rninmidwest

I might be a little leery based on the information you provided. I originally started out in Med/Surg and my orientation was eight weeks. While 4 weeks may not sound so bad, if you are with a preceptor for 3 - 12 hours shifts a week, that is really only 12 working days of orientation. This doesn't allow much time for you to gradually phase into the job. Ideally, you should have ample time to work with preceptor and gradually become independent in your assignment prior to being off of orientation. There is alot to learn, hospital protocols, charting, etc... I know for me personally, nursing school did not really give me the bird's eye view of what I was going to need in the way of time management skills to succeed in nursing. Having a good orientation period allows you to find your own "niche" with your work flow so that you can succeed when off of orientation, and on your own. The fact that the nursing manager stated that the staff is not welcoming to new staff is also concerning. For her to state "give them time" almost is like her giving you fair warning that you may be entering a hostile environment and that this is a problem that has been encountered before. Your nurse manager should be addressing this with the staff and not putting it on the shoulders of the "new nurse" to just know what you are getting yourself into. I know when I graduated, I was desperate for a job because my husband was laid off (automotive industry); however, I did end up getting 3 offers after ALOT of footwork and found a good fit at a hospital that was willing to give me the tools I needed to succeed. I changed jobs to work in the ER at another facility about 10 mos. ago. The nurses there were phenomenal and had just as much a vested interest in my success as I did. While school is an important tool, your preceptor/co-workers really do play an important part in your learning, especially as a new nurse. I know you said you aren't in a position to turn it down; however, if your gut instinct tells you "beware", you might be wise to listen. Perhaps it might be better to fight for that job worth fighting for vs. taking one that concerns you before you ever start. If you do decide to take it, I really wish you the best of luck. Med/Surg is a great floor because you see so many difference disease processes, co-morbidities, etc... and you learn alot. Best of luck to you.

I am new to Allnurses....but I couldn't help but respond when I read your thread. I also work in the ER and know how taxing it can be on the mind and body. I got to the point where there were some days I felt invigorated by the ER, and other times...on a particularly rough day... I wondered if I needed to do something different. After a particularly rough shift(s), I often had little left in the way of energy or conversation for my spouse and kids when I got home. I don't think I was decompressing well from my shifts and I knew I needed to make an adjustment somewhere to maintain my sanity. I made some changes: started walking everyday, re-enrolled in school for BSN, and scheduled something fun (movie, playground, picnic, etc..) to do every week with my kiddos. Made a huge difference in how I felt. I am still in the ER and I can't imagine being any place else. I feel like having taken better care of myself outside of works helps prep me for those really rough shifts when it seems you can't please anyone. I know you will decide what is right for you. Maybe you could job shadow to see what the day of hospice nurse is like. Might give you a better perspective? I have two acquaintenances of mine that both used to work ER and then transistioned out to other areas because they were burnt out and wanted a change. One absolutely loves her job and has never looked back and the other is trying to get back into ER --- she misses the hustle and bustle of it all. Or, maybe you could try to change up your schedule to see if that helps you feel better vs. having all of them in a row?