[Hershey's Mom]

HELLO ALL. I'VE HAD MY LVN LICENSE SINCE OCTOBER 2006. I CONSIDER MYSELF A NEW NURSE WITH LITTLE EXPERIENCE. WHEN I FIRST GOT MY LICENSE I WENT STRAIGHT INTO WORKING IN SNF/LTC. THE REPITITION OF THE WORK BECAME BORING AND I FELT THAT I WASN'T UTILIZING THE "SKILLS" I LEARNT IN NURSING SCHOOL. I WANTED A CHANGE, I WANTED TO GROW IN MY FIELD, I WANTED TO GET INTO ACUTE CARE... BUT GETTING INTO ACUTE CARE WAS EASIER SAID THAN DONE. HOSPITALS WANT U TO HAVE ATLEAST 1 YEAR EXPERIENCE IN A HOSPITAL (GO FIGURE). OK LIKE HOW CAN U GET THE EXPERIENCE IN A HOSPITAL IF NO ONE WILL HIRE YOU SO THAT YOU CAN GET THE EXPERIENCE? SO I TOOK A CHANCE, NO EXPERIENCE @ ALL AND STARTED DOING REGISTRY WORK HOPING THAT I COULD STICK WITH THE REGISTRY, GET A YEAR EXPERIENCE THEN GO APPLY AT A HOSPITAL. THE REGISTRY WHICH ALSO REQUIRES U TO HAVE ATLEAST 1 YEAR EXPERIENCE HIRED ME ON THE SPOT... THE SAME DAY I GOT HIRED THEY SENT ME OUT TO WORK ON A MED/SURG FLOOR.

PEOPLE, I FEEL LIKE I KNOW MUCH OF NOTHING AT ALL. MY BED SIDE MANNER IS GOOD, I PASS MY MEDS IN A DECENT AMOUNT OF TIME AND HEY, HAVING 4 TO 5 PATIENTS AS OPPOSED TO HAVING 40 TO 60 PATIENTS IN A SNF ISN'T BAD EITHER. THE PROBLEM IM HAVING IS COMMUNICATING WITH THE STAFF RN'S & LVN'S. IM NOT GOOD AT GIVING REPORT, I FEEL LIKE IM NOT GIVING THEM ENOUGH INFORMATION ABOUT THE PATIENT, IM NOT REAL DETAILED IN MY REPORT GIVING LIKE THE OTHER MORE EXPERIENCED NURSES ARE.

I DIDN'T LIE ABOUT MY EXPERIENCE, I GUESS I HAD A GREAT INTERVIEW AND THE INTERVIEWER WHO'S NOT A NURSE FELT FROM THE "GAB" I SPOKE, THAT I WAS COMPETENT ENOUGH TO BE ON A MED/SURG FLOOR. I WANT THAT COMPETENCE SO BAD, I WANT TO KNOW WHAT THE HELL IM DOING. I WANT TO GIVE GOOD REPORTS TO THE ONCOMING SHIFT, KNOW WHEN TO ASK QUESTIONS ABOUT THE PATIENT FROM THE NURSE WHO'S GIVING REPORT TO ME AND BE ABLE TO COMMUNICATE EFFECTIVELY WITH THE DOCTORS. BE ABLE TO NOTICE ABNORMAL THINGS GOING ON WITH MY PATIENT AND JUMP RIGHT ON IT AND KNOW WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE FOR THIS PERSON. I DONT FEEL LIKE IM DOING THAT RIGHT NOW.

BEING IN A HOSPITAL NOT KNOWING ANYTHING IS MAKING ME FEEL LIKE GIVING UP ON NURSING. I DREAD GOING TO WORK, I CRY AFTER THEY CALL ME TO CONFIRM A SHIFT, ONLY BECAUSE I FEEL LIKE IM GOING IN BLIND AND THAT IM USELESS TO THE ENTIRE PROFESSION. I'VE HAD SOME RN'S ASK ME HOW LONG HAVE I BEEN A NURSE AND WHAT HOSPITALS HAVE I WORKED AT ETC. I MEAN DO I JUST FLAT OUT SAY OH I'VE ONLY BEEN WORKING IN ACUTE CARE FOR 2 MONTHS WITH NO PRIOR EXPERIENCE AT ALL? SHOULD I JUST GIVE UP THE HOAX? WHAT AM I DOING? I NEED SOME MOTIVATION, SOME GUIDANCE, SOMEONE TO SAY ITS OK, I'VE BEEN WHERE U'VE BEEN, I KNOW HOW U FEEL. I JUST WANT TO BE A BETTER NURSE. BUT I DONT KNOW WHERE TO GO TO BECOME BETTER...

[pagandeva2000]

Each nurse that is entering into a new area is considered as a new nurse...an orientee, or even the equivilant of a new grad in some cases. It will take time. How are the nurses treating you when you give report? Are they intimidating you, or are they at least indifferent, or is anyone at all encouraging you? Maybe you can listen to the nurses giving report and getting the least amount of questions and copy their style. Create a list of what you hear being inquired about the most and go by it, or speak to the charge nurse to ask her advice. And, FOR SURE, advocate for yourself and say "Hey, listen, I have only been doing this for a short period of time, so, I do need a bit of assistance as well as your patience".

One thing about working for agencies is that many times, they are left on their own with bare minimum orientation, thrown to the wolves, getting the worse assignments (at times). It will take a bit of time to establish yourself, but don't lose hope just yet. Hugs to you for being brave enough to take a first step to the wild side (smile).

[linzz]

What about reading up on the usual conditions of the patients you have, or even just about common things renal failure, type 2 diabetes, palliative care and the signs of this. Maybe try to med-surg forum on this site or whatever suits your area. Good luck.

[lauralauranurse]

i completely know what you're going through!

my first job was on an 'acute care medicine' floor. (mainly medicine, but also some surgical patients .. )

and holy moly. i had NO idea what i was in for.

the orientation wasn't so bad, but after i was on my own ..

those were some dark days for me.

i told myself i'd do it for a year .. and i stuck ended up sticking it out for a year and a half.

it was so hard. it really was. if you're a 'good' nurse, it was the hardest job.

i would cry and cry and cry .. i would have days off and just dread about going back.

HOWEVER, it was a great experience - i learned SO MUCH on that floor. it has truly been a great reference for all of the nursing i have done since then.

try to stick it out for as long as you can and just know that you're attaining amazing nursing/medical knowledge. it really is useful!!

and hey. if you're truly that miserable and it's taking a serious toll .. it's ok to go.

like pagendeva2000 said -- props for at least trying to get out there on that crazy floor!