by AntFlip7395

Ok, to make a long story short, I am 5 days into orientation in CICU/CTSICU. I previously worked for a little over a year in a medical ICU. Yes, I know it's early on, BUT...I feel like I am in slow motion! My preceptor is very nice and she keeps telling me "oh you're doing fine, quite stressing". I just feel like *I* should be doing better at keeping up. It's not like I'm a new grad and I've had ICU experience. I should be at least a little better at prioritizing, but so far, I SUCK!

Oh and to top it off, I hung an antibiotic at 1830 that wasn't supposed to be given until 2100. Way to go, genius. Yeah, I know it won't kill the patient. But that isn't the point. What if it was something more critical? A med error within the first week, that's just terrific.

I really, really hope this gets better. I'm so angry and disappointed with myself that I could just scream. It doesn't help that I'm a night shift person orienting for a few weeks on days before I go back to nights. Sleep has been nil. I double and triple check myself, yet that didn't keep me from making a med error.

*Sigh* End of vent...time to TRY and go to sleep while thinking about all the things that I know I didn't chart.

Re: Frustrated...

It's easy to be overwhelmed during orientation to a new unit. It takes time to adjust.
I do some overtime shifts on days. Coming from night shift makes it difficult. You go from a decent pace to overdrive.

You only have a few weeks left and then it'll be back to the land of darkness. Don't try to beat yourself up too much. Just think you'll do better next time.

Has there been some constructive criticism from your preceptor? good luck in the CICU

Re: Frustrated...

You are being way too hard on yourself. Or at least it sounds like it. Hanging an antibiotic a few hours earily or late is no med error in my book. That is low on the priorty list of things to get done... Keep them alive ABC's hanging a antibiotic is down around XYZ. After the epi, neo, levo, vent, ect. dont stress so much... dont sweat the small stuff.

Re: Frustrated...

Originally Posted by CCRNCCU2008

You are being way too hard on yourself. Or at least it sounds like it. Hanging an antibiotic a few hours earily or late is no med error in my book. That is low on the priorty list of things to get done... Keep them alive ABC's hanging a antibiotic is down around XYZ. After the epi, neo, levo, vent, ect. dont stress so much... dont sweat the small stuff.

I agree. Ease up on yourself and trust yourself. Your confidence will return in time. Each new unit, hosptial I went to I slid right back into that novice role briefly-- remember that continuum thing???? Even the most experienced nurses feel the way you do now when encountering new situations. It's being able to draw from your past experience that will assist you in traveling faster along the continuum toward the expert end. :hngon:
Good luck!