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!!!