I need some advice. I am a new RN of only 4months. I work on a cardiac step down floor in a michigan hospital. I have always wanted to be a nurse, ever since I was in 2nd grade. I knew there was a staffing shortage and that it would be hardwork. However I never thought 4 months after achieving my dream and starting my career I would already hate it. SInce I have started my job 9 nurses, on my floor alone, have quit. We constantly work short staffed and nurses are always calling in. I should also mention I work midnights. I love being a nurse and I am very disappointed at the way i feel. I don't want to leave nursing or the health profession but I don't know what to do. Everyday I go to work I am nervous and constantly feel that my license is in jepordy. I guess I am looking for advice on whether this is a normal feeling for a new nurse to have? What should I do? I would love to get involved more in the political aspects...in michigan we have no limits to patient nurse ratios or overtime. A persons health is the most important thing in life, without health there is no life....yet there really is no prominent political support for nurses. Atleast not in michigan. ANY ADVICE?
LAD_RN wrote:I need some advice. I am a new RN of only 4months. I work on a cardiac step down floor in a michigan hospital. I have always wanted to be a nurse, ever since I was in 2nd grade. I knew there was a staffing shortage and that it would be hardwork. However I never thought 4 months after achieving my dream and starting my career I would already hate it. SInce I have started my job 9 nurses, on my floor alone, have quit. We constantly work short staffed and nurses are always calling in. I should also mention I work midnights. I love being a nurse and I am very disappointed at the way i feel. I don't want to leave nursing or the health profession but I don't know what to do. Everyday I go to work I am nervous and constantly feel that my license is in jepordy. I guess I am looking for advice on whether this is a normal feeling for a new nurse to have? What should I do? I would love to get involved more in the political aspects...in michigan we have no limits to patient nurse ratios or overtime. A persons health is the most important thing in life, without health there is no life....yet there really is no prominent political support for nurses. Atleast not in michigan. ANY ADVICE?
Are their any other RN positions in your immediate area?
I would look at another unit or hospital. Sometimes it just takes getting used to and sometimes it's just not what you thought it would be. Actually being a nurse is different then that school clinical experience. I'd try something else before throwing in the towel. I teach nursing also and do hear some that say they cry the first few months but then it gets better and they love their job. I was lucky enough to have good preceptors and bosses and never had to feel like that.
Casio.. nothing personal but you certainly fit the role /demographic ( Nurse Teacher) of ARMCHAIR QUARTERBACK.... someone who wants people to constantly get mired in a monolithic path of grief and mayhem, while sitting on the sidelines watching corporate America piper their way through everyones sanity. Why dont you tell the guy the truth... which is that 90% of all nurses are miserable,..go into it for the money, end up in divorce, alcoholism, and dispair? How about telling him to go work at starbucks while studying for his Nurse Anesthesis? That way he will appreciate the field of nursing and not get raped and pillaged by the claws of bedside nursing. ?
why are you miserable lad rn? is it the overtime? fear of loosing license? i think you just need to break into it more. i think over time you will build confidence. if not try something other than a hospital. a small nursing home, public health, or nurse anesthesia like tired of the system said. why did you go into nursing? what were your expectations and what are the realities? tell your boss how you feel and try to cut back on the hours. cardiac step down patients aren't stable so i would think you need 4-5 days off a week from that routine or untill you're more comfortable to work longer.
Tiredofthesystem wrote:Casio.. nothing personal but you certainly fit the role /demographic ( Nurse Teacher) of ARMCHAIR QUARTERBACK.... someone who wants people to constantly get mired in a monolithic path of grief and mayhem, while sitting on the sidelines watching corporate America piper their way through everyones sanity. Why dont you tell the guy the truth... which is that 90% of all nurses are miserable,..go into it for the money, end up in divorce, alcoholism, and dispair? How about telling him to go work at starbucks while studying for his Nurse Anesthesis? That way he will appreciate the field of nursing and not get raped and pillaged by the claws of bedside nursing. ?
Just my .02 cents.
:::sheeeeeeeeeeeeesh
Boy you sure got me pegged. I do sit on the sidelines just watching...oh wait that's you who is not the nurse. I work full time at one hospital, perdiem at another (bedside nursing) and teach during the school year. I do those because I want to not because I have to. I do believe I see it from the inside from different hospitals. You hear it from the one side of the unhappy wife/girlfriend....maybe she's the cause of her unhappiness in her job and can't hack it and causes more work for her co-workers then she *****es to you about how awful it is.
Not everyone is cut out to be a nurse even after they get out of school. The schooling is just the start the work does turn out differently BUT with the degree you can go to other positions in hospitals and out...schools, jails, factory, hospice, law and after trying them all someone really might not like any of them.
Did you just come on this site because you have nothing better to do or can you not even get the Starbucks job? I think you should go to nursing school if you could get in then pass then get a job then you'll have a leg to stand on
what's the point of rehashing your views nurses? have you started your union yet? you still haven't said what your union is going to do to make nurses happy?
Tiredofthesystem wrote:Casio.. nothing personal but you certainly fit the role /demographic ( Nurse Teacher) of ARMCHAIR QUARTERBACK.... someone who wants people to constantly get mired in a monolithic path of grief and mayhem, while sitting on the sidelines watching corporate America piper their way through everyones sanity. Why dont you tell the guy the truth... which is that 90% of all nurses are miserable,..go into it for the money, end up in divorce, alcoholism, and dispair? How about telling him to go work at starbucks while studying for his Nurse Anesthesis? That way he will appreciate the field of nursing and not get raped and pillaged by the claws of bedside nursing. ?
hsieh wrote:what's the point of rehashing your views nurses? have you started your union yet? you still haven't said what your union is going to do to make nurses happy?
cassioo wrote:Boy you sure got me pegged. I do sit on the sidelines just watching...oh wait that's you who is not the nurse. I work full time at one hospital, perdiem at another (bedside nursing) and teach during the school year. I do those because I want to not because I have to. I do believe I see it from the inside from different hospitals. You hear it from the one side of the unhappy wife/girlfriend....maybe she's the cause of her unhappiness in her job and can't hack it and causes more work for her co-workers then she *****es to you about how awful it is.
Not everyone is cut out to be a nurse even after they get out of school. The schooling is just the start the work does turn out differently BUT with the degree you can go to other positions in hospitals and out...schools, jails, factory, hospice, law and after trying them all someone really might not like any of them. Did you just come on this site because you have nothing better to do or can you not even get the Starbucks job? I think you should go to nursing school if you could get in then pass then get a job then you'll have a leg to stand on
Please, in future post leave out all the "you" references.
cassioo wrote:Sorry Mag that "you" wasn't for you but for the one that thinks they know me.
