help my first week and all hell broke loose nurse, mother, wife!

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:crying2:

i quit my old job of ten years to pursue what i went to school for for so long and i started on a med-surg floor last week. I am going to ccu after 6 weeks to do more orentation for another 6weeks. it also seems from rumors from this staff that this unit i am going to is bad..... they have trained over 3 new nurses for that unit recently! which just set my heart rate up... what i am going into?

Anyway, My preceptor is....ok? She a bit ruff but i feel like i am learning. But the first day i came home and cried. I was so overwhelmed and she wasnt to nice to me. I have had a few other precepters cause she took off and i liked that i got to see how it would be with other nurses. But i am still overwhelmed. I am trying my hardest to grasp it all and do it all right! well have seen 2 codes and had 2 deaths and i have only been a nurse 5 days total! I feel like a chicken with out a head when i am on the floor. UGgh its just so hard, but i keep plugging along.

Unfortunately my mil had a stroke yesterday and she is the one who care for my son while i go to work=( so i was left scrambling on who to call, who 2 tell i couldnt go in today. i ended up calling everyone and they told me it was ok and we would figure something out. How bad does it look that i am not able to work today.? I am trying to find some one to help me with my son but its not easy. I feel horriable for so many reasons:cry: I think i will be able to work 2 more days this week. And then i will have my husbands niece until August. I was planing on putting him preschool,daycare setting in september. I Cant put him there sooner do to his age. I just not sure how to proceed? am i gonna lose this job? I feel like i am stuck and i am not gonna just leave my son with anybody just because of a new job! Oh please tell me things will get better?

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Erin, first take a deep breath and let it out slowly...x3! you get 6 weeks of orientation and then another six weeks in ICU right? It sounds like you have a crazy busy unit but as long as you get to actualy orient the wholetime you will be ok. Insist on weekly progress meetings between you, your preceptor and your manager. Don't let your preceptor push you into anything you are unsure about BUT don't undersell your abilities either. Ask lots 'n lots of questions and leave out the 'this is a dumb question..." preamble! As for your home life, wow it really hit the fan didn't it! Ask friends for day care options, ask at work if anyone has any recommendations. As for what people are tellilng you about how horrible the other unit is, take that with a grain of salt. Don't let your self be impacted with their negativity. I know it is easy for me to say when I am not the one in your shoes but it will get better! Good luck and remember to breathe girl!!

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that is awesome adv on so many levels!!!!!!!! i feel so clueless sometimes. And i think it would be helpful if i asked how i was doing, and is there something i could be doing better? great idea!!!!!! taking deep breath now x 1!!!!!!!!!!!! =)

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Jobs are jobs and family is family, we work so as to better care for our families, not for money. You can get another job if needed but replacing your family is not so easy.

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Specializes in Cardiac Telemetry, ED.

Your MIL had a stroke, for Pete's sake. Missing a day of orientation due to this is not a huge deal.

What do you mean you will "have" your husband's niece? Do you mean she will babysit for you, or are you going to have her to care for? BTW, if she is your husband's niece, she is your niece too!

As for the work stuff, prepare to feel completely and totally inadequate for at least the next six months. Things will start to get better as you get your feet underneath you, and somewhere between year one and year two you will start to actually feel competent. This is all pretty much par for the course.

When it comes to the other nurses not being nice, you need to toughen up. Do not let them see you cry, do not whine, do not let them see weakness. If you have a question, ask it. But don't ever ask "What should I do?"; instead, think the situation through and come up with a plan with a defensible rationale, then present that. It would be more like "Patient X has not had a BM since admission four days ago. Her abdomen is soft and she has normal bowel tones and is not complaining of any abdominal discomfort, but since she has a history of SBO and has no bowel care orders, I think I should call the doctor and get some. What do you think?"

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all great adv!!!!!!!!! UMM i came on here to whine..=) sorry if i was unclear i was just rambling in panic and stress. My niece can watch my son while i work. And i have just talked to my nurse manager and worked it out. but I just hate feeling incompetent, but i remind myself that all the time. ..that its normal. I always think about what i am asking before i ask, and never do something that i am unsure of. And if i feel like a pest i reevaluate what i wanted to ask then precede accordingly. I cant get over how stressful this job is!!!!!!!

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Specializes in med/surg/tele/neuro/rehab/corrections.

Your feelings are completely normal :rolleyes: As time moves on you will feel more competent and less stressed out. When it rains it pours doesn't it? :heartbeat You've gotten some great advice here already. Peace be upon you :)

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Specializes in Mental Health/Addiction 7yrs, ER 2yrs..

Hi Virgo, Do you mind telling me what is SBO??? thanks, I'm going for my RN and I want to learn everything that I might be missing.....

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small bowel obstruction?

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