Stick or quit
I am a new nurse (not in a newgrad or anything) really struggling and wondering if I need to quit or try stick it out.
I have been on the floor around 2 months and had one day supernumery due to short staffing.
I am still not getting any breaks during my shift, I have used all the tips I can find on here to help plan my time (shift planners, doing meds as early as safe, taking handover in one colour and updated in a second etc). When giving handover to the next shift I apologise for things not done (either due to time pressure or being unable to find the cne to do complete tasks with me) and I understand it is frustrating for an incoming shift to have things incomplete from the previous but I really do try to complete tasks and flag early things that I need assistance with.
I have asked for feedback from the cne and num and all I have been told is "it takes time to speed up" no other feedback.
The job is really taking its toll on my mental health, I already work PT and cannot drop any lower because of bills. I am sleeping 3 - 4 hrs per night since I started due to work stress.
I just dont know how much longer I can continue working and not getting a single break along with the lack of support and feedback has got me questioning if I should just quit nursing all together.
Is this just how nursing is at the start - never getting breaks, starting early and finishing late with no support or feedback? Will it get better with time or should I cut my losses and quit?
Posted Mar 5, 2026, 2:37 AM UTC