developing a system??

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I just changed careers after 20 years in Community Mental Health(Social Work) to Nursing. Went to a Diploma school, and got a job on a surgical oncology floor in a busy urban hospital, with a National Cancer Center, that is affiliated with my school. I like the work, love the patients, my coworkers are great, too. I am 49 years old, and got good grades in nursing school. I have a problem, and it is affecting my performance. I seem to 'over-think' small details, or 'check and double check' MD orders and meds etc. I get 'behind' and this has created a problem: The perception is that I am 'slow' to get my work done. I struggle with prioritizing, and then i get behind. I had 2 preceptors, both were great. My last 2 weeks of orientation, they were on vacation, so I was put with whoever there was who wanted an orientee. Each had their own style, and ideas about how to do things. I learned alot, but it was confusing...The patients always are pleased with their care, but I don't know how to 'pick up the pace'. Some preceptors say I spend too much time doing 'nurse aid work' others say I spend too much time checking and rechecking my meds, etc. I DO need to get a system for organization, but they all say "Oh, you develop your own system in time" and then it seems that the systems in place by the different preceptors are not consistant with each other, or even with what I learned in school. Please, any advice is appreciated. mccmaeve

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

Everyone has their own system, and yes you'll find what works and doesn't work for you and incorporate that into your practice.

Any of the preceptors have a system that you like, especially with passing meds? Maybe you can incorporate some of those things into yours? Analyze what trips you up and think "how does so and so do it? Maybe I'll try that."

Take a look at what you can delegate to nurses's aides.

I think with time you'll get better and faster.

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Specializes in L&D.

Are you off orientation yet? For me, it took a couple of weeks off orientation before I really started to delegate to others. It will really be a big help to you and save you a lot of time by delegating - you'll find that out quickly. Good luck to you and welcome! :nurse:

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Specializes in cardiac.

Wow....sounds just like me....I was a social worker for years, then an at home mom, and then to nursing school in my 40's. I graduated in June and have a job on a medsurg floor. I love it but I also tend to get behind. I made an organization sheet....one page with all the info for all my patients, plus a little room for noted, order changes, etc. Not as much flipping around and all my info is in one place, more or less. I am not perfect by a looooong shot but it has helped me.

I also find that if I get there early and have listened to report and have all my meds pulled and charts checked before 7am then I can hammer out my morning assessments and open all the charts first thing...if I wait or assume that I will remember instead of charting right away then my day is flushed down the pot by 8 am and I chase my tail the rest of the day.

If you would like, I will email you a copy of my sheet, likely different than what you need as I am on a telemetry floor but it may give you a starting place.

Beth

[email protected]

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WOW--thank you, Belfry, I will appreciate your sheet-you can send it to me at [email protected], I created one, but I'm always looking for what I might have missed :-)

what a resource this b-board is!! I had a couple 'good days', expect more 'not so good', everything is a process. Thank you again ever so much!

mccmaeve

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Gosh I am still trying to deelop a system also. It sems like in school I had everything down pat, now even after 3 years ans an LPN I struggle to get organized. I just don't think that I have found something that works for me yet. I have tried diffrent methods and still flounder. :banghead:

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Gosh I am still trying to deelop a system also. It sems like in school I had everything down pat, now even after 3 years as an LPN I struggle to get organized. I just don't think that I have found something that works for me yet. I have tried diffrent methods and still flounder. :banghead:

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Specializes in OB, M/S, HH, Medical Imaging RN.
I just changed careers after 20 years in Community Mental Health(Social Work) to Nursing. Went to a Diploma school, and got a job on a surgical oncology floor in a busy urban hospital, with a National Cancer Center, that is affiliated with my school. I like the work, love the patients, my coworkers are great, too. I am 49 years old, and got good grades in nursing school. I have a problem, and it is affecting my performance. I seem to 'over-think' small details, or 'check and double check' MD orders and meds etc. I get 'behind' and this has created a problem:

I think this just reflects the type of person you are. Careful and accurate. Thats a good thing not a bad thing! Some nurses rush so fast they don't double check anything and they are the ones who end up with many SOE's not to mention possibly making a dangerous or fatal mistake. I used to be slow but sure and you will speed up. I am 50 y/o and got my RN at age 46. It takes several months to get your own system of organization going.

You do have to be careful not to do too much of the techs job. If you have time that's great, if not, call the tech. I write "everything" down and cross off my list as I go along. It seems to help alot. I also have a notebook I call "my brain". I have in it copies of all the protocols, doctors beeper/cell numbers, IV med compatibilities, hosp extention numbers, articles I find useful, just lost of stuff. I am lost without "my brain" and you'd be surprised at how many nurses ask to borrow "my brain" and how many have since made their own brain. I have my name on the spine. "______'s Brain" The docs all love it. The notebook has a clear plastic cover on the front and back and I have family photo's in there. I simply love it. Good Luck. If you will contact me privately I'll send you a copy of the work sheet I have made up for myself. Everyone I work with now uses it also.

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Specializes in med/surg, telemetry, IV therapy, mgmt.

Everyone has their own "style" of how they go through their work routine. It is not something that comes to you just like that. It evolves over time. You tweak it all the time in response to how something did or didn't work for you. It is always a work in progress. That is part of the creativity of being a nurse. I also have a report sheet that I will e-mail to you to check out.

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