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by RN06-NP09

Hi all

I just want to share my concern, vent and perhaps get advise for those with more experience.

I have been a nurse since Jan 07 untill now working in the ICU. I started there and absolutely love it and feel like a sponge learning evryday. My problem is that I am too anal about everything and I worry alot. I worry about everything in my job. For example, forgetting to document something, or to report an abnormal lab. Even if I do it all. I still question myself if I did the right thing or if I've done enough.
When one of my patients go bad, i worry and feel like it could have done a better job taking care of them even though it's common in ICU for patients to deteriorate. I go home and think about my patients. I worry about malpractice..etc


My question is: Is this going to end? Is it because I am new?
Any input???
Frustrated RN

[redknight]

Re: worried about how long I will be worried

I hearyou I`ve been only 4 months and have already left a med/sug floor because it was to over whelming.At my age I find it hard to keep upand get fustrated for being behind. I need to find somthing with a more even tempo so I can learn to master at a slower pace. So I do the same don`t sleep and feel like a fish out of water. I`m hoping that mybe diaylsis at clinc or a prison setting floor nursing is just to out of control for me. So your doing a lot better than others. You`ll settle down in time.

[TheCommuter]

Re: worried about how long I will be worried

I don't think I'll ever stop worrying about the liabilities associated with nursing.

[Hospice Nurse LPN]

Re: worried about how long I will be worried

A good physician friend of mine once told me that the day I quit being concerned about my patients; and yes, crying when they die, is they day I need to quit nursing and be a bookkeeper or secretary.

[ShellsNYrn]

Re: worried about how long I will be worried

I'm a bit of a worrier too - ok a BIG worrier.
I worry ahead before I even start my shift - and I remember my first few weeks walking to my unit ; and you know what, that walk down the corridor (which felt like miles) would give me such a sense of fear.
I'm not sure that the worry will ever really vanish, but I would like to fast forward sometimes to a point where I can separate myself from the day.

[WarEagle4Life]

Re: worried about how long I will be worried

I've been an ICU RN for nearly 3 years. I learn new things each day. I also stress about did I do enough, did I do it right enough, did I miss anything and on and on. My role model, one of my ANMs, says she always finds something new everyday to learn.

I've also been told ICU RNs as a general rule tend to be just that way. That we are also terribly obsessive/compulsive and anal retentive to the nth degree.

So, I guess that makes you one good ICU nurse, huh?

[WarEagle4Life]

Re: worried about how long I will be worried

Oh - I forgot. What really worries me are nurses who come in acting like they know it all and have no worries!

[ShellsNYrn]

Re: worried about how long I will be worried

Originally Posted by WarEagle4Life

Oh - I forgot. What really worries me are nurses who come in acting like they know it all and have no worries!

scary

[YellowFinchFan]

Re: worried about how long I will be worried

Originally Posted by WarEagle4Life

I've been an ICU RN for nearly 3 years. I learn new things each day. I also stress about did I do enough, did I do it right enough, did I miss anything and on and on. My role model, one of my ANMs, says she always finds something new everyday to learn.

I've also been told ICU RNs as a general rule tend to be just that way. That we are also terribly obsessive/compulsive and ana retentive to the nth degree.

So, I guess that makes you one good ICU nurse, huh?

hmmmm anal retentive! that's me!

I think I should take another look at switching to ICU - alot of people have told me I'm cut out for it.

[Hospice Nurse LPN]

Re: worried about how long I will be worried

Originally Posted by WarEagle4Life

Oh - I forgot. What really worries me are nurses who come in acting like they know it all and have no worries!

scary, indeed!