Cassioo - No, you misunderstood me, LOL. I was asking that no posted personal attacks be made on this site to anyone... period. One-on-one discussions should be done via PMs, or direct emails.
I've noticed you have been a valued & regular participant here on the msg brds and confident you will continue to do same.
Lad; sorry to hear you are already discouraged. that should take at least 6 months:D but i know exactly what you are concerned about.it is the same thing everywhere.administration does not want us working overtime,but there are so few nurses.the nurses we have are demanding for the most part.they want to work monday to friday 9-5.well that is unrealistic. the thing to remember is that you must prioritize, everything else is not critical.we use the term cya, cover your you-know-what!good documentation is essential.i wanted to be super nurse too, but you are only human.be firm and say no if you feel unsafe.that is what your manager is there for. don't give up.if you find your manager is not helping, then maybe talking to the doc will help.:o :o
Lad, welcome to the downside of nursing, and I don't mean that in a sarcastic way. I've been a nurse for ten years and while I still love the patients, I am dismayed at how the focus has shifted even in that short time from patient care to money money money. My first instinct was to suggest that perhaps a unit as acute as yours might not be a good place to start - I worked in the ICU of a level I trauma center for two years and I know how overwhelming it can be. However, if you want to stay in a hospital, the less acute the patients, the more of them they give you!:eek: It works out to be six of one, half a dozen of another. So my advice to you comes more from my heart than my head. Stick to your guns. Listen to your conscience and follow its lead. If you are given an assignment you feel is unsafe, never forget that it is your right and responsibility to refuse. I've done it before and it was one of the most uncomfortable things I've ever done, but it was amazing how quickly they found help when I and another nurse who came on at the same time both refused our assignments(nursing home, 18 subacute patients each, no aides, evening shift).
Is there anyone on your unit that could serve as a mentor to you? Someone who has been there for a while? Sometimes just knowing there is a resource can be helpful, although not as helpful as having the ability to clone oneself.
Hang in there. Nursing really can be as rewarding as you had hoped. It's a lot harder than the nursing schools tell you though!
I have only been a nurse since June of this year and also work in a Coronary Care Unit (in Oklahoma). My experiences so far have been wonderful. Everyone has been great! My suggestion is to talk with your supervisor about how your're feeling. He/She may not realize that you are feeling this way. If you don't speak up and say how you are feeling it could just get worse. The hospital I work for has committees because we are working for Magnet status. They discuss issues like this to improve. Also, the critical care department has a Nurse Educator. She is an excellent person to talk to in order to help new nurses feel more comfortable also. The only other suggestion I have would be to find a new hospital to work for, preferrably one that is Magnet status or working toward it. I just feel bad that you are having a hard time, and I hope you don't leave nursing because of it. Just know it CAN BE BETTER!!! Good luck!!!:)
LAD_RN wrote:I need some advice. I am a new RN of only 4months. I work on a cardiac step down floor in a michigan hospital. I have always wanted to be a nurse, ever since I was in 2nd grade. I knew there was a staffing shortage and that it would be hardwork. However I never thought 4 months after achieving my dream and starting my career I would already hate it. SInce I have started my job 9 nurses, on my floor alone, have quit. We constantly work short staffed and nurses are always calling in. I should also mention I work midnights. I love being a nurse and I am very disappointed at the way i feel. I don't want to leave nursing or the health profession but I don't know what to do. Everyday I go to work I am nervous and constantly feel that my license is in jepordy. I guess I am looking for advice on whether this is a normal feeling for a new nurse to have? What should I do? I would love to get involved more in the political aspects...in michigan we have no limits to patient nurse ratios or overtime. A persons health is the most important thing in life, without health there is no life....yet there really is no prominent political support for nurses. Atleast not in michigan. ANY ADVICE?
My suggestion to you would be find a new position whether it be in the same hospital or a different one. What type of graduate nurse orientation did you have? How long did you work with a preceptor. If you are going to work constantly worried that you are being put in situations in which a patient might be harmed you need to step back, find a new job, and walk away with your head held high.
I'm also a new RN (started my job in May.) I also have days where I feel like why did I become a nurse? But those days have become less as I have toughed it out. And it has been tough! I think half the battle was figuring out which doctors you could call and not get your butt chewed off and which ones would actually listen to your concerns. Another part of the battle for me was just finding where everything is on the unit. I have not yet felt that my license was in jepardy but I have felt unsure of myself at times and that is when I asked for help or advice. I never let anyone else do my job but I will ask others for advice or how they do things. The feeling of being unsure is scary because we are dealing with people lives. If asking for help did not get results I would have been terrified and quit a while ago. All new nurses need assistance from time to time and if you work with people who are not willing to help, you are going to struggle. I work in post-surg for a large hospital in St. Paul, Mn. I work .8 a pay period and feel exhaused even on my days off. I have to say that 3 nurses I started with cried in the locker room the first week they were on their own. I didn't cry at work but did when I got home. I continue to ask questions when I am unsure of what I'm doing or how to do it. The day I don't get answers or advice from others is the day I will quit my job. All nurses were new at one time and learned much of what they know from other nurses. My advice is that if co-workers/supervisors are not willing to listen to your concerns or offer advice when you need it I would quit. You can never guess in nursing you have to know to the best of your ability what you are doing and why you are doing it. I would also talk to your manager about your concerns and if you get poor results than you may need to consider finding a new job.
LAD_RN wrote:I need some advice. I am a new RN of only 4months. I work on a cardiac step down floor in a michigan hospital. I have always wanted to be a nurse, ever since I was in 2nd grade. I knew there was a staffing shortage and that it would be hardwork. However I never thought 4 months after achieving my dream and starting my career I would already hate it. SInce I have started my job 9 nurses, on my floor alone, have quit. We constantly work short staffed and nurses are always calling in. I should also mention I work midnights. I love being a nurse and I am very disappointed at the way i feel. I don't want to leave nursing or the health profession but I don't know what to do. Everyday I go to work I am nervous and constantly feel that my license is in jepordy. I guess I am looking for advice on whether this is a normal feeling for a new nurse to have? What should I do? I would love to get involved more in the political aspects...in michigan we have no limits to patient nurse ratios or overtime. A persons health is the most important thing in life, without health there is no life....yet there really is no prominent political support for nurses. Atleast not in michigan. ANY ADVICE?
