Frustrated at being new!

Lucky0220 · Sep 22, 2010

if you just started in august, are you not still on orientation?? i sure hope you are, because if not, they were unfair to you. in such a short time, even 4 patients can make you crazy. it did so to me. so, if you are still on orientation, is your preceptor there to help when you get slammed?

i hope things get better for you. med/surg is hard, even though they say that is the best place to begin. i still struggle.:heartbeat

mazy · Sep 22, 2010

A missed laxative is not the end of the world, nor is a late laxative. You can't control the pharmacy...actually, it sounds like there was a lot going on that day that you couldn't control, so deep breath.

The Dr. also did not feel in control with that patient and he handled it by yelling at you, you handled it by yelling at yourself. I have a feeling that his behavior had more to do with something else he had going on with that patient (maybe she was angry with him) and you were just a visible target.

It sounds to me from your post that you have the potential and desire to do your very best and with time it will happen.

Another poster here mentioned a time management sheet and I have found that to be a good tool -- although I had never thought of it that way, but I guess that's what it is.

I usually have a piece of paper with each patient name and room number, with enough space for notes and very brief dx info. I make up my own, I don't use the facility one.

Then I write any important issues in a list like: ABX, FSBS QID, SSC, IV meds, foley, g-tube, trach, wounds...whatever, then notate list of a times when any interventions are needed. I also note any odd-timed or PRN meds as well as supplements. I also might note any behavior issues or pain management issues so I can be on top of extra patient needs.

As I go through the day I cross off each time that the intervention is completed, then when all are finished I put a big X through the patient name. That way I feel like I'm actually chipping away at something and can give a sigh of relief when all is completed.

Also, throughout the day I can keep checking back to make sure nothing has slipped through the cracks.

But you will find a system that works for you. Don't be too hard on yourself, we've all been there.

BluegrassRN · Sep 22, 2010

Never make excuses. If a doc goes at you like that, simply look him/her in the eye and say, "I'm sorry. I should have given it earlier. I'll get to it {insert appropriate timeframe here}" No one wants to hear why...they just want to hear you sincerely acknowledge your mistake and what you're going to do about it. If he keeps at it, say, "I apologized and unless you have anything new to add to this conversation, it's a busy day and I need to get back to work."

As for patients who make snide remarks, you can bet that if you wouldn't have been young, it would have been something else. If Jesus Christ himself would have walked into her room and laid his hands upon your grumpy patient, she would have made a snide remark about him not using hand sanitizer prior to touching her.

You can keep quiet, or if you feel comfortable, you can turn it back on them. Although I am not at all young, I am very short and for some reason this makes many older folks think I'm about 20. I get a lot of flack sometimes about my supposed youth. I usually keep quiet for a certain amount of this crap, and then at some point I'll say something like "Well, I suppose my youthful appearance will be such a blessing when I'm your age." accompanied by a sugar sweet smile. Or "I'm actually 39. I suppose when you get past a certain age, everyone under the age of 50 looks like teenagers, huh?"

Most of the time, if the person has any sense of humor at all, when you say something snarky (not MEAN, just snarky) back at them while looking them in the eye, with a smile and a wink, they not only get that they're being jerks, they get that you have a sense of humor and they respect you for it. Sometimes you get someone who cannot take a hint, nor take a joke. Shrug it off.

You're new. It'll get better. You'll get better at managing your time, dealing with docs, and dealing with patients. You'll learn which patients you can banter with, which ones you can cajole out of a rotten, nasty attitude, and which ones are lost causes that leave you thanking your lucky stars you don't have their outlook on life. It really does get better.

saltwaterstat · Sep 23, 2010

Just for future reference, you can write a doc up for treating you like that! There is no excuse for that kind of behavior and the way he addressed the problem in front of everybody else was highly unprofessional. Most institutions now would call that lateral violence. Don't ever be afraid to stand up to a doc and say, "Can we please discuss this in private?" New or not - you don't deserve to be treated like that.

writing up docs, ok. asking to discuss n private, ok. it just reeeeallly tics me off when docs act like this. --(not in private, hellooooo....). ok, maybe a 1st time..to offer the private talk, ok. but, if the ____ EVER attempts a 2nd time... dress him down back, right then & there (probly station). you sound like you know what your're doing...breathe. .........it gets better w/ experience. hang in there!

calljs15, ADN · Sep 23, 2010

I just had an exam that asked this question this week so I can tell you that it takes 2-3 years to feel competent in your practice according to one theory.. If nursing was easy, everyone would do it right? Keep at it, try to organize, think things over before you do them, and keep tasks in order.

Lizzie21 · Sep 23, 2010

I am new as well. Keep your head up! You are an amazing nurse! I definitely feel like I don't know what is going on. I feel like new grads should have 3 months of orientation, but realistically we don't.

I've been yelled at by a doctor and he called me incompetent. I balled the entire way home, because I was treated like crap.

Remember why you went to nursing. it will get better!

DogWmn · Sep 23, 2010

First....BREATH

Second, do you have a little cheat sheet you can put in your pocket? If not, start using one, when I worked in a hospital and we took report I had a little grid that I'd take notes on during report and add to as needed through out the shift and it really helped as I could whip it out make a quick note and move on and check it when I took a breath. My first hospital actually had one printed up for us - it was great!

Third, some Docs are *********- but if this one was abusive you need to write him up or what ever your hospital policy is.

Lastly....BREATH