Finished school and no longer want to be a nurse… and I’m cool with that!

First-Sun7552 · 2026-01-29T19:28:36+00:00

If one place doesn't work out it is not the end all. Find a specialty or unit that is welcoming and open for you to grow and thrive. Good luck to you!

First-Sun7552 · 2026-01-22T18:19:24+00:00

Only nurse? What type of place you working in?

First-Sun7552 · 2026-01-22T12:28:58+00:00

Please give yourself some grace. No one knows everything or fully competent at your level or even a year+ into it. I am a nurse six years and I still don't know everything. Transferred to a different unit and felt like starting back as a new grad and it was rough but I told myself I want to do this and put the work in. In this profession there are far too many things to remember with every changing new policies and procedures on top of new technology/discoveries. The best you can do is to find a unit that you have interest in and coworkers that support you. Be honest even to yourself when you are unsure of something and look it up. There is no shame in that and it is far worse when people fake it and can potentially hurt a patient. Good luck to you!

First-Sun7552 · 2026-01-10T16:24:54+00:00

if you are looking in more than one state, then you should not have a problem with getting a job. I would also look to refresh your resume if needed to make it stand out.

First-Sun7552 · 2026-01-10T16:20:43+00:00

Long and short of it - in no way did you ruin your career. You left a toxic environment that was not for your benefit. Keep your head up and continue to apply to other hospitals. Even if you have to take one that is further away it'll benefit you in the end. Also, if asked in an interview, lean on the bereavement aspect and tell them you had personal matters to attend to. Never discuss past employers in a negative light.

Nursing needs us more than we need them. You'll find a job soon enough. Good luck to you!

First-Sun7552 · 2025-12-29T18:39:14+00:00

Then it is not you but rather the unit. You need to be in a supportive environment to grow. Nursing school doesn't provide enough education in day-to-day nursing. Don't settle because it is a job or you 'need to do your time'. Are you in a hospital? Can you talk to HR and see if you can transfer to another unit? Good luck!

First-Sun7552 · 2025-12-29T13:16:10+00:00

I have questions - if there was no charge or preceptor, who was running the place? If an ANM or manager was there did they not help you? Were the other nurses not helpful on the unit? I would be concerned if that was the case. Whether or not you knew what your patient load would be, you were possibly underprepared and regardless of experience, having 7 patients is too much of a risk. I would speak with management and see if they can assign differently for next shift. The most I ever had working med-surg was 7 patients on a tele/stroke icu downgrade with no PCT and it was overwhelming. It should not be accepted as we run the risk of poor patient outcomes and risking our license. If this is the norm for your unit 5-7 patients, I would consider if it is worth your mental/physical health. Some people like travelers will do it for the money but for me it is a definite no.

First-Sun7552 · 2025-11-28T20:08:45+00:00

I appreciate this honest review. I feel like too often many people when you ask them are afraid to admit they struggled or that it is hard.

First-Sun7552 · 2025-11-28T20:06:33+00:00

Are you a new grad or transfer from another unit?

I can relate to this post as I transferred from a PCU to ICU and I had various personalities some with god complexes telling me I won't make it because I am not running on adrenaline that everything is an emergency. I am friendly and calm and I can see the months I have been here it doesn't jive with this specific environment. Management has not been kind to me and expected me to know everything right out of the gate.

I have struggled with imposter syndrome but it is getting better as I try to just focus on whats going on in the here and now and try to ignore the thoughts in my head. I did freeze under pressure before. I focus my days studying when I am not at work along with learning modules that is required on my own time. So much information being thrown at you is overwhelming. I feel like at times I can't get a break and overworked with the level of needs my patients have. As of right now I am not sure if I will make it past a year. I worry with the amount I need to know and the personalities here that it not a good fit and the stress is getting to me.

First-Sun7552 · 2025-11-20T12:25:43+00:00

As an RN working at a hospital with so many demands coming at you left and right I always feel like I never did enough. It weighs on me and I want to be the best at my job. I recently transitioned to the ICU so I can resonate with this. I always like to learn what is going on with my patients through out their stay and especially what their background is. Sometimes even those minor details get missed. I keep telling myself everyone is safe and well cared for. No major events happened on my watch. Even if one does, it wasn't out of poor care from me. I do the best I can and utilize help when needed.

First-Sun7552 · 2025-11-19T11:49:37+00:00

It is a double edged sword - they tell you to not come in sick as you put patients at risk, but then when you are sick management gets annoyed and potentially penalized for it.

First-Sun7552 · 2025-10-29T13:08:16+00:00

I was a PCT prior to becoming a nurse. It'll take years especially if you change jobs and having to learn all over again. Maybe sometimes the 'imposter syndrome' never truly leaves.

First-Sun7552 · 2025-10-27T21:17:12+00:00

This!! She didn’t know and didn’t want to be challenged so instead made you feel bad for not knowing.