Hi Lad,
About ten years ago, I was a relatively new RN and experienced the same feelings. Like you, I worked night shift on a cardiac step-down unit and there was a high turnover. The patients were very sick and things moved very quickly. Although there was a goal of a 4:1 nurse to patient ratio, that was seldom observed especially on nights. By then, I had already worked for fifteen years as a respiratory therapist in critical care, so the environment was familiar but using nursing scope of practice and having absolute responsibility for the patient in the absence of the physician was intimidating. Now, I work on the dayshift in a critical care unit, frequently in charge, and manage the load just fine. My feeling is that you have a little performance anxiety, like me and many others before us had. I think it's a healthy "problem" to have because it causes you to be careful, but don't operate out of paranoia. Trust in your education and common sense. Use your resources and listen to what they say. Nurses hate to make mistakes because patients bear the consequences, but you will make mistakes. Learn from them, forgive yourself, and carry on. Respect that this is the way things are, allow yourself to grow, and try to not pick up bad habits. Soon you will be the experienced nurse with a new intern at your side.
Tiredofthesystem wrote:Casio.. nothing personal but you certainly fit the role /demographic ( Nurse Teacher) of ARMCHAIR QUARTERBACK.... someone who wants people to constantly get mired in a monolithic path of grief and mayhem, while sitting on the sidelines watching corporate America piper their way through everyones sanity. Why dont you tell the guy the truth... which is that 90% of all nurses are miserable,..go into it for the money, end up in divorce, alcoholism, and dispair? How about telling him to go work at starbucks while studying for his Nurse Anesthesis? That way he will appreciate the field of nursing and not get raped and pillaged by the claws of bedside nursing. ?
Just my .02 cents.
:::sheeeeeeeeeeeeesh
Dear tired,
You have a knack for understatement. Sometimes we stick it out for too long and the money isn't worth it anymore. It sounds like maybe you've paid more than you ever earned and are ready for that Starbucks job yourself. Maybe you should start looking. Just a few more cents.
LAD_RN wrote:I need some advice. I am a new RN of only 4months. I work on a cardiac step down floor in a michigan hospital. I have always wanted to be a nurse, ever since I was in 2nd grade. I knew there was a staffing shortage and that it would be hardwork. However I never thought 4 months after achieving my dream and starting my career I would already hate it. SInce I have started my job 9 nurses, on my floor alone, have quit. We constantly work short staffed and nurses are always calling in. I should also mention I work midnights. I love being a nurse and I am very disappointed at the way i feel. I don't want to leave nursing or the health profession but I don't know what to do. Everyday I go to work I am nervous and constantly feel that my license is in jepordy. I guess I am looking for advice on whether this is a normal feeling for a new nurse to have? What should I do? I would love to get involved more in the political aspects...in michigan we have no limits to patient nurse ratios or overtime. A persons health is the most important thing in life, without health there is no life....yet there really is no prominent political support for nurses. Atleast not in michigan. ANY ADVICE?
First of all you need to be congratulated on your accomplishment. All of us here can attest to the fact that nursing school was not an easy endeavor. Secondly, if I forget to to this in my first response, please forgive me. Welcome to the Nursing Profession. To start with it can be very difficult making the transition from student nurse to your new role as a RN. As you have settled into your new position you have probably noticed that your unit managers and peers expect more from you with less supervision and guidance. Even though this may be true just remember that a good nurse will ask questions and will not assume anything. With advances in medicine and technologies every day becomes an opportunity to learn something new. This holds true for RNS (like myself). I have been a RN since the early 1990s and there is no way I could ever know everything. That is why it is so important that you have resources at hand to help answer your questions. Most importantly it takes a good year of work as a RN to start to feel comfortable in your new role as a RN.
If you really feel that your current job is putting your license in jeopardy you need to transfer to another unit or to another hospital. A hospital with a good graduate nurse program will be the best. Your orientation as a new RN is extremely important. How long was your orientation after graduation?
I have found an article that I think will interest you. Good luck. Please update us on your situation.
LAD_RN wrote:I need some advice. I am a new RN of only 4months. I work on a cardiac step down floor in a michigan hospital. I have always wanted to be a nurse, ever since I was in 2nd grade. I knew there was a staffing shortage and that it would be hardwork. However I never thought 4 months after achieving my dream and starting my career I would already hate it. SInce I have started my job 9 nurses, on my floor alone, have quit. We constantly work short staffed and nurses are always calling in. I should also mention I work midnights. I love being a nurse and I am very disappointed at the way i feel. I don't want to leave nursing or the health profession but I don't know what to do. Everyday I go to work I am nervous and constantly feel that my license is in jepordy. I guess I am looking for advice on whether this is a normal feeling for a new nurse to have? What should I do? I would love to get involved more in the political aspects...in michigan we have no limits to patient nurse ratios or overtime. A persons health is the most important thing in life, without health there is no life....yet there really is no prominent political support for nurses. Atleast not in michigan. ANY ADVICE?
Hey LAD -- it's been nearly a month since your post -- are you still out there? What's the scoop? Have you survived your ordeal on the cardiac step-down unit?
It would be important for the rest of us to hear from you because, while this thread has wandered far afield from your original post, there have been a lot of responses from nurses who genuinely care that you make it through this tough patch and gaina sense of comfort & confidence in your new career.
Two insights I'd like to share with you:
First, you're a survivor. You told us that 9 nurses had left the unit -- just since you'd started your job! There's a term in psychology called "survivor syndrome." It is applied to those who remain after some natural (or man-made) disaster and feel overwhelmed, weary, unsure that they can or will go on. These folks also begin to doubt themselves -- in situations where they've survived an epidemic, for instance, they report feeling guilty that THEY LIVED while others, friends and family, did not. In your situation, you may feel like you picked a poor place to practice, like it is your fault that your career got off to a rocky start or that you're a "chump" for staying, so you'd best move on like theother 9 nurses have. You said you feel "disappointed in the way I feel." There's no need for that. Your feelings are perfectly natural and understandable, but don't get stuck feeling bad about yourself or your practice!
Don't be disabled by survivor syndrome. You're alive. Your career lies ahead of you. You chose this place to begin your life's work. You can choose to move on, to select a different setting or to see if you can change the one you're working in (although that is easier said than done). None of these choices is a "bad" choice. It is only when you see yourself as having NO choice that things unravel and truely go from bad to worse. As long as you recognize that YOU HAVE CHOICES, you will not become a victim of the place or the people who you work for or with. Consider your choices, and know that choice does put you in charge of your future.
