frustrated and overwhelmed

dwag · Oct 11, 2004

i have just started my new RN position and i am officially off orientation this week - and basically i feel like i am drowning. most of what i think i need to vent about has been said by many of you in multiple threads but i think i will just recap my top concerns and frustrations:

1.) my delegating skills basically suck. when i ask the techs to do stuff i am always very polite and eventually it gets done but i get so frustrated when they give me grief for asking them to do their job. unfortunately, i am the type of person that takes it personally and i feel bad for the rest of day even asking them to help a patient to the bathroom.

2.) even though there are tons of really nice nurses around, i tend to have the tendency of gravitating towards and asking questions of the one or two nurses working that either a.) know about as much as i do or b.) aren't generally very pleasant or willing to help - it just makes the transition more difficult.

3.) i moved 2000 miles away from where i went to school, and the most difficult thing is that i don't really know anyone at my new hospital. i come home and vent to my husband but i think you can't really understand what a new grad RN is going through unless you've been there. and i feel that work is all that i talk about - it seems to encompass my whole life and i really hate that.

4.) the actual work isn't that difficult but it is the possibilities that make me the most overwhelmed. the possibility that something will go wrong, that a patient will code, that a doctor will yell at me, that a patient will go AWOL (oh wait that's not a possibility it really happened on my first day off orientation). i know that you can't work yourself up over things that haven't happened yet but for some reason i can't stop.

i realize this thread is basically venting but i do feel a little better just putting my feelings in writing.

is anyone else feeling similarly? if not, could someone just lie to me so i don't feel like such a loser! :)

Trauma Columnist · Oct 11, 2004

Venting is definitely okay here! Welcome to AllNurses! Now, as to your frustrations with your new job - please take a deep breath and relax - I know that's not an easy thing to do though! It really does take a year (or so on some units) to feel comfortable. Good luck...judi

Trauma Columnist · Oct 11, 2004

Venting is definitely okay here! Welcome to AllNurses! Now, as to your frustrations with your new job - please take a deep breath and relax - I know that's not an easy thing to do though! It really does take a year (or so on some units) to feel comfortable. Good luck...judi

DutchgirlRN, ASN, RN · Oct 11, 2004

i have just started my new RN position and i am officially off orientation this week - and basically i feel like i am drowning.

I feel your pain. 3 years ago I was the new RN on the floor and had all of the same concerns and frustrations that you do. I thought "hey sounds like we work in the same hospital". It does take about a full year to get somewhat comfortable. Of course you don't want to be totally comfortable, always be on your toes. As far as the techs, they are trying you out. If you are firm and matter of factly ask them to do their job they will come to respect you. I see it time and again with each new nurse. In 3 years I have become the resouce person that everyone comes to. I do the majority of precepting. I have a notebook which is titled "Joanna's Brain" and in it I keep lots of useful info like which IV meds mix and proper dilutions and push rates for the drugs, + a copy of all of our protocols. Everyone knows and I think this is why I've become the come to person. I have made myself more valuable by being well-informed. Plus I feel much better having all the info at hand. Good luck!

DutchgirlRN, ASN, RN · Oct 11, 2004

i have just started my new RN position and i am officially off orientation this week - and basically i feel like i am drowning.

I feel your pain. 3 years ago I was the new RN on the floor and had all of the same concerns and frustrations that you do. I thought "hey sounds like we work in the same hospital". It does take about a full year to get somewhat comfortable. Of course you don't want to be totally comfortable, always be on your toes. As far as the techs, they are trying you out. If you are firm and matter of factly ask them to do their job they will come to respect you. I see it time and again with each new nurse. In 3 years I have become the resouce person that everyone comes to. I do the majority of precepting. I have a notebook which is titled "Joanna's Brain" and in it I keep lots of useful info like which IV meds mix and proper dilutions and push rates for the drugs, + a copy of all of our protocols. Everyone knows and I think this is why I've become the come to person. I have made myself more valuable by being well-informed. Plus I feel much better having all the info at hand. Good luck!

laurakoko · Oct 12, 2004

Got some advice for yah. I have been there, so have we all! One day or another we were all new nurses with a new job, working with unknown people. The only things that can make your anxiety less is your knowledge, your experiences (not only with nursing, but everything), and your confidence! Have confidence!

1.) DELEGATE. This is part of your function as a nurse. I ALWAYS ask the techs to do things, usually like their assigned jobs.. but if you don't ask, and you give all the baths, and feed pts, who will then be responsible for your charting? and giving meds?

