The Honeymoon That Never Came

[Merrie82]

So, I am a very new nurse, ie, still in orientation. I am feeling a little befuddled,  because I seem to have missed the everything is sunshine, and dewdrops, and kittens, phase of my new career. I'm hoping this doesn't mean I'm going to reach the 'boy I need a new job' phase exceptionally fast. Don't get me wrong, I like my job and my new unit, but I also am very much appreciative of my days off.

I started thinking about this because it came to light (ie I had no clue) last that my new unit only allows us to use 2 out of 5 weeks of earned time, and the rest we are supposed to cash out at the end of the year. (Or use as sick time, but I have no plans to become 'sick' so I can use my earned time, its just not in me). I am feeling particularly salty and crusty about this earned time policy, and wish I had known of it before I accepted this position,  as I do enjoy being able to take a day off here and there. In fact, I am feeling like a long weekend would be very good right about now ? ....and that's what I'm sayin'! I just started and I'm already ready for a break ? LOL. 

I have worked in the same hospital where I am now employed for a couple years as a CNA, and prior to this I worked for the same organization in a different role as a crisis worker for 3 years. It's also worth mentioning that things are a bit hairy at my hospital right now, as we are in the process of voting on unionization. Also, the covid. My old CNA unit is a covid unit, or has been since March, so I was maybe already a teensy bit burnt out. A friend of mine that I went to school with who also works in the hospital, and has transitioned to a nurse in her dept (ED) is feeling the same lack of ? and ?,  so im not alone. 

I just hope that this is not a foreshadowing of the shortest career in nursing history ?‍♀️?. This is my second career, and I cannot afford a 3rd LOL. Honestly though, did y'all experience the kittens ?  phase, or jump straight to the "2 more days and I get a day off" phase? I really do like a lot of aspects of my job. I find it to be interesting intellectually. I like the hustle and bustle and organized chaos. As hard as it is, I value being able to be there for patients when they are struggling, or when they pass. I like feeling like I accomplished something at the end of the day. So that's good, right? ???

Thanks for all your wisdom in advance❤

[Merrie82, RN]

30 minutes ago, Davey Do said:

I thought I sensed that. Have you tried illustrations within the narrative, like emojis placed within your posts?

One thing I noticed about my journaling from years ago, that the narrative were not as stimulating as I would have liked. Once I made images to go with the narrative, it became a more interesting read.

I'm working on my own personal emojis and will exhibit them here, if I can get your permission to post images in your thread.

Regardlessly, I would encourage you to go for that journaling. I sense you're quite the natural!

Absolutely you can post images!! I enjoy sketching, and painting....and long walks on the beach...Wait, no, wrong forum ??. Anywho, I will try the drawing things, maybe it will spice things up a bit ?

[Davey Do]

1 hour ago, Merrie82 said:

Absolutely you can post images!! I enjoy sketching, and painting....and long walks on the beach...Wait, no, wrong forum ??. Anywho, I will try the drawing things, maybe it will spice things up a bit ?

There are truly some right-brained artist-type nurses that are allnurses members and I'm including you on the list, Merrie!

I laughed out loud at "Wait, no, wrong forum".

Perhaps writing and illustrating may just give you another perspective on that Honeymoon that never came!

Thanks for the permission to post images- like I said, I am working on them and I've got a few different art projects going on.

Oh. The Stress!

 

[Davey Do]

2 hours ago, Merrie82 said:

Absolutely you can post images!! 

 

59 minutes ago, Davey Do said:

Thanks for the permission to post images

[Merrie82, RN]

1 hour ago, Davey Do said:

There are truly some right-brained artist-type nurses that are allnurses members and I'm including you on the list, Merrie!

I laughed out loud at "Wait, no, wrong forum".

Perhaps writing and illustrating may just give you another perspective on that Honeymoon that never came!

Thanks for the permission to post images- like I said, I am working on them and I've got a few different art projects going on.

Oh. The Stress!

 

Wow the laughing emoji react on allnurses is scary looking! Sorry for that ?. I'm definitely a right Brainer. It works in my favor sometimes,  other times, like when I'm attempting to be organized and meticulous, not so much. I have to jam myself into that particular box like my 16 lb cat trying to fit into the shoebox ?. Pieces of me still fall out over the sides, but hey! I get an A for effort, yes? 

