Hi, I could really use some advice. I am a new grad registered nurse. I started out in the ED and realized even though I loved it I was in over my head and wanted to gain a good foundation. I transferred to Cardiac Step Down to keep with critical patients. I do not mind the work-load. I have come to realize that the floor is negative and its hard. I have only been there about 2 months and I am not happy. Is it just me or does it take a while to find your place in the hospital?

It takes months to get comfortable as a new nurse. I try to steer my new RNs to Med Surg because it’s not as critical. Yes, you have more patients but you don’t have the intensive work that an ICU or step-down is involved in. You WILL have months of getting out late and feeling overwhelmed. Know this is normal for a new grad. Do not give up. One day you will “wake up” and realize that you are now feeling competent, getting out on-time, and having time to talk to patients and help your colleagues. It was a good move to get out of the ER…now stay the course for a few more months

I’m a new grad as well. I’ve been a nurse for 8 months now working in Neuro ICU in the nurse residency program . I may not have all the experience and insight as more experienced nurses, but I do know that once I was off orientation and working alone with my own patients I felt the exact same way that you are feeling! I have shifts where I had to stay well past my shift (some days I even sat in my vehicle to cry after work) because once the safety net of my preceptor was gone, that’s where the truth of the work began. I can say that now 8 months in, I am much more equipped to handle what I come on shift to face. I’m not terrified of multiple drips, ART lines, vents or anything. I had a “wake up” moment where it all just clicked into places for me and I was able to handle anything!

I will say that I think it’s about looking inside yourself and understanding what you’re truly passionate about. Pursue that path and be open to learning. Then that light bulb will turn on one day and unlock the capacity to handle whatever you choose to do.

I believe in you! You’ve got this!

The beauty of nursing is you can literally go wherever you want until you find where you are most comfortable

When I was in nursing school ions ago, my instructors advised every student to start off in med/surg. That was one of the best things I ever did for my nursing career. There are a variety of patients with sooooooo many medical issues. I learned about variety diseases, diagnoses and meds, SO MANY MEDS!! You will definitely gain a lot of knowledge if you work in med surg. Good luck with your career 👍🏾👏🏿

The question you need to be asking, is Why did you choose Nursing.? Was it the Glamour, the Wonderful Pay or a Calling? You’ve already seen the hard work needed to become a RN. Unfortunately, your journey has just begun. Were you able to work as a MA or Tech during School to give you some exposure other than Clinicals? One of the Benefits to Nursing is the versatility. Not many hit the right position the first time. The ED and Critical Care are 2 of the most difficult without either experience or a really good Preceptor Program . It is not a negative reflection on you but just a fact. As you progress into Nursing you will experience and learn everyday and build both your experience and confidence. With the demands and responsibilities placed on Nursing in today’s Profession,, it’s a Wonderful Profession and even a Calling but give yourself a fair chance. We need good Nurses and it would be a shame to lose you. Good Luck as you find your passion.

The pace is crazy for that level of acuity! I am a 45 yr nurse and decided I did not need that level of stress!

I don't know enough about your situation. If you believe you have to support of your fellow nurses, M.A.s and Drs, then try it a little longer and see if it is your fit. I don't advise working yourself health issues (stress, depression, etc) there are too many nursing jobs out there. Protect your license, if you feel you are going to make a mistake or worse, I'd find another area of nursing. I became a nurse at 54, so I knew that the E.D., for example, would not be a good fit for me. Good luck I'm rooting for you!!!

It does take a while. But even though we have made great progress, nursing still eats its own. I have never worked on a floor that wasn’t negative and I have never worked in a hospital that didn’t have issues. That’s nursing and that’s why it pays as well as it does. If you ever find a perfect place let us know. We will all want to work there.

Hello. It’s not just you. I worked in the nursing home for years; and then went to the hospital as a Med surg nurse. Only 1month after my orientation, I longed to go back to the nursing home.
Depending on the the type of hospital you work,
You may hate the bedside nursing for 2 main reasons: ( at least from my point of view)
1. The team you work with( Fellow RNs and uncooperative PCTs; unsupportive supervisors).

2. The type of patients you have depending on the community you serve.

In my case, I had the two problems, so after 3 months. I quit that department to preserve my mental health and fall back in love with this profession.

The good news is that nursing is so diverse. You just have to keep trying different departments until you get the one that gets you. Even if it’s in administration.

Hey New RN!
Don't throw your hat in just yet. Yes, you will get your butt kicked when you start but be kind to yourself and know that this is a different world, being a nurse.
I agree with one of your responders, "RN2", as I too, have been a RN for over 40 years. And please know, that even as a seasoned nurse I had many days/nights that I wondered if Office Depot still had any openings. HAHA. Not really. But honestly, it does get better, because so much of what you will do and how you will respond, becomes second nature. And yes, it is hard.
I agree that you should start on MedSurg, simply because you will see it all, and this will be the best opportunity to develop your time management skills and help to define what you really want to do.
When I started, there was not a "Nurse residency program" and how I wish I could have had that time! The other comment that the "RN2" made and is sooooo important, is to "not eat our young". There is NO profession like Nursing, that I have ever seen where there is less support and unkind fellowship while bringing in the new. That used to tear me up! I got my teaching credentials and became a Unit Mentor, just to negate this behavior. I say this just so you know, it is not you and to not take other nurses' behavior personally. Try and hear what is being said, but not how it is being related. Some nurses are just NOT NICE! I don't understand how nurses can forget what it was like to get started, to learn. And keep reading! There will always be education, and you will only benefit from having answers and understanding (and levity ALWAYS helps!).
Hang in there. You will find your niche, and your comfort will develop over time. Just learn to be patient with yourself, and there is nothing like a slow deep breath to keep you on track!
God Bless you! You got this, nurse!

Don’t give up! It took me a good year before I felt comfortable as an RN. I started out in med/surg for several years to get a good foundation on basic nursing skills before I switched to ICU and then eventually PACU. Maybe trying something less critical like med/surg or telemetry would be a better fit for you initially until you become more comfortable? Just go easy on yourself and remind yourself that you’re stronger than you think you are. And if you enjoy interacting with patients and helping them to get better then you know that nursing is the career for you, it’s just the current department that might not be a good fit. There have been times throughout the years when I thought I was crazy to do the job but just kept sticking with it. I’ve been an RN for 30 years now and can imagine doing anything else. Give yourself some grace. 😊

The ER is all I ever wanted to do. It can be overwhelming starting out (and even sometimes after decades in the trenches) but the advice here about starting out Med/Surg is good. I did not do that, and I don't regret it. However, talking to other nurses who did do that, unanimously see it as a benefit.

Hi there. I have been a RN for 26 years. Right out of school, I started off in telemetry which I feel is a great place as a RN to start because you get the med/surg experience but as well as cardiac. I worked in OR, Registry telemetry, Registry PICC, was on the PICC team for almost 20 years, infusion clinic, home infusion, interventional radiology and dialysis. I worked these positions initially because when I worked registry, the hospital for example would ask me why don't you come on staff as an IR Nurse and opportunities opened up.

I enjoy all the departments I have worked in and it gave me a lot of experience. I always had at least 2 jobs like most RNs these days. I think if you are not enjoying your department, ask yourself why? What are the pros and cons to your department??? You are probably young and I think since you are not too happy in your current department, I suggest exploring other areas. I have realized like I said l liked all the positions but I know now as a 50year old RN that my passion is infusion clinic and PICC/VAT.

When I started in telemetry right out of school, it took me a good year to feel confident and comfortable in that department. When I did PICC insertions, it took me 2 years to really feel like I am very confident and feel comfortable advising physicians on IV line options and if the patients are truly PICC candidates for vessel preservation.

You may need some more time, but it doesn't hurt to explore other departments to see where your heart and passion is in nursing. Nursing has only gotten harder and harder since I started back in 1999.

I didn't like telemetry initially as well but for me I think it was because I didn't feel 100% comfortable until that 1 year mark and I remember after that 1 year mark, I was happier and when I went to work, I told myself I am going to have a great day. I realized when you have that mental thoughts of I'm going to have a great day, going into work with that positive attitude made a world of difference for me and on crappy/ busier days, for my sanity, I would take mini mental breaks. Even just going to the bathroom for 1 minute and taking deep breaths and hyper focusing on what I needed to get done so I can mentally feel like more organized on hectic days made it so much better. Also, I was a I'll do everything myself RN, but ask your colleagues for help if you need to. Ask your charge for help. 2 months I feel is not long enough to know if you hate the unit or not. Of course if you like a unit usually by 2 months you will know but 2 months of not being happy I think is not long enough to see if you really dislike that department.

On busy days, if it makes sense take your time and dont rush because that's when mistakes happen. You are one person so focus on one task at a time even though I know it feels like there is a million things to do.

If it helps also, for me I wrote everything down because documentation is so important. I made my own patient kard ex which no hospital uses that anymore since everything is on the computer but I made a kard ex for each patient where I can fill out there information and that really helped me stay organized.

I don't know if I helped or not but for me every new department takes awhile to get used to and to know if truly you are not happy. But you're probably young so my suggestion also is explore other departments. You may get into a department that you love. I knew I loved infusion and PICCs right away, but loving it and feeling comfortable in it is different if that makes sense. You will know quicker if you love it but if you hate it and it has only been a short time you may end up loving it in a year. I wish you the best of luck.

It takes time to find your niche and to grow into the RN role. If you feel your colleagues are more damaging than helpful to your career, request a transfer to another unit, possibly med-surg. Med-surg will give you the foundation to build strong skills.

It’s not just you. I hated life as an RN working as a bedside nurse. My manager told me it happens to everyone and then everyone gets on some cardiac and anti-anxiety meds. 4 months later I ended up getting separated from my husband and took on a fulltime RN Case Manager position with a Home Health Company and then a DON Position. I made my first $100k and loved it until the lack of work/life balance burned me out and COVID almost killed me. If you want to stay in the hospital transitioning to Day Surgery or OR may be beneficial.

It took me about 2 years to fully be comfortable and confident as a nurse. It’s a major adjustment from school to the floor, especially in the hospital. If you ate truly unhappy after six months, Luckily most hospitals allow you to transfer units after that amount of time.

It takes a while, but stick with it. Go to med/surg to acclimate yourself then slowly advance so you are well rounded.

Try not to succumb to the negativity! Many in healthcare are negative because they are suffering from burnout. Try to contribute to anything anti burnout at your hospital! You be the change!

It may take a while to find your niche. Don’t give up. You’ll meet negative people everywhere, just try to tune them out and create your job in your mind. It takes practice but it can be done!