I am trying to be the best nurse I can be. I am responsable for about 30 residents on second shift. I pass meds at 1500 (only 2), 1600 (a dozen or so), 1800(almost all of them), and 1900-2000 (almost all). I have half a dozen treatments of various complexities and various assessments depending on what is going on. Lately we have been short staffed, so I help when I can. If there is not a CNA to pass the snack cart, I must see that it gets done. It takes me about 30 minutes +/- at the start of the shift to get set up and on my way unless there are a lot of orders left from rounds, or labs on Wed, or other things that need documentation right off the bat. My problem is that I am having a heck of a time getting everything done that I need to get done. I am forgetting things like filling out turning records or responses to PRN meds. Especially between 1900 and 2200 all I do is run and try and get my meds done and my tx done. I am not supervising my CNAs well. I am beginning to think that maybe I don't have what it takes to be a good nurse. Also, right now, we are "Quarentined" because of an outbreak of URI. On Tues, we started 10 of my residents on ATB which meant that I had to assess each of them with full vitals and several other assessments like throat, lungs, etc. That night I also had someone fall and hit their head. No serious injuries but I had neruochecks in which I have to do vitals+ q15min x 4, q30min x2, qhour x4 and I had a lady we were trying to wean off a cath so I was unclamping the tube 10 min/2hours and recording output. If I had not had help from the nurse that works the other wing (who has as much work as I do, but never gets bogged down like I do) I would still be there today trying to finish everything. What is wrong with me??????
Specializes in Geriatrics, Hospice, Palliative Care.
Whew, I could have written the OP's post! I am feeling discouraged as well, but after reading that it is acceptable to group meds, I feel a lot better and will do it (with attention to safety, of course! No ambien at 5 pm *smile*). This board has been invaluable to me; hearing from experienced nurses is a real help. Nothing against the nurses at my facility, but the perspective of nurses from "outside" really does validate what they have said.
Sometimes we are so focused on our job and those around us, that we can't see the bigger pix. That is why places like this are important. Many of us work thru times like this and face the same problems. We just don't know it! Well, "been there-done that" is one of our greatest bonds.
softstorms
291 Posts
Danielle has it right (except I still vote for rule # one LOL) So hang in there and let us know how it goes.