I quit my first nursing job

After 2.5 months of being a nurse in the cardiac PCU, I finally had enough. I’m constantly miserable and irritable which affects my home life as well. We always have 5 patients on day shift which is such an unsafe ratio that will never change even if management keeps telling you it will. I felt so overwhelmed constantly because I’m learning a job in a critical environment but it was so busy that I felt like I was never learning but just completing tasks.

Tips for nursing students/new grads

•don’t go for the job that pays more or has a sign on bonus…there’s a reason why they pay more.

• you do not have to start out in a hospital! Yes you will gain lots of skills but it’s not necessary. If your heart is telling you not to work in a hospital, don’t! The burnout and stress is way worse than I imagined it would be

• even if it’s a magnet recognized hospital, doesn’t mean it’s a great learning environment. Some nurses just don’t want to train students/new grads

Obviously not every hospital is the same and everyone will have different experiences but a lot of hospitals are understaffed and have poor ratios

I have officially signed onto a new hospital as a home health case manager. Ideally they would want a year or more experience but don’t let that deter you. There’s SO many skills, education and autonomy in home health since you’re on your own which makes it a little scary and intimidating. I found one that’s willing to train me even though I’ve only been a nurse a few months. Unfortunately it is slightly less money and Mon-Fri 8-4:30 with on call days. I love 3 days/ 12s but I have a feeling it’s going to be less stress which may be worth it…i hope

If you’re interested in home health as a new grad, I will keep y’all updated on how hard it is going in with no experience

#nurse #nurselife #nursing #lemon8challenge