A Word to the New, the Inexperienced, the Overwhelmed and the Mystified

I remember when I was new, bright eyed, bushy tailed, rampantly sarcastic (look, some things never change, alright?) and I used to look about and wonder why in the world it never seemed like the most awesome of the awesome never had a bad day? It is in the spirit of leveling, of "dipping my hand" so to speak, that I have written the following article. Nurses Announcements Archive Article

You are reading page 3 of A Word to the New, the Inexperienced, the Overwhelmed and the Mystified

Cheesepotato,

All I can say is thank you. Especially after I went to work today thinking it was Thursday, only to have my hopes of the week being almost over dashed.

lorirn58

74 Posts

That would be "faze", not phase. lol

CheesePotato, BSN, RN

2 Articles; 254 Posts

Specializes in Sleep medicine,Floor nursing, OR, Trauma.

Good morning, all. Wow! Thanks for the comments! Most generous. Most humbly appreciated. Didn't think this would merit much attention, to be honest. Sooooo....I would like to apologize for apparent lack of spelling not to mention added words. I would love to fix it but ol' demon, aka. Smartphone says no, no editting for me. Jerk. Anyway, thank you for the feedback and CountyRat, the very fact that you have "wilderness medicine" listed as a specialty makes you my hero. I salute you, sir. And now, hi-ho, hi-ho it's back to work I go. Have a great day! ~~CP~~

Specializes in LTC, Hospice, Case Management.
And now, hi-ho, hi-ho it's back to work I go. Have a great day! ~~CP~~

And may it be a much better day for you today! :)

All student nurses and new nurses - take note....some days you just have to fake it and some days you just gotta laugh at it. Best survival technique I've ever known.

Such an amazing article. Some days I feel like I will never be the "strong nurse." I can't wait till I can see a crisis situation from beggining to end without getting that nervous pang in my stomach that second guesses what I am doing. It's refreshing to hear that I am not the only nurse who "fakes" confidence. Sometimes I "fake" composure too.. either way I can not let my patients see me scared, or overwhelmed. You have to be cool and calm all shift..while being a secretary, a janitor and a cook all in one shift. I love being a nurse, I wouldn't change my career for a second, but the pressure I put on myself to be a "good nurse" is overwhelming sometimes.

TeleRN44

59 Posts

Specializes in ICU/ER.

I laughed...I cried...and I too, once upon a time, wondered when I would be like one of the "cool kids". Those individuals who managed to get their stuff done relatively on time, despite admissions, codes, deaths, needing to eat or use the bathroom and always somehow leave on time too. They did it all with a look of cool detachment on their faces...even if the world was going to heck around them. If my night was going to heck, my hair stuck out like Bill the Cat and my eyes were bugging out of my head in horror.

That was then...and then I realized, one way or another it's all going to get done and I learned to chill. Now, I get most of the above done and in the allotted time...no matter what happens and when. That sure feels good.

By the way, thanks for the FYI on ace wrap subbing for a bra. LOL I'd considered the mesh one size fits nobody panties after a patient threw a soda at me but I was at a loss for the whole bra thing...just waited until it dried. Now I know there are alternatives!! LOL

Specializes in LTC, Acute care.

Oh, CheesePotato, I was already laughing after your first wardrobe change but the pant split was spectacularly hilarious! Please keep writing...:roflmao:

Violach

244 Posts

OMG! My stomach literally hurts from laughing. Great story. Thank you, I needed that. (By the way, I have worn those mesh pants. Haha.)

Specializes in Med-Surg, Neuro, Respiratory.

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Specializes in Emergency/Trauma.

I could have used this reminder-cum-laugh today, but I will carry it with me for the next time when I feel like I am incompetent, am drowning and will NEVER get to your level.

Every nurse starts somewhere. Even super-nurses.

Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.

Every nurse starts somewhere. Even super-nurses.

^^ Hear HEAR!!! Thanks for sharing CP!!! :)

Specializes in Medical Oncology, Alzheimer/dementia.

You have a hilarious way with words. I love this, and wish I was a fly on the OR wall.