Dasher24

Hi everyone, I qualified a year ago and have had a whirlwind experience of a year. I started working in a specialist ward and was told before starting I would have good support systems in place and would be appointed a preceptor to guide me. when I started work the reality of the situation hit home. I felt like I was left to sink or swim. I felt the massive change in role from student to staff nurse and my entire personality changed to allow me to be more assertive.I have also had more sleepless nights than I care to think about wondering if I could have done something better today or if I forgot any details to hand over. I have cried(in private) about the outcomes for some of my patients and continue to think about their families. I have also done this with very little support from my line manager and without a preceptor despite asking. I enjoy my work but I have had personal fails where I have forgotten or needed prompting on issues,none life threatening and most of which are paperwork.I find myself staying at least an hour after my shift has finished which is exhausting but I cannot seem to find a routine to encompass all aspects of care and ensure I don't miss anything. I question my capability to do this job all the time as I need prompting and regularly have to phone when I get home as I forgot to hand over something. The staff I work with expect me to be at their level but I don't have the training or the experience to do so and I am considering a career change. I suppose what I am asking in a long winded way is "is this normal or is a career change wiser?"I would greatly appreciate advice.