Quit after 4 weeks, now what...

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I am a new RN and had just 4 weeks of orientation in the Med/Surg dept. at a very busy level one trauma hospital. I was driving to work after another sleepless night for my third day 12 hour shift (really 14 hours). On the drive I started crying and just felt so overwhelmed with my mind on a negative spiral and the thought of the day ahead, the amount of work, the stress of "getting it", charting both paper and computer, unreadible orders from doctors, not having enough time to get something done, always many things to do at one time, so much to learn, the exposure I had to an active coughing TB patient (and hoping that the paper mask was secure enough), fears of being sued and stories from nurses that worked there and had been through a court hearing, stories of nurses with chronic back injuries, difficult patients and wanting to help people but feeling so out of my league. I turned the car around towards home and called the director and quit.

I am 44 years old, in my second marriage with two grown children and have just not felt this overwhelmed before. There are many things that I like about nursing but the constant stress is just too much. It has been a week since I quit and now I am wondering what I should do now... Do I try hospital nursing again or are there other choices that are a little less on the stress scale. I can handle some stress but a constant "10" for the 12 hours is just too much for me.There are many things that I do like about nursing and really do want to "make a difference" . I do not know if another hospital would be better or if it is me. If anybody has any ideas I would sure appreciate it. Thanks for letting me vent and listening.

(Running away to Tahiti and selling little drink umbrellas is sounding good but probably will not help my student loans)

WOW! I Just wanted to thank everyone for your words of encouragement and support. This is my first time posting and putting my raw feelings out there. It has been a great posting experience and has helped to pick myself up and look at all the options. :)

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I am 46 and have been an RN since June 10, and have about 5 weeks clinical experience. I can understand how you feel. There are some days I get a knot in my stomach just thinking about my next day at work. Sometimes I feel so dumb. I have to pray get the strength to make myself go. I work 3 twelve hour days. However, I am blessed to work in a large teaching hospital in a step-down unit with solid organ transplant patients mostly, so the ratio is 4 to 1, although not all are immediate post transplant. We also get some overflow from other areas of the hospital. This gives a good med-surg. experience without the "extreme" stress of 6 to 8 patients. I have a great preceptor & will receive 400 hours clinical orientation. I felt that I knew me! I couldn't have taken regular med-surg starting out. I really feel blessed and I'm going to stick this out. I'm learning more and more every day, and there is that every once in a while moment that I do something really well and I know I will be a great nurse. Hang in there, your ideal job is out there waiting on you. The world needs more caring nurses like you.

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I am a new RN and had just 4 weeks of orientation in the Med/Surg dept. at a very busy level one trauma hospital. I was driving to work after another sleepless night for my third day 12 hour shift (really 14 hours). On the drive I started crying and just felt so overwhelmed with my mind on a negative spiral and the thought of the day ahead, the amount of work, the stress of "getting it", charting both paper and computer, unreadible orders from doctors, not having enough time to get something done, always many things to do at one time, so much to learn, the exposure I had to an active coughing TB patient (and hoping that the paper mask was secure enough), fears of being sued and stories from nurses that worked there and had been through a court hearing, stories of nurses with chronic back injuries, difficult patients and wanting to help people but feeling so out of my league. I turned the car around towards home and called the director and quit.

I am 44 years old, in my second marriage with two grown children and have just not felt this overwhelmed before. There are many things that I like about nursing but the constant stress is just too much. It has been a week since I quit and now I am wondering what I should do now... Do I try hospital nursing again or are there other choices that are a little less on the stress scale. I can handle some stress but a constant "10" for the 12 hours is just too much for me.There are many things that I do like about nursing and really do want to "make a difference" . I do not know if another hospital would be better or if it is me. If anybody has any ideas I would sure appreciate it. Thanks for letting me vent and listening.

