Quit after 4 weeks, now what...

military spouse · Aug 18, 2005

When I graduated about ten years ago, I worked med/surg and HATED every moment of it. I used to feel sick on the way to work. Now, ten years later, I work in a small community that doesn't offer a whole lot for nurses so I'm back in med/surg and I can say that the environment and mgt. make a tremendous difference. We are treated well here. Med/surg will always be a difficult job, but perhaps you were just in a hospital that doesn't seek to maintain reasonable patient/staff ratios or maybe management isn't terribly supportive. Places of employment vary tremendously! Don't give up on nursing--just try a few different places and see where you "fit" best. Good luck!

Old CAT · Aug 18, 2005

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. :)

Even though you are finishing your RN degree try taking some online classes and keep going. Before you know it you will have what you need to teach and the experience to teach ALL the clinicals. If you have other degrees, it may not take you as long to get what you need to start in the teaching arena. I have learned so much by teaching my students and educators must always stay up on the current trends and this is a fun and easy way to stay current. If you need any suggestions as to where you can complete these degrees without a lot of expense, feel free to contact me. I have some experience in what to look out for. Sincerely, Old CAT

BETSRN · Aug 18, 2005

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

11 days of orientation is NOT enought for anyone, NOR is a float situation good for a new nurse. To be a good float, one has to have years of good solid experience. This is not the area for a new grad.

Old CAT · Aug 19, 2005

11 days of orientation is NOT enought for anyone, NOR is a float situation good for a new nurse. To be a good float, one has to have years of good solid experience. This is not the area for a new grad.

Thank you BETSRN for commenting on this. I too felt it was not good. I know I would have been a great nurse if I could have taken the pressure, but this really scared me off.

As an educator now, I am finding that hospitals do not want to have to train new students and expect them to be ready to hit the trenches as soon as they graduate. WRONG, that is not possible. We are giving nurses the basics in which the hospital can expand upon. We do not have enough time to barely get all of the new techniques and the basics into the students. Skills are just that, one must practice to obtain those skills. Even though I may never teach med/surg clinicals because of my own lack of confidence, I have vowed to give the Fundamental students the basics they need to progress to the next level of education.

One more comment here. I keep hearing the saying that "Nurses eat their young." I never hear this said in humility, it is often in laughter it tends to sound arrogant and prideful. If we do not humble ourselves to teach the new nurses coming into the field (many don't want to because of this saying) then we will not have any new nurses to care for the older population of nurses who may need nursing care. Thanks for listening to me. Sincerely, Old CAT

IMustBeCrazy · Aug 19, 2005

It is normal to feel like a crazed lunatic and cry everyday. Oh!!1 And sleep, forget it.

Not picking on the one that posted the above because it's a pervasive notion held by many, but why is this attitude generally accepted as a 'rite of passage'?

The fact is, nursing is not consistently attracting the 21-year-olds anymore. Nurses are, by and large, coming into the profession as a second or even third career. Median ages for this influx of new nursing blood is anywhere from 30-50 years of age. These nurses are a wealth of knowledge, not in nursing (of course), but carry with them the wealth of experience and people skills that come from having a different career for 10 or 20 years or even more. You can train people to perform tasks. You cannot train people how to work well together, be part of a team and be accountable--IMO it is something that comes from a combination of experience and individual personality traits.

I would beg to differ from the notion that it is acceptable to "feel like a crazed lunatic" when starting a new job. There is an outcry from nurses in this second career status that are calling foul on this archaic, neanderthal notion. And frankly, I find that refreshing. IMO, there is nothing wrong with challenging those in power to be forced to do a bit of forward-thinking.

In any type of business, you either set your new employees up to succeed or fail based on the training and support provided to them. This is not rocket science. Some hospitals do have long-term mentoring programs, but this idea has yet to become a standard for most institutions. It comes as no surprise that it takes no less than a year, and most often 3-5 years of practice for a new RN to be able to function consistently well and have a 'solid' practice and foundation on which to build.

It never ceases to amaze me that institutions set employees up to fail, then have the audacity to be upset or surprised when they lose otherwise good employees. It's upsetting to think that this 'rite of passage' costs everyone so dearly.

