and the patient population. I really want to be in an environment where that I am able to do more preventative care and teach individuals and families about nutrition and how to live a healthy life as opposed to popping pills to lower high blood pressure or cholesterol levels down. I want to get to know my patients and be able to care for them without feeling that I am just punching a clock in and out and getting a paycheck. This job is too stressful to just get a paycheck and not be satisfied or passionate about your work. My heart is not into the care that I'm giving and need to feel good about myself when I go to work. Thanks for letting me vent. It's always nice to get your thoughts down and paper and expressing it this way. Any advice or tips are welcome!

Congrats for those who got a phone call! It's funny how the brain works--I just got an offer yesterday from a different hospital, and was also having the same feelings as wannabe07 about what to do because UCLA is my top choice and I'm not sure if I should wait to hear from them. Then just like that, Wannabe07 got a UCLA call and a few others did too. Very cool. Wannabe07 and others, what departments are you interviewing with? Also, when was your initial interview with the program coordinator? I just had my in-person interview with the coordinator a week ago, so I'm hoping that I will also hear from them with good news. Hoping after the unit manager interviews they will make a quick decision. This process is really taking a long time. Almost 3mths. Insane. Congrats again and wish everyone the best luck!

Just got a call today to set up my phone interview with the senior nurse recruiter. I have some questions: Do I just send in the names and phone numbers of my references or do they actually want letters of recommendations? Do I send it to the nurse recruiter? How many is good? 3? Thanks so much! Appreciate your help

The career fair was OK, and some tables were more helpful than others. It was good for me to go because I'm not from LA so it was great way to get to know more hospitals around the area. Only a few hospitals said they will be having a new grad program in the summer. They are not sure exactly about the time frame, but want us to keep checking on their website. I didn't go to the seminar where they talked about if there is really a nursing shortage. I hope this helped.

As a new grad searching for jobs, I thought it might be helpful to me and the others in my position to hear how those of you who are now working landed your first job after nursing school. Please share your story, as (hopefully) wonderful or (hopefully not) terrifying as it was. Thanks!

Hi MagsRN2008, I am trying to get into Public Health as a new grad, and I was wondering how you went about it. I am currently looking in the Los Angeles area. Thanks in advance!

Hi Wonderbee, I am a new grad and trying to get into public health nursing. Is working at WIC as nurse your first nursing job? I would love to know how you got a job with the county and found out about the job opening. Most of the jobs that I am finding in the Los Angeles area you need experience. Any helpful advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

Thanks Coffee Nurse & Iperkrn! I really appreciate the quick responses. I checked out Glendale's Website and I don't think they have their new grad job posting up yet. I will keep checking!

Does anyone who lives in the LA area have any job-hunting advice for a new nurse that's headed to the LA area? Thanks in advance!