Overwhelmed New Nurse

sallyrnrrt, ADN, RN · Mar 26, 2018

Give it time, " grasshopper "

After 45.5 yr experience, I promise

It will come together......

You will succeed

Best wishes

DextersDisciple, BSN, RN · Mar 27, 2018

Time management and prioritization improve as you go along. No matter how long your orientation is, chances are you will still not feel "ready". I'm pretty sure every new nurse knows the feeling. It is normal To still

Continue to ask for help once you're on your own. Better to ask then not Ask and make an error.

I would ask your preceptor what her/his routine is, write it down and use it as a check list (when applicable). For example, I have a report sheet with the usual head to toe assessment boxes, IV access, rounds discussion, 1900-0700 boxes to write my meds in and have a few " to do's" like q4h BMP or renew restraint order at 2300. A multi color pen for each pt helps.

And as for feeling hurt, you will learn quickly to brush any negativity off. It helps when a coworker gives you a heads up about how aid abc tends to have an attitude (or what have you) and not to take it personally.

Crush · Mar 27, 2018

As mentioned, be gentle with yourself. They would not let you off orientation if the didn't believe in you being able to do it. On the flip side, an extension does not reflect one's ability to become a good nurse either. We all learn differently and at different speeds. Relax and breathe. This is par for the course.

However, if you have concerns, bring it up with your preceptor and get some feedback. If you feel you need another 2-3 days, talk to your manager.

Best wishes.

applewhitern, BSN, RN · Mar 27, 2018

I graduated nursing school during a severe nurse shortage back in the late 80's. I got a whopping FIVE days orientation, then was made charge nurse. Just because you get off orientation, does not mean you can never ask questions or look things up. You will be fine. Good luck.

RNperdiem, RN · Mar 27, 2018

Find out where your policies and procedures manual is. It might be a one-click icon on your computer, but sometimes you need to go looking. The p&p manual is a great reference to use for the "How do I do this" questions. There usually is a pharmacy drug guide too, so you can look up unfamiliar meds.

I like to write things down. When you juggle multiple patients, you get interrupted, and even your interruptions get interrupted. Writing things down helps me remember what I was doing.

HiddenAngels · Mar 29, 2018

Unfortunately you will never feel ready to start and, this is one where you have to do it on your own to gain confidence. This is an unpredictable craft, but very manageable. You will be fine.... Find a buddy if you can..

mbulls · Apr 4, 2018

Thank you all so much! It's reassuring to know that many/if not all of you have gone through some of the same feelings I am going through right now. I will try to take it one shift at a time.

Ruby Vee, BSN · Apr 5, 2018

I am in a new nurse residency program at the moment. I feel so overwhelmed right now. My orientation period is coming to an end soon and I still rely on my preceptor for assistance. Orientation is 6 weeks and I was hired part-time (2-12hr shifts a week). Out of the possible 4-5 patients that we can get on my floor, the highest I have had so far is 3 (one of which has been a trach patient), and that is with assistance in some way shape or form. I'm wondering from you all:
1) How do I manage my 12 hours to read the orders, chart, call the doctor, give prn, give scheduled meds, provide treatment(s), change an iv, start an iv, possible admission, assess, change dressings, draw labs, etc)?
2) What method or system has worked for you all?
Thank you guys in advance! I left my overnight shift last night feeling so overwhelmed and discouraged because it was my 3rd 12-hour shift in a row (I work a total of 4 shifts in a 2 week period), I got disrespected by an aid for no apparent reason last night, then the night before I got disrespected by an RT (which I have been told both are not so nice people in general but I still felt hurt since I've been so kind to everyone), and there is always something that I am told I didn't do properly.
Any advice or guidance is appreciated, thank you!

Time management is an issue for almost all new grads. You'll get this. I think you would get it faster if you worked full time, but you'll get it. You need a system. Your best bet is to ask your preceptor and her peers what their system is like and how it works for them. Take what works for you and change what doesn't.

The first year of nursing is miserable. It's a difficult transition from asking the nurse to BEING the nurse. We've all been through it.

RTs are nice people -- just like the rest of us, there are a few stinkers, but by and large they're nice people. So are aides. It's entirely possible that they didn't mean to disrespect you but either they didn't communicate as clearly as they had intended or that you took it wrong. Or that you rubbed them the wrong way? I know RTs have their specific subset of knowledge and it's easy to ask a "dumb question" when you're new. The aides, also have their own knowledge and expertise. Were you respectful of that?

I had a rough start with nursing and some difficulty with workplace relationships. In the end, I found it best to consider my own contribution to any unpleasant interactions -- and once I learned that, things got better. Good luck in your new job!