I finally had a good day!

[Megsd, BSN, RN]

Pardon me for tooting my own horn, but I'm really excited. I've been off orientation for about 4 weeks now, and I have had a string of bad days. Not the whole day has been bad, but good 4-6 hour stretches of time have been really hard, or complicated, or upsetting. Tears have been shed, frustrations have been vented. But not today!

I started out worried because I was caring for a pt who had been on our floor for a while and was known to be very agitated and uncooperative. She was frustrated and upset for me, but I tried to focus on what I could do TODAY, which seemed to placate her for the time being. I used my therapeutic communication skills, took time to listen to her during my assessments, and she and I got along pretty good.

I also had a pt who was going to surgery for a craniotomy. I had never sent a pt to surgery before, nor had I had a pt with feducials.. which I still don't really understand what those are for. But the offgoing nurse did show them to me and pointed out not to remove them (I don't know why anyone would want to). I managed to figure out the preop process and had all necessary paperwork ready to go on time. I also remembered to clarify which meds she could and couldn't have before she went down.

Because my pt was in surgery, I was technically down a pt, so I got an admission. I had not gotten a full admission before. So I gathered all my paperwork, got all the paperwork completed on time, finished all history questions with the help of her family and gave all her medications that came up from pharmacy.

All of my charting and meds were done on time, my admission was complete well before the next shift got there, and I had time to help a few of my coworkers out. I went to lunch on time, I even made it through almost an entire staff meeting. I was Super Nurse!

I don't know what tomorrow will bring, but I feel really good about how I did today. All my coworkers kept asking if I was doing okay, and I was so glad to finally say yes.

[nelliethenurse2B]

good for you!!!:yeah:i'll be praying that you have sunny days like today more often. definately pat youself on the back for a job well done:up::up: we all know how hectic it can get but you handled your quite well. just continue to prioritize like you did today and if anything unforseen should mess up your flow don't stress it ......just conquere it.......:yeah:

[catlvr]

Yeah! That gives me hope that someday I'll have a good day as well. I love to hear other people's triumphs because I am happy for them, and (selfishly) hopeful for myself.

Hope that it contines,

e