Does anyone else feel this way...? Help!

AuntieRN · Jan 12, 2008

Ive been working as an RN for 15 months now and hardly a day worked goes by that I dont wonder and fear the same things. I have had many nights that I couldnt sleep because I was afraid I missed something. They tell me it gets easier. Be kind to yourself and have faith that you did the best job you could do and good luck.

nurse grace RN, BSN · Jan 12, 2008

You aren't alone I am sure. I used to feel exactly that way everyday when I was new. I am a nurse for 32 months and guess what? I still dream about work and I still worry about missing things. I found that putting boxes on my report sheet next to tasks that ahd to be done and checking them off helped a great deal in staying organized. I slao try not to leave all of my charting to late in my shift, I am always afraid I'll forget something if I wait to chart it. I also found a book: "My First Year as A Nurse" by Donna cardillo RN to be extremely helpful, Also, don't be overly hard on yourself, sometimes we are our own worst enemies. Find a mentor that you can talk to about your concerns and ask for feedback from your manager and team leader or charge person. Remeber that nursing is a 24 hour job and no one knows it all. We have managers and charge people to help us. I am sure that you had orientation, do you still work with your preceptor, ask him/her how you are doing. I have malpractice insurance that I purchased on my own, that might make you feel more secure if you haven't done so, NSO, is a good company. One more thing, relax, take a deep breath and remember one thing; YOU ARE A NURSE! Be proud and believe in your self. I wish you much luck in the future.

GingerSue · Jan 12, 2008

when I was with a patient then I would completely attend to that person and do all that needed to be done - I would leave knowing that I had attended to any problems, therefore I would not think again about that particular person. I would go on to the next person - same way - attend, do all that needed to be done (look for things that need to be done, spend the extra bit of time if necessary), then tell myself "I have done all that I can." My advice - relax, trust yourself, make lists so that you can either check things off, or make a list for the following day. During my first year as an RN I did find myself awake at night a lot thinking of all the things that had to be done.

CHATSDALE · Jan 12, 2008

i like the advise to for a check off list - if that is undone you can have that list at report time

besides there is a good feeling in checking off something that is DONE

you can't remember everything every day so lists are good memory joggers

lighten up - it does get better

truern · Jan 12, 2008

RN for about a year and a half now and just the other night hubby said I was talking in my sleep about hanging some Vanc. I must have been worried that I'd forgotten the 1800 dose or something...anyway, I DID hang the Vanc, but there's always *something* you second guess about. I guess it's the nature of the beast :)

It gets better with time, though....I promise :)

lorilou22RN · Jan 12, 2008

Been a nurse for 11 years, and there are still days I wonder if I gave my 1800 meds, or did I really set the pump properly? It does get better, yet you will always have those days where you wonder.....

hang in there

Tait, MSN, RN · Jan 12, 2008

I would suggest (as someone did earlier) that you make a checklist. I feel as you get more organized, eventually you will begin to "feel the day" and have a sense of completion. Always chart meds right away, double check patient pumps/lines/I&O 1 hr to 1/2 hr before shift change.

Find time to tie up loose ends.

Ask the nurses you report off to if they feel report is complete. Ask if they have questions.

Then go home and turn it off.

Tonight a newer nurse here was very fragmented in report. At the end of report and walking rounds she said "I will be home tonight if you need me".

I looked at her and said, "I won't be calling you. Your job is done, it is my turn"

I understand her sentiment, however she needs someone to draw the line for her a lot the time. So I did, and I know she trusts me and will relax when she gets home because of it.

A good friend always told me he never lost a night of sleep, because no matter how much he could have on his mind, he never let it keep him up. Because worrying accomplishes nothing but ulcers and headaches.

Tait

(p.s. I am a chronic worrier, but I am learning)

Kyrshamarks, BSN, RN · Jan 12, 2008

I guess I am lucky..even after 22 years doing this i still can leave work at the door to the hospital. I honestly have never had a problem with doing that. Work stays at work. If I forgot something then I forgot it. Worrying about it does not help.

trmr · Jan 12, 2008

I have been a nurse since 1998, and everyday I am still scared out of my mind, wondering what on earth made me choose nursing. Somedays I want to give up and say forget it. Other days I see how blessed I am to be doing what I am doing. I have been through some very scary moments, some turned out good, some didn't. But here I am still, doing the only thing I know how to do, the only thing I can really ever see myself doing. I don't know really what it is, but I know somewhere deep in my heart, nursing is what I am suppose to be doing.

shellsgogreen · Jan 12, 2008

i have only been an rn and working since july of 2007 but i come home everyday stressing over the day. i replay the day over and over in my head and think about everything i did and try to think if i forgot to do something? did i chart that? did i tell the doctor this? and i feel like one of these days i am going to get a phone call telling me i did something horribly wrong and i am going to be sued or something. i have dreams about work even! i just don't know if i am going to feel like this forever or is this because i am so new? is anyone else about there like this? does anyone have any suggestions on how to get myself to relax?? tia

wow...i could have written this exact post myself;)

sometimes it feels like a race to get everything done, and i never feel as though i'm doing enough for my patients individually

i wake up each night thinking, "ahhh man...i forgot this or ...did i remember that?"

the level of stress can get so high, and the one form of relaxation that works for me is yoga/pilates.

jackson145 · Jan 12, 2008

I think it's a personality thing. I've done that with every job I've ever had. I lie in bed replaying the day and my dreams are crazy scenarios that wouldn't happen at work in a million years.