TaniqueRN

Found another job last week and I'm leaving for good.

I hope so. I all I can do is pray and apply.

So like many of you searching for a nursing job, especially in the NYC region, is depressing. Right now I have 9 months of acute care experience and I'm ready to call it quits. Number one reason being is that I miss my family and the city life badly. I live in a rural area and do not drive. And for months I've been feeling like I'm living in a Box. Work is stressful as it is and its just more stressful when I do not have my support system around me. There was one time that I was so fed up with this place, I verbally told my manager 2 months ago I was quitting without a job offer. It was that bad. But I'm still here, and I'm still working. And I recently told my manager I was staying until I found a job closer to home. But week after week, I feel like I'm losing a nerve. I'm prepared to give this up with or without a job offer. My sanity comes first. Anyone know of someone quitting a nursing job without an offer and finding another within 6 months? P.S. If you're looking for a job and considering relocating: Weigh all the pros and cons first. Try harder and harder to find a job somewhere else before you relocate. And if you do have an interview ask what their turnover rate is. This is very important! If I knew what I know now 9 months ago, I would have stayed in my home city and fight to find a nursing job there. The way I feel now, feels worse when I was searching for a nursing job in the city and could not find a job. The turnover rate at my job is so high that most of the time there is only 1 experienced nurse who has been there for years while every one else has been there for 1 year or less and in the process of seeking employment else where.

Yes!!! Especially after a 14 hour shift.

I have finally made it to the six month mark at my first nursing job. It wasn't easy, especially after orientation. In the previous post "reaching 3 month mark," I was really stressed and hoped it would get better. My first week off of orientation was a disaster and felt very much used by my nursing manager. That's a long story I won't tell here. Till this day I have lost all respect for her. I told myself during that period I was only staying at this job for 6 months. Background: It took me two years to find a nursing job in which I am grateful for. I had to relocate to a rural area (from an urban area) to obtain it. I try to visit my family, friends, and boyfriend when I get the chance at least once a month (6 hour drive on the greyhound bus, I do not drive). For the past few months I've noticed a trend when coming back from visiting: Anxiety (SOB, chest pain). Depression (very quiet around my co-workers, questioning "why am I here"). My health (lack of energy, more fatigued, dehydration, severe constipation- nausea/abdominal pain). Now I'm at the 6 month mark and overall I'm grateful for the experience that I have gained. I'm proud of myself that I am able independently care for patients and still ask questions (which I will never stop asking questions, even if I had 5 years experience). 3 months ago I did say I was leaving at 6 months and I'm still here. I'm not here on this post to get advice on whether I should stay or leave but suggestions are welcomed. I've already made up my mind as to the next step that needs to be taken. First and foremost, I'm not leaving unless I have a job offer somewhere else closer to my loved ones. My advice to nurses looking for a nursing job: If you're planning to relocate for a job, ensure that you are going to be physically and emotionally ready especially if you're doing it on your own. Never give up and never settle for less than your worth. No matter how long it may take you to find a nursing job, never give up. Think about your family.

I know this is like 3 months late. But how is it going now? Did you change units?

Thanks very much dudette10. Tonight will be my first time on the night shift. I'm excited and nervous at the same time. But I do hope to learn at a better pace on the night shift. On the day shift, I didn't get much downtime, especially during the weekdays. Just so I wouldn't stay later, I would spend my lunch time charting assessments and writing notes. But I'm really going to try and give it my all.

Thanks everyone for the encouraging words. I know no matter where I go, it will be stressful. I'm going to continue to fight. However, the staffing issue is a big issue. It's a safety concern and I will not let it jeopardize my license. I'm at a point where I'm taking my work stress home. And this is not healthy for me one bit. So hopefully I can given it a year and apply to other jobs so that I can be closer to my family.

Listening to experience nurses when they give report is great, even though sometimes you may not understand what the hell their saying because their going so fast. But you learn from them in what to look for and what to say when giving report. However, it may be intimidating to give report to experienced nurses. Sometimes you may not know the answer to their pressing questions, but you'll be able to pick up on what to do the next time and what's most important.

How do you feel being on your own now?

I do not want to quit; however, I do not want to lose my mind or my license. Any advice?

I know that as a new nurse within the first three months of orientation you're not going to learn and see everything. And this I understand. But at this point in orientation I do not feel as though I've done much and I feel as though I should have done more. I like my preceptor. But at times it's hard to get her attention when she is orienting another preceptee or trying to solve the other preceptee's problems which arises. Also, she even acts as charge nurse. She has a lot on her plate. But because of this I believe that skills I should learn before I go off orientation have not been done. For example, yesterday was my first time attempting to put in an IV. I was unsuccessful. I should add that she was too frustrated to show me so someone else stepped in to do it. In addition, I work on the surgical unit. It is very stressful, especially during the week days. So much admissions and discharges. What even makes it worse is that I'm trying to practice delegating but it is hard when there are 45 patients, 3 aides (one of which is a sitter). So when there is no one to delegate to, I do it myself. And in a given day what happens, I miss 12 oclock meds for one patient. I give my last 6 o'clock meds at 8pm. I finish documenting at 9pm in a 7am-7pm shift. Can you say I'm burnt out already and I'm not even on my own, even though I do feel that I am most of the time. There have been days that I feel as though I should drop everything and quit. There are days that I like (weekends). At the end of those busy days, I do not feel as though I spent enough time with my patients. I do not feel as though I paid attention to them as much as I should. I find myself apologizing for being late and/or following up with my promise. New nurses on the same unit who have been off of orientation for a few months verbalize hating the place. That stresses me out too because I start to foresee in their place a few months from now.

CONGRATZZZZZZZZ!!!

How was the interview and did you get in?

How hard is the interview process?