Second, you are clearly wounded and afraid. You said in your original post, "I am nervous and constantly feel that my license is in jepordy" -- trust me, we've all been in some situation where we fear that our own professional future is being jeopardized by a workplace situation. Sooner or later, it happens to everyone. It is, in part, the end result of a very STRONG nursing history of taking responsiblity for the care of others. The public trusts us (the Gallup poll puts us at the top of that list year after year!) as so, when things around us go wrong, we naturally fear that our lively-hood is at risk.
Don't let fear run your career. Take your concerns to someone who can help (Whether you get the help you seek or not, just raising your voice keeps you from feeling like a victim!). That may be someone within the organization -- a manager, administrator, or even a board member. If that route proves useless, it may be the community who counts on this hospital for its care -- so perhaps the newspaper is your avenue for making your concerns known.
And, by all means, take care of yourself. Whether you stay or go at this point in your worklife, is entirely up to you. But please know, there IS somewhere else in Michigan for you to find fulfillment in nursing. There is a nursing department that will be thrilled to have you and your enthusiasm for nursing. I don't know if your present place will "morph" over time into the place you had hoped it might be, but remember, you have choices. Start a list of what you DO WANT in your career so that when you do hunt for the next job, the next healthcare system, the next manager or work-unit, you'll recognize the one you want when you see it.
Best wishes for a long and healthy career in nursing.
Hello New LAD RN
I remember the focus of Nursing school was effective communication, safety, patient care, (we actually practiced giving each other bed baths LOL )In reality we have wipe and run bath packs and sometimes are lucky enough to have a CNA to help. Adjusting from nursing school to reality today must be tough!
I work CCU where we are staffed 3-1. We get open hearts post op day 2 still with pacers chest tubes etc. We also manage active chest pain patients, acute CHF,AFIB, get all the heart caths... yes, 3-1 staffing and often no CNA. Once it was a little hospital where we shipped anything critical and we were staffed 2-1, go figure. We are new magnet but I'm not sure how that helps nursing really. It looks good on paper. The patients are wonderful, My advice is to learn what you can and if you are unhappy take your skills to another arena in nursing. There are may avenues to practice, home health, traveling, office, schools, etc etc etc. Burn no bridges and best of luck to you!
I agree with some of the other comments. It is not an easy road at first because no other job compares to nursing. There is ALOT that is asked of you and it can be very overwhelming. It can also be difficult because the old saying "nurses eat their young" can ring VERY true! Most hospitals in my area, are now using the mentor program. Basically they assign another nurse to you so that if you need to vent or have concerns, you can go to that person for advice and help. Usually these nurses have worked at the hospital for a few years, and can shed some light on the system. You should never be put in a situation where a patients life is in jeopardy. I think that some of the other responses are right, maybe try working another unit or hospital.
LAD_RN wrote:I need some advice. I am a new RN of only 4months. I work on a cardiac step down floor in a michigan hospital. I have always wanted to be a nurse, ever since I was in 2nd grade. I knew there was a staffing shortage and that it would be hardwork. However I never thought 4 months after achieving my dream and starting my career I would already hate it. SInce I have started my job 9 nurses, on my floor alone, have quit. We constantly work short staffed and nurses are always calling in. I should also mention I work midnights. I love being a nurse and I am very disappointed at the way i feel. I don't want to leave nursing or the health profession but I don't know what to do. Everyday I go to work I am nervous and constantly feel that my license is in jepordy. I guess I am looking for advice on whether this is a normal feeling for a new nurse to have? What should I do? I would love to get involved more in the political aspects...in michigan we have no limits to patient nurse ratios or overtime. A persons health is the most important thing in life, without health there is no life....yet there really is no prominent political support for nurses. Atleast not in michigan. ANY ADVICE?
I think you have picked the wrong side of the clock to work on. First of all, nights are for those Nurses that have been in this field for some time. What's lacking is speed, educatiom from experience and everything is too new. Might shift is staffed much worse than days because most don't want to be up all night.
I'm a day shifter thru and thru. I would give anything to work your shift but my eyes close at 2 am and I'm unable to finish the shift. I've tried 3x in my career and forget it!
I've been in this field for 28 years now. Get those 2 years of experience in and then do travel nusing if you can. It's fun and you would make more $$$. You just need more time at what you're doing and you're good to go.
Well, I'm late into this, so sorry for bringing this up again if it is already a lost topic. Lad, I think you should look for a different nursing job. If you are always working short, and if that many people have left since you started, chances are it is just a crappy job. Not all nursing jobs are like that. Obviously nursing has it's bad points, and everyone has their bad days but overall you should enjoy your job. If you feel that much dread when you're on your way to work, then I'd say try a different job. Maybe try a different area of nursing. Don't just give up on nursing. It is worth it to find your place.
I have been in nursing for 18 yrs. as I mentioned in a previous message. I have had good and bad, ups and downs....it is everywhere...and lately, things seem to be shifting to more paperwork, documentation, and many issues that do not seem to be related to actual hands on patient care. It is a difficult adjustment. One thing I would like to say is that remember, being a nurse is only a part of who you really are. It is an integral part of your personality and life, but it does not define you as a person. Remember what you did and who you were before you even became a nurse....focus on that. I agree that changing jobs or scopes of practice may help...I have had different types of jobs over the years...just to keep my sanity and to take a break from one place after awhile. It is a rewarding career, but it takes time to "find a niche". You are making a difference in your own way. Think of how your patients and you relate to one another....ultimately, that is the important thing. All those other "annoying" things come with the territory. Take care.
Lad RN you may forever hate it or you may get used to it. IT IS VERY HARD TO BE A NURSE, NOT JUST ANYONE CAN DO IT. If you have not heard that yet form regular people you will hear it. It is very true. Your floor sounds like it has big problems. Maybe you should leave also.... I apologize in advance to your boss for the suggestion.... But, as a new nurse you need a good first time... if you know what I mean. I have been a nurse 17 years....looking for a new career as it has been hard. But, I loved caring for people and I made a difference. But, it wasn't as I expected for sure.
:luck:
LAD_RN wrote:I need some advice. I am a new RN of only 4months. I work on a cardiac step down floor in a michigan hospital. I have always wanted to be a nurse, ever since I was in 2nd grade. I knew there was a staffing shortage and that it would be hardwork. However I never thought 4 months after achieving my dream and starting my career I would already hate it. SInce I have started my job 9 nurses, on my floor alone, have quit. We constantly work short staffed and nurses are always calling in. I should also mention I work midnights. I love being a nurse and I am very disappointed at the way i feel. I don't want to leave nursing or the health profession but I don't know what to do. Everyday I go to work I am nervous and constantly feel that my license is in jepordy. I guess I am looking for advice on whether this is a normal feeling for a new nurse to have? What should I do? I would love to get involved more in the political aspects...in michigan we have no limits to patient nurse ratios or overtime. A persons health is the most important thing in life, without health there is no life....yet there really is no prominent political support for nurses. Atleast not in michigan. ANY ADVICE?
