Started my new job today and I hate it 😭

[Meltinthemiddle]

Like really, really hate it. Its a care role with young adults with complex needs. I can't explain how I feel but I feel physically sick about going back there tomorrow 🤮. I've worked with sen children which I did love it but I was constantly getting hurt due to lack of support from senior leaders and so I only left because I didn't feel safe at times but actually loved the job and working with the children. This role has young adults with more physical and health needs or learning disabilities. There was so much to take in, so much admin alot of of sitting around, but also lone working and expectation to cook and drive company van which I wasn't expecting. I just felt like walking out. I don't want to go back tomorrow and I can't go back to my other job. But the thought is making my physically ill😭

Don't go back. The place sounds rather disorganised, some aspects of the jobs were not clearly listed in the JD and you have a gut feeling that this isn't right for you.

They definitely didnt ask if I could cook! I can do basic cooking but looking at the menu they have each week its not basic meals. I think I'm just feeling really out of my comfort zone if I'm honest. I worked in a nursing home 20 years ago but there seems to alot of paper work to complete which is all on an app, lots of technology, the meds seem complicated, peg feeding I've never done (i will get online training for apparently) it just seems really daunting and scary. It's like a jack of all trades and not how they sold it.

I wouldn't go back if you feel like you do x

Aaaaahhhh, now your despair makes a heck of a lot more sense! This is ridiculous (and a bit outrageous tbh), hiring somebody for a position that includes bloody cooking and no telling them. This alone would piss me off.
Sorry, you have all the validation in the world from me, it's not you, IT'S THEM! If you need this job, start applying until you get another one, if you don't depend on it, get going!
Your posts sound sad but if it were me I'd be outraged and livid. If you can't afford to quit, start a new thread, we'll hold your hand and give you as much moral support as we possibly can. Yours is a sh*t position to be in.

My DS set his heart on going to a particular boarding school when he attended a rugby training camp there. My DH had been a boarder at a different school and loved it. DS is an only child, we live in a rural area with no children his age around us.

I would go back tomorrow carrying the safety blanket which is the knowledge that if you still feel the same, you can resign tomorrow night. Treat tomorrow as a trial, critically ask yourself over the day "if this wasn't new to me, could I enjoy it?" "if I had received training for this, could I comfortably do it?" "Could I relax and laugh here if I knew all the staff better" etc etc.

First days are stressful in any job - hell, I found it stressful my first day working in a shop! Came home and fretted to my DH about not understanding how to set the alarm, or do refunds, or code new merchandise. Ridiculous when I now look back on it. Sounds like you've unfortunately had a shit induction, but what you need to do (tomorrow!) is distinguish between the anxiety because it's all new and overwhelming (which will get better with time), and the possibility you will never enjoy this job and you are not suited to it.

Please update us after tomorrow!

Thank you everyone I really appreciate it! I'm definitely suffering from first day anxiety/stress and threatening over the little stuff so will go back today for a 12 hour shift 😭 and see how I feel. Haven't slept much this week which hasn't helped either. I just felt a bit flat and miserable yesterday, it's a bugger change from a special school which is hectic and crazy, bit of an adrenalin rush.

Isn't it the law that you don't like your job for the first good few weeks/months? I know I never have and ended up stopping at places for a long time. I don't like the feeling of going from very knowledgeable long service staff to new girl having to learn all the qwerks of the job etc. My point is give it some time.

Hope today goes better. I'd try and stick it out for a couple of weeks and see if you feel more comfortable in the role. If not, start looking for another job or - depending on the management - see if you can get some support or training for the areas you're finding hard. It's time consuming and expensive to recruit and a decent employer would try and make it work out for you.

Was the role advertised as a support worker or care assistant?
A support worker working with young adults will generally be expected to cook, whereas a care assistant won't.
Is the company vehicle used for the service users or just general fetch and carry? Have they validated that you are competent to drive that vehicle for insurance purposes?
Re, medication and PEG. Do you have any prior qualifications or training ( with proof of training ) to administer medication in any capacity?
If the answer is no to the last two then refuse to do these duties until they have.
That said, it can be overwhelming on your first day understandably, however if you feel that the role isn't for you then contact your manager to explain that you won't be returning and why.
To be fair, it sounds like a rubbish company to work for.
Look at their latest CQC report, that speaks volumes about the company. It will be available online as it's a public document.
You have to do what you feel is best for yourself.
One of the best ways to get a feel for a company is to join an agency, where you can experience different companies and if you find one that you enjoy working with then you could apply to work for that company directly, assuming they will pay the agency your exit fee's.

