Should I find another job?

[tdms]

Hello all...

I've been a RN for about one year and some months now. I've had 6 months PACU, and after that I have somehow found myself being a telemetry nurse. (an area I didn't really want to go into.. but under the circumstances.. it was a job) Here's the problem: the job I am at currently was not easy to get (recession.. me and my husband just moved), and I just completed orientation at this hospital. Keep in mind that in the course of a year this will have made my 3rd job. And although I was kinda forced to move around (I'm a army wife) I really have EXTREME reservations about the hospital I am currently working for! I don't fit in with any of the nurses who work here (and it's very rare that I don't get along with anybody) and I'm not transitioning well with their era of nursing.. (this place still charts by hand). To me, personally I feel like everytime I walk into this place there's a medication/documentation error waiting to happen. Nurses their eat each other alive(someone is always talking about how the other has gotten wrote up for something they did) and as I mentioned earlier, (during my orientation) my preceptor had the same amount of experience as ME. *that was a bit unsettling*. I am just seeking the advice of what I should do. I really want to find a job that I like and stay there. I really enjoyed working PACU.. but in my job search when I first moved here NOTHING was open. I really want to find another job; but I just don't want to look like I can't hold a job. But then I ask myself.. don't we all deserve to like what we are doing? Any advice appreciated..

[ruralgirl08]

Hi, I found myself in kind of the same situation at a small rural hospital, I took a temporary full-time job b/c it was so close to home. It was a good experience but an eye opener, I did not feel that it was the best place for a newer nurse. There was no training other then some preceptored shifts, I felt very thrown into things without proper training. Everyone was talking about each other very "cliquey", everything was very "old school" with documentation, not alot of resources/support staff, and I did make a med error (no harm done). If you are getting that bad vibe now, I would try and find something else, my confidence was really down when I left that place (and I was a top student/and a go getter), I almost left nursing. Have you thought about doing some specialty courses related to the area you are intersted in on the side? That way when you do interview for a more suited job, your resume would be even more apealing? Also, I am sure being married to an army man, they would understand about the relocating issue. Also its understood in nursing, not all jobs are the right fit.

[motennrn]

I just wanted to let you know that you're not alone. I've been a nurse for 8 years now (also former military spouse) and had close to 10 jobs! Last year I was at a new position for maybe 5 months when I had to take LOA for surgery to repair a torn tendon in my foot and the hospital filled my job...so I was left with no job, money, or insurance. When I finally got my current job (could only get prn), I finally realized that I just could no longer do nursing cuz I hated it so I've gone back to school for my business degree. You are right, we deserve to be happy and enjoy what we are doing because we are going to be doing it for a LONG time. I knew that I just couldn't this until retirement....I wouldn't make it to retirement, I'd end up 6 feet under! The doctors are arrogant *sses, the nurses tear each other down and there's no support for each other, the administration is only worried about the bottom line and NOT the patient, and every other nasty thing in nursing! The only advice I have is if you are unhappy, look for something else...the worst that could happen is you don't get the job. I wish you the best!