Am I making the right decision?

[FutureRN_NP]

Many of you might have followed or read some of my posts in the past. I am a new nurse who very fortunate to get a job four months ago after hunting many months if not a year. Within these times I made mistakes and thanks God I have not hurt anybody. I got written up twice. Once was during orientation for not having a good judgement or handle cases efficiently. Another one was yesterday d/t transcribed lab wrong (misspelled a letter), didn't administered prn meds fast and quick enough on the clock (patients complaint) and MD's concern that I overlooked newly admitted pt's med. What happened was pt asked if this new med he was getting at hospital will be given here. Basically I didn't hear the med's name correctly so when the ARNP asked if this pt was on it, I overlooked in the new order. I didn't say no but it took me longer to view it. I was not familiar with the med also. It was under a different name. Anyway, ARNP told the DON I told her pt is not on it while in fact he is.

So I was told I will be terminated if I found to make another mistake. I think I am at the end of my robe. I am thinking of turning in my two weeks notice when return back to work this weekend. The work intensity makes it nearly impossible to complete all the work without missing something. Every little concern they found they go straight to the DON. They never told me so I could correct it. There are so much things I need to learn and getting written up twice make me so nervous and I lost all of my confidence. What would you do if you were me? I feel like to quit now and look for another job with less working intensity where I can gain the experience I need rather than get fired or God forbidden anything worse. Please give me some advice because I needed it. I just feel such a failure and overall dumb.

[leslie :-D]

Don't just wing it, as I fear you have been doing thus far. Research, ask questions, and keep learning.

i'm wondering if op initiated a 1:1 with the DON, and share the non-supportive environment she's been working in.

perhaps this new insight, would compel the DON to back off a bit?

i fear op's stress levels, may be interfering w/doing job efficiently...

esp if she works at a facility where others want her to leave.

that can't be conducive to learning anything.

leslie

[CapeCodMermaid, RN]

At the risk of getting flamed: is English your second language? You're at the end of your robe?

I second leslie's post...speak to the DON. Perhaps you could have some more orientation. Or speak to the SDC. Maybe she/he can give you some added support when you're out on the floors.

[catiern]

As someone who's worked in numerous LTC's, both as an RN and as a supervisor, as well as in acute hospitals, I can tell you right now that as a relatively new nurse, you will probably be more overwhelmed on a typical med/surg unit (although the orientation may be more thorough...). So, I know how it seems as though you do not have the time to ask questions--but you must make time. There's just no getting around it. Also, there's no point in comparing yourself to other nurses. It is not my intent to come off as harsh, but I wonder why it is that the other nurses "cover for each other", yet will be "happy" if you walk away. Other than your supervisor, is there another nurse (whether an RN or an LPN) who is experienced and would be willing to help you navigate your first few months as a nurse? Sites like these are great for getting general feedback, etc., but I honestly think that if you started cultivating good working relationships with your coworkers, you might find yourself feeling less overwhelmed. And BTW, as far as your "mistakes", they really don't sound earth-shattering so don't beat yourself up over them. Bottom line-- you are not a "failure" or "dumb". If I were you, I'd try to hang in there and look for a different job at the same time. Good luck to you.

[zorabanks]

try night shift... slower pace...less staff around. gives you a chance to learn job and how things run...build back confidence...although you may have less pts at hospital...still might face same type issues, but dont give up...it will get better with time...good luck!

[RN119]

I am sorry you are feeling that way and are going through this... I am still in nursing school.. for now but I don't feel like you have enough time to really wrap your mind around what you were just trained to do .. you whirlwind through school and still the expectation is that you know everything? what happened to on the job training? but of course no one wants to be bothered with training a newbie properly.. heck the nurses on most of the floors I do clinical on can't be bothered which I get.. TOTALLY but how is one to learn?

This is my last thing before bed..got a 60% percent on my test today.. a first for me:(.. 1st day of OB rotation tomorrow.. your letter touched me .. lets agree both of us to stay positive.. God brought us this far right?

[PeepnBiscuitsRN]

So you work in LTC, yes? For some reason I thought you worked in a hospital... well, regardless, here's what I would do being someone who was initially overwhelmed with being a new nurse after a year off between school and working. I would have a heart to heart with your supervisor, or the DON or your nurse educator- or all three of them. Tell them that you really want to make this work- I assume you do, in fact want to make it work. Review your errors, I agree with NurseLoveJoy, find the root of your errors- right now to me it sounds like the cause of your errors is that you're frantic, that you're task focused and trying to get ABCDand E done on time. The frantic part may just be the problem. I came to grips with the fact that I may not get all of my charting and notes done by the end of my shift- many times when I'm coming on shift at 2300, the evening nurses are leaving around midnight- 1am. Now, I don't condone putting stuff off if you can help it, but think about your priorities- your priorities are the care and comfort of your patients, getting meds passed and charted, and keeping an eye on labs, and procedures. As for time management, try to feed two birds with one crouton- in other words, try to get several things done at once. I don't know how much leeway you have for med passes, at my hospital we have an hour before and an hour after (so if I have a midnight heparin, and a 0100 antibiotic I go in at 0030 and do my assessment, and do the meds.)

I know days can be very hectic, I work nights, and it's pretty nice. You might consider asking if your higher ups think nights would suit you better for a time. But the only thing I can offer is to not worry about being there late to finish charting or whatever. Just communicate, if you can't communicate with your co-workers, then communicate with your charge or your supervisor. I'm not sure a hospital job would be better, the floor I work on is pretty busy.

I think we who have computer charting and have everything on computers are spoiled. The MD just puts the order in the EMR and there's much less chance for misspelling and misinterpretation (you still have to use your brain though)- the generic and brand names automatically pop in to the MAR, there's a direct link to Micromedex. Yes we are spoiled.