Does anyone ever feel guilty about care not given by the end of your shift?

gonzo1, ASN, RN · Mar 6, 2009

Every day! But I have mostly stopped beating myself up for it. And I think it is only going to get worse as we are expected to do more with even less support.

Equinox_93 · Mar 6, 2009

Don't give up! One month in and you're still getting to learn the ropes- it'll come... As others have said- nursing is a team effort. So some people have to help you with some things now... I bet there are things you get or will get asked to help others with, and when you can, you do. That's part of being a team. :) NONE of us can "do it all"- so don't beat yourself up for needing help with some things. I bet there are things that you excel in that you can or already do help others with. If there were a problem that others were overly put out- chances are really good that you'd have heard about it by now and your coworkers wouldn't be as nice as you say they are being to you :wink2: Just do the best you can, as I'm sure you do- and really- that's all ANY of us can do! :up:

I totally understand. I just started new job at LTC. I have only worked in behavioral health. Also, I have not worked in almost 5 years due to physical disability. I should have found a job that was not physically demanding and stressful. Actually, it is the stress that bothers me more. I am way too slow on passing meds, and I end up having someone helping me because I am taking too long. I know there are more things that I should have charted and remember when I get home. I don't know if I will get to the point that I actually accomplish everything that I am supposed to on my shift. If it wasn't for others helping, I would not get it done. I worry that other staff is thinking that I am incompetent. I have been here for one month, and I get a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach when I have to work. I am so stressed. My husband is not very supportive and wants me to quit. He is concerned about my health because I have had some major health problems over the years. I have an illness that has periods of exacerbations and remissions. I don't know how much more time that I should give it, but this anxiety is killing me. Also, I have stress in my family life. My daughter is an active drug addict in deep depression. Also, she has a 2 y.o., and she is a single mom. So, I am taking care of him much of the time that I am off, and the other days he needs daycare. I feel like I am ready to blow from all of this stress. And, I would feel so guilty about quitting because the DON has really been trying to help me. I feel bad if I quit that she just wasted her time on me. However, I am sure that other staff is not thrilled when I am working their shift. Although, they have been very nice to me. I am sure that I am taking away from them, when I need help. I just don't feel that I am a good fit for this type of nursing.

KyPinkRN · Mar 6, 2009

I feel you on this one... I just had a baby and the two months or so before I went on leave I didn't work a shift where I didn't leave in the evening feeling completely inadequate for not getting a whole list of things done. I was physically exhausted and hormonal to boot... hopefully when I go back to work next week I can get back in the swing of things.

massrn116 · Mar 6, 2009

I find that many nurses will say it is a 24 hour service but I have always gotten the impression the shift following me wants it all done before they get there. I am generally one that does like to have it all done. I have learned though that sometimes I cannot get it all done in a day, now if I have had a hectic day I will pass things on to the next shift. I still have some that will look over the Kardex for example, and comment that it needs updating, my response is "feel free, sorry I did not get to it." I generally find that some things I pass on don't get done, this week it was narcotic count, I only worked till 3pm one day and count is done between 7-7, so I asked the oncoming charge to do count, it wasn't done.

vashtee, RN · Mar 7, 2009

I'm a new grad, and I feel overwhelmed and frequently bad about the stuff I can't get done. I don't think I am particularly disorganized or slow (well, m maybe a little slow with IV starts), but I swear it seems every patient I have needs new IVs started, tubing hung, feeding, and is in isolation. On top of that, our management keeps adding to the amount of paperwork we need to do at shift change. GRRRRR!! I spend my day pretty much running, and I still can't quite get it all done. :bluecry1:

On a brighter note, I am never bored, that's for sure!

onetiredmomma · Mar 7, 2009

I agree nursing is a 24 hour job and rarely feel bad about having to pass things on to the next shift. I do feel bad when I am so busy that I feel I didn't give the best care every patient deserves. Shifts that are so busy that I don't have the time to sit and visit with an elderly pt who I know is lonely and would love some extra attention. Times when I wish I could take a few minutes more to walk a pt, or get someone up to the chair or....I still, after over 30 years love bedside nursing, but the days when I feel I gave my best are far too rare compared to the days when I know I "did the best I could".

live4today, RN · Mar 7, 2009

I've come back to nursing after 23 years and have just had my 3 month anniversary. I still have moments of being totally disorganized, flustered and overwhelmed. The you-know-what always seems to hit the fan between 6p and 7p, and I feel like I've left the following nurse with a hot mess. My info I have for report always seems lacking and/or I forget to mention something that needs to be done. For instance, I left all the needed supplies for an RT to come and do a viral nasal wash at a patient's bedside on Wednesday night, but forgot to tell the night nurse about it. I'm sitting here on my day off feeling incompetent and guilty. Ugh.