IMBC

silly sunshine · Aug 19, 2005

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 know now that if I'd knew the crap of everything I'd not gone into nursing. I'm a very new LPN, with 3 hours of orientation, then thrown to the wolves. Yes the stress is so high, everyone has noticed, I'm usually the clown with a smile, And the paperwork that takes me away from direct patient care, pisses me off. But I work hard @ If I can make 1 person glad I touched their world in a positive way, I've done my job. Hence my title silly sunshine- given to me by one of my residents @ LTC. She claims knowing I'm there makes her feel safe and happy in case she needs something. As well as my CMA's-CNA's who will double over for me and nobody else, they know I make a differance and will be there and work to make a differance. Yes, u do make a differance or u'd not be douting ur self. Rock on, sound like a great nurse to me!

Nitengale326 · Aug 19, 2005

Hey Sweetie,

Don't beat yourself up! Congrats on making that stand for SELF!!! Thats one thing they do not teach in school but you were able to find it and follow thru just the same. A couple of recommendations and advice... 1st... did you at any time talk with your manager about your feelings of stress and being overwhelmed. Not feeling ready to handle all of it, requesting to go back into orientation for another round. I had been a nurse for 24 years (the last 17 in long term care... loved it but tired of it and wanted a change) I came to a new area and found a hospital that was close to home... and requested a lonnng preceptorship. My manager scoffed at first and said, "Your recommedations all said you were strong... you won't need that long" I stood up and said I want at least 6 weeks if not more or I'll go elsewhere. I do not feel comfortable coming into a brand new higher acuity environment with little or no orientation. At 5 weeks, I felt my wings spreading.. It took me a few more weeks to get a good organized routine, stealing this bit from nurse A's routine, another bit from Nurse B's and just fine tuned it to meet my needs. There are days that I still do that and I've been here almost 2 years. At 6 weeks I went to my manager and told her I wanted to try it on my own for one week with the option of going back into orientation if I didn't think I could handle it. She agreed and said I could have up to 12 weeks if needed.

It worked and I am so glad I took that stand.

2nd. Your med-surg experience is gonna be critical to many areas of nursing that you may venture to. Without it, your not even gonna get an interview. Think of it as a right of passage. Get about 18 mos (24 is ideal) and then they will no ammunition. It will also give you insight into other areas of the hospital that may offer your niche... PACU, ENDO, etc.

3rd. If you do go back to a hospital... go to a small non-trauma hospital. It still give you all the basics that you need for transfer later on... I work in a 140 bed community hospital... we have 7 peds beds, 25 medical, 35 surgical, 10 oncology, and 20+tele beds... I work on the surgical unit and we get mostly appy's chole's, resections, a few chest tubes... nothing really challenging ... anything big we fly it out and across town.

4th and final... (I know ...thank goodness...) Consider working nite shift. It will take a while( months maybe) to get used to it but think of it as only temporary. Your patient ratio will be higher than what you had on day shift but it is a different kind of busy. You will have time to follow up on pain meds, help settle them in, alleviate fears etc. AND form a bond with your co workers that you may not have had time to do working days. Yes, I know day shift staff form bonds but it takes a while for newbies to find her place in that group... so don't attack me!!! During all of this you may also want to take some courses in stress management. (I know you didn't get any in nursing school which should have been mandatory for all of us!!!)

I hope this helps... keep you chin up and just know that even though its necessary... its temporary... and you will be the better nurse for it.

Wanda

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)

DirtBikeMomma · Aug 19, 2005

I am soon to be 38 and will be entering my senior year of Penn State's BS program this fall. Upon the advice of friends who graduated this past May, I completed an externship on the med-surg unit (28 beds) of a local hospital. It was a ten week program, 12 hr rotating shifts, including every other weekend. I left my house at 6 am and didn't get home til 8:30 p.m.

When I read your post, I felt deja vu. The first week I was on the floor, I was overwhelmed by the sheer amount of work and literal running I had to do. The second week, I was depressed by the cattiness of the other nurses, and by my preceptor's general negative attitude. The third week I tried desperately to remember why I wanted to be a nurse.

However, commitments are commitments, so I resolved to stick out the 10 weeks. I also decided that every morning before work, I would specifically pray for my patients and especially for my preceptor. This simple act, over the remaining 7 weeks, changed my attitude dramatically. It was NOT an overnight change, but honestly, by the end of the 10 weeks, I was able to cope with the workload (and know that sometimes, you just cannot get it all done in the time alloted), how to ignore and not participate in cattiness but rather try to always be helpful and positive (and if I need to vent, I called my husband during break!), and that my preceptor may have a negative attitude when she's in the break room or the med room, but she is truly excellent with patients, and her knowledge is incredible. The patients I cared for affected me deeply, and I saw how important my actions were to them. On my last day, I was actually SAD and didn't want to leave!

