Better weeks and not cracking...

Nurses New Nurse

Published

Thanks to all who responded to my finally cracked post. The good news is that was just an extreme day full of extreme circumstances. Now that I have been working nearly two weeks, I am finding myself doing things slightly differently to prevent a repeat.

I am more on top of everything with my patients. And I am also finding that I am becoming more asertive for my own mental health. And am now taking my breaks when my patients are stable, off the unit.

One of my patients spoke with my manager and told her that I was the best nurse they ever had. I am very humbled by her comment. I don't feel that I am the best nurse, I just feel that I am trying to do my job to the best of my ability.

I really love my job, and it has been keeping me really busy. I am working Christmas (I'm jewish and don't have a family yet). I changed my schedule with another Nurse to give her christmas off. I am look forward to working that day. Well, I have got to go and clean the rest of my house. I have contracters coming next week to put in hardwood floors.

Adam D. RN

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Trauma, Ortho, Neuro, Cardiac.

Nice post Adam.

These are the things they don't teach you in school.

Good luck.

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Hi, Adam,

I'm glad that things are going better for you. It sounds like you probably have high expectations of yourself, and may be putting more pressure on yourself than you need to. It sounds like you are a great nurse!

Take care,

Oldiebutgoodie

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Specializes in ICU/CCU/MICU/SICU/CTICU.

Hi Adam, Im glad to hear things are going better. Just remember that you cant take care of anyone else, until you take care of yourself.

Best wishes to you!

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Specializes in ICU, telemetry, LTAC.

Thanks for posting some of what you've been going through. It is a relief to read how much new grads have in common the world over.

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Specializes in Pediatrics.
Thanks for posting some of what you've been going through. It is a relief to read how much new grads have in common the world over.

You are quite right Indy!!!

Thank you Adam, once again for an incisive and always optimistic post, even through the toughest of times.

Take care!!

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Adam,

Just wondering, do you keep a journal... You should. You write well and I think that someday your experiences will help other newbies..

something to think about.

Happy New Year.

_________________________________________________________________

My new years resolution : To laugh more at myself...

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As a new nurse myself getting off orientation next week, I've been thinking about writing a journal tracking my growth in nursing. But then I remember how tired I am when I come home from a 12 hr shift... and I cant even imagine giving myself any extra work. But then again, a day when I feel in control passes and I try to rememember how I would've felt only 2 weeks ago in the same exact scenario, and I wish I had a journal to compare to! =)

I think the best part about nursing, for me at least, is learning SO MUCH every day. Anytime I get a pt with an uncommon illness or disorder I'll go home and read up about it. When I come back the next day I feel like I see a whole picture and I'm not just pushing meds...

Bottom line - I still feel pretty slow, but hey, very normal considering the fact that a 1 1/2 years ago I barely had a clue as to what a nurse even did!!! (Thats the price of going to an accelerated BSN program...) :)

Thinking back to my lasy day at work - total of 8 pts, 2 vents, 2 trach collars, suctioned all day, 2 PEGS, ng tube, gave one pt 5 units platelets and 2 units blood, k-riders and more... Fun.......:chuckle

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Yes, I do keep a journal, I started keeping one five years ago after a significant event in my life, and have kept one ever since. I use it to vent my frustrations. And also how I am feeling. It is interesting to see how much I have changed in the five years since I started keeping one. I just started a new one for 2006. And as I say, how will this year turn out? Well, just turn the page.

Adam, RN

Adam,

Just wondering, do you keep a journal... You should. You write well and I think that someday your experiences will help other newbies..

something to think about.

Happy New Year.

_________________________________________________________________

My new years resolution : To laugh more at myself...

Its funny that you write that as a New Years Resolution. When I made the decision to become a nurse, a friend gave me a Nurses cap to rib me. Well, when I start getting stressed out or start taking myself to seriously, I take the cap, put it on my head and go look in the mirror to get a good laugh.

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