(Running away to Tahiti and selling little drink umbrellas is sounding good but probably will not help my student loans)

It is normal to feel like a crazed lunatic and cry everyday. Oh!!1 And sleep, forget it. I have been in my internship for about six weeks and I am barely feeling comfortable. It sounds like you need a longer internship and a more supportive staff. It won't be easy at first, but it will get better. Just pray!! :) AMARTIN1

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I am a new RN and had just 4 weeks of orientation in the Med/Surg dept. at a very busy level one trauma hospital. I was driving to work after another sleepless night for my third day 12 hour shift (really 14 hours). On the drive I started crying and just felt so overwhelmed with my mind on a negative spiral and the thought of the day ahead, the amount of work, the stress of "getting it", charting both paper and computer, unreadible orders from doctors, not having enough time to get something done, always many things to do at one time, so much to learn, the exposure I had to an active coughing TB patient (and hoping that the paper mask was secure enough), fears of being sued and stories from nurses that worked there and had been through a court hearing, stories of nurses with chronic back injuries, difficult patients and wanting to help people but feeling so out of my league. I turned the car around towards home and called the director and quit.

I am 44 years old, in my second marriage with two grown children and have just not felt this overwhelmed before. There are many things that I like about nursing but the constant stress is just too much. It has been a week since I quit and now I am wondering what I should do now... Do I try hospital nursing again or are there other choices that are a little less on the stress scale. I can handle some stress but a constant "10" for the 12 hours is just too much for me.There are many things that I do like about nursing and really do want to "make a difference" . I do not know if another hospital would be better or if it is me. If anybody has any ideas I would sure appreciate it. Thanks for letting me vent and listening.

(Running away to Tahiti and selling little drink umbrellas is sounding good but probably will not help my student loans)

Are there any nursing homes in your area? I work in Cincinnati, Ohio I am a CNA getting ready to go back to school for LPN. With my mom (56) we are a team. I have worked in LTC for 7 years. I work 7pm-7am. Most nurses have a lot of down time as long as their's no falls, or emergencies. At the NH I work at nurse's have between 16-28 dependent residents and 100+ on independant and assisted living. If you have good CNAs and Supervisers it's a great atmostphear. You get to know your residents and CNAs. It's always good when you personaly know a resident's behavior. And when you know your aides and know who's a slaker and who busts their butts! I love LTC, I have been the care giver of so many people. The man who invented preperation H, strong people, amazing stories and the time to listen! I even got to take care of the man who delivered me 22 years ago in the same hospital (now a nursing home) I was born in! It was fate that my path changed to LPN school while working in the very spot I was born! Sorry to get off the subject, you may enjoy a more easy going, personal job. Good Luck!

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I am a new RN and had just 4 weeks of orientation in the Med/Surg dept. at a very busy level one trauma hospital. I was driving to work after another sleepless night for my third day 12 hour shift (really 14 hours). On the drive I started crying and just felt so overwhelmed with my mind on a negative spiral and the thought of the day ahead, the amount of work, the stress of "getting it", charting both paper and computer, unreadible orders from doctors, not having enough time to get something done, always many things to do at one time, so much to learn, the exposure I had to an active coughing TB patient (and hoping that the paper mask was secure enough), fears of being sued and stories from nurses that worked there and had been through a court hearing, stories of nurses with chronic back injuries, difficult patients and wanting to help people but feeling so out of my league. I turned the car around towards home and called the director and quit.

I am 44 years old, in my second marriage with two grown children and have just not felt this overwhelmed before. There are many things that I like about nursing but the constant stress is just too much. It has been a week since I quit and now I am wondering what I should do now... Do I try hospital nursing again or are there other choices that are a little less on the stress scale. I can handle some stress but a constant "10" for the 12 hours is just too much for me.There are many things that I do like about nursing and really do want to "make a difference" . I do not know if another hospital would be better or if it is me. If anybody has any ideas I would sure appreciate it. Thanks for letting me vent and listening.

(Running away to Tahiti and selling little drink umbrellas is sounding good but probably will not help my student loans)

I soooo don't mean this in a sarcastic or demeaning way, so please don't take it that way--I'm curious how your experience is different from what you expected while in school.

