Should I quit?

Emergent, RN · Jul 29, 2016

You should grit your teeth and stick it out for a year, then explore your options. After you are legally married to your boyfriend, you can consider letting him support you, remember, marriage is mainly to protect women, we're more vulnerable, we bear children, so it's wise and strong of us to make certain we and our children are secure.

Alternatively, you can move to the Third World and scramble to get a bowl of rice.

~Shrek~ · Jul 29, 2016

I work in public health! You make somewhat less money, but in exchange you get normal hours, good benefits, and usually better treatment.

However, I think that you should stay a year if you can. Having a year of hospital experience under your belt will open the door for many opportunities that public health cannot open. I wish I got a year of acute care experience just so that I could be more marketable and sharpen my hands-on skills.

If you cannot stand your job at all, ans want to get out quickly, then apply to public health, and don't leave until you get a PHN job. Finish your application ASAP for the PHN certificate. I applied to a PHN position in a county that I knew was desperate for nurses, but I got rejected by the next day because my PHN certificate was still pending.

I would not quit unless it is a matter of safety or your mental health is spiraling out of control.

I quit jobs twice with less than a year of experience due to safety concerns. While I don't regret it, it was very stressful for me, as I thought no one would hire me with my spotty work history. During job interviews, it's hard to explain why you quit. Thankfully, with prayer and perseverance I got my current position.

michellesee · Jul 29, 2016

I was afraid of the response but yes I do agree that getting one year of acute care experience will give me better options in the future. ~Shrek~, which state and city do you work in as a public health nurse? What do your hours look like? How long did it take for you certification to come?

I wish I sent in my Public Health Nurse Certification sooner, that way I can actively look for a position, and I heard it takes a 5-6 months for them give it to you

osi2011 · Jul 29, 2016

Alternatively, you can move to the Third World and scramble to get a bowl of rice.

That's a little harsh don't you think. I don't believe that last part was necessary.....

CrunchRN, ADN, RN · Jul 30, 2016

Apply to any and all outpatient jobs. Once you land one give your notice and move on to a better life.

Simonesays, BSN, RN · Jul 30, 2016

Hi! I just posted a similar topic. I have been a nurse for 3 years and loved where I worked before. However, I moved 6 months ago and haven't enjoyed nursing in the same way in this new environment. I have been making stupid mistakes and am thinking that I should consider either an alternative career or some other type of nursing. (Actually, I might be forced to make this choice when I have my meeting with my manager next week.) I know that the potential is there for me to love bedside nursing but I just don't see how to achieve that here.

I remember feeling what you are feeling when I started out. But I did get to a place where I felt comfortable and confident (present situation excluded). It can be overwhelming being a new grad in an acute care environment. There is so much to know and do! So much responsibility! And it's scary not to have the safety net of a preceptor or instructor. These are normal feelings, though. And with time, they generally pass. If you enjoyed acute care nursing in school/during your preceptorship, it might just be that you are feeling overwhelmed by being by yourself on the floor. And these feelings are probably temporary.

Do you have supportive management and coworkers? Do you have an educator that you can talk to? What about counselling services at work? I would suggest using these resources. Also, if you're considering a different form of nursing, look at the requirements for these positions to make sure that you don't need more acute care experience. Before you make any decisions, make sure that you fully consider the consequences so that you don't limit your future options too much.

As you said, though, life is short. If you're truly unhappy, it's ok to quit your position and do something else. At least that's what I'm trying to wrap my head around. [Hugs]

Hangin'On,RN · Jul 30, 2016

I felt just like you when I first began in a hospital as a new grad. I was also on a telemetry floor but the ratio was more like 6-10:1 instead of 4:1, so do count yourself lucky there. However, floors like that can be stressful regardless of ratios and especially where you are a new nurse. I was constantly job searching for anything like secretary, store managers, etc., anything to get out of nursing, but I stayed on that floor for 2 1/2years. A lot of things have made me hate things about nursing, but those first years were some of the most miserable. I did quit once, but ended up going back to bedside on another unit that was much better.

It might be in your best interest, career wise, to try to hold out for a year, then you can put in a transfer request to another area of your hospital that you feel would be better for you. It's so tough when you are miserable. There is light at the end of the tunnel, but sometimes it's very tiny and hard to see. You're over three months in, so only less than nine to go before you have one year experience and can try for something else. Or maybe some clinics might open up that don't require as much experience.

Also, you could do some research and maybe connect with some of the people you graduated nursing school with to see where and what they are doing to give you some other ideas. Do not underestimate the power of networking. Think of an area or specialty that you would like, and if it's a non-beside position, then make that your goal. I do wish you a lot of luck!

DTWriter · Aug 1, 2016

OP, I was in a similar situation not too long ago; heck, our stories are so similar that people who know me in person would think that I wrote it

I, too, struggled with what to do - whether I should stay or bounce. My older sibling then suggested that I watch an anime called "ReLIFE."

OMG. That anime was on point with my situation and a huge mind opener. (No, I did not make a decision solely based on the show but it helped me make a decision that I am very happy with to this day.)

"ReLIFE" is a 13-episodes series (~23 minutes per episode). Just type "ReLIFE - episode 1" into your preferred search engine and you should come across a site that has the episode. Watch the series completely for the "ah-ha" moment. Highly recommend it.

In fact, pass on the show to anyone who is in a similar situation.

HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD · Aug 1, 2016

OP, have you talked to your manager or anyone at work about your concerns & overall stress levels? Believe it or not, nurse managers are generally very interested in making sure that their staffs are comfortable and satisfied with their jobs. But s/he doesn't have a crystal ball. People may want to help, but they may not always realize that you need it.

michellesee · Aug 2, 2016

Thanks for responding. I do have a supportive management and I do have a nursing educator that I can talk to. So far everybody is telling me I'm doing fine, which is reassuring but I still don't like what I am doing.

I am also reluctanct to ask my manager for counseling services at work because I'm afraid they might see it as a sign of weakness but I'm coming to the point where I don't care and just might ask them what the hospital provides for the employees when it comes to counseling. I'm feeling really low and depressed.

I still need to look further into the requirements for other nonacute nursing jobs. I just turned in my PHN certification to my school (the director has to sign it and send it) but I heard it takes 4-5months for the certification.

Everyday I am still deciding if I should quit or not. To wait a year or not. I can tell it's affecting my attitude and how I approach other people. So far, everybody is saying it's safer and less risky if I were to complete a whole year and I agree but still not sure what to do.

dishes, BSN, RN · Aug 2, 2016

Does your employer have an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) it's a free,confidential, short term counselling service that you can acess through a phone call. It is external and employers do not know who accesses it or what is discussed.