HELP I'm falling apart!!!

[longjourneydream]

I am a new grad who was formerly a ER tech/PCA with total of 17 years exerience.

When I joined the ER as a nurse in June of this year, there were high expectations of me.

Into my 12th week, I was let go take on patients on my own.

The ER starts to gets busy Oct- April, and the chaos starts Nov-March.

The pace is now picking up and I am now falling apart.

At one time I was asked to work 4 in a row, and that stressed me out to the max.

I told my supervisor that I was not ready to function as a fast paced, efficient nurse, they had all expected me to do!

One example is:

One charge nurse tells me to sit at computer and get patient d/c'd to floor ASAP, while one client comes in with CP and needs immediate attention, and nursing supervisor yells at me and tells me I need to get this lady taken care of ASAP. I just started to fall apart.

My ABC's went out the window.

Now they are all watching me carefully now, picking me apart, and my nursing supervisor telling me she worrries about me.

She does not want to see me lose my licence.

The plan is to put me with a seasoned nurse I take 4 patients, and she takes 2 combined with me.

She is all over the place, because she is the charge and has a massive responsiblility.

They want her to help me devise my plan of attack, as far as time managment.

I know the basics on what to do for the patients.

CP- EKG,nitro if needed, asa if needed, IV, labs,O2 monitors, chest x-ray, fluids etc...

Belly pain,IV labs, sometimes fluids, sometimes ekg, labs always etc...

SOB, if extreme; bipap ABG,breathing tx, chest x ray, IV EKG Labs

OD- EKG, IV labs, fluids bipap or intubation if extreme

On and on it goes.

If no labs are ordered I try to think of what the problem is then order the appropriate lab, when in doubt CBC and BMP are always right.

All child brearing women with uterus must be Hcg must be done prior to any tx or x-ray.

I just cant seem to focus on what I need to do when there are many things coming at me at once.

I have been told to put all tx and assessment in computer right away as soon as I have triaged assessed, IV and labs.

Our electronic charting is a bear.

We never have enough computers around.

I am falling apart HELP...

Any advise for a new RN in an ugly envirionment?

[Mechi]

1.Find out how many years of nursing bedside your manager had.

I am always seeing new nurses less than two year become managers,her attitude correlates with her fear of not knowing bedside care and how to be an efficient manager to well so she would delegate to you everything she can not handle even though you are a new nurse.

2.She would not treat you as a new nurse because she is protecting her position(managerial) and she will pick on you so she will look better till you stop her or quit ER. This is happening all over the country with the new managers with no experience and good leadership,in corporate america this is call vertical abuse behavior , Many companies are not accepting this behaviors any more so keep it in mind .they new managers love to mandate , intinidate you with power or e mails but few of them will seat with the new nurses to talk their future needs in learning to achieve their goals in the nursing caeer.(to understand your staff you need to remember you were a nurse bedside once)They forget it very soon .They behave like Corporate executives and forget their role as patient manager care.

3. I wuold suggest you to transfer to another departament with better orientation tool to give you the happiness of being a good nurse .

4.Maybe another ER hospital like county teaching hospital,they are more focused in training residents and new nurses so you would get the help you need and protect your license.

5. Do not panic this is a bad experience that will soon be in your past if you seat and think another options as a nurse .Remember nursing shortage is on rise they need you and many hospitals are willing to received you and give you the tool you need .LOOK for it .

[longjourneydream]

1.Find out how many years of nursing bedside your manager had.

I am always seeing new nurses less than two year become managers,her attitude correlates with her fear of not knowing bedside care and how to be an efficient manager to well so she would delegate to you everything she can not handle even though you are a new nurse.

2.She would not treat you as a new nurse because she is protecting her position(managerial) and she will pick on you so she will look better till you stop her or quit ER. This is happening all over the country with the new managers with no experience and good leadership,in corporate america this is call vertical abuse behavior , Many companies are not accepting this behaviors any more so keep it in mind .they new managers love to mandate , intinidate you with power or e mails but few of them will seat with the new nurses to talk their future needs in learning to achieve their goals in the nursing caeer.(to understand your staff you need to remember you were a nurse bedside once)They forget it very soon .They behave like Corporate executives and forget their role as patient manager care.

3. I wuold suggest you to transfer to another departament with better orientation tool to give you the happiness of being a good nurse .

4.Maybe another ER hospital like county teaching hospital,they are more focused in training residents and new nurses so you would get the help you need and protect your license.

5. Do not panic this is a bad experience that will soon be in your past if you seat and think another options as a nurse .Remember nursing shortage is on rise they need you and many hospitals are willing to received you and give you the tool you need .LOOK for it .

I have moved to medical telemetry, starting January 7th of this year. I have been off orientation for 2.5 weeks now. Needless to say I am feeling the growing pains.

I decided to get more experience first before I take on a specialty such as ER.

There are times I am not leaving my unit until sometimes, 2030,and my shift starts at 0630.

I have much to learn and the unit has been forgiving and all are trying to help me along.

It is a hard place to work, but I try to manage day to day.

I guess the 1st year in nursing is hard no matter where you start.

I started working in June of 2007, so hopefully in 4 months down the road will be easier for me.

I am attending a ER/critical care class, and have been invited back to the ER if I feel I'm ready to go back.

I don't know how I feel at this point.

I will see how I feel after my first year in nursing...

[Mechi]

I am very happy with your decision ,I hope you will get the knoweledge you are looking for.If you feel adults are not for you or overwhelmed try pediatrics you will love it. May be you need some push in your life and pediatrics and newborns units are encouraging. I did the change after 15 years experienced ER /ICU nurse I moved to pediatric ER /ICU world. I loved it for another 10 years.