[RN_Newbie]

Ok, so I graduated in May and past my boards 2weeks ago. I work in a facility that has a 13 week orientation for new nurses, which I am on my 10th. Nurse on avg has 6 pts (Medical/Tele floor). Most of these pts are geri-psych. or ETOH W/D.... They are constantly into something. They make me feel like I am going CRAZY! Always bed alarms, fall precautions, nurse's station lurkers, runaways....ect..... I have given myself the credit in knowing that I give good direct pt care.... It is just that I find myself constantly staying 1-2hrs late just to CHART!!! I hate this.. My preceptor is so devoted and considerate, she always stays late with me to check over my charting and answer any Q's. I always tell her that she can leave and I will be fine, but she always stays......... I am just frustrated. I guess I need a pick me up?.... I am just not so sure that I am cut out for the medical floor.. Any comments/advice would be great> I worked today and am back in the am....................... So I know coming home tom. and reading replies will help me lots.... I just don't know if this floor is for me??????

[GARY.RN]

Seems to me you have a lot on your plate for just getting out of school! A medsurg floor with tele is a lot for a new nurse not to mention the patient types you mentioned. The type of patients you deal with at times may make all the difference in the world as to how your day goes!

Maybe you should have started out in long term care first then moved into ms-tele.

I certainly would not throw in the proverbial towel yet. You've just begun. There are many many avenues for nurses these days and if you're an LPN I would also suggest getting your RN as well because the flood gates open wide then in terms of employability and type of work you can do.

Keep your chin up and maybe discreetly look around for employment more suited for you.

Good luck!

Gary

[GARY.RN]

Oops, sorry your name does say you're a new RN. Skip the advice about getting your RN!! (Maybe I need to wake up some more).

Gary

[Brainyheart]

No, you are not weak, but only overwhelmed. I am leaving floor nursing after only 8 months because I feel that it is simply unsafe and, to add to the absurdity, we are being pressured about having too much overtime. I have never in my 46 years felt treated in such an unprofessional manner; while my work with patients is definitely SERVICE, the poor management and pressures make it feel more like SLAVERY. All pleas to increase staffing go unheard; we are very often in extremely unsafe situations. Gary is right on target: there are plenty of avenues for you to try; don't give up! You are not waek or a failure or anything like that; you are a professional with very important training; just get that year of experience and you'll be free to find your niche. And if you can't stay where you are much longer, accept it and move on. Please don't give up. We need good nurses. And this is coming from someone who is feeling very discouraged and frustrated right now...I am blessed to have found another job, so I keep my focus on that. Only one more week to go before I am free...Hang in there and keep coming here for support.

[rosstat2]

Thanks for this post. I too am a newbie RN. I am on a med/surg floor with team nursing and TPC. When I have Team Nursing, I have a total of 10 patients and if my LVN is not from my floor but a floater, I have to assess and chart on 10 patients.

As far as TPC, I will have a total of 5 patients and I do po meds, accuchecks, IV's, etc. I have been on the floor for 2 months and everyday is killing me. I love nursing, but...

I have applied to a county clinic where I live and have successfully passed their civil service interview. I am on an eligible list, waiting to be appointed (praying everyday). The position is 5 days a week, but at a clinic setting.

I don't know what else to do. I am working overtime everyday, crying most of the time when I get off work.

Thanks for this site, so at least I can see that it is not just the hospital I work in where this goes on. I told myself I will only stay for one year or till I can't stand it anymore. Thanks for listening. LOVE this site

[kjetski]

I know nothing at all about medicine. Social science? Bring it on... In any event my first class starts in a month.. A & P. Time to get 1000 3 x 5's I guess.

I could not imagine the pressure of ICU. God bless adventure junkies..

[beachgirl01]

No, you're not weak, you obviously work on a very busy, stressful floor...some people seem to like that environment, but others of us don't...it probably just isn't a good fit for you. I don't intend to stay in med/surg for much longer if I can help it because it's just too stressful for me, and I don't feel that it's a good fit for my personality.