? forward to more custom made emojis ?

[Davey Do]

You're really a funny person, Merrie.

15 minutes ago, Merrie82 said:

 

? forward to more custom made emojis ?

Since you didn't get to experience your job honeymoon, do you feel like your head is spinning?

Like mine?

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

You are  still in orientation. Some of your observations may be correct, some may not be.  I didn't know which end was up for 2 years.

Please clarify your time off. If you get 5 weeks off in the first year... that is unusual. Are you saying that you can use 2 weeks for vacation requests.. and the other 3 weeks is only for sick time?  Most facilities combine it into paid time off.

 

[Merrie82, RN]

27 minutes ago, Been there,done that said:

You are  still in orientation. Some of your observations may be correct, some may not be.  I didn't know which end was up for 2 years.

Please clarify your time off. If you get 5 weeks off in the first year... that is unusual. Are you saying that you can use 2 weeks for vacation requests.. and the other 3 weeks is only for sick time?  Most facilities combine it into paid time off.

 

Hi! Yah, I get 5 weeks of earned time (all one bank), but can only use 2 as vacation time. The rest either gets used as sick time, or you have to cash out at the end of the year. I am not sure if I am getting more than a typical new nurse, as I have worked for the same organization for about 6 years prior to taking on this nursing role. 

[Merrie82, RN]

23 hours ago, Davey Do said:

You're really a funny person, Merrie.

Since you didn't get to experience your job honeymoon, do you feel like your head is spinning?

Like mine?

I'm only funny in writing TBH...in person I'm a total snooze fest???

You on the other hand are probably funny all the time. I love the spinning head....accurate too LOL.

[Davey Do]

30 minutes ago, Merrie82 said:

I'm only funny in writing TBH...in person I'm a total snooze fest

You on the other hand are probably funny all the time. I love the spinning head....accurate too LOL.

Personalities come through in the written- typed- word, and I interpret your writing as one who is an intelligent, insightful, expressive, energetic individual who has a slightly different slant on things than your average frog.

Your choice of title was the first indication, choosing the word honeymoon over something like immediate job fulfillment.

I am funny all the time, even when in despair. Some of my most humourous creations are the product of some major life crises. Humor is my way of dealing with my pain as well as it is my way of celebrating my life.

I will be interested in seeing where this, as you first described yourself, new nurse, goes. You may not have had your honeymoon, but I for one would like to see how your marriage with nursing evolves.

 

[Merrie82, RN]

21 hours ago, Davey Do said:

Personalities come through in the written- typed- word, and I interpret your writing as one who is an intelligent, insightful, expressive, energetic individual who has a slightly different slant on things than your average frog.

Your choice of title was the first indication, choosing the word honeymoon over something like immediate job fulfillment.

I am funny all the time, even when in despair. Some of my most humourous creations are the product of some major life crises. Humor is my way of dealing with my pain as well as it is my way of celebrating my life.

I will be interested in seeing where this, as you first described yourself, new nurse, goes. You may not have had your honeymoon, but I for one would like to see how your marriage with nursing evolves.

The sparkle is fantastic ?...and thank you ❤. I definitely get using humor to plow through the *** parts. I tend to use sarcasm with a heaping pile of caffeine (I know, healthy, right!). 

In all seriousness though, I really appreciate the thoughtfulness of your response. I bet you're one hell of a friend and nurse.

Here's to many more fun and frank conversations.

[Davey Do]

I got the sparkle idea from a Fabio GIF posted in the allnurses Breakroom some years back.

Sarcasm is okay- just don't become a @cynical-RN!

I am antisocial and like @Emergent, have no friends.

11 hours ago, Merrie82 said:

Here's to many more fun and frank conversations.

Fun & Frank sounds like a cartoon.

 

 

Here's to you, Merrie!

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

That sounds like a crazy policy.  On the bright side if you don't call off you get a nice chunk of change.  My facility, probably like most these days, has a max you can accure for PTO before asking you to cash out, I think it's about 350 hours.  

I never really heard of a honeymoon phase for nursing as it's stressful from the moment you start school and from there on.  LOL

Good luck.