Started first travel assignment. Totally stressed, is it just me?

[lupe]

Help. I just started my first nursing assignment and I am totally stressed out, I feel like my patients are in danger because I am trying to figure out the policies and procedure of this new place, instead of concentrating on patient care. Now I'm scared that I am not cut out for this? Is this normal? What was your first travel nursing experience like? Did you have any severe stress? Does this happen at the beginning of every travel assignment? How long does it take to "get in the groove? during each assignment, or do you ever?

[MirwinRN]

I have to disagree slightly, Ned. I'm working for a sister hospital of one that I just left and see P&P changes. I find that to be one of the more frustrating things. But, on the other hand, I remind myself if I use my nursing logic to provide safe care, most of those P&Ps won't be a huge deal. I find most of my questions are on policies, but luckily the people I am working with are very nice and a questioning attitude is encouraged. :)

[NedRN]

What I often find frustrating is the disconnect between policy and practice during orientation. I can watch three different preceptors do it three different ways (on documentation for example), and the policy states a different way that no one does.

[VersatileRN]

Every new facility is going to be very different I have a feeling. I'm on my second Travel contract. The first one was easy-peazy for me. It was a breeze and I performed well straight from the start. They loved me so much, the manager gave me her personal cell phone number to come back.

Now, On my second assignment clear across the country. Not so much. I'm having a lot of difficulty adjusting to the new documentation. It's like nothing I've never done before. What makes it so difficult is that their paperwork and documentation are very complex AND management rides you for every little thing. They're over the top extremely scrutinizing. It's outta hand. If I don't end up getting fired from this travel job due to "poor Documentation", I'll never return once completed. They stress me out.

[NedRN]

Do you know you are replying to 4 plus year old posts?

[VersatileRN]

Yea! Look at you. You responded lol. I figured someone would see it.

[NedRN]

Responded to your post two hours later, not years later!

[jive turkey]

Responded to your post two hours later, not years later!

Rodney King told me to ask you guys "can't we all just get along"

[NedRN]

He's been dead for five years. Curious where you talked to him.

[Argo]

He's been dead for five years. Curious where you talked to him.

Probably on a revived forum thread..

[jive turkey]

He's been dead for five years. Curious where you talked to him.

Since you're a nurse I'll spare you the ghost stories. you need your beauty rest

[VersatileRN]

HA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!