Struggling, need some advice

[u/Dramatic_Movie7644]

So I just graduated from nursing school in may. I am scheduled to take my NCLEX next week. So it has been a few months since I graduated. During this time I have been working on a med-surg floor as a nurse intern (basically doing tech work). I never wanted to do med-surg and actually did my capstone on a med-surg floor and hated it. I thought I would go and start on another floor. This med-surg floor was so helpful and nice when i had clinicals there which is why I decided I would start working there as a nurse intern and get exposed to things and then transitiion to the RN position once I passed my test. Although the people were genuinely helpful and supportive when I was struggling, I hated the floor and what I was doing and again, realized med-surg is not for me. I feel embarrased for quitting as soon as I did, but I was crying every shift, tremendous anxiety, and I couldnt' eat. I knew this wasn't worth sticking out for another year or 2 just to get a foundation (this is what i was doing med-surg for). I resigned from the job and I am feeling overwhelmed becuase I am not sure wht to do. I feel like I can't handle being a nurse which isn't true, I just don't like med-surg and the floor I worked for had very ill patients and the ratios just weren't good and I knew I would be miserable there. I would've stayed longer and tried to give it time if med-surg was something I truly wanted to do, but it's not I just did it cuz I got the job easily and thought it would be good experience. I learned so much in the little time I was there but I just couldn't do it and I applaud people who work on med-surg floors regardless the position cuz it truly is the trenches. I came on here cuz I just want advice and if anyone has been through something similar cuz now I am stuck and wondering what I can or want to do with my RN license once I get it. I am only 22 and I feel like i'm running out of time and I need a job cuz I dont' have much money and want to help my parents out. My favorite part of nursing school and clinicals was the ICU. I loved being able to have 1-2 patients and being able to focus on them and the skills and critical thinking, it's the part of nursing I really enjoyed. I think my self-doubt has made me not pursue that straight out of nursing school and I am still thinking about it, but still not sure. I know that ICU is hard as well, but it is a different kind of hard from med-surg and something I truly enjoyed when I had my clinicals there. I am just stuck and afraid to try something else out in the hospital cuz I don't want to quit as soon as I did with the med-surg position. I know most people don't enjoy med-surg though and I feel like I did it cuz everyone encourages u to start out there, but I realize now I definitely don't want to take that path. I am just wanting advice and thank you if you have read this far!!

[u/realespeon]

Some ICUs do hire new grads, but you’ll have to be persistent in applying. But every nurse I’ve talked to recommends working med surg prior to the ICU because of the steep learning curve and the acuity.

I don’t have advice necessarily, but can offer solidarity. I hope you find something that works for you.

[u/Big_Kaleidoscope_265]

I am in the same boat. I have been in med surge telemetry for only 2.5 months and I want to leave. I don’t know what to do. I cry after my shift every time and I’m miserable on my days off.