Feeling your pain, so wanted to give you a big warm hug :icon_hug:a bouquet of balloons :balloons: some chocolate for emotional comfort:BDCk: and flowers :flwrhrts:------ all to wipe that pain away at the end of your day. :bow: Welcome back to nursing, and welcome to nursing today. I've been a registered nurse twenty-two years, was out for five for health reasons, and upon my return, my first thought was "What the h*ll happened to nursing!!! :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl: As a nurse, the shift ends for you, but the nursing continues. Nursing is 24/7. Stop beating yourself up. During your shift, give it all you've got. At the end of the shift, pass the care on to the oncoming shift as best you can. No beating yourself up. It is what it is today in nursing. No one is going to make it better except the nurses collectively. Help each other. If anyone isn't helping as a team, call a meeting of the minds and discuss it. Patient care today is much more challenging than years past because "someone in authority" took all the authority away from the nurses, and started treating nurses like robots that are not required to feel, to potty, to eat, to breathe, to receive respect. So.......it's up to us nurses to bring caring back into the profession. Help a nurse...heal a nurse...heal nursing again.

LilyBlue · Mar 7, 2009

Yes, I have felt this way, but something that helps is to remember that I get left things too and I seriously never mind. I understand how it goes....I always love when I follow a nurse I'm good friends with, or she/he follows me...I know we have each others' back and that's the best feeling in the world.

Babs0512 · Mar 7, 2009

Yes, when I worked med surge or ICU, I often felt this way. No matter how hard you tried, you just couldn't get everything done that you wanted to do, most days.

After working in the ER and now PACU, I find I don't have these regrets. The patients I'm recovering rarely stay longer than an hour, unless a complication develops. In any case, I give the best care possible and try to think of everything. I usually have one maybe two patients to care for at a time, so it is very easy to really give the care they deserve.

Blessings

vashtee, RN · Mar 7, 2009

chooo?

Tom123 · Mar 7, 2009

Nurses must learn that they can not meet every need of every patient. That is what Critical Thinking is all about. We must organize our work load as much as possible, realizing that something is going to happen to screw it up. How do we get out of this guilt?

1. List the major needs of your patients, and attend to those.

2. List the medium needs of your patients, and attend to those you have time for.

3. List the lowest needs of your patients, and you can probably forget about those.

PLEASE, when you go home, do not think about what you have not been able to do. That is a setup for failure. Instead, think about what you were able to accomplish. However, and we have all seen this type of nurse, who does the least amount possible, tries to get other nurses to do it for him/her. That nurse needs to be guilty, and really removed from the profession.

From when I entered nursing -- I carried the lamp for Florence -- until today, nursing has changed dramatically. I must say that I wonder if it has been for the better, but I am old.

Patients are more seriously ill that when I first started. We had patients come in for the yearly exam. They were perfectly healthy. Now we have almost, if not, every patient being monitored. That means that every unit in the hospital is at least a step down unit. You cannot meet all of the needs. Some of the basic needs that must be met, is making sure the patient has a bath and that the linen is changed. It is amazing at how much this small item helps patients feel better. If the RN has enough time, and I am one who believes we can make that time, help the aide bath the patient. You learn so much. It is a perfect time for assessment of the skin, range of motion, wound healing, etc. You have really accomplished a total body assessment, along with AM care at the same time.

I digress. Just keep the priorities straight. Ask yourself if you meet those needs that must be met. I bet the answer will be yes.

Valerie Salva, BSN, RN · Mar 7, 2009

Here is a poem I found on the net years ago which is very appropriate to this thread-

I’m Sorry In Advance

I’m sorry in advance

Your bed’s not made today

But I have a patient here

Whose chest pain won’t go away

I’m sorry in advance

You’re not happy with your meal

Dietary does try hard sir,

To give it some appeal

I’m sorry in advance

Your morning pills are late

I’ve a patient climbing out of bed

That I must try to sedate

I’m sorry in advance

Your mattress isn’t soft

We do need some new beds ma’am

But these things do cost a lot.

I’m sorry in advance

I didn’t get to comb your mother’s hair

I’ve a patient with emphysema

She’s scared, she can’t get air

I’m sorry in advance

Your fathers still in pain

I’m trying to reach his doctor

I’ll have to try again

I’m sorry in advance

Your dressings aren’t yet done

But a patient has just passed away,

I offered solace to his son,

I’m sorry in advance

I’m not cheery as a bird

I’ve worked 12 hours, my feet ache

I asked for help, but no one heard

I’m sorry in advance

I’ve only two hands and two feet

I’m trying to care for you, patient

Your needs, I want to meet

My 12 hours now are 16,

No replacement could be found

My aching feet they cry out

My head begins to pound

I’m sorry in advance

I cannot meet your gaze

My eyes are filled with tears

Your face is just a haze

If I could sit down for a minute

And maybe grab a bite

Phone my kids to say I love them

And I’ll be late again tonight

I’m sorry in advance

I didn’t do all that must be done

If I worked any faster

I’d soon begin to run

When I do get to hold your hand

Or wipe your furrowed brow

Please understand, dear patient

I care for you and how

I see your pain, I sense your fear

Your anger in a glance,

Our health care service is failing you

I’m sorry in advance.

Written By

Linda Leeson

Licensed Practical Nurse

Vernon Jubilee Hospital

Vernon. B.C. Canada