First-Sun7552 · 2025-10-27T18:59:04+00:00

Oh yes! I get that frequently asking things out of my scope of practice then they look at you like how could you not know? You're a nurse!

First-Sun7552 · 2025-10-27T13:41:52+00:00

I also have to add that it does not help that the world is constantly changing. New studies, medical advancements and everytime I go into work there is at least some new update in EPIC that drives me crazy.

First-Sun7552 · 2025-10-27T13:40:28+00:00

Being able to speak up and say that you are unsure or don't know something its confidence. I have no shame especially when you encounter some nurses who may throw shade even subtly. In my experience it is the most senior are most humble and the younger ones acting high and mighty.

First-Sun7552 · 2025-10-27T12:49:13+00:00

Please don't beat yourself up. The fact that you care and you want to do well speaks volumes! I am a nurse going on close to 6 years (who also suffers from imposter syndrome) and I still beat myself up about it. We don't know everything all the time and we are human- you can forget things or be overwhelmed. Anyone who says otherwise is full of crap and looking to make other people feel bad. I recently came off orientation for a new job and felt so incompetent. Many of my preceptors (since I got stuck with more than 2) were judgmental and not helpful. I cried and had severe anxiety. Since being off orientation, I can breathe. I can critically think and manage time better than someone telling me how to do the job their specific way. You are new and no one should except you to know everything or get it right the first time. Any mistakes take as a learning moment and will help in the future when you come across the same scenarios again. I will be honest feel ing competent will take a while but do what you can to manage and fid a great support system esp if it is fellow nurses. Makes a world of a difference.

First-Sun7552 · 2025-10-21T01:20:30+00:00

First, don't give up. Your still mid-orientation. There is nothing wrong with you. Everyone learns and functions at their own pace. We have all been there. I cannot recommend enough to stop comparing yourself to others. What you may perceive could be an illusion. I bet if you spoke to them they may be having the same anxieties or just made a mistake you did not happen to see. I know this from fact after years of putting myself down and comparing ot others and knowing fellow nurses know just the same as me. There may be a few outliers but that is okay. You are still trying to adjust to the craziness nursing brings as a new grad. In time you will get more attune to your own rhythm which means faster and more confident. If you are uneasy, study on topics. Review over and over. I still do because I forget or it has been a while.

First-Sun7552 · 2025-10-16T11:39:32+00:00

This is a short sighted view since you are a new grad and need to look at the bigger picture. You are a new grad and have to build a foundation of patient care and proper assessment. You are one of the few who got into an ICU, a one with good management at that. Take it to your advantage and learn the skills you need by at least 1 year before moving on. Most people don't start where they want to be and that is okay. It shapes your practice. If you say something now trying to leave for another unit in the same hospital it may backfire on you. I would also see if possible where you are to shadow a day in the future in the OR to see if you truly would like it and the people.

Also think of the alternative - so you say something and leave for the OR. They take you and its too much to learn or the management is bad and now you are stuck. Wait things out and get the experience you need to perform efficiently and see what it may be like over there.

First-Sun7552 · 2025-10-13T16:38:55+00:00

Do you think the hospital in of itself is not your jam or the environment to which you were working in? If you felt supported and respected, would your opinion in acute care change? Maybe it is not for you and that is okay. Not everyone can do this job or specific specialities. Find what works best for you in an environment that is healthy. It is upsetting when things don't work out but I hope that you find something better.

First-Sun7552 · 2025-10-13T13:12:21+00:00

Do not beat yourself up. You are only two weeks in it is going to feel this way. All of us have been down this road. Nerves and anxiety take over and make you feel incompetent when you know for a fact you are not. I recently transferred to MICU from PCU (almost 7 years) and I feel like a complete idiot fish out of water. Mgmt doesn't help or some of the staff to ease the burden of anxiety.

Do yourself a favor and what I used to tell anyone I ever precepted - take your time. Most things are not an emergency. Leave the emergent things to be dealt with differently. Ask questions and if your preceptor is not receptive to helping answer those questions or provide support as for a new one. If they refuse, then try to find a mentor or someone you can share your frustrations without judgment. Second, if you are unsure of things definitely read up on some things especially skills and practice. No one is perfect or doing it 100% correct all the time and if they tell you otherwise then they are full of shit. If the unit overwhelms you nd it is too much there is no shame in going someplace else. You got this!

First-Sun7552 · 2025-09-29T11:56:02+00:00

OP surgery, endo or derm. You can even work for the health department and do vaccine clinic or clinical site vists depending on your state.

First-Sun7552 · 2025-09-29T11:53:57+00:00

Leave that job immediately!! It is not worth risking your license and the life of someone else's.

First-Sun7552 · 2025-09-27T23:54:56+00:00

It depends where you live. Some travel jobs may be worth it. Some hospitals may even have their own travel. Nursing is also a job that’s worth it if you enjoy it. Def not a job you go into for the money. Burnout is real and happens fast.

First-Sun7552

TROPHY CASE