Drove home in tears...

Nurses New Nurse

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Hello everyone! I have been lurking for some time now and figured this is the time for me to jump in :)

I am a new grad (Aug 2006) and started as a med-surg noc nurse in December. I was very fortunate to have a wonderful preceptor and felt confident that I would do ok flying solo. This weekend was my first time on my own. I had a full load of 7 pts with occasional dc's and admits.

Unfortunately my first 3 shifts on my own were HORRIBLE. I felt like I was drowning. Each day I left over an hour late and left a couple dressing changes and consents to be signed for the day nurse. I don't want to be known as the nurse that passes all the work to the day nurse.

A couple nurses have told me that I will hit my groove in about 6 months but I don't know if I can wait that long. I am usually a very optimistic, "I can do anything I set my mind to" kind of gal.. But this is definately testing me. I drove home with tears streaming down my face and didn't get any sleep due to nightmares that I missed medications and forgot charting. I feel like I hear call light bells all day long. Is this normal? Any words of encouragement or advice would be GREATLY appreciated!

I just want to say THANK YOU, THANK YOU for all the kind words of encouragement. I drove to work yesterday thinking about everything I read in this and other posts. I promised myself that I would simply put in 100% effort. And while I still felt extremely overwhelmed I repeatedly reminded myself that I'm not the only one who has felt this way :) Thanks again to everyone who posted!!!! It honestly made a HUGE difference in my outlook! I promise I will pay this forward when I see, hear or read about a newbie. This is a great support system....I appreciate the responses!

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Mudhoney, please remeber that anyone who is very good at something was once a beginner.MedSurg at night is a great place to learn,you will see a bit of everything. Look at it this way, if you can work there for a year( and Id love to hear how things have fallen in to place by then)then you can work anywhere.With the reality of nursing as it is today, even tho you always want to do the best for your patients, there will be some days that, if at the end of your shift all of your patients are still breathing, well you did one hell of a job.And that dosnt have to be a bad thing.

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Specializes in Rehab, Med Surg, Home Care.

Just so's you know , a while back there actually was an entire thread about dreams people had about work and maybe a third or more of these involved dreams where crucial meds were omitted or even a pt was forgotton for an entire shift. It's hard enough to finish the physical work of the day- is it any surprise when mentally processing all that goes on during a shift overflows into our sleep time and dreams?

And as for hearing call bells-some nights I feel as if the sound has been permanently burned into my neural pathways!

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Specializes in ER/Trauma.

My first month off orientation, there were only a handful of nights when I made it out on time...

Don't be so hard on yourself! It WILL get better! :)

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Specializes in Med/Surge, ER.

It's OK...you have to develop you own sense of time management, and in time you will. Don't let it get you down....just keep up the good work, and eventually, it will come naturally!!

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I dont think I will ever hit my groove in wear I am partaking my employment right now>>Cardiac SURGICAL. Somewhere in the nursing world is my groove. I graduate August 2006 and I think most staff forget I am a grad nurse. Sick of feeling anxious, incompetent, sick in my guts that do drive me to tears.

Where I work its hard and I find it amazing that some staff get through the day unscathed, whereas myself I feel I am drowning. Trying to do the right thing is sometimes hard to do.

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sounds normal.

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Specializes in ER/AMS/OPD/UC.

So glad to see this thread!! I too am a new nurse, working on acute med floor, definitley some days are worse than others..and I too worry hoping that I havent forgotten anything! Just hang in there we will get it!!

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Specializes in LTC.

We're all out there!!!!!!!! I drove home in tears tonight.. I've been in my current job for 7 months. The RN I worked with got fired and since then I've been the one kinda running my unit and I'm a first year LPN...

I feel so unqualified and I have no self-esteem left because day shift constantly tells me I'm doing things wrong but I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong and tonight was just too much!!!!!!!!!

So we're all out there and this is hard...... So you have my sympathy and support!!!!!!!

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What you are feeling is totally normal! I have been a RN for 12 years and just recently changed positions (med/surg to L&D) and let me tell you....those same feelings, incompentencies, nightmares have returned. I was a precetor for new nurses and now I just feel...well dumb. I hope this can make you smile a little. And I am counting on the line I used alot while precepting others- give it time, it does get better.;)

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Mudhoney~

I wish I had come here and posted my feelings before letting the overwhelming frustrations led me to quit my job. I graduated March 06,,,had family affairs to settle after my Dads death, went abroad for a few months,,got my first LTC job,,,VERY shortlived,,and had sucha horrible experince with it that I became paralyzed with fear. I havent worked since July 06, had bariactric surgery Jan 07 and am just now feeling confident enough to get out there and try again. Hang in there,,dont give up,,listen to the advice of those who have gome before us and BELIEVE IN YOURSELF!!!!!!!! Good luck and keep posting!~~~

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