My advice is to change jobs! Working conditions are a lot like that in a lot of places. If you could find a smaller facility with better nurse /patient ratio or maybe you will end up like me too anal retentive to be a Med/Surg nurse. Shoot for a specialty such as ICU/CCU your patients may be sicker but I have found that I can handle 2-3 patients with a million tubes and lines a lot better than I can handle the mayhem of a med /surg/tele setting. I discovered this 7 months after entering the field and I too was miserable. I soon transferred to OR and have done OR/PACU/ER/ ICU for the last 29 years.
The sod the instructor fed you is just that. You are in a dangerous situation and your employer doesn't care. CYA - I now take travel assignments so that I can have more say so in the hours I put in each week, overtime, etc. I still get caught in a bad barrel at times but there is a light at the end of that tunnel and I put that facility on my DNR list (do not return)
I'd been an LPN for years, and have worked many places. I loved 2 agencies, but...one got merged, and the other one had positions too far away. I got lucky with my current job; been here 7 + years, and that was after a few years of being a nurse. If you need to, shop around. At least you can get some experience?! 'Cat'
Hey darling i read your post
omg, i feel for you so much, you have only been their 4 months, its good we have boards like this, just give it a chance, think postively, no one wants your licence, dont worry
I'm new to the forum and realize the original post is fairly old. I hope things seem a little brighter for you, but here is my two cents:
Nursing is never what people expect it to be, unless you are a nurse you have no idea of all the tasks that we do in a shift. It is completely normal to always feel nervous, like you don't know what your doing when you are a new nurse, and the only thing that cures that is experience, time put in. I suggest every nursing student and new nurse to volunteer for any procedures that come their way or view whatever you can, even if it's not your own patient. That's the only way of getting experience.
I also do believe it depends on the area your working and who you work with on how happy you'll be. You have to view the pros and cons of places, and if you feel unsafe, unsupported, or overworked, it is a good idea to see what else is out there.
A lot of people have said speak with your supervisor. Take that with caution. In a perfect world you can do that, but I have seen many supervisors who I wouldn't trust, somehow they always use things against you. So, if yours is one who will genuinly care and listen, then go for it.
I agree that it is not the best idea to start out at any acute area, it's better to get your basic skills down including organization first, which is why most places suggest starting at med-surg areas first.
I also hate nursing at this point, but I believe I am burnt out, and I hope to pull through it eventually. I am not in a place in my life where I can find somewhere where maybe I'll be happier, but once I have more flexibility a.k.a. when the kids are grown, I'll be looking for something else that is not so hard on my mind and my body.
Good luck!
BurntoutRN wrote:I'm new to the forum and realize the original post is fairly old. I hope things seem a little brighter for you, but here is my two cents:
Nursing is never what people expect it to be, unless you are a nurse you have no idea of all the tasks that we do in a shift. It is completely normal to always feel nervous, like you don't know what your doing when you are a new nurse, and the only thing that cures that is experience, time put in. I suggest every nursing student and new nurse to volunteer for any procedures that come their way or view whatever you can, even if it's not your own patient. That's the only way of getting experience.
I also do believe it depends on the area your working and who you work with on how happy you'll be. You have to view the pros and cons of places, and if you feel unsafe, unsupported, or overworked, it is a good idea to see what else is out there.
A lot of people have said speak with your supervisor. Take that with caution. In a perfect world you can do that, but I have seen many supervisors who I wouldn't trust, somehow they always use things against you. So, if yours is one who will genuinly care and listen, then go for it.
I agree that it is not the best idea to start out at any acute area, it's better to get your basic skills down including organization first, which is why most places suggest starting at med-surg areas first.
I also hate nursing at this point, but I believe I am burnt out, and I hope to pull through it eventually. I am not in a place in my life where I can find somewhere where maybe I'll be happier, but once I have more flexibility a.k.a. when the kids are grown, I'll be looking for something else that is not so hard on my mind and my body.
Good luck!
Good post, BurntoutRN,
I agree with the things you said and understand too the feeling of being unable to move into something else until the kids are grown. You said that you feel burnt out and that you believe it might pass. I've been there too, several times and think it does pass. Even though it might feel like the last thing you may want to do, sometimes it helps to take on a new project or to change your work location. Changing my weekend even helped me at one time. Good luck.
Dear New Nurse,
Run from this job like your hair is on fire!! There is no reason for a new nurse to be "thrown to the wolves" like that IMHO. It takes YEARS to gain the experience and knowledge necessary to be a great nurse. Find a position where you get adequate orientation and co-workers have time and knowledge to assist you. Perhaps a small community hospital. Having worked in homecare and hospice, I do not recommend this without a few years under your belt. Keep looking until you find you niche. Good luck
LAD_RN wrote:I need some advice. I am a new RN of only 4months. I work on a cardiac step down floor in a michigan hospital. I have always wanted to be a nurse, ever since I was in 2nd grade. I knew there was a staffing shortage and that it would be hardwork. However I never thought 4 months after achieving my dream and starting my career I would already hate it. SInce I have started my job 9 nurses, on my floor alone, have quit. We constantly work short staffed and nurses are always calling in. I should also mention I work midnights. I love being a nurse and I am very disappointed at the way i feel. I don't want to leave nursing or the health profession but I don't know what to do. Everyday I go to work I am nervous and constantly feel that my license is in jepordy. I guess I am looking for advice on whether this is a normal feeling for a new nurse to have? What should I do? I would love to get involved more in the political aspects...in michigan we have no limits to patient nurse ratios or overtime. A persons health is the most important thing in life, without health there is no life....yet there really is no prominent political support for nurses. Atleast not in michigan. ANY ADVICE?
I'll never forget how disillusioned I felt during the early days after graduation. For the first 6 months I think I went home in tears almost every day. It seems our training is biased toward hospital positions but nursing encompasses so much more and there are those, like me, who do not at all enjoy hospital work.
Perhaps you could give yourself a year before making up your mind about nursing. By then you will have enough experience to be able to move around in the profession. And in the meantime, there is no shame in looking for a less intense unit while you find your balance.
