Overwhelmed, as usual

Ayvah, RN · Jan 5, 2009

If you find the magical solution, let me know! I've been in med-surg for 6 months, and I'm overwhelmed on an almost daily basis. I feel like I'm always moving at a frantic pace. The problem is, of the experienced floor nurses I've talked to, while most look like they do things easily, about half have confided in me that things don't get better and they too feel overwhelmed. And I'll slowly notice that more and more nurses working alongside me have been there a year or less. A few months in, I was talking to a nurse who had been there for over 20 years. She had told me that the working conditions had been swiftly deteriorating over the years and she didn't think she'd make it another few years till retirement. I haven't seen her since.

I don't want to be one of the ones who takes short cuts on patient care in order to not be as overwhelmed.

Things just change too fast on our floor for us to easily cope, when factoring in the number of patients we have. Even though I get to work early and prepare as much as I can before my shift even starts, new procedures will pop up, new problems, unanticipated family drama, bad labs, demanding patients, families demanding discharge 5 minutes after being seen by the doc, sudden problems with orders/paperwork problems, multiple stat orders, and new orders to call the doctor at X time, that I'll happen to find when I'm looking through the charts.

When this is all coupled with things that could be changed but aren't, such as poor logistics of supplies and medications causing vital supplies to be nowhere to be found, such as oxygen tanks, wall oxygen hookups, IV connectors, or medication that the pyxis has run out of, it gets very stressful. (Yes, I've already spoken to management about this)

I love what I do but the working conditions themselves are what is overwhelming. I know a lot of nurses have said that they continue in these conditions because of the economy and a spouse is laid off/need health insurance. I really want this job to work out, but I am very concerned. I don't see a whole lot of light at the end of the tunnel; I don't know how much my body can take, and I'm still relatively young.

Sorry to be a downer post, but if nothing else, at least you aren't alone.

garciadiego · Jan 5, 2009

Ayvah

Your post wasn't the magic I was looking for but it is an honest and truthful post.

Maybe I'll go back to LTC

diane227, LPN, RN · Jan 11, 2009

Do you have a supportive charge nurse? As the charge nurse on my floor I help the nurses when they can't get to something. I start IV's, call the doctors for them, inform the physicians of critical values, admit patients, get the post op patient settled it, answer call lights. It helps the CNA's and the nurses. I have a secretary at the desk so it helps to free me up. I also transcribe all the orders, correct the MAR and keep the kardex up to date.

cmawrule · Jan 12, 2009

I think TEAMWORK is part of the solution. Med-surg nursing IS fast-paced, demanding work. No two patients are alike, families are usually worried and demanding, things change quickly.

That being said, what's wrong with asking for help? Where I work, if you need an IV started, its okay to ask another nurse who has a few extra minutes if they can stick it in for you...then thank them profusely, and if they ever need help or even look like they need help you return the favor. Are the other nurses all loners?

Nurses have to stick together. you sound like you are trying to do it all on your own.

I do commend you for making time to look up new medications, it is so important to know what you're giving and some nurses skip that step.

I have worked in LTC and med-surg. Both are pretty hard, but I felt like I was doing more good in med-surg. You have to decide for yourself.

starletRN · Apr 20, 2009

This thread is very helpful. I'm still in orientation and am running around with only 3 patients. I've been wondering how I'm going to cope when I make it to 6 patients.

Your posts just remind me that I'm not alone, and that helps me for some reason. I just feel that there's no way each patient can be assessed properly. How are things not getting missed when nurses are expected to take on such a high patient load?

I guess, I'm asking the same questions that have been asked numerous times before.

Ayvah, RN · Apr 25, 2009

This thread is very helpful. I'm still in orientation and am running around with only 3 patients. I've been wondering how I'm going to cope when I make it to 6 patients.
Your posts just remind me that I'm not alone, and that helps me for some reason. I just feel that there's no way each patient can be assessed properly. How are things not getting missed when nurses are expected to take on such a high patient load?
I guess, I'm asking the same questions that have been asked numerous times before.

Things DO get missed. We just do the best we can with the resources we have, and hope the things that will be missed are minor.

Some speed does come with getting to know policies, docs, preferences, drugs, computer system, tips/tricks, etc, but its not enough to be able to feel like you have the time to give great care to every patient. The system needs a lot of work.

NIGHTWOLF87 · Apr 25, 2009

there is no magic solution, but as time goes on, you will get more experience and you will have your daily routine down pat. my first job as on a medical/oncology floor, and it was hectic and fast paced. however, i learned a lot and as time went on, my time management and nursing skills improved, and so will yours. you will become an iv master in no time flat. just takes patience, experience, and just have confidence in yourself. try not to get discouraged. we all have been there, and know exactly what you are going through. the key is not to give up and not to give in. everyone has their good days and bad in any unit. just take it as a learning experience and go on. when you start feeling overwhelmed, just take a step back, take a deep breath, gather your thoughts, and then go do what you need to do. good luck!