I was thrown in at the deep end in a similar role and came out of my first shift thinking what the hell have I signed up to.
It's actually now a job I absolutely adore. No 2 days are the same, cooking and meds become second nature. You can read all the policies and procedures you like but this is really about learning on the job.
With regards to meds and peg feeding, you need to say you aren't comfortable yet and can you watch a few times. It seems daunting at first but it becomes 2nd nature. I used to feel sick going on shift knowing I'd have to do peg feeding but I spoke up and said I wasn't comfortable yet. Management arranged for someone to do it a few times for me and so I could watch. Do not do peg feeding without training.

Driving is a must in residential as you are helping them with daily living. Cooking side of things you can say you aren't a great cook but you'll try. If you are that bad someone else will offer the next time 😅
It can be a very rewarding job so I would stay stick at it for a few weeks as you have experience with sen so you are from that type of background. Once you establish relationships with the service users it'll become a lot easier.

I left my much loved job (was at risk of redundancy) to go to another, which sounded great and up my street. I got there and it soon became clear that the job they sold me was not what I would be doing. It was supposed to be quite hands on and it turned out to be mostly admin, which is not my strength or interest. I was also left to get in with it with no real induction so I rang my previous boss in tears (we have a great relationship and she managed to get my old job back within a week. I took that week as leave and didn't even lose my continuous service!

I could have stayed to see if it got better but I was so miserable I just knew it wasn't for me. I wasn't made redundant in the end and have been in my job another 8 years or so!

@Meltinthemiddle

They misrepresented the job. I'm not surprised you are feeling overwhelmed, they are taking the piss.

Did any of you serve your notice period? Tomorrow is my 3rd day of induction.

Hi OP how did it go? I've thought of you today, wondered how it went today?

Hi, it felt slightly better only because I felt less of a spare part. But hearing some of the staff moaning about petty things and being short staffed is setting more alarm bells. And I just don't think it's for me. I don't know how to deal with it though as don't want to even do my notice period 😔

I once knew the first day of a job a hated it too.
resigned on the Friday and they made me work one month’s notice!

Gosh OP, I'm not shocked to hear you feel the same tbh. Have you read your contract? What does it say about the notice period?

Have a look at your contract and then at this website to see if it can help.
www.safeworkers.co.uk/employment-law/notice-during-probation-period/

It says one week but I generally don't even want to do that! I just want to leave there nothing more awkward. They have paid for my DBS but happy for them to take it out of my wages earnt.

I tried to do this job 20 years ago, and like you, absolutely hated it. I really struggled with the personal care for the adults. It just wasn't my thing.

Went back to working with kids and never changed again.

Two possibilities:

1. your aunt who lives far far away, fell and is in hospital very very poorly, you have to go to her and then she'll be staying with you. If you want to, her neighbour (as in me) can call your place of work (from a foreign country!) to give you the terrible news. Though I would suggest maybe you hand in your notice first and I could call on the second day?
2. One week is 7 days. We'll hold your hand every single day. We'll pat you on the back and give your a virtual foot massage.

The job description mainly focused on the qualities needed but no mention of cooking, cleaning, driving, giving meds and all the things you are expected to do etc

Not only a crap job description, but a crap interview if they didn't cover those bases.

No wonder you want to leave.

You would help them to mention this in your leaving interview if they even do that

Utterly unprofessional from their side.

Sorry you had to go through that OP.

There's a third possiblity, albeit more akward. You could talk to HR and ask they forego that notice period. Ask what that would entail and whether you'd be liable to pay anything.

You can't tell that you hate a job after one day. First days are often horrendous. You need to give it time.

Break down the issues - ask for support in things you don't feel confident in. Is driving the van obligatory, or can you say you aren't comfortable to do this?

Do you have a mentor or manager who can support you? Or can you ask for a buddy?

It likely won't feel so awful once you are familiar with the job.