2 months on my own now.

Nursing Students General Students

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Hey guys,

So, I have been on my own as a nurse now for about 2 months. I work per diem but just accepted an offer for 32 hour/ evening position. So far, I am ok . Had two rapid responses which I was able to manage it well. (Actually had a rapid on my first shift off orientation) and some other critical patients . I'm really good with my time management and I am being told by other staff members that I'm doing great which makes me feel better. I currently work on a tele floor which at nights, I have 7 patients and evenings , I will be having 5 patients max. However, I still feel like I'm lost , I ask many questions and I feel like I'm bothering other nurses. I can't sleep at night( started with nursing school and it's getting worse now), I'm sleeping all day, don't spend too much time with my husband and stoped going to the gym. My hair is oily and I look super tired . I feel overwhelmed at work and I rarely take breaks, only if I have the time I will quickly eat something. I'm very anxious and I always leave work feeling like I forgot to do something. I Feel scared!! I don't want to cause any harm to my patients. I really just want to do a good job but I feel like my personal life is fading away. I've been working nights for now and I will be starting evenings in 3 weeks , which my coworkers already warned me about how crazy evenings will be . Nobody at home understand the pressure I have at work. Sorry to complain so much. Any advices for a new grad nurse? I feel like going to evenings will help me get my sleep back but I just hope and pray that it not a horrible shift ! Thank you for listening! :up:

Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

Sounds like you're doing really well in the clinical environment - especially after only 2 months. Srsly, you are keeping your patients safe & haven't made any major errors yet despite the fact that you are working in what is arguably the most challenging area in acute care. KUDOS!!!!

My suggestion? Place a higher priority on your 'real' life -- it's more important than your job. Jobs will come and go, family is forever. I'm not a big believer in pharmaceutical solutions, but I am a huge proponent of behavioral remodeling. Excessive sleeping/napping will interfere with re-establishing a normal sleep/wake cycle. Try to 'act' as though you have energy. Get up and take a shower, get dressed and interact with your loved ones just like you would if you felt 'normal'. Make yourself go to the gym.

Don't take your work home or try to 'make' them understand how awful your job is. Your family doesn't deserve to be blamed for not participating in your pity party as you complain about how horrible your job is. It's very confusing... they supported you throughout the craziness of nursing school in the belief that things would be so much better after you graduated. Find other (not job-related) things to focus on when you're not at work. Now that school is over, it's a good time to embark on a new hobby, especially one that you could enjoy with your hubby, even if it's just trying new and adventurous recipes.

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