That Magic 1 Year Mark

[seasidesoul]

Will I truly be marketable after a year of experience? I'm a second career RN finding that 12 hour shifts and working nights just aren't for me. I'll hit one year this fall, and I just need some words of encouragement to make it to that one year mark. My peers seem to be doing fine, but nights have me spiraling into anxiety/depression like I've never felt. I spend my nights off googling new jobs despite knowing that I'm not eligible to apply yet. I know I'm not the only one in this boat, but that knowledge isn't making it any easier.

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

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.

How often are these machines calibrated? If you know that the readings are "off", but don't take appropriate action, you're involving yourself in a patient safety issue. Check your organization's "lock out / tag out" policy & procedure to find out what you're supposed to do.

If you believe that anyone has been falsifying documentation (CNA charting temps despite mission thermometer) ... action is required also.

[Coolbeanz]

I had been working for 1 month and feel exactly the same way already! Is this what i signed off to? is this what nursing is about? I am overwhelmed to the max

[seasidesoul]

I had been working for 1 month and feel exactly the same way already! Is this what i signed off to? is this what nursing is about? I am overwhelmed to the max

Sending a hug your way. Hope things get better for you.

[Coolbeanz]

I feel the Same.it is easy to say time will

pass but reality is time seems like an eternity when i am on my shift. Txt me !!

[NICU Guy, BSN, RN]

I hit my one year mark in January. I was fortunate to get a Weekend only day shift position (actually I chose weekend only plus Monday) a few months ago. After working 15 1/2 yrs (14 1/2 yrs previous job + 1 yr nursing). I feel much better having a normal wake-sleep schedule.

[ThePrincessBride, MSN, RN, NP]

I started applying for other jobs at the seventh month mark and within two weeks got an offer for another specialty.

[ClaraRedheart, BSN, RN]

It could be lack of sleep. While I felt more comfortable on night shift my first year, I never slept well during the day. I get hyper emotional if I'm tired and cry over ridiculous things. While switching through the dayshift was like grinding gears, it was worth it since I feel well rested now. I'm much less likely to cry on the job (I HATE that!)

[Coolbeanz]

Interesting. It didnt cross my mind. I am currently doing nights and i was told that during the day the workload is more. The days that i work i do feel shaky and tense due to the lack of sleep. I also notice that morning shift gets along better than night shift.

[NurseRose84]

I graduated last May, so I reach my one year mark next month. I lasted five months on a telemetry/progressive(ish) unit before I started applying to other places. A little after 7 months in, I transferred to a medicine ICU in the same teaching hospital system, and absolutely love it! Granted, I transferred to the larger hospital. The floor I worked at originally was on the smaller "community" feeling hospital that did not have ear the same resources that the bigger hospital I'm now at does.

Although I loved my coworkers on the tele floormany of our patients were way too sick for a 4:1 assignment, much less a 5 or 6:1 ratio that we were getting. Coincidentally, we were a fully staffed unit and had our nurses pulled to other units to fully staff them, which left us not fully staffed, even though our acuity was higher than the other floors.

Best of luck to you all!

[seasidesoul]

It could be lack of sleep. While I felt more comfortable on night shift my first year, I never slept well during the day. I get hyper emotional if I'm tired and cry over ridiculous things. While switching through the dayshift was like grinding gears, it was worth it since I feel well rested now. I'm much less likely to cry on the job (I HATE that!)

YES! I think that's exactly what it is. Unfortunately, I've tried nearly everything to get the sleep I need, and my body is still fighting it. I've always been a great sleeper, so it's been difficult to deal with. I can't wait until I return to days again! I wish it were an option on my unit, because I do love the staff and patients.

[HogRNinTX]

This post totally hits home with me! I'm a new nurse working night shift and my one year mark is coming this fall. I am dying to transfer to another unit. My supervisor schedules us every other weekend Friday Saturday Sunday, and on night shift it just takes a huge mental toll on me. It's encouraging to see others getting jobs or transferring before their one year mark.

[barcode120x, RN, NP]

My one year hits this fall too and I cannot wait for it. I think of it more of like an achievement, but mentally it will be nice. I won't necessarily be looking for a new field just yet (although I would like to, my contract won't let me unfortunately), but I do look to drop down to part-time.