Regret becoming a nurse

[NURSE998]

First post - not sure if I am doing this correctly. I just graduated nursing school and got my BSN Fall '21. Currently part of a new grad program and have learned that I absolutely do not like bedside nursing. I enjoy healthcare and theory but hate bedside. I cry before and after every shift and have anxiety on days that I am off. I am starting to regret becoming a nurse. I do not enjoy what I do and find the constant GO GO GO atmosphere to be exhausting. I am miserable. I have applied for other Nursing Jobs and have gotten offers for hospice and home IV therapy and don't know which one to take. Most other jobs require experience, which I clearly do not have. I know the Golden Advice is to stick it out for one year but at this point I do not know if I can handle it. I feel incompetent and just frustrated - I thought this was the career for me but instead I am now depressed, tired, anxious, and downright miserable. Thank you for reading this rant and I appreciate kind words and advice. 

[kbrn2002, ADN, RN]

No job in nursing is going to stress free.  No matter where you land as a new nurse you are likely to feel uncomfortable, when it's said it takes at least a year to feel reasonably confident they are not kidding.  At least your current position as part of a new grad program takes into consideration that you are a new nurse and is likely to give you more support as a new nurse than either of the other job offers you received will. Unless you are totally determined that the job just isn't for you I do suggest trying to stick it out. If you have a preceptor you can talk to utilize that resource.  

 However there's also nothing wrong with exploring other options if you are positive the job just isn't for you.  I can't and won't suggest which job offer might be a better fit. Only you can decide that.  I do suggest you weigh the pros and cons of each offer carefully before deciding. 

Don't just look at the obvious like wages/benefits, schedule and hours. For instance the home IV therapy is clearly in patient's homes. This obviously requires travel to their home so factor that into your decision. 

How much training and ongoing support would each offered job provide? You are not only new to that specialty you are also new to nursing so you should be expected to require more training and support than an experienced nurse just transitioning to a new specialty would. Which job, if either would provide the support you need to succeed? 

 

[vintagegal, BSN, DNP, RN, NP]

Life’s too short to be miserable. Work for insurance or admit for ALF.

[EOC, MSN, RN]

Sounds like you are still in orientation? It takes at least 2 years for a nurse to really get their feet wet, so to speak. You need to speak with your clinician about how you feel. They should be able to help you. It is scary to start working on the floor. It also can become very rewarding. Finding your niche may take time. Research may be an option.  Don't go home feeling miserable. Talk with your leadership. If you want to leave they should help you find a new position. They want you to be successful and happy. 

[CommunityRNBSN, BSN, RN]

If you’re that miserable— leave. The job market is great right now; you will get another job even without experience. (Don’t quit your current job until you have one though!)  There is no advice that is universal. Is it generally good to stay on your floor for a year or two?  Yes of course. But you’re crying and miserable and hate it. Why would you stick that out, when there are other options for you?  

I graduated in 2018. One of my classmates started in a hospital. Didn’t finish her one-year new grad contract. Came to work with me in outpatient FQHC. Then she quit and went to a different hospital than the one she started at. Then quit that and came back to our FQHC, where she remains. Is that an ideal series on a resume?  No. But on the other hand, it’s proof that people can get jobs with less-than-perfect histories. 

[kbrn2002, ADN, RN]

2 hours ago, CommunityRNBSN said:

I graduated in 2018. One of my classmates started in a hospital. Didn’t finish her one-year new grad contract. Came to work with me in outpatient FQHC. Then she quit and went to a different hospital than the one she started at. Then quit that and came back to our FQHC, where she remains. Is that an ideal series on a resume?  No. But on the other hand, it’s proof that people can get jobs with less-than-perfect histories. 

Here's my dumb question of the day....what is an FQHC? I'm scratching my head trying to figure it out, LOL!

[CommunityRNBSN, BSN, RN]

3 hours ago, kbrn2002 said:

Here's my dumb question of the day....what is an FQHC? I'm scratching my head trying to figure it out, LOL!

Haha, that's not a dumb question.  It's a federally-qualified health center.  That's an official term that basically means a clinic for low-income clients. So we mostly do primary care, but we also have specialties in the same building-- cardiology, psychiatry, gynecology, optometry.

[HiddenAngels]

Don't be so hard on yourself.  You're a new nurse and you're doing the damn thing.  You must crawl before you can walk.  Don't lack the ability to wait.

Also, by occupation, the nurse is a leader, provider, mentor, counselor, advocate, friend, enemy, waitress, planner etc.

For every life you touch, stay in the moment.  You CAN handle it.