Feeling defeated, lost and stupid.

[Bonnie86]

I'm new RN off orientation a few weeks. I work days and it's crazy busy. Yesterday I didn't have time to chart until the end of shift. I was there until 10 p.m. exhausted physically and mentally.

I'm now stressing about the crappy job I did charting my shift. JHACO is supposed to be visiting this week and I'm a nervous wreck worrying they will pick apart my documentation. We chart by exception, but I feel I didn't chart anything. If a patient was in a pain I don't make a separate note because I figure it will come up on the MAR when I documented their pain scale, etc. after giving pain pill. And anyway, honestly, my days are just one big blur.

I'm feeling very stressed, overwhelmed and I don't know if it's because I'm working days or if it's because it's Med Surg and I'm feeling so stupid, lost, and behind all the time. Should I move to working nights?? I hear it's much slower pace. At this point I feel like a darn robot and I don't really know what's going on with my patients and scared to death I'll get fired from this job or worse, lose my license. This is just now how I expected it to be, but I'm mid 40's, worked very hard for this degree and wouldn't know what else to do.

[veronica butterfly, ADN, RN]

12 hour day shifts are KILLER! (I just got home from one!). Day shifts are invaluable for experience and learning though, I hope you try and hang in there for awhile. It will get better, I promise!!

[Merlyn]

Nursing is like cheese it gets better with age and some time it stinks.

[PediLove2147, BSN, RN]

I got off orientation in January and on my first day solo I stayed until 9:30 PM to do charting. Since then things have gotten a little easier. I am now usually out by 7:30 PM, sometimes 8 PM if I had a busy day. IT DOES GET BETTER. You will start to get your own routine and things will go a little smoother everyday. You need to chart whenever you get a spare second. If I wait until the end I am there until 9 PM at least. I second keeping your "brain" updated throughout the shift. It will make charting and giving report so much easier. I would be lost without mine.

[Bonnie86]

Thanks for the encouragement. We'll see how things go. I've still got moving to night shift on my mind. I'll see how things go in the next few weeks and decide.

[lilybug12]

oh geez, Im a new RN and I start day shift Med/Surg in 2 wks. Im really nervous now.

[Bonnie86]

Good luck Lilybug12! I feel I went to a great nursing school, for the most part, BUT overall I don't think that they prepare you for what is's **really** like. They preach perfect world holistic nursing and I don't think it actually exists -- at least not on Med Surg day shift! Ha!! If you feel the need to vent, feel free to send me a private message.