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...any chance you could go to a floor that has 8-hour shifts? You stated you were going to work after another sleepless night. Could it be a day shift is too busy? I prefer nights, usually have more pts. per nurse but less hassle with comings and goings of meals, docs, procedures. We work very hard on nights and rarely have a quiet night, but less activity from outside pt. needs, less distractions from visitors

. Not all night workers are anti-social!! :)

...give yourself another chance, Friend. Reality nursing can be very hard on a new grad and most of us have felt what you did. See the posts above again. We're here for you.

I would certainly second that notion. I have worked evenings for 20 years and I wouldn't do anything else. I work the occasional day here and there and after, I am always thankful that I do NOT wokr days on a regualr basis. The evening shift has a totally different "personality" if you will. You may be busy but the tone is conmpletely different. I think you would find that anywhere.

Find a good program with a good long orientation. You should have no problem finding an off shift position.

Best of luck.

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I soooo don't mean this in a sarcastic or demeaning way, so please don't take it that way--I'm curious how your experience is different from what you expected while in school.

I would have to jump in here and say that what this poster has described is so common. Hence, my feelings that most nursing programs do NOT ever prepare their students for the "real world" (even a great real world experience). That's why we burn out so many of our new grads.

Hang in there all your new RN's. Advocate for yourselves and demand good, long, comprehensive orientations. If you don't get them, go some place else. The only way these hospitals will ever improve their orientation periods is if new nurse speak up. There are plenty of good jobs out there at good facilities. Be picky! It's well worth the effort.

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I would have to jump in here and say that what this poster has described is so common. Hence, my feelings that most nursing programs do NOT ever prepare their students for the "real world" (even a great real world experience). That's why we burn out so many of our new grads.

Hang in there all your new RN's. Advocate for yourselves and demand good, long, comprehensive orientations. If you don't get them, go some place else. The only way these hospitals will ever improve their orientation periods is if new nurse speak up. There are plenty of good jobs out there at good facilities. Be picky! It's well worth the effort.

So I suspect, but was just curious what the OP's expectations were and if indeed her expectations vs reality is where the problem lies. Perhaps some required reading for nursing students of allnurses.com should be integrated into the nursing curriculum. You will certainly get the good, bad, and ugly viewpoints of nursing. Read enough on this BB and you might even get desensitized. :chuckle

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well, if you dont mind the elderly you could always work in a LTC facility. There is stress but it is managable. I love it!!

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I am a new RN and had just 4 weeks of orientation in the Med/Surg dept. at a very busy level one trauma hospital. I was driving to work after another sleepless night for my third day 12 hour shift (really 14 hours). On the drive I started crying and just felt so overwhelmed with my mind on a negative spiral and the thought of the day ahead, the amount of work, the stress of "getting it", charting both paper and computer, unreadible orders from doctors, not having enough time to get something done, always many things to do at one time, so much to learn, the exposure I had to an active coughing TB patient (and hoping that the paper mask was secure enough), fears of being sued and stories from nurses that worked there and had been through a court hearing, stories of nurses with chronic back injuries, difficult patients and wanting to help people but feeling so out of my league. I turned the car around towards home and called the director and quit.

I am 44 years old, in my second marriage with two grown children and have just not felt this overwhelmed before. There are many things that I like about nursing but the constant stress is just too much. It has been a week since I quit and now I am wondering what I should do now... Do I try hospital nursing again or are there other choices that are a little less on the stress scale. I can handle some stress but a constant "10" for the 12 hours is just too much for me.There are many things that I do like about nursing and really do want to "make a difference" . I do not know if another hospital would be better or if it is me. If anybody has any ideas I would sure appreciate it. Thanks for letting me vent and listening.