I agree that med-surg is stressful. In fact, I told my husband that I can't imagine doing it full-time -- I would have no family life! God bless all of you out there who do it full-time...you truly are wonder women!

You are not alone in what you were feeling. Keep the faith -- God has the right position waiting for you!

Yours truly,

Michelle

BSN expected May 2006:balloons:

Old CAT · Aug 19, 2005

I am soon to be 38 and will be entering my senior year of Penn State's BS program this fall. Upon the advice of friends who graduated this past May, I completed an externship on the med-surg unit (28 beds) of a local hospital. It was a ten week program, 12 hr rotating shifts, including every other weekend. I left my house at 6 am and didn't get home til 8:30 p.m.
When I read your post, I felt deja vu. The first week I was on the floor, I was overwhelmed by the sheer amount of work and literal running I had to do. The second week, I was depressed by the cattiness of the other nurses, and by my preceptor's general negative attitude. The third week I tried desperately to remember why I wanted to be a nurse.
However, commitments are commitments, so I resolved to stick out the 10 weeks. I also decided that every morning before work, I would specifically pray for my patients and especially for my preceptor. This simple act, over the remaining 7 weeks, changed my attitude dramatically. It was NOT an overnight change, but honestly, by the end of the 10 weeks, I was able to cope with the workload (and know that sometimes, you just cannot get it all done in the time alloted), how to ignore and not participate in cattiness but rather try to always be helpful and positive (and if I need to vent, I called my husband during break!), and that my preceptor may have a negative attitude when she's in the break room or the med room, but she is truly excellent with patients, and her knowledge is incredible. The patients I cared for affected me deeply, and I saw how important my actions were to them. On my last day, I was actually SAD and didn't want to leave!
I agree that med-surg is stressful. In fact, I told my husband that I can't imagine doing it full-time -- I would have no family life! God bless all of you out there who do it full-time...you truly are wonder women!
You are not alone in what you were feeling. Keep the faith -- God has the right position waiting for you!
Yours truly,
Michelle
BSN expected May 2006:balloons:

Michelle, thanks for the reminder of who orders up our steps, in all situations. School has completely consumed me and my faith, and attendance in a faith building environment has taken a back seat. Getting back into the habit of praying will take some effort, but I know the rewards are great when we put God first. I hope you will consider going on to complete your masters at some point, your age is on your side. Old CAT

mtnmom · Aug 20, 2005

I am noticing a common thread here - many of us are in our mid to late 30's or even in our 40s when starting out. I had some terrible experiences starting out - I graduated at age 40.

I have often felt as if my age were some sort of unforeseen handicap. It is really hard for me to verbalize why but I could relate experience after experience where I feel that if I had been even 15 years younger things might have worked out differently for me - like I was treated differently than younger orientees, etc. I have had crappy orientations, crappy jobs, but every experience has taught me something.

Five years later and I am finally coming into my own as a nurse and going forward, with a MSN degree....but after many hard knocks and tears along the way. It sounds like many of you out there have had similar trials and that I am not as alone as I thought.

All I can say is...show the stuff you are made of and hold your head high. And pray...and pray...and pray...

Maybe there will be a special padded cell in heaven for those of us that were nuts enough to go into this in midlife. :chuckle

PedsNurse04 · Aug 20, 2005

Hi nursecarebear,

First of all it sounds like the orientation program needs to be a little longer. Mine was about 3-4 months and I felt pretty confident to be on my own at that time. Don't get me wrong there were days that I called in sick because I was scared of what might happen and even during orientation.

I want you to know not to give up. This is completely a normal feeling. I have been a nurse for about 9 months now and have been on my own about 5 months and I still get scared, but I have great nurses that I work with and know they will answer my questions.

A good resource to talk to about your feelings with could be a manager, one of your old instructors, or another nurse. The beginning is very hard as a nurse but with experience and hard work you will be amazed with the endless possibilities and rewards that lie ahead. Good luck and don't give up.

heartnurse1 · Aug 20, 2005

My first RN job was at a level 2 trauma center, I went through a 3 month critical care residency, which was great. I then worked in the critical care department, working with post op day 1 open heart patients.

I knew in school that I wanted to work with the cardiac patients and went after it. I worked there for 1 and 1/2 years. I left because I lived over an hour away and I needed to be closer for the family.

It was a wonderful experience and would have stayed if I could be closer to the hospital.

I currently work in the ER of a local hospital and am enjoying it!

My advise is to find an area of nursing you really like and go for it, get a good residency program and stick with it. Good luck!

April