I think I made a mistake

I recently left a job in rehab for a job in medsurg. At the rehab job it was a constant battle to get the help we needed on the night shift. The work was doable. I also worked 7 12's in a row which was hard. So I left thinking the grass was greener on the other side. Well I think I made a mistake. I got a job at a very busy hospital. It is for the night shift, but I have been orientating on days. I'm charge nurse and also have pts. It's so ficken busy, I almost can't keep up. I start training on the night shift this weekend. I'll see how it goes but I'm too old and slow for the fast paced world of medsurg. I know my old position in rehab is still available. I think I want to go back if I can. I'm a nervous wreck in medsurg. What do you guys think? At least I was not about to have a stroke in rehab.
You're charge while you're orienting?

Yes, I am. But there is another rn there. To help if I need. The place is so busy I can't learn anything. I've been there a month and still dont know where anything is. We have up to 12admits a day if not more. How can I see about my own team of pts. Rehab is a better pace I think. But when I'm off orientation I will be the only rn on the floor.

Quote from Turd FergusonYou're charge while you're orienting?

Large hospital? Small hospital? 12 admissions per one nurse? Something is wrong with this picture?

They have you doing charge on orientation? Pick up that phone ....Marc

Sure, nights are slower paced (usually), so there's that.BUT, you're going to be the only RN on the floor during your shift? Are there going to be LPNs? Is there just one nurse picking up all those admits???And why are you charge during orientation???This sounds totally shady. Run, don't walk.

Is there any possibility of returning to your old position? If not, I think I would start looking for a new job...this sounds dangerous to me.

Why on earth would they make you charge nurse while you're orienting? This is a huge red flag. There are 2 nurse and you have 12 or more admits per day shift. That's insane, especially since you already have patients you're trying to care for. How many patients can be on your unit? It all sounds pretty unsafe to me, both for the patients and for you, emotionally, physically, and for your license.I bet you can go back to your former employer if you do it quickly. You might negotiate so all your 12 hour shifts aren't in a row. Seven in a row makes for a burnt-out nurse pretty quickly.To prove to yourself this new facility isn't for you, you might try one of those night shifts....I surely hope you have another nurse with you and you don't have to orient yourself to nights!

43 is too old to handle a pt load on med-surge ? If I were you I'd give nights a whirl and then decide. How long have you been a nurse?

Quote from reddellrnYes, I am. But there is another rn there. To help if I need. The place is so busy I can't learn anything. I've been there a month and still dont know where anything is. We have up to 12admits a day if not more. How can I see about my own team of pts. Rehab is a better pace I think. But when I'm off orientation I will be the only rn on the floor.

Quote from Esme12A really busy hospital........ on an acute care floor.........12 admits a shift....and after orientation you'll be the only nurse on the floor?????What's the name of this facility....so I or my family members don't go there......my advice.....RUN!!!!! as fast as you can....

Give it some time to get use to it. I think you will be just fine, do not doubt yourself!