2.) ASK QUESTIONS. The dummy nurse is the one that thinks he/she knows it ALL.

3.) Get out and make new friends. You can start at your job, as you have commonalities with these people. But you can start with neighbors, or going out socially with your husband.

4.) Something, one day WILL go wrong. Someone, one day WILL code. Someday, a doc WILL yell at you. The best thing is to just be prepared for these situations, and to know what to do when the situation arises. Think about what to do in a code, think about how to respond to an irrate doc. Know also, that sometimes these situations happen, with no fault being your own.

Great luck to you and all of your future career as a nurse. Welcome to the field, and remember, every nurse had their first day too. It is because you are anxious, that I know you are a conscientious person, and will be great at what you do. It those who have no anxiety that I often wonder about.... Hope this little note helped. :)

laurakoko · Oct 12, 2004

Got some advice for yah. I have been there, so have we all! One day or another we were all new nurses with a new job, working with unknown people. The only things that can make your anxiety less is your knowledge, your experiences (not only with nursing, but everything), and your confidence! Have confidence!

1.) DELEGATE. This is part of your function as a nurse. I ALWAYS ask the techs to do things, usually like their assigned jobs.. but if you don't ask, and you give all the baths, and feed pts, who will then be responsible for your charting? and giving meds?

2.) ASK QUESTIONS. The dummy nurse is the one that thinks he/she knows it ALL.

3.) Get out and make new friends. You can start at your job, as you have commonalities with these people. But you can start with neighbors, or going out socially with your husband.

4.) Something, one day WILL go wrong. Someone, one day WILL code. Someday, a doc WILL yell at you. The best thing is to just be prepared for these situations, and to know what to do when the situation arises. Think about what to do in a code, think about how to respond to an irrate doc. Know also, that sometimes these situations happen, with no fault being your own.

Great luck to you and all of your future career as a nurse. Welcome to the field, and remember, every nurse had their first day too. It is because you are anxious, that I know you are a conscientious person, and will be great at what you do. It those who have no anxiety that I often wonder about.... Hope this little note helped. :)

NurseKate · Oct 12, 2004

I read your post thinking, "Wow, this sounds just like what I have been thinking and feeling." I am coming off orientation soon and I am terrified! I worry about the same things and feel the same way you do. It was so reassuring reading your post because I know that someone else is out there feeling the same things I am feeling. Thank you for your courage to post all of your concerns. I know that sometimes it is hard to admit when we are feeling like that. Just know that you're not alone and I am sure there are lots more people feeling the same things. :)

NurseKate · Oct 12, 2004

I read your post thinking, "Wow, this sounds just like what I have been thinking and feeling." I am coming off orientation soon and I am terrified! I worry about the same things and feel the same way you do. It was so reassuring reading your post because I know that someone else is out there feeling the same things I am feeling. Thank you for your courage to post all of your concerns. I know that sometimes it is hard to admit when we are feeling like that. Just know that you're not alone and I am sure there are lots more people feeling the same things. :)

zully1 · Oct 12, 2004

hi dwag, I know what you mean, because I'm going through the same situation, Like you say there are very nice experienced nurses out there who are willing and dont mind helping out us who are new and learning, but...there are those couple here and there whom i guess just dont remember how it feels being new. I'm somewhat discouraged about my job because of that, but if I leave I'll probably end up bumping into others who act like that. I'm wondering if I should start looking elsewhere or just stick to it. It just seems that this one nurse who I have to work with gets bothered when asked a question and expects me to do everything "speedy" like her who's been nursing for decades. How am I suppose to learn and get confident when she's so inconsiderate, aside from that I dont want to run around "complaining" about her because it will just probably make me look like a winer. Ahhhh... what are we to do???

zully1 · Oct 12, 2004

hi dwag, I know what you mean, because I'm going through the same situation, Like you say there are very nice experienced nurses out there who are willing and dont mind helping out us who are new and learning, but...there are those couple here and there whom i guess just dont remember how it feels being new. I'm somewhat discouraged about my job because of that, but if I leave I'll probably end up bumping into others who act like that. I'm wondering if I should start looking elsewhere or just stick to it. It just seems that this one nurse who I have to work with gets bothered when asked a question and expects me to do everything "speedy" like her who's been nursing for decades. How am I suppose to learn and get confident when she's so inconsiderate, aside from that I dont want to run around "complaining" about her because it will just probably make me look like a winer. Ahhhh... what are we to do???