Unhappy in Job

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I graduated in May and suprisingly landed my "dream job" in labor and delivery. I have been working for 4 months now and I hate my job!!! I feel so incompetent: however, I know I'm not.... I did graduate from nursing school and I passed the NCLEX. I have realized that I am not cut out for such a fast-paced, emergent type dept. I can multi-task, but not quickly. I can care for a patient, but get overwhelmed when there is an emergency and I have multiple patients at one time. I am constantly stressed to the point of physical sickness and want to find a new job. Any suggestions? What is the best way to "sell" myself to another dept when they ask why I am leaving my current job so that I don't sound like a quitter or someone who couldn't do the job?

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Specializes in Gerontology, Med surg, Home Health.

Do you think four months is adequate time to decide? Most of us felt lost during the first months or even years. Try giving yourself some time. If you really hate it, tell the next employer that it wasn't for you. Make sure you give notice.

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Specializes in Medical Surgical Orthopedic.

I was the same way at four months, but it got much better.

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Specializes in Respiratory, Cardiac, ED, Maternity, Ped.

if you do decide to leave go to a med surg unit and you will gain so much valuable experience that could help in labor in delivery. Busy med surg floors help you learn to organize and multitask. I currently work in labor and delivery and couldn't imagine doing it without the experience I have from the med surg unit I previously worked on. I would hope your manager would appreciate your honesty....be sincere and say maybe you made a mistake and think you should get different experience before continuing with labor and delivery. OR if you are committed to staying try to give it a year.

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Specializes in ICU, Corrections.

Most feel this way, especially in the high paced areas such as L&D, there were many times when I was a new grad in ICU that I thought what did I get myself into?? This too shall pass, let your preceptor or manager know how you are feeling, and look for some constructive feed back. It took me a good year and a half before I felt confident in my unit, and still to this day I ask questions and Ive been there for around a hundred years.

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I agree with previous posters and say that I would give it a little more time. At 3 months I was just ending orientation and feeling horrible about my job performance did last a while. Now I am 10 months out including that 3 month orientation and I feel different about my job. I can handle things much better than I did 6 months ago. Confidence will come with time. However, if you give it a few more months and still feel that you don't like it, then don't continue to waste time by any means. Also, if you enjoy the population, but not necessarily the inpatient setting, try looking into outpatient. Just a suggestion. Hope all goes well.

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Specializes in NICU.

I've been a nurse for just over a year on a neuro unit and trust me, at four months all I wanted to do was run away. But I stuck to it knowing that the feeling is completely normal (sick to my stomach and absolutely dreading to go in!) But right as I hit my 8 month mark of being on my own, things started to fall into place. Now it's been 14 months (and 11 on my own) and I really like my job now. I can handle the stress better, and most of all, I learn something new every day that will help me in the next stressful situation. I do, however, work nights, which is calmer on a neuro unit, but I don't know how much calmer it is on L&D. Maybe you should switch over for a while?

I promise, even though it doesn't seem like it will, it DOES GET BETTER. It just takes time and practice. Good luck!

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I hate my job too :( but I started in an ICU about 8 months ago with 4 months on my own...it sucks. So I don't have much to offer, but you are not alone.

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Any department or job you go to will be new to you and you will have to start the learning curve all over again. Please give yourself sufficient time to get settled into your job before making any drastic moves.

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The best advice I can offer to any new nurse is to be very kind to yourselves and don't be afraid to say you are overwhelmed. The best thing students can do before applying to a department is to be very observant of the staff during your rotation through there. Do the staff help each other, are they patient with students or new nurses on their unit (ask the new nurses how they feel), are there cliques or cattiness? If it's a unit you did not rotate through ask the director of that department if you can come have an observation day as part of your learning experience and watch the teamwork or lack thereof. Then choose wisely the place that will nurture you and allow you to grow as nurse.

Toq

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Unless you are being mistreated in your job, stay.

Give yourself time to adjust.

I understand your stress; I was once an overwhelmed new grad with 6 patients and not enough help.

The relaxed paced easy jobs we would love are rare, if they exist.

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