How can I tell................

ktwlpn, LPN · Dec 10, 2003

Originally posted by peaceful2100
How can I tell if I am having new nurse jitters or if I am really not cut out for nursing.

For those who read my When does it get better thread you know what I am going through. BTW, I started seeing a counselor this week and he is strongly recommending anti-depressants. I am going to the Doctor tomorrow and talk to her about all this. I know I needed help but the moment I started snapping, getting mad at my daughter, yelling at her, grabbing her and hitting her out of frustration was the moment I said enough is enough already I am getting help. If not for me then for her but I do REALLY want it for me too. It just took seeing what I was doing to her for me to stop being so stubborn to seek help.

I was so happy the day I graduated from nursing schoo back in Mayl then that happiness turned into sadness and bitterness when I found out I had to work on a medical surgical floor. I am sooooo overwhelmed on that floor having up to 8-10 patients is some serious stuff for those who don't know. For those who know you understand all about it.I constantly fear what if I miss this, what if I miss that. I STILL have NOT been able to sucessfully start an IV. I have came close a few times though. I get really fearful when it comes time to get ready to start an IV. I try so hard to block out my previous failures at starting one but it is hard for me not too.

I feel as though I am not a good critical thinker at all. I don't know how to improve my critical thinking skills. Deep down I REALLY think I have what it takes to be a good nurse and Deep Down I think I can find my Niche and get into an area I enjoy. However, right now I am really anxious, worried, skeptical, doubtful, fearful, obessessing. I obsess about work when I am NOT at work. I have had a 7 day stretch. Tomorrow I go back for 3 in a row. I have been Obessing about work the WHOLE entire time I have been off and I try not too. Christmas is coming up and I am trying to get into the spirit but so far I have not been able to because of all the stress I am having from my job and the depression:o

Even though I made it through nursing school and passed boards after the second time:imbar I feel like I am not intelligent enough to be a nurse. Like I don't know what I am doing half the time. I do ask questions when there is something I don't know. I feel as though people are laughing behind my back because of the questions I ask though. One girl I work with tell me that people have been talking about me.

So how does one really tell if it is just new nurse jitters or they are not cut out for nursing.

Any suggestions.

Can you cut your hours back until you get a handle on things? A 7 day stretch is too much and your exhaustion is making everything harder....You have to work for this facility to pay for your education,correct? THEY are going to have to work WITH you to enable you to do so....So co-workers are talking about you? Born nurses all of them-they think they were born KNOWING the secret code...I hate that-we need to build each other UP-not tear each other down....Go to your employee health if you have to-if you are emotionally not able to function at work then that is a disability....

robynrn2b · Dec 11, 2003

Are you intelligent enough to be a nurse??? You passed your program, Right?? You passed boards, Right???? Then WHY are you asking that question? Please realize that alot of what you are feeling is the depression talking--plus being exhausted from working so much! You cannot expect to be an expert at everything when you have just graduated. Take it from me---you learn 90% of your nursing skills on the job. I too have never started an I.V. But keep trying. Some people are great at it, some not so great! It dosen't have anything to do with how good you are as a nurse. You are taking the right steps-getting counseling and anti-depressants. You are taking control of your problem. Good for you. As for the I.V.'s have you looked into taking a specialized I.V. class if it is offered in your area? See if there is a nurse that you feel comfortable with that is good at I.V.'s and have her help you--maybe go with her when she starts them and see if she can give you any tips. Good luck.

Katnip, RN · Dec 11, 2003

Before you give up, I highly recommend seeing that doctor. If you need anitdepressants, then that could be a HUGE part of your problem adjusting, focusing, and worrying about your performance.

I have yet to start an IV. We have IV therapists for that but that's not necessarily a good thing because they can't always be there. I've drawn blood successfully exactly one time. I make mistakes, and even on a critical care unit where the max I ever get is 4, I get disorganized sometimes. Sometimes I get blasted for it. Most of the time, people just show me what I've done wrong.

Anyway, you can do this. You got through school, you passed the boards. You just haven't found that niche yet. When you do, it will be so different. Don't sell yourself short.

zambezi, BSN, RN · Dec 11, 2003

I agree with what has been said re: antidepressants and I commend you for talking with a counselor...I think that just getting everything off your chest and having someone to talk with is beneficial. Do you have someone you can trust at work, a mentor or coworker that you can touch base with once or twice a week to debrief with. Someone to help you with your organizational skills...by no means is the number of patients you have easy...but having a plan is a good step, then if you get knocked off your plan you know where you have to jump back in at. Sometimes you just have to take a deep breath, you can only do one thing at a time. MAke a list and cross it off as you go.

As for IV starts and procedures. Take your time, it will come (and don't give up). I agree with taking a class if you can (sometimes you hospital will even pay you education time for it). If no classes are offered, see if you can follow an experienced IV starter and watch the technique (Again keep trying--but no more than twice on one patient :) ). As for critical thinking, start with common sense (I know that sounds silly, but you would be surprised with how often that whole common sense thing flys out the window). If you come across something you don't know, think to yourself why? what is going on? what can I expect? what are the complications, outcomes? what helps/hurts/relieves the situation. That is kind of basic but it is a starting place. Most of all try to relax. Try to have fun (Easier said than done, I know) Take time for yourself. Mabye a journal would help. Try to leave work at work. If you absolutely have to think about work at home (can't get a situation out of your head, etc) make it a constructive time. Don't beat yourself up. Think about how you can do it better next time...again critically think about the situation. What didn't you see this time that you will look for next time. Be positive. Look for the good. Look at the "bad" too but learn from it. Don't be afraid to ask questions or for help. You can do it. Take time for yourself and you daughter, in the end that is more important that work anyway. Have happy holidays.

flashpoint · Dec 11, 2003

Talk to your manager and your coworkers about your concerns. You may not be flailing nearly as much as you think you are. We had a nurse that really struggled for a while and they let her sort of start over...she'd take small patient loads (2 or 3 patients) and she gradually increased her patient load until she became more comfortable. Also see if you can geta copy of other nurses' shift reports or "brains"...sometimes seeing how other people do it helps you to get your ducks in a row.

As far as IVs...you will have days that you can get a 16 gauge into the hand veins of a dehydrated diabetic dialysis chemo patient and days you can't get a 22 gauge into the biggest, most beautiful veins you ever saw. Again, ask coworkers for their tips. