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Author Hanging on like a thread

CrazyCat

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CrazyCat

  • Joined: Feb 2006
  • Location: Brisbane
  • Posts: 30

Mon Oct 09, 2006 5:10 pm

I know that being a Grad Nurse poses stress and I know it lasts for 3months. I am nearly to my 2nd month on grad program and I feel I am just hanging on like athread. I am getting frustrated and just feel like quitting due to a number of things. I thought I was so lucky to get a grad program at a well know hospital in which I shouldnt mention. I thought too I was lucky to get Cardiothoracic Surgical Unit. I deal with 4 patients and I am flat out with 4 even if 3 depends on patients needs. I feel like I am in a whirlwind all the time and the feeling that I cant cope and wanting to cry is making me feel like I am in a battle. I get upset with myself when I dont perform proper nursing care thats how I feel, I feel out of control. I dont know what else to do. I wanna quit and I wanna hang on and hope that it all gets better. Everyday I learn but I find since its a fast paced ward and everyone is busy that if I question something, I still wont understand the reasoning making me feel like I am still at the starting line.

I thought I would become a good nurse, I just dont feel that. I am not even sure if I should consider talking to my num and asking for a transfer to another ward? Then it might be worse somewhere else.

Any advice would be appreciated.

priscillasmum

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priscillasmum
  • Joined: Sep 2005
  • Location: Melbourne
  • Posts: 36

Oct 09, 2006, 07:16 pm

Crazy Cat, seek help right now. Go right now and make an appointment with the person who is the grad program coordinator of the hospital you are in. Do not delay. You are under too much stress and you are risking burn out. If you feel like this every day, take sick leave. Do not delay, you must seek help.

Joanne

Darren

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Your country needs you!
  • Joined: Mar 2005
  • Location: Adelaide
  • Posts: 179

Oct 09, 2006, 10:46 pm

CrazyCat,

Being flat out is one thing, but being stretched beyond capacity is another. Priscillasmum gives some good advice that you need to access your support person and let them know how things are for you.

Certainly a Cardiothoracic Surgical Unit would not be an easy first assignment either so don't be too hard on yourself. The important thing in developing your career in nursing is finding your niche - some people love the buzz and stress of high intensity areas and some don't cope with it - that doesn't make you a bad nurse, it just might be that it isn't the right area for you.

Look after yourself and make sure that you debrief with other nurses and that you let your supervisor know what is going as well talking with your clinical coordinator.

Let us know how it is going for you.

CrazyCat

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CrazyCat
  • Joined: Feb 2006
  • Location: Brisbane
  • Posts: 30

Oct 16, 2006, 02:55 pm

I have consulted my Grad Coordinator and other team member on the ward. Discussed how I feel and apparently the ward is fast paced and its just a matter of myself having to look for support measures when the going gets tough. I think my high anxiety levels dont help and come off feeling like a bomb is about to explode within me. I feel alot better in the discussion and now they know how I really am and feeling within the unit. I dont want to quit but I do enjoy the days off given so I can unwind and relax phew.

Thanks for the advice too ;)

emmy

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emmy
  • Joined: Aug 2005
  • Location:
  • Posts: 13

Oct 17, 2006, 08:43 pm

I'm glad you are feeling somewhat better after your talk with the Grad coordinator. Have you considered requesting going part time? How long do you have left on your rotation, you may find your next rotation less stressful. Good Luck. I'm sure everyone feels overwhelmed at some point during their grad year, I know I probably will when I start in Feb!

CrazyCat

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CrazyCat
  • Joined: Feb 2006
  • Location: Brisbane
  • Posts: 30

Nov 28, 2006, 09:39 am

I am there till August 2007, I have no rotations. Its a good ward however it is a hard ward and I feel its alot to take in.

I am planning to go back to Canada next year with my partner who is Canuck. Its a goal of mine to go back to live and work.

I have thought about going parttime, everyday. Not sure how much money I would lose out by if I go .60hours???

I get really nervous about Thoracic patients more than Cardiac, well it is both but I havent had much contact with Thoracic patients. I need to get more confident with PCA machines too.

I pray it gets better.

Syn Kitty

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Syn Kitty
  • Joined: Feb 2007
  • Location:
  • Posts: 3

Feb 23, 2007, 02:32 pm

I went through the same thing at work, everyday just got worse and worse until I completely melted down. I ended up leaving that ward and doing night duty for four days a week on various wards instead of full time shift work, and it was one of the best decisions I made. It isn't for everyone I agree, but I get the extra day to de-stress, I have a regular sleep pattern and I don't lose out on the money because night duty pays extra. The one thing I really love about Nursing is that there are so many different areas of work, different people to work with, different skills and different stress levels, you just have to work out what it is you really want.

tropicana

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tropicana
  • Joined: Mar 2007
  • Location:
  • Posts: 62

Mar 09, 2007, 04:31 pm

It sounds to me that the powers that be have basically thrown the problem back onto you, by telling you to find your own support services, which seems a bit unfair, seeing as they themselves state it is a fastpaced ward.

Do the hospital offer a counselling service? Don't be afraid to use it...been there, done that, you are not the only one, and the sooner you can help yourself the better. They teach you problemsolving, methods of recognising your own strengths and weaknesses, what support services you can utilise, methods of relaxation etc. They should be confidential, mine was. So you can vent your concerns. The most important thing is, most counsellors WONT give you answers, but will teach you techniques to do so...

Best of luck and keep in contact...

Terry

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  • Joined: Mar 2007
  • Location: Launceston
  • Posts: 3

Mar 22, 2007, 09:00 am

Hi there ! I really hope that many of the problems that you had have now resolved themselves to some degree and that things are easier for you now.

I'm in my 40's now and have learned that NO job is worth being unhappy about,or endangering your physical and/or mental health.Also,don't let money become a prime factor in this case.Going part time is not the end of the world,and neither is moving to another-less stressful- area of nursing.Good luck for the future!

CrazyCat

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CrazyCat
  • Joined: Feb 2006
  • Location: Brisbane
  • Posts: 30

Jul 10, 2007, 09:12 pm Last edited Jul 10, 2007, 09:12 pm update #1

Hi there, well its now July 2007. I am looking at leaving the ward in first two weeks of August. Plans are: Canada. I am awaiting my PR Visa and going back with my hubby.

At the moment, i would like to build on my finances and considering doing some agency work. Feeling like a fish out of water, not sure how to go about it. Especially when taking on shifts at aged care facilities, not sure what to do as an RN. As the only memory I have working in aged care facilities was assisting in ADL's.

I have been advised from a couple of good co workers on my ward, that they could see me as a Community Health Nurse or Rehab Nurse. Cardiothoracic is made for certain types of people and that is not me. I have seen good things on the ward but realistically for the last 12 months, my happiness wasnt truly there. So pretty much I just grinned and bared with it. However I am setting a date for resignation and I really pray that the old me comes flying back, where I can be happy again.

So that is where i am at. Oh by the way, I did go parttime in mid june. I should have done it ages ago. Or I wish I saw the job adds that are out now, a few months back :( I think now its too late since I feel I have only like the next 4-8 weeks left in Australia, bummer.

I was hoping anyone can help me with my enquiry re: Agency Nurse work and aged care facilities. Would like to hear other peoples opinions.

Thanks :D

modified: Tuesday 10 July 2007 9:14:59 pm - CrazyCat

Rotator Cuff

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  • Joined: May 2007
  • Location: Brisbane
  • Posts: 85

Jul 11, 2007, 01:53 pm

Hi CrazyCat,

The RN's where i work, whether they be staff or agency staff, do Medications, Dressings, and Paperwork. They are also the team leaders, and like to help whenever they can. Some agency staff, be it RN's EEN's AIN's, say that sometimes it is a bit hard going to different places all the time, but i think with some agencies you can have certain shifts and work at certain places, if you don't want to travel from one end of the earth to the other. Have a look at a couple of agency websites on computer and take it from there. Sounds like things are starting to look up for you since your last post in October 2006. You have achieved your goal---Go to Canada and enjoy your work and life. Good Luck

RC

CrazyCat

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CrazyCat
  • Joined: Feb 2006
  • Location: Brisbane
  • Posts: 30

Jul 30, 2007, 03:20 pm

I have put my resignation in at my work, and I am so glad. Never ever do I want to experience what I have done for the past year ever again. Its time for the new positive me. I become a new me after the 10th August. :)

Darren

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Your country needs you!
  • Joined: Mar 2005
  • Location: Adelaide
  • Posts: 179

Jul 30, 2007, 04:29 pm

Good Luck CrazyCat,

let us know how you get on in Canada

tropicana

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tropicana
  • Joined: Mar 2007
  • Location:
  • Posts: 62

Jul 30, 2007, 07:36 pm

Let your 'new me' shine. Best of luck in Canada. Are your qualifications recognised there? Or is there some 'catchup' programme you have to do?

CrazyCat

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CrazyCat
  • Joined: Feb 2006
  • Location: Brisbane
  • Posts: 30

Jul 30, 2007, 10:27 pm Last edited Jul 30, 2007, 10:27 pm update #1

Thanks Darren and Tropicana

In response to your question Tropicana, I have to play catchup. Do an assessment at Mt Royal College Calgary Alberta as I dont have Obstetrics and Pediatrics. I wish the Universities in Oz helped applied some emphasis and more clinical placement times in these areas and then I and other International Nurses wouldnt have to go through the drama of getting work.

I am going to try my best. However, If all doesnt go well, I am thinking of other avenues. Getting Registration can be hard in Canada. I know that some Nurses get referred to doing their Licensed Practical Nursing (EEN) if things dont go too good with the registration requirements. So, I am like Whatever, as long as I try and I can work in healthcare that is all that matters to me.

I will keep up my registration in Australia though, so I can come home and work at times.

Anyways, thanks again for the well wishes :)

modified: Monday 30 July 2007 10:28:25 pm - CrazyCat

tropicana

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tropicana
  • Joined: Mar 2007
  • Location:
  • Posts: 62

Aug 04, 2007, 01:32 pm

Ouuch! How long would it take to upgrade from LPN to RN (Canada)?

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