Good luck to you.
HI,
I worked in Michigan for 25 yrs. so I know what you mean about no staffing quotiont. Are you tied to the hospital you are now at due to student loans or contract? It sounds like you are at a big teaching facility. Perhaps a smaller community hospital or even just a different unit at your current facility would work better for you. Going into cardiac stepdown is a big step for a new grad. I've always loved obstetrics. Also, if you ever want to get into travel nursing, the pay is great for L/D nurses. Hope this finds you feeling a little better with a few more options!:cool:
But it does. This nurse needs an union to help her. This is why nurses need safe ratio laws to protect laws you all. In Mesquite Texas a panel of concerned citizens have said that Texas Hospitals are unsafe for the patients and the nurses with out safe ratio laws. LAD RN please do not worry things will be better you can go to www.nnoc.net or www.calnurses.org and they can and will help you. They are fighting for ratios national and are standing with RNs who have been fired for invoking safe harbor in Texas and not taking unsafe assingments. Your freedom and lively hood could be at stake if you take an unsafe assingment
I think it's sounds like your working environment is not for you. If your unhappy you need to get out of there. I have worked alongside nurses who have been working in their area for years and years and complain every single day about how much they hate what they are doing. And do nothing about it....I just think if you don't enjoy your work then move on somewhere else. There is so much opportunity out there and so many different areas, you may just need to find your niche....
gosh, all you complaining a bout beina a nurse.. wish i could fulfill my dream in being a nurse. i wouldnt be in it for money id do it for a real reason helping others. but i can t do it.....
I have been a nurse for almost three years now and I don't know what I thought it would be like being a nurse in a hospital. I never thought it would be like this, always stressed out, it is draining physically and mentally. However, I thank God for the opportunity that he gave me everyday and that is what I look at this as an opportunity. I can say that I hate my job because I don't. I don't like my job because of as we all know the staffing and the high acuity of the patients. I work medical/telementry and I know that I have gotten better as a nurse by how I handle situations but I do know that hospital nursing is something that I do not want to do for thirty, some years. I see older women in their 50's and 60's still trying to run that floor and some have slacked in the proformance and I know I do not want that to be me. Therefore, I am trying to get my BSN which I have one more class to go and return to the service. I am now considering United Plubic Health Corp because I will only have to do 11 1/2 more years to retire. After I do that I feel I can work what job I want to and it not be because I need to pay the bills. I also work the night shift even though it works against my body. It is still busy and stressful but the day shift is even busier. So maybe you should try to go to the night shift if your not already on it and maybe go to another floor were the patients aren't as sick. Sometimes specialty areas have to be build up to.
Dear Jane 123,
As one of the "Older" nurses I object strenuously to your lumping all of us together! I have seen many "older" nurses run circles around the younger ones and what about their superior knowledge and organizational skills! I am much offended by your comments!:mad:
Well,
You should not feel that way because I did not put you in that catogory. I said, I see some nurses were I work, I didn't say all nurses over fifty slack off.
singer7 wrote:Dear Jane 123,
As one of the "Older" nurses I object strenuously to your lumping all of us together! I have seen many "older" nurses run circles around the younger ones and what about their superior knowledge and organizational skills! I am much offended by your comments!:mad:
singer7 wrote:Dear Jane 123,
As one of the "Older" nurses I object strenuously to your lumping all of us together! I have seen many "older" nurses run circles around the younger ones and what about their superior knowledge and organizational skills! I am much offended by your comments!:mad:
Please, go back & re-read. IMHO, you misread. My take on the "Older" nurses reference was that some [not all] become burnt out, which I definitely agree.
Let us all remember the reason for the season... Merry Christmas!
Gosh, the conditions you work under sound grueling! It's hard enough being a new grad nurse but so many nurses quitting?...what does that tell you? I'm shaking my head right now...there's something wrong with that.
I definitely can relate to the feelings of being NEW and "hating" the stressful working conditions...please don't mistake what I'm saying...I have never felt that I hate my patients or that I hold hard feelings towards my patients...I love my patients...it's the stress I don't like.
You are NOT alone. I felt that way too when I was new and I still feel that way now sometimes too!
Take some pro-active steps in your life. Start asking yourself some meaningful questions...what do you really want to make happen in your life? You know what they say, if you LOVE what you do for a living, you'll never have to WORK another day in your life!!!
I've asked myself those questions and I take actions daily to change my circumstances!
Good luck!
O I do feel for you! I have been qualified for over 30years, and the first couple of years were so stressful. It takes time to gain confidence, and if you are feeling this way, you need to talk to your supervisor. So much help is available these days...
I still find my job very stressful, but these days it's not the actual work, it's the job, if you get my meaning. So much paperwork and political correctness. So many basics overlooked and ignored. (I'm writing from England by the way, so many posts here seem to be from the USA.)
In my opinion any new nurse is going to feel overwhelmed. You chose to go to school for this profession and also assumed all the responsibility that goes with it. It is a lot of responsibility that makes you grow up a whole lot quicker regardless of your age. Also the younger you are people tend to treat you a little differently. I am now a RN and have been for 3years, but I was a Paramedic for 10 years before that. I was the youngest licensed medic in the state. I was only 17 years old at the time and I had patients tell me that they had shoes older than I was. But being a medic and being a nurse is different. I guess what I'm trying to say is that right now times are tuff because the nursing field is short staffed everywhere you go. Things will get better. Don't let the stress get you if you have to go to your supervisor or go talk to someone in the EAP if your facility has one. Just remember everyone is not cut out to be a nurse, so don't let the stress run you off or make you hate your job. Because if everyone left because of stress who would take care of the sick. Also remember, it takes a special person to be a nurse and you chose to become one. Keep up the good work.
I hated it too and because of the money I ended up staying in it for 20 yrs. It got a bit better but it is just going to get alot worse. I'm thinking of some type of business, seriously. I have not settled yet on what it is yet.
Beth
Oregon
Ive read through this thread and although it originates a number of years ago, the initial post reminds me of my own experiences.
In my personal case, I did very well throughout my education programme and clinical placements as a student nurse. I enjoyed my course and thought that this was going to be the greatest thing ever.
Upon qualifying I got a job in a general surgical unit. This particular unit had hosted me on 3 previous occassions as a student and indeed had been the very place where my management assessment was carried out. I was delighted to say the least. I knew the staff, they knew me and we got on well. I knew what the work was like and felt comfortable and couldnt wait to start. It was the dream beginningto my career.... or so i thought.
