1 month into being a Med/Surg nurse. Help!

Specialties Med-Surg

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I recently started working on a Med/Surg floor which is dubbed 5East, the Beast lol and for good reason. I knew it was going to be rough, but wow!!! I'm up to 4 patients by myself and have to work up to 5, even though we will have up to 7 at times. I can't even imagine taking on more than what I'm at right now. PCA pumps everywhere, blood infusions, post-ops, admissions and discharges, new Doctor's orders, TPN, feeding tubes of every kind, patients discharged from ICU too soon and all kinds of new meds I've never heard of. I've only been an RN since January and this is my first job. I've already had my moments of crying, pulling myself back together and continue on. There is always something to be done, and I'm constantly running around. I have realized that my time management skills need major work, as I find myself constantly waking patients up because I forgot to to something or check something while I was in their room. This floor is known as the craziest in town and I have been told that if you can work this floor, then you can do anything! I have great preceptors (thank God), and I'm learning something new all the time. I hear the first year of being an RN is the worst, but OMG! I've made the decision to "tough it out" no matter what and its this attitude that keeps me going. If anyone has any advice on how to stay organized or any other helpful info I would appreciate it! Sorry for my venting :) and please tell me this gets a little easier after I master all the basic stuff and don't have to ask for help all the time. God Bless Med/Surg nurses!!!

1 year later, he's still traveling. why am i telling you this story, well i just thought it sounded interesting.

It is interesting and thanks for sharing all the info! Medsurg is definitely challenging.

3 days on my own now, and I'm like, "what was I thinking?" Lol, working on this floor is crazy...I got an admit at 0530 (I work 1900-0700) and didn't get to leave until 0900. I was so tired, and already feel like I'm in over my head with working on this med/surg floor. It's really tough, and often find myself feeling like I want to run and cry lol. Patients act like they are your only patient, day shift nurses leaving me in a mess, which makes for a bad start of my night (I have already learned to show up early and go behind certain nurses that are obviously taking advantage of me being a "new nurse"), and no one wanting to help me, but always wanting my help, and just running myself to the point of not wanting to ever return again. I'm venting of course, but its been tough. I think the reply above about med/surg floors always going to be difficult no matter how long or how much experience you have is correct. I see great nurses with 5yrs + still not getting out on time or looking like they want to cry at times too a.d getting frustrated. Still going to hang in there, but definitely holding my ground to crappy nurses that have no business being nurses in the first place. I'm not so new anymore and not going to allow the other nurses push me around and leave a huge mess for me (orders being in the Dang box for 4 hrs or more and they just leave them there for me), and stuff like that. Now I see why most don't last very long on floors like these.

It just takes time, a ton of patience and a ton of stamina. It will get easier in the sense that you'll start learning how to group tasks, remember to check several different places for meds (fridge, med cabinet, incoming box), better/more efficient ways to chart, etc, etc. But it takes a while. Don't be too hard on yourself.

I make sure my COW is properly stocked in the morning (alcohol, insulin syringes, tape, saline, etc) so I have the basic things I'll need. I use a brain sheet bc it helps keep me organized. I usually put 2 3X3 post it notes on that sheet that I make short notes of things I'll need, things to chart, things to charge for - you name it. I don't carry a clip board to each pt's room, just my folded up brain sheet in my pocket. I do have a 3 ring binder I keep at my nurses station with extra forms, various notes, or anything with info I'd need to have quickly at hand. I made a card that's the size of my badge that has phone extensions to the places I call the most, laminated it and have it on on my lanyard. Bought myself a pulse ox and tempadots since those 2 things seem to be scarce and I get tired of searching for ours. You have to find a system that works for you and keep revising and perfecting it. Pay attention to what other nurses around you do and don't be afraid to ask them for suggestions on how to be more efficient.

Seems like the first year of everything is hard work: marriage, new job, kids!!! A year from now you'll look back and have a good laugh at yourself. I know I have with each new "adventure." :D

Best of luck to you. Keep hanging in there!! And God bless ALL nurses - each specialty is challenging in its own way.

Would you be willing to share the documents/forms you keep in your binder? Really look on for some extra help in this area!

Specializes in Certified Med/Surg tele, and other stuff.
3 days on my own now, and I'm like, "what was I thinking?" Lol, working on this floor is crazy...I got an admit at 0530 (I work 1900-0700) and didn't get to leave until 0900. I was so tired, and already feel like I'm in over my head with working on this med/surg floor. It's really tough, and often find myself feeling like I want to run and cry lol. Patients act like they are your only patient, day shift nurses leaving me in a mess, which makes for a bad start of my night (I have already learned to show up early and go behind certain nurses that are obviously taking advantage of me being a "new nurse"), and no one wanting to help me, but always wanting my help, and just running myself to the point of not wanting to ever return again. I'm venting of course, but its been tough. I think the reply above about med/surg floors always going to be difficult no matter how long or how much experience you have is correct. I see great nurses with 5yrs + still not getting out on time or looking like they want to cry at times too a.d getting frustrated. Still going to hang in there, but definitely holding my ground to crappy nurses that have no business being nurses in the first place. I'm not so new anymore and not going to allow the other nurses push me around and leave a huge mess for me (orders being in the Dang box for 4 hrs or more and they just leave them there for me), and stuff like that. Now I see why most don't last very long on floors like these.

I understand that this post is over a year old now, but I wouldn't say med/surg itself is difficult. What makes it suck is the hospital, management and staffing. Lack of teamwork can sink any floor when a nurse doesn't have support from anyone.

Specializes in Medical Surgical/Addiction/Mental Health.

7 patients?! That's unsafe! The max day shift takes is 5 and night shift 6. I am sorry, but I can not see how a nurse regardless of how much experience can safely care for 7 patients unless they do not have a lot of scheduled and PRN meds and are walkie talkies.

WOW!!!

What's this?

A new nurse... overwhelmed... BUT IS WILLING TO HANG IN THERE AND NOT QUIT????

That's a breath of fresh air around here!

Good for you to know you just gotta tough it out and not give up.

You sound like you have a good attitude.

I know I wanted to curl up in a corner and die.

Everyone has given you good advice.

I will say again about the brain sheet. I write down everything. I mean everything. It's become second nature for me.

Everyone's brain sheet will look different because after awhile, you'll develop your own method of keeping track.

Good luck to you.

I totally agree with you. I have been working on the Med-Surg floor for 1 1/2 years and stress level is getting worse even if I get out on time. It is depressing to see how nursing care is going...it is all about the Money and Profits. When I first start working, I didn't expect this will be the reality of working as a nurse. It doesn't matter how much you care about each one of your patient because the management and work-environment will not support your work-ethic, they will keep pushing you to test your limit.

The quality of care is suffering due to short-staff and lack of help. It doesn't really matter to the management even if you have some high acuity patient and mentally ill patient who tried to get out of bed every 15min. We have to fill our bed as soon as possible. Many of new nurses left our floor after 1 or 2 years of experience. Sadly, we are simply considered as an expendable staff!

Specializes in Surgery.

All you are feeling is completely normal. I am 2 years into med-surg myself. The first 3-6 months I got anxious on my way into work. I felt like I was just barely keeping my head above water. Then things very gradually got easier. At 1 year I felt like I had grown and learned so much. At 2 years, even moreso and started to precept students. You will be amazed when you look back how much you learn in your first year or two of nursing.

OP- where are you, and how are you doing?

Specializes in ICU / PCU / Telemetry / Oncology.

My unit is nicknamed The Abyss, lol. I think that is all I have to say about that ... :D

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