(Running away to Tahiti and selling little drink umbrellas is sounding good but probably will not help my student loans)

I have great empathy for you and understanding. There is always a solution, but you may not want to do it. I started nursing school in an ADN program in 2000, graduated 2001 and took boards May 2002. In the summer of 2002 I worked at an area hospital as a new grad but was put into a float pool right away. I had 11 days orientation and was sent to med/surg, family practice, rehab and where ever they needed help. I was stressed all the time and finally after doing numerous split shifts, 6 one unit, 6 another, I ended up missing breaks and meals. All of a sudden when I was giving an IM my hands started shaking, I knew it was my blood sugar going too low from not eating, but I thought I could just give this one last injection and then try to find something to eat. Too late, hands shaking I injected the needle and med and ended up sticking myself. This patient was a high risk patient and the details are not important. Then the incident report and the HIV meds. I continued to work the summer but decided that from the lack of respect I received from the nurses and the risk I was putting myself in, that I did not want to be a nurse. In the fall I continued on with my BSN and graduated in May 2003, in the spring of 2004 I started grad school and will graduate in December with my MSN in nursing education. Even though I did not get a lot of experience in working, I have a wonderful job as an educator. I teach very basic classes and demonstrate the skills needed for nursing. Teaching reinforces your skills and you keep learning. I love the job and in the spring I will be 60. I am learning to treat myself better and the experiences that I have had made me a great educator. I love my students and they love me. I respect them and try to encourage them. I believe in them and know they can do it with the right amount of instruction and TLC. Not everybody gets it the first time. You may not want to go on and become an educator, but at your age, you could have many years ahead of you to teach. I am at retirement age starting a career. I love my job and can't believe I am getting paid to do something that is truly rewarding and FUN. I will pray you will find your niche in nursing. Sincerely Old CAT

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I have great empathy for you and understanding. There is always a solution, but you may not want to do it. I started nursing school in an ADN program in 2000, graduated 2001 and took boards May 2002. In the summer of 2002 I worked at an area hospital as a new grad but was put into a float pool right away. I had 11 days orientation and was sent to med/surg, family practice, rehab and where ever they needed help. I was stressed all the time and finally after doing numerous split shifts, 6 one unit, 6 another, I ended up missing breaks and meals. All of a sudden when I was giving an IM my hands started shaking, I knew it was my blood sugar going too low from not eating, but I thought I could just give this one last injection and then try to find something to eat. Too late, hands shaking I injected the needle and med and ended up sticking myself. This patient was a high risk patient and the details are not important. Then the incident report and the HIV meds. I continued to work the summer but decided that from the lack of respect I received from the nurses and the risk I was putting myself in, that I did not want to be a nurse. In the fall I continued on with my BSN and graduated in May 2003, in the spring of 2004 I started grad school and will graduate in December with my MSN in nursing education. Even though I did not get a lot of experience in working, I have a wonderful job as an educator. I teach very basic classes and demonstrate the skills needed for nursing. Teaching reinforces your skills and you keep learning. I love the job and in the spring I will be 60. I am learning to treat myself better and the experiences that I have had made me a great educator. I love my students and they love me. I respect them and try to encourage them. I believe in them and know they can do it with the right amount of instruction and TLC. Not everybody gets it the first time. You may not want to go on and become an educator, but at your age, you could have many years ahead of you to teach. I am at retirement age starting a career. I love my job and can't believe I am getting paid to do something that is truly rewarding and FUN. I will pray you will find your niche in nursing. Sincerely Old CAT

Thank you Old Cat for that post...I have just finished my RN...had a few degrees before going into it ..but i have always felt that i was born to teach ....when i first started out in college at 18 ...i was going for teaching. Well , everything else... marriage, children, a decent paying job came before that . And that actually was a great thing...because now I know what direction i want to pursue. After i get a few years of nursing experience ...that is what i plan to do. :)

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Being a new nursing student all I can say is that it sounds like you have been given some great advice. I hope you find your niche soon. Best of luck to you.

What are the ramifications of quitting a job with zero notice? When you are looking for a new job, I mean. Will it affect the original poster's chances of getting a new job? I had a nightmare job once (boss was bipolar) and quit w/o notice. I only worked there for 3 months. I leave it off of my resume/job history when applying for jobs now. BUT...as a LICENCED professional: Can you DO that????? Or is that commiting job suicide as a nurse?

Emma

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