Am I to incompetent for nursing?

Nurses New Nurse

Published

Specializes in Telemetry/Step Down, w/. limited ICU exp.

I've started working at a telemetry ward in December-this is my first nursing job since I graduated. This week was the first week on my own. During my orientation, I was a little slow, but generally I think I was successful.

Now that I'm on my own I'm encoutering all kinds of problems. During my first day on my own, one of my pt's coded. She had a history of "faking" symptoms when she wanted attention. At one point I had the charge nurse check her, but the charge nurse said she still looked "good."It was only when she started to becoming diaphoretic that I really realized there was something wrong. According to the another nurses, she had had a bad a history and was already heading down hill by the time I got to her. Still, I can't help but feel if I had just been more attentive to her I would have realized something was wrong earlier. When I told this to my supervisor, she just accepted it and didn't reprimand me. She also told me that the pt was already unstable.

A day afterward, one of my pt started having severe CP. After talking to her incoming nurse I gave her NTP and her bp meds. When she was still having unrelieved CP, I gave her NTG (her sbp was around 165). When she was still having unrelieved CP, I gave her a second dose of NTG (her VS were still stable). Within a few seconds, she suddenly bottomed out.

During the code, I felt like I was sweating bullets and I didn't know what to do except get her up, increase her O2 and arouse her. We stabalized her and she was oob within the next hour. I talked to the charge nurse and she stated that the actions I took were correct and that some pt's were just more sensative to the effects of Nitro more than others.

Later that night, one of my disoriented pt was put on restraints because he kept trying to pull out his tubing. I warned the family that even with restraints he was still at risk for hurting himself and he needed a 24hr watcher. The family left anyway and I spent most of my shift trying to make sure he didn't fall or pull out his foley. Before my shift was over, he pulled out his permacath. Basically, I was late with everything while another nurse managed to finish all her tasks, and still show me how to do a task I had never done before. During teh change of shift, the incoming nurse was giving me attitude because I hadn't signed off on all my meds on my MAR. Grant you I've been late to sign things when I started on my own, but I've been doing all the things I needed to do during the shift.

Last night was the first time I felt like crying. I'm so frustrated and I'm scared that I'm to dumb to be in nursing. I did well in school, but now I'm scared that passing was a horrible accident.

I'm feelin naseated and I really don't want to go back to work. Am I to incompetant to be on this floor? I've talked to my supervisor and so far she's telling me I'm doing fine. From what I've gathered from the other nurses, what I'm feeling is perfectly normal for a newbie. Still I feel like I'm fumbling around and depending to much on the opinions of other nurses. Not to mention, I feel as if the other nurses feel as if I'm not good enough for the floor.

What do you all think? I know I'm whinning and I'm probably to sensitive but I don't know who else to turn too.

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You're not incompetent. There should have been a sitter for this man. One of the most frustrating things is the level of simple baby-sitting required for many of these patients and you can't possibly do it.

Unerstaffing and a family that leaves is not your fault.

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Specializes in Developmental Disabilities.

I am a nurse on a telemetry floor, also, and often also feel the same way. No, you are not incompetent!!! Sometimes these things happening are out of your control!

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Specializes in Cardiac Telemetry, ED.

What you are feeling is normal!!!! You are right to ask for help and opinions. The scariest new nurses are the ones who don't ask questions and don't ask for help. Just keep showing up, keep plugging away, and ask, ask, ask!!!! Some day, YOU will be the experienced nurse that the newbies are asking for help. :up:

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Well, you spelled 'too' wrong. Just kidding. Stay focused, and don't give up. Practice makes perfect (so long as your mistakes are minimal) :up:

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Why do you think your supervisor wants to be working with incompetent nurses? If she tells you that you're doing ok, then there are two possibilities:

1) she's a sadist, who secretly enjoys hurting patients, so she's lying to you, hoping that you'll stick around and do even more damage. Or,

2) you're doing ok.

People code. People die. People become cardiac telemetry patients because they have heart problems. People died before you became a nurse, and they'll die after you retire.

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Specializes in NeuroCritical Care, Neurosurgery.

Yenta7,

I came off of orientation about a month ago and know exactly how you feel! The nurses warned me that as soon as I was on my own I would probably get a patient with requiring all the skills I'd never done yet or make some med error, etc. And they are right-once you are on your own its your time to really show them you can do it. Some days are really bad and its not humanly possible to get everything done.

I've gotten some flack from nite shift in the beginning for not finishing every single order but you know what I am still learning how to organize my time. My manager knows this and she understands as a new grad it takes me twice as long to complete tasks as it does an experienced nurse because its all new to me and i don't want to make a mistake. Its gotten a lot better and I think some of the nite shifters are beginning to accept me. A lot of it has to do with "office" politics and not you personally or your skills as a nurse.

Its good that you are communicating and asking questions and getting help from other nurses. All of that will help in the long run. Good Luck!!

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Specializes in Emergency.

Hi there!

Welcome to cardiac nursing! What you are feeling is so normal for a new nurse! I have been on a cardiac unit since I graduated in May. I have been a nurse for 7 months. I still have shifts where I am sure I am going to quit nursing forever. Cardiac nursing is tough, but rewarding. I have days where I think I am the worst nurse ever. I also have days where I know that I did everything right, and it was a good shift. The crazy, unexpected things still throw me off. That's why I don't worry about asking if I am unsure. I am new, I am still learning. So are you. Never feel embarassed to ask a question. I would rather do that than cause harm to a pt.

I had a pt have a severe reaction to SL Nitro one night. I have never been so scared in my life! I thought she was going to die right in front of me. I called my TL, and told her that the pt was in trouble and could she please came stat and call the MRT on the way. All turned out ok.

Think about it like this: every "bad" experience just teaches you what to do next time.

After 7 months, most shifts are good...I take what I learn, and use it. I find myself thinking "Oh, yes, I remember what to do from last time this happened."

Nursing school does not prepare you for the reality of nursing. Only experience helps.

Hang in there! I promise it really does get better!

Amy

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Specializes in CVICU, ER.

Yenta7,

I posted a very similar post a few months ago. I've only been a nurse for 6 months, but it sounds to me like you're focusing on the right things, (taking care of patients versus finishing your charting so the next nurse will be happy).

I agree, every "bad" experience teaches you a valuable lesson on what to do next time. I've had a few horrible experiences already, but they stay in the back of my mind to remind me not to make the same mistake twice! :o

I think if we focus on the patients, being safe, and doing the right thing, we will be competent nurses. :balloons:

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Specializes in Telemetry/Step Down, w/. limited ICU exp.

thank you all for your wonderful posts! Your advice really makes me feel like I can do become a great nurse someday. It also helps me realize I'm not alone in my experiences. thank you!

P.S. HAHA, your right about the spelling error! ^_^ That's what I get for posting without checking everything.

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Specializes in Travel Nursing, ICU, tele, etc.

You need to give yourself a huge break here! The way you described all those situations, giving pertinent details and how you responded tells me that 1) you know what is going on with your patients (in a very detailed way) 2) your actions were appropriate 3) you are being WAY too hard on yourself!

You are dealing with sick and sometimes critical patients. I say that you are definitely equal to the job!! Feeling insecure and second-guessing is very normal. I would bet that every conscientious nurse has gone through the same thing. The most important thing to do is to change your self-talk and to visualize yourself as being competent in emergent situations (which you already are!). What is missing is your own sense of stability and competence. Remember that you are never alone, you absolutely did the right thing having your charge nurse check out the patient. Most events cannot be predicted, no matter how astute you are.

Hang in there, you will be fine and a great nurse. Ease up on yourself!!

:yeah::yeah::yeah: you can do it.

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Specializes in Almost--.

u are just doin fine....

be brave....see everybody do understand what u are undergoin...

(esp me...i am a newbie too :spon:)

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