Published Mar 3, 2016
ichiro12
27 Posts
I'm a Med-Surg RN with a 1:5 nurse to pt ratio working in a Level 1 Trauma hospital. I like that I'm never bored and I'm always learning something new.
However, almost everyday I get off shift, I feel like a failure. I'm also a single dad and before I started working, my soon to be ex worked days and it worked out for the both of us with our 3yr old son. I have no family here. I also feel like I'm sleeping my life away when I'm off because technically, I do work on my days off up to 7am so it feels like I have no days off. My unit has a dayshift position open, but at this point, I see Med-surg isn't for me. I've always preferred a day clinic setting and now a dialysis position opened.
Should I apply being that I worked at my current unit less than 90 days? or switch to dayshift on my current floor? Should I stick it out? Part of me wants to quit because I don't feel like I can keep up with the acuity level and the temptation to fall asleep from 2-4am.
Hoosier_RN, MSN
3,965 Posts
Apply for both and see what happens. You may get neither or an offer from both
Been there,done that, ASN, RN
7,241 Posts
You have not given yourself enough time to learn what you want and need. I have a feeling night shift is already wearing on your circadian rhythm. Read some threads here on shift work and dialysis. No need to quit a unit with a 1:5 ratio if you can get on days.
I have heard some bad reviews on dialysis nursing. 12 hour days turning into 17, etc.
Thank you.
Thank you. I read that alot on these forums where new nurses aren't giving it a chance. You are right. I will stick it out. It's been getting better but I've also been getting more patient load as orientation progresses which can explain why I don't feel like I'm improving, but I am because I am taking on one extra pt a week until I reach five pts. I did apply for the dialysis position. I can always decline, but we'll see. I go in tonight. This will be my first day with FOUR pts. Excited but scared.