What I didnt have a real good insight into, or appreciate was the day to day hospital politics and the responsibility that you have once that 'safety net' of being a student nurse is removed.
Not that i wasnt a good nurse, but with the added responsibilty and pressure I struggled, and struggled bad for quite awhile. I went home days and even told my allocaed mentor and one point I felt like going back to being an aide in the challanging behaviour unit, I was so unhappy and felt useless, incompetent and ill prepared for the job I had walked into. I was seeing that I had been shielded as a student from the pressures of managing constant admissions, outlying patients to other floors to accomodate sicker patients, the higher expectation and the silly bickering and in fighting that went on and also.
Silly harmless little mistakes I had once made that had once been delt with by pointing out where I went wrong and how to rectify it now suddenly became a crime so serious the verbal lashings destroyed what little confidence in my skills and ability I had left!
The first year was hard. Despite wanting to quit on numerous occassions I didnt. It was hard to hear about how great collegues I had trained with were being described as fantastic nurses while the only time I ever heard anything about me was when I had screwed up yet again!
But it did get better and I learned alot from my own experience and it has served me well in working with newly qualified staff and with nursing students. Ive learned not to sugar coat a problem with new staff ( particularly newly qualified ones) but the I always finish feed back with some positive for them, New nurses and studnets NEED to be told they are good at something as well as highlighting weakness constantly.
While the politicing and staffing level debate will always be an issue, you learn how to better cope and deal with these things as you gain in experience.
Now Im a senior member of staff on the same unit, Im in charge of the place on occassion and I will always retain the feelings I had in that first year, but use them for positive change.
Wow,I am a new nurse in the field and all these negative comments about nursing is depressing. I think its how you aproach each situaton. I already know nursing is a diificult career, sometime mandatory overtime, over worked and feel under appreciated. I am going to enter the profession with these things in mind and work as stress free as possible bacause at the end of the day its all about my sanity. If you dont plan to make a change why complain? That is how I see things. Its just the new bee 2 cents.
jchris wrote:Wow,I am a new nurse in the field and all these negative comments about nursing is depressing. I think its how you aproach each situaton. I already know nursing is a diificult career, sometime mandatory overtime, over worked and feel under appreciated. I am going to enter the profession with these things in mind and work as stress free as possible bacause at the end of the day its all about my sanity. If you dont plan to make a change why complain? That is how I see things. Its just the new bee 2 cents.
Jchris, thank you for your thoughts and comments! You are so right; it IS how you go about things. Perhaps the job and the person don't quite 'mesh'? Again, thank you for your input. You 'newbies' can teach us 'old timers' a few things, I tell ya!
jchris wrote:Wow,I am a new nurse in the field and all these negative comments about nursing is depressing. I think its how you aproach each situaton. I already know nursing is a diificult career, sometime mandatory overtime, over worked and feel under appreciated. I am going to enter the profession with these things in mind and work as stress free as possible bacause at the end of the day its all about my sanity. If you dont plan to make a change why complain? That is how I see things. Its just the new bee 2 cents.
Hey again, Chris,
I agree wholeheartedly with your comments. What I like in particular is that you allude to the idea that nurses, or any healthcare provider, need to take care of number one. Stress management is key to survival. The respiratory therapist in you is talking. Take that wisdom into nursing with you.
Very good take on that subject, I agree, I am an LPN and we all feel these things a lot. I was a Cena for 6 yrs, then went back and got my LPN. We all work very hard in this field, you have a very good mind set starting out, thanks for sharing.
Just one more thought on that subject, I am for one very very thankful that I have 2 jobs with all the hours I want, at least for now. I hope it continues because it does pay the bills.....and a lot of folks are out of work right now. Makes me happy that I am a nurse.
Sailorbob wrote:I'll never forget how disillusioned I felt during the early days after graduation. For the first 6 months I think I went home in tears almost every day. It seems our training is biased toward hospital positions but nursing encompasses so much more and there are those, like me, who do not at all enjoy hospital work.
Perhaps you could give yourself a year before making up your mind about nursing. By then you will have enough experience to be able to move around in the profession. And in the meantime, there is no shame in looking for a less intense unit while you find your balance.
Good luck to you.
I have to agree, the first year at least on the floor was super stressful and each day I questioned if I was going to last my first year.
Realize that there are nurses out there that will help, take you under their wing and want you to succeed. Feel them out on your unit and you'll find them.
More experienced nurses realize that without new nurses, there will be no one to take care of our patients (and us!). Some are more inclined to help new graduates than others.
I'm sure some have said it already, but see if you can transfer to a new area.
I worked Med-Surg for two years and absolutely hated it. Finally got the guts to ICU and overall, I really enjoy what I do.
If you can, go to a new area to make the change. You just might not be in the area for you. Personally, I recommend ICU and ER. People always say to go floor then critical care, but if I could've done it all over again, I would've gone straight to ICU.
Anyhoo, hope that helps. Hold in there, it does get better! And dunno if anyone told you, but the first 6 months to a year just plain sucks. Once you get used to things, work out your routine, and build up some confidence and backbone, it'll get better. New nurses tend to get run over, and a lot of times, our colleagues don't lift a finger to help (people always told me nurses eat their young).
Trust me though, it gets better. You do a lot of good every day. And so long as you genuinely care and want to get better (which sounds like you do), you will be a great nurse. It's a simple as that!
tyrus wrote:I'm sure some have said it already, but see if you can transfer to a new area.
I worked Med-Surg for two years and absolutely hated it. Finally got the guts to ICU and overall, I really enjoy what I do.
If you can, go to a new area to make the change. You just might not be in the area for you. Personally, I recommend ICU and ER. People always say to go floor then critical care, but if I could've done it all over again, I would've gone straight to ICU.
Anyhoo, hope that helps. Hold in there, it does get better! And dunno if anyone told you, but the first 6 months to a year just plain sucks. Once you get used to things, work out your routine, and build up some confidence and backbone, it'll get better. New nurses tend to get run over, and a lot of times, our colleagues don't lift a finger to help (people always told me nurses eat their young).
Trust me though, it gets better. You do a lot of good every day. And so long as you genuinely care and want to get better (which sounds like you do), you will be a great nurse. It's a simple as that!
Most ICU and ER jobs that I've seen posted require one or two years prior acute care experince.
Before working in the ICU worked on 64 bed Telemetry Floor. Took care of up to 5 patients on days & up to 10 on nites. As most of you know, the older patients don't always sleep during the nite D/T sundowners.
Hi There!!
I am a Michigan Nurse and know that the staffing ratio's can be hard. I remember those first few months on the floor as stressful esp because you have to learn to multiple task with 4-5 patients. The burn-out rate is high and its exhausting. YES!! I moved into the ICU where I could concentrate on one or two sicker people. Have you considered ICU over cardiac stepdown?
Chris Z
The first year as a nurse on the floors, specially in a hospital are not pleasant. The good news is, once you get past it, it gets easier and you can start to see other career opportunities.
That experience is invaluable as it prepares you to deal with a large number of patients, situations, emergencies and conditions.
When you get to the point, where you've dealt with situations and built up a strong measure of confidence, your career outlook will be much brighter.
Do look to other nurses on your unit, learn which ones will answer questions and lend a hand.
Be eager to learn new things. When foleys are going in, ivs need to be started, doctors are doing procedures on the floor, ask if you can watch, help and learn.
Nurses look kindly on new nurses who are willing to learn.
christinez wrote:Hi There!!
I am a Michigan Nurse and know that the staffing ratio's can be hard. I remember those first few months on the floor as stressful esp because you have to learn to multiple task with 4-5 patients. The burn-out rate is high and its exhausting. YES!! I moved into the ICU where I could concentrate on one or two sicker people. Have you considered ICU over cardiac stepdown?
Chris Z
LAD RN, I am a new nurse too. Congrats on surviving school, the NCLEX and all the other indignities on the path to getting those two initials!! Sorry to hear your first nursing job hasn't been what you had hoped for. I have several friends dealing with the same thing right now. This has been a difficult transition. Cassio did say something that is true...nursing is very different from the school experience. You don't have to go the day before and stay up late doing care plans...but you don't get the time to really focus on one or two patients in the in-depth way in which you do as a nursing student. There aren't nearly as many tests, but there are codes and near-codes and a million split second decisions and you can't study ahead or review your lecture notes. I'm having a blast in my new job and learning a ton every day. I am fortunate to have found a facility I am proud of and a group of nurses who work as a team and cooperate with one another. I know this is a difficult time to find a job but it definitely sounds like you are going to be a great nurse but you may not have found the right fit. Have you tried talking with your manager or graduate nurse coordinator? Do you have a resource person you can reach out to and perhaps plan for a transfer? If you do not feel that there is any hope at this facility, try looking elsewhere. Just like you said, health is of the utmost importance. Not just for our patients but for ourselves. Best of luck finding a healthy environment to practice nursing! - Toddy
When I was a new grad I had the exact feeling. I stuck it out 6 months just to "make sure" I didn't like it. I was on a telemetry floor with very sick patients on night shift with no limit to my patient load. It was overwhelming as I was not yet confident in my skills and I didn't feel it was safe practice. Fortunately one HS I had to float to the SNF in the same hospital for a night. I liked it so much I transferred to that unit. Point is, there are other options. It's ok to start off at a more comfortable level. Nursing is great in that there are many opportunities before deciding to get out of it completely.
I have been a nurse for five years now and I tell you it does not get any easier. I truly can relate to you and how you are feeling. The stress level of a floor nurse is off the chart and that won't change. Every hospital that I have worked in never has enough nurses although it was not quite as bad as your floor appears to be with so many nurses quitting. My advice to you is to really think about the type of nursing you are interested in doing and the responsibilities that each carry. Than think about what one feels he or she can deal with. Many people do get into the field of nursing for money reasons. I myself got in because the of job security and decent pay but but being a nurse is something that I have always wanted to be. I strive to be the best I can be. In saying that maybe you may want to consider procedure work or clinic work. I myself am considering procedure work; you deal with one patient at a time so just think about it.
sw2002 wrote:When I was a new grad I had the exact feeling. I stuck it out 6 months just to "make sure" I didn't like it. I was on a telemetry floor with very sick patients on night shift with no limit to my patient load. It was overwhelming as I was not yet confident in my skills and I didn't feel it was safe practice. Fortunately one HS I had to float to the SNF in the same hospital for a night. I liked it so much I transferred to that unit. Point is, there are other options. It's ok to start off at a more comfortable level. Nursing is great in that there are many opportunities before deciding to get out of it completely.
I would give it a year at least before you call it quits. It takes that long to learn how to get organized and "start" to feel comfortable with your skills. Nursing in a hospital environment is one of the toughest training grounds you'll encounter. However, once you've got hospital experience under your belt, you can go virtually anywhere. Long term care, surgical centers, home health, insurance companies, medical equipment sales, pharmaceuticals, etc.
Opportunities abound for experienced nurses. The trick is to stick it out and get the time you need under your belt. Look to your coworkers, find who you can ask questions, and for help without getting your head bitten off. They are out there on every unit.
Hope you'll stick it out, there is so much in nursing you'll miss career-wise if you pack it in so early.
After 16 years as a nurse, I have to say I still love my job. I wish everyone could remember why we went into nursing in the first place, and forget all the hashing of the profession. We are here to take care of others, and if anyone went into nursing for the money, the hours or the glamour, "you" are in the wrong profession. I am a DON, and the best part of my day is spent out working on the floor with my patients and staff. I have really good days, and I have REALLY bad days, but at the end of the day if I have touched one person's life for the better, I have done my job. Good luck to you in your nursing career.
LAD_RN wrote:I need some advice. I am a new RN of only 4months. I work on a cardiac step down floor in a michigan hospital. I have always wanted to be a nurse, ever since I was in 2nd grade. I knew there was a staffing shortage and that it would be hardwork. However I never thought 4 months after achieving my dream and starting my career I would already hate it. SInce I have started my job 9 nurses, on my floor alone, have quit. We constantly work short staffed and nurses are always calling in. I should also mention I work midnights. I love being a nurse and I am very disappointed at the way i feel. I don't want to leave nursing or the health profession but I don't know what to do. Everyday I go to work I am nervous and constantly feel that my license is in jepordy. I guess I am looking for advice on whether this is a normal feeling for a new nurse to have? What should I do? I would love to get involved more in the political aspects...in michigan we have no limits to patient nurse ratios or overtime. A persons health is the most important thing in life, without health there is no life....yet there really is no prominent political support for nurses. Atleast not in michigan. ANY ADVICE?
The first question that popped into my head was if these nine nurses quit, or if they got the boot. I think the most important thing you can do is be clear with yourself what you can control and what you can't. There are lots of things to worry about, but only a few things we can influence. Try not to beat yourself up mentally. I would consider the most important way to keep your job is to work hard at maintaining, improving your relationships with your colleagues. In nursing, I can't think of anything more important. Let me know how it goes
