stressed..other nursing options??

LovePurple · Mar 23, 2009

You've definitely got one up on me as far as at least having one year of experience! Since I only have 3 months... That seems to be what I keep running into in my new Job Search. A lot of places require one year of clinical experience. Best of luck to you!!

Nurselacey · Mar 23, 2009

:nurse:Psych nursing is wonderful..I skipped hospital nursing and went straight into psych..Lifes too short to be stressed and sick every day..Being a Psych charge nurse is challenging and scary at times but I haven't lost any sleep yet or shed a tear..I admire those of you who work in hospitals..

Jenny Grace · Mar 24, 2009

A few things: a lot of people feel the way you do during their first year, or the first year in a new type of nursing. Be really gentle with yourself. Medication helps some people, or you can look for a new job. Whatever you do, though, remember this: the first year is incredibly hard- maybe the hardest thing you will ever do- but it will get easier.

Try to take good care of yourself and be kind to yourself. Getting a massage every two weeks really helped in my first year.

Take care and good luck.

LovePurple · Mar 24, 2009

soo, I may have shot myself in the foot here.. First of all, seems like the only options in nursing available right now is hospital work, and the only thing I can come across is night shift. So in my eyes.. I'm thinking OH NO! I did contact the hospital I resigned from to see if there was a day shift position that has now come available SOMEWHERE.. on SOME UNIT! We'll see how things work out. I'm afraid I've shot myself in the foot, however I KNOW I could not remain to be that upset and nonfunctional in my everyday life from the stress of the workplace! So.. again- that was my leap of faith. I know there's something better out there. I know it will still be hard and stressful, but I know there's got to be something DOABLE

LovePurple · Mar 24, 2009

another quick question.. in order to be sane and work in the hospital.. is it that you just learn not to care.. .and how do you do that?? and how do you do that and live with yourself being so ...desensitized?

that seems to be what I'm seeing.. and feel that's part of my problem with my new grad experience. The thing is, I don't want to be that person

jrbl77, RN · Mar 24, 2009

i understand exactly how you feel, even though i am an experienced nurse. i have come to the understanding- and it was hard- that if you are not happy in what you are doing it is not worth it. i never thought that i would leave my orginal job, but now have changed jobs 2x in the past 2 years. i have not stopped caring about the patinets and that is what makes this profression such a hard one, and yet so fullfilling. it is sad that our ability to " care for someone" has come down to one thing- the almighty dollar.keep looking, network with any past co workers,,friends. and other resources. something will work out for you. :up:

SoundofMusic · Mar 24, 2009

Yes, I could have written your post at that point -- just about to go off orientation. I remember my stress level being palpable. I guess all I ever did about it was that I just kept coming back, putting one foot in front of the other, and coming back, day after horrible rotten day. I would make these huge errors, yet somehow, no one ever died, and no one ever really said anything either (looking back -- my errors weren't all that critical anyway). And then, at about the six to eight month off orientation, a lot of stuff clicked. I soon knew what to watch out for, started to get a handle on most of the types of patients on our floor, and also got a handle on who could help me in tough situation. I learned how to work with the team, in other words.

The truth is, you are usually never alone. You should always have a charge nurse, hopefully an intern or resident close by, and at least one or two more experienced nurses on shift who are usually happier than a clam to help you out. I mean -- I NEVER feel alone. In fact, often times, this group would simply come in and take over for me if I needed it. So, I began to trust that I could handle AT LEAST the escalation of problems.

Know who to call -- I think that is one of the biggest things. And know your policies. Stop in the face of uncertainty. All cliche -- but so true. I mean, if I am unsure about something, I don't do it until I"ve got someone beside me. I'm lucky to work with very supportive and patient co-workers and managers.

This is not to say that I'm not still really miserable at times. I'm still figuring out how to handle tough situations all the time -- but I just plod out to the nurses station usually and find someone I can trust, ask them, and go back and slog it out.

I think I've also been there long enough now that most people know me now and can trust ME.

I think a lot of things just get cured by TIME in the job. It's just that darn painful first year, or two, maybe even three. I see nurses with five years in being very miserable still. Nursing is tough - there is no doubt about it. It makes you very grateful for an easy shift, time off, your health, good times w/ family and friends, etc. In that sense, nursing has been a blessing to me.

But, after very rough days, I'd spend hours looking at want ads. It always helped me.

BAMBI321 · Mar 24, 2009

Wow!! I just don't think i can be a lpn anymore. I just filled out an application to be a caregiver. I miss the pt. Contact i had when i was a cna. I have been put on so many meds to stop the panic attacks that wake me up at nite and the sick feeling i get driving to work... I had to resign from a nursing home because of the pressure to do my share ,work long hours etc. My next job i lasted 10 days that was all the training i got for 5 separate wings averaging 32 residents per wing. My last job pediatric home healthcare. Ummm they sent me to a home and told me the mom was to train me .. After 2 days i said good bye.. I must have dumba## written on my forehead.. They keep telling me i care to much !!! Sick of it !!!

