Complaints

[RiverNurse]

Well all - I have had my first complaints registered against me by my co-workers.

I retimed some medications (abx) b/c I had 6 patients, two admits at the same time and one discharge. The meds were retimed by about 3 hours and one of the doses overlapped to the day shift. In addition, this same patient's blood sugar was checked, insulin given, but not documented on the MAR.

Yesterday evening I was called into work from 11 p to 7 a. When I got there, one of the patient's was on restraints, NG tube not secured and coming out and IV access was unavailable. I spent most of my night with him.

I thought I did pretty well...

I've been told I cannot work past 8 am and get behind on my charting... so, this morning, I thought I would pass my work onto the day shift - as they pass their work onto the night shift. Not good.

The two nurses coming on during the day were upset that I passed my work onto them.

I am just not cut out for this. I am not good at this work, particularly time management. Nurses are a special breed of people and I am not it.

Thanks for listening.

Shawna

[Miami NightNurse]

In retrospect, I think that if I'd worked as a nurse tech before going back to school and getting my RN license would have been the best route. Of course, at the time, I had no clue and the program advertising was very enticing. The other part was simply naivte on my part. I've never been in a hospital environment - never had to stay in hospital long term... so I really didn't know what I was getting into. All I had was the idealistic version of nursing perpetuated by advertising and television programs.

So - now - I am contending with the dichotomy of the idealistic version I have in my head with the reality I encounter on a daily basis. Somehow there has to be a convergence of sorts - and that will only happen in due time.

Take care,

Shawna

Yeah that is pretty much how it is. Nurses like to complain alot but truth be known most of us, including myself, wouldn't have any other career. When I am not working I miss my job!!! So hang in there, ignore the nasty ones.

[imanedrn]

Sigh... groan...

Yes, I admit it - in response to Nursemike's post - my heart is in nursing. However, it is NOTHING like the idealistic theory I learned in school.

I'm in the same boat! It's been so heart-breaking for me to learn that reality is not what I expected it to be

[Abishag]

Sorry if I sound presumptious but it looks like you have a fear of being disliked?? Is that possible? Otherwise, I don't think you'd be so hard on yourself since you know your limits or you would have done more. I think this happens in ALL fields of work that if there are multiple shifts they always hate on the other shift workers...either they aren't doing enough, or taking too much, or getting this or that.

Don't worry...you did it right (so it sounds but I also don't start school until next month so what do I know??). When the complaint goes in, it doesn't matter until your manager says so. I'm sure your manager knows what a hard worker you are and they will go to bat for you...don't expect it to end. People like to pass the blame. That's the norm no matter what professon you are in. Just start expecting it.

You ARE cut out for nursing...sounds like the others weren't cut out for "working" (although they probably have a lot on their plate but they should have had your back). I think it was unprofessional that they complained. JMHO. Now if you were a known "slacker" that would be one thing...but you obviously aren't. Keep up the good work! And try not to worry what other people think of you as long as YOU are a good nurse and do your job.

[Virgo_RN, BSN, RN]

So - now - I am contending with the dichotomy of the idealistic version I have in my head with the reality I encounter on a daily basis. Somehow there has to be a convergence of sorts - and that will only happen in due time.

Take care,

Shawna

"Reality shock", I call it. Every nurse that I know of has gone through this. It's part of the transition from Student to Nurse. It does get better, but you must go through it.

I know how you feel about being in way too deep. I'm an LPN, not even a year out, and I started on a difficult floor for a new nurse (I get my RN this spring). Many of our patients have one foot in the ICU. We're sort of a dumping ground for some really sick folks. Last night I got beat up (figuratively) pretty bad. I had one patient who took up all my time; it was a good thing my other three were stable, or I'd have been in really deep doo doo. As it was, I was running my tail off from the time I hit the floor til the time I reported off, but I still had to stay late to finish my charting. That's when I noticed some things had not been done, but it was too late to go back and do them. When I was reporting off to the oncoming nurse, he picked apart my report, latching on to certain things and not letting go. I just had to tell him, "You know, I've been way too busy to dig too deeply into that. You are welcome to dig for that information if you like.". I would not be surprised if this person decided to complain about me, because of all the things I did not get done. Oh well.

I don't want to go back tonight, because I'm afraid it will be more of the same. But what I'm telling myself is, think of all that I learned last night! Even though I went through h### and back, I learned so much that I can only come out of it a better nurse. I have to find something positive in it all, because last night was one of those nights that made me want to quit.

[Virgo_RN, BSN, RN]

When the complaint goes in, it doesn't matter until your manager says so. I'm sure your manager knows what a hard worker you are and they will go to bat for you...

That is certainly what I hope for. My Charge Nurse knows how hard I work and how smart I am (even though I feel unbelievably stupid half the time!) and has had nothing but positive feedback for me. I would certainly hope that any complaints would be run past him first, and that he would have the opportunity to go to bat for me. I know he would. :bowingpur

Shawna, some people do manage to squeak through nursing school, and you wonder how in the world they didn't flunk out. But most nurses who make it through, did so because they are capable! You made it through nursing school, and you wouldn't have done so if you weren't capable of being a good nurse!

[RiverNurse]

Thanks! Yes, obviously, I do have a problem with people "disliking" me. That - and an incredible lack of confidence at this jucture is going to really do me in if I do not change some deeply ingrained attitudes (negative ones) I have about myself. Not quite sure how to do that at this stage in the game at 43 y/o, but it has to happen - and soon.

My manager did have a talk with me, so I am assuming that was not a "good thing". I am by no means a slacker - just a newbie. This will all work itself out - at the very least, I've learned a ton while I've been there.

Many thanks, all... You can be certain I'll keep you posted! Uh... I am going back into orientation next week and have a hunch I'll encounter many things (my first time on days in my fledgling nursing career) and I expect many, many good things from it. My "objective" for my next post is to report good things to all of you who have been so supportive! I admit, I am looking very forward to that time and to sharing the good things here as well.

Take good care,

Shawna