Feeling Inadequate Clinically After Years of Mgmt.

[bossynurse101]

Am wondering if anyone else has felt like this. . . . . Have been a nurse for about 9+ yrs. Started in the hosp (brand new on the most hectic floor - felt constantly overwhelmed, hated it but did a year of it) did another yr in LTC on the floor (thru agency) then went to MDS, then to Staff Dev/Inf Control and finally ADON for 3 yrs. Just came back as an ADON for about 7 mo now after a 2 yr break in Admissions Marketing. Am feeling pretty inadequate clinically although I am determined not to let it show - dont want to get eaten alive. When I take call, I am terrified I am going to get called in to take a cart. The LPN's that I work with are very critical of the RN's that are on the floor, and like to ridicule them every chance they get. I feel I have earned a degree of respect as I am very supportive of the staff nurses and try to help them when I can. I dont want to lose that respect, and dont want to be made fun of - yes I know how childish that sounds, but im just being honest. I almost want to take a refresher course or something but my extra time is nonexistant - I already work about 50+ hrs a wk. HELP!!

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

What about under the guise of wanting to get to know the cart better, you follow the LPN and/or assist with a med pass?

Something along the lines of: "Oh I know there is a lot to do today" and/or "I want you to be able to attend this in-service, meeting or whatever, so let me help you out?"

[noc4senuf]

When i take a med cart I am a lot slower than the nurses who do it everyday and have their routine down. I'm not worried about it though. As for my other clinical skills, I am out on the floor everyday so, they do not get rusty.

[lisa41rn]

OMG! I can totally relate to your post. I feel foolish that I spent about four years in acute care, from med surg to ICU and now I literally fear running into trouble and freezing at the LTC facility I work at. I do clinical reimbursements and am an RN, BSN, MS. Do you know how many nasty comments I've had said to me because of my education? I NEVER flaunt my degrees, but I earned them. Does it make me a better nurse? Absolutely not. Some of the LPNs are amazing!

I really need to put some time in on the floors, but am worried sick. I've been off the floors for about three years and have lost all confidence. I have the same worries you do. Plus, I've never worked in LTC on the floors. I have such stupid questions! At the hospital you just call a code if you need to. What do you do at the LTC? Do you always call 911? What papers do you send with a patient? What if you call 911 and they're a DNR? DNR doesn't mean don't do anything. What if a patient falls? Do you get them up or just call 911? I had a nurse say how stupid someone was that a patient fell and they put them in the bed. Well don't you just assess them and if they're okay, you put them in bed and continue to assess? I just have a ton of questions.

Anyway, your post hit home! Hope all is working out for you.