ThanksForAllTheFish! · Mar 25, 2009

Well today I had yet another one of those why am i still at this unit moments. My interim manager and supervisor called me into the office at the end of my shift to tell me they were switching me to days (yay!), but . . . they are switching me to days so they can keep a better eye on me. Apparently the manager had gotten some emails about some issues from nurses I've given report to. From what the manager told me I could tell the complaints where coming from one particular nurse that was manipulating the facts to make me look bad. The particular nurse does not like me due to a misunderstanding a few months back and apparently she is uncapable of getting over herself. So now I have a verbal counseling thing in my file and will be followed up in 60 days (i.e. possibility to be fired). I have always been a "good girl" that is responsible and doesn't make waves and apparently that's all I have been doing since I've started nursing (making waves). Honestly this krap is not worth it. I'm currently looking into shadowing research nurses (i have 3 years as a research assistant in my previous degree/career) and possibly other non-bedside Nursing Jobs. I don't think I'll be able to take 6 more months of the krap (my 1 year mark). If I find something I think I'll like, the pay is reasonable, and I get a job offer, I'm putting in my two week notice. I know they've put in alot of time and effort into to training me but like I've said before square peg, round hole. Yet another personality trait that doesn't fit me (I don't like to quit so soon, but sometimes you just got to). Anyway just needed to vent. Thanks.

KalipsoRed · Mar 25, 2009

You know what. If you go back and look at the posts that I posted when I first started on this site I think you will find they are very similar to yours. I've been a nurse for 9 months now and on my own for 6. I started on days on a telemetry/stepdown unit. It was horrible. It still is bad. I've switched to nights because days are insane. You need to talk to your nurse manager and see if you can go to an "easier" floor. If not you need to check out another facility. However, should you be in a position as I am (I got a bonus for signing on and tuition reimbersment which I really can't pay back if I quit) then you might have to try to stick it out. It does get a little better after about 6 months of being on your own. It takes that long for you to have some sort of clue as to what is going on, so do not believe that switching floors/hospitals will help you in that area. I also now have a psychotherapist which I think is something all nurses should have. Also, leave work at work. Yes, this is hard to do there are still plenty of times that I don't do it, but you need to try. I also hate night shifts because it messes with your body, and you may be right in the fact that you are one of those people who absolutely cannot handle it, but please know that ANY day shift position will be much more hectic and stressful than a night position. That is a guarentee not a maybe. I would like to work days, and like I said I tried it for 6 months before I couldn't take it any more and switched to nights. Unfortunatly most of the other sorts of nursing positions that I've looked into require a year (most of the time 2 years) of experience before they would consider hiring. I know none of what I've said really makes you feel any better, but think of your time at bedside like this: 1) you are getting to learn a lot more than you ever did in school about drugs, nursing procedures, and symptoms. 2)On your days off, if you plan correctly, you can get some PRN experience in different areas to see what you may really like to do. 3) Focus on the fact that you are prepairing to leave as soon as your year is up. Be ready with a job in the wings so you can have hope that when you go to work you are one step closer to where you want to be. Good luck to you.

ThanksForAllTheFish! · Mar 25, 2009

Thanks for the advice. I did have a NCLEX sign on bonus ($850) and I really don't have money to spare (actually I'm drowning in debt), but if I need to I will give them their money back. I won't let 850 keep me if i find some place better. I'm actually looking at clinical research coordinator. I had 3 years as a research assistant then I went to an second degree accelerated bachelors in nursing program. Actually, this upcoming May it will be two years from when I resigned and started nursing school. I think bedside nursing is just not my thing. The organization and the structure doesn't seem to fit (i.e. the functioning). Throw on the newbie aspect, and the apparent personnel issues I've found myself in with some co-workers (one particular nurse is trying to get me transferred/fired). I also suffer from anxiety/depression issues and take meds. I'll work through tough times, but I know there's a point for me where it becomes more trouble than its worth. I went back to school so I could further my career and feel better about my myself, open new doors and such. It was a chance and I'm not going to waste time being trampled on and feeling like a krap. Every new job has an adjustment period, but like I said in an earlier post: getting used to something new is one thing, getting used to something that just doesn't fit is something different entirely.

Anyway thanks for the words of encouragement :redbeathe. Hopefully I'll be able to figure out what to do before I go completely insane! :chuckle

RheatherN, ASN, RN, EMT-P · Mar 26, 2009

this may sound stupid, but have you tried your employee health.. what the other thing i am thinking of?......you go and talk to them for free and they help you with exactly such issues and stuff.....gosh darn it...its a private employee thing. like kinda a counseling type of thing, but they can if you want them to talk to you and your manager or whomeever you wish to see if you can all figure something out to help you. EAP, i think its called... cant think of what the heck it stands for...was a long day today,, can ya tell?

gl!!! i hope things get better!!

-H-RN