Question: Soon to be New Nurse and A Job

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I'm still in school, but I'm pretty much guaranteed a job at the hospital I'm working at. It's in the section I want to work in (Surgical/Oncology) and everything. That being said, the staffing is poor. Often times we don't have more than one tech with 17 patients and sometimes they're only willing to staff us with 2 nurses. We have to fight for an additional nurse and a tech. Also, there have been times when they have run out of supplies...

I love the nurses. They're so helpful and they feel like family to me. They include me in their conversations and behaviors and days and so I don't ever feel isolated. I'm comfortable asking them about anything and because of that I'm learning a lot. Even my manager is nice and welcoming and understanding.

Here's my question though: Should I stay at this hospital as a new nurse and get my 2 years worth of experience despite all of the complaints I hear from and about the nurses being overworked and underpaid? I'm a new nurse with NO experience beyond this externship and I know it's hard to get jobs as a new nurse. Should I stick it out?

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These are sometimes tough decisions when it comes to hospitals with great coworkers but less resources. It couldn't hurt to apply there and elsewhere, then see what your options are.

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Yeah, I'm really struggling. Honestly, I don't like the way the program (externship) is being run at this time. It's really disorganized and that's probably my major deterrant right now. That an administration...I'm just torn. It's not the most advanced hospital but I can learn a lot...

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Specializes in cardiac CVRU/ICU/cardiac rehab/case management.

I am real old school where in Med surg we had 17 pt for each nurse every weekend. I am not saying I recommend that but it did help me develop excellent time management and organizational skills that made every job easy after that. If you really like your co workers (that's huge for a new nurse ) AND the specialty you are miles ahead of most people. Consider is it that you don't think you can handle that many pts or is it that it feels like too much work? I can only speak for me that I would attempt to stick it out but you are the one living it and know what will work for you.

Truth is starting out the 1st two yrs is very hard work initially trying to work it out.Don't underestimate the value of a good team. Honor what feels right in you but do be realistic. Lots of luck

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I am real old school where in Med surg we had 17 pt for each nurse every weekend. I am not saying I recommend that but it did help me develop excellent time management and organizational skills that made every job easy after that. If you really like your co workers (that's huge for a new nurse ) AND the specialty you are miles ahead of most people. Consider is it that you don't think you can handle that many pts or is it that it feels like too much work? I can only speak for me that I would attempt to stick it out but you are the one living it and know what will work for you.

Truth is starting out the 1st two yrs is very hard work initially trying to work it out.Don't underestimate the value of a good team. Honor what feels right in you but do be realistic. Lots of luck

Hey echo, I feel like if they can handle it, then so can I. I just have to learn. I'm just not sure about administration because my encounters with some of them so far have not been...good. With one member of administration in particular. The entire hospital keeps complaining, from cafeteria to techs to nurses to doctors about how poorly things are being run so I am questioning whether I should do this to myself. lol But other than that...

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Specializes in being a Credible Source.

I'd say stick it out for awhile.

As a new nurse, having supportive coworkers and a supportive manager is huge... and perhaps you will be (as a less expensive nurse) part of helping to solve the staffing problem.

Not to mention that finding a different job is far from a sure thing (a bird in the hand and all that).

Word of caution from someone who spent the first three years in a place with many strikes against it: Don't fall into the trap of thinking "2 years and I'm out." Just take it week by week and seek to become the most proficient nurse you can be. The weeks and months will fly by. You really need to guard your thoughts though because they can easily become toxic.

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I'd say stick it out for awhile.

As a new nurse, having supportive coworkers and a supportive manager is huge... and perhaps you will be (as a less expensive nurse) part of helping to solve the staffing problem.

Not to mention that finding a different job is far from a sure thing (a bird in the hand and all that).

Word of caution from someone who spent the first three years in a place with many strikes against it: Don't fall into the trap of thinking "2 years and I'm out." Just take it week by week and seek to become the most proficient nurse you can be. The weeks and months will fly by. You really need to guard your thoughts though because they can easily become toxic.

Hey! I'm really torn right now. I didn't enjoy my college experience but I stuck it out with the intent of getting my degree and then leaving. I don't have it in my heart to look back due to my experiences. At this hospital, I've met some really good nurses who I interacted with over the summer. Those that know me from back then, day and night shift, have encouraged me to come on and have said, "You know us, get your experience, we'll work with you, but don't stay past 2 years. Go! Seriously." They've really really really encouraged me to look elsewhere after my 2 years if I stay. My professors (I asked them for advice too) have also made it very clear to me that this isn't a good hospital at all to work with, that it's very disorganized and to not take anything they say seriously especially if I don't have a contract (which they said is in my favor) and to keep my options open. The fact that everyone keeps warning me (including members of administration), combined with the amount of people who are leaving, including nurses and even new nurses who just got their internship ("Look elsewhere and keep your options open. Don't commit here if you don't have to), makes me weary. It's a VERY laid back hospital. VERY laid back. We actually ran out of important supplies in the entire hospital at one point. But it's to the point where I don't feel like I have ANY support from administration. So I'm at a point where I'm asking myself, "Do I stick with what I know? Or take the risk of being jobless for the sake of adequate training, adequate support, and a more pleasant environment?" I know new nurses are balling. I don't know of any personally, but I feel like I can get a job if I just put myself out there and do some face to face interviews and go to career fairs to get my name out there. It's ambitious, I know. But the more I look inward, the more I want to take the risk...

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