I have been an RN since July. I left my first nursing job after 4 months due to feeling like mynursing license was on the line every shift. The position and policies of the facility were just not safe for nursing practice. I currently work in an upscale long term care facility. the patients can be demanding, which I can deal with. After 2 weeks, I was promoted to charge nurse for my shift (with only 5 months job experience & LPNS working under me who have WAY more experience than I do). I am now orienting new employees, dealing with the CNAs, both of those I can deal with. They recently hired 3 new RNs. One is from another country, has language barrier issues, and ZERO critical thinking skills. Every shift she basically has me doing her workand answering the same questions every day. If I explain that I have 30 of my own residents plus charge nurse duties, she makes me out to be the "bad guy". She possesses little nursing skills and is very dangerous on the floor and Ihave informed my DON about the situation. The other new hire is catching on fast & is excellent. The latest new hire refuses to speak to physicians on the phone due to a language barrier, although she is picking up the job tasks quickly. The nurse that I give report to every night makes me start report 5-7x every time due to her complaining or asking a never ending slew of questions that do not even pertain to report. When I politely ask her to stop & let me give report, I am the bad guy once again.
On top of all of this to deal with every night, we have a new unit manager who I have learned alot from. This unit manager has instituted so many changes (for the better) that is impossible to finish our jobs in two 8 hour shifts let alone the one that we are scheduled! When I explained that these things were entirely too much and we needed another nurse, I got told to pretty much suck it up.
I am told I have a bad attitude, even though I have explained to my DON and supervisors that I feel overwhelmed and need help. I was informed that they feel that I can handle it or I would not have this type of responsibility. The stress is causing me to
be cranky with coworkers, short with patients, and generally wanting to leave nursing all together. I love taking care of people and helping them, but Im slowly starting to hate myself for the way I feel about going to work and being unable to handle the stress......
Specializes in Trauma, ER, ICU, CCU, PACU, GI, Cardiology, OR.
at this level, i wouldn't throw the towel so easily although i do agree with most of the previous post, in regards on how to manage this issue. however, keep in mind that wherever you may go there will be someone less experienced and lacking your capabilities, and this goes to any given profession. therefore, you have several options one get transfer to another dept. or facility, otherwise deal with the situation on hand, by following your don instructions by coming up with a remediation plan. wishing you the best in all of your future endeavors......aloha~
Would it be possible to find another facility or job in nursing? I would give it a little longer until you leave nursing for good. It says a lot that you were promoted to the charge nurse position to quickly!
GitanoRN, BSN, MSN, RN
2,117 Posts
at this level, i wouldn't throw the towel so easily although i do agree with most of the previous post, in regards on how to manage this issue. however, keep in mind that wherever you may go there will be someone less experienced and lacking your capabilities, and this goes to any given profession. therefore, you have several options one get transfer to another dept. or facility, otherwise deal with the situation on hand, by following your don instructions by coming up with a remediation plan. wishing you the best in all of your future endeavors......aloha~