That Magic 1 Year Mark

seasidesoul · Apr 5, 2016

Also - is it generally easy to transfer within your hospital once you hit one year?

Alex_RN, BSN · Apr 5, 2016

I am certainly counting down the months, myself!

BiotoBSNtoFNP · Apr 5, 2016

Yes! I think the magic one year experience does open up plenty more options for you! Make a calendar and count down the months! You can do it!

seasidesoul · Apr 6, 2016

Thanks for the responses! I'm definitely counting down.

NurseD28 · Apr 7, 2016

Seasidesoul, your post speaks to me! I feel the same way. I started on a med-surg floor in November 2015 and have been there for almost 5 months & I'm already fantasizing about leaving the unit. It's super stressful, management has all these wonderful, great ideas about improving the unit, but half of the vital signs machines are broken, ancillary staff isn't always helpful, and we are expected to do way too much for our 6 patients. I know the nurse to patient ratio used to be MUCH higher years ago, and I give props to the nurses who cared for 10-15 patients at a time, but I guess I'm not cut out for this med-surg business. I try to tell myself to make it to one year, but I don't know how... The mental, physical, and emotional exhaustion for 12-14 hours each shift is a lot to deal with (I say 12+ hours because sometimes I don't have a chance to document much until my shift is over, that's how busy we are). I wonder, this is what I signed up for? I know there has to be some other unit out there that would be a better fit for me.

Nurse4592 · Apr 7, 2016

Omg you sound like me. I'll hit the one year mark in fall too, but it seems like an eternity to be this depressed, unhappy and anxious.

P.S. I'm rooting for you and sending happy vibes your way!

Nurse4592 · Apr 7, 2016

....and we are expected to do way too much for our 6 patients. I know the nurse to patient ratio used to be MUCH higher years ago, and I give props to the nurses who cared for 10-15 patients at a time...

Just a note that not everyone seems to remember--pts weren't always this sick. In the past some of the patients that WE care for (regular med-surf floor) years ago were sent to an ICU. We have a LOT sicker patients nowadays. My nursing instructor even reiterated this when I was in school a few years back.

NurseD28--I ALWAYS chart afterwards. O_O My days are usually 14 hrs (ish) as well. I feel your pain!

Ms_barnesRN · Apr 7, 2016

What makes you think you can't apply to other jobs? I know classmates that went to other hospitals before the 1 year mark? And I am to a icu from CVSD and only at the 1 year mark? You never know where you can go unless you apply....

Alex_RN, BSN · Apr 7, 2016

OMG, yes! Can we get more vital signs machines? I grabbed one yesterday and the thermometer was missing yet the CNA had been charting temps. There is another one that always reads higher BP. I actually put a knot in the power cord so I would know to avoid that one.

Tumbler · Apr 8, 2016

YES! Night shift = depression, at least on your "off" days when you're trying to maintain a night schedule. More than once, I called someone in the middle of the night just sobbing because I couldn't take it. Ironically, for work, I prefer the night shift! I know, it's a conundrum.

I have a friend who changed jobs after just a few months. I would think that there's no reason you can't start applying now if you are unhappy. What's the worst that happens? You stay where you are until you hit the magical one year mark.

seasidesoul · Apr 9, 2016

I'm so grateful for all of your responses. It honestly feels great to know that I'm not alone. I wish we could all text each other in the middle of the night during our off "days" - but I guess that's what this forum is for! For now I'm going to do my best to hold out until I hit a year, but it's good to know that I have options. Working nights makes me feel anxious and depressed, which leads to feeling trapped. Reminding myself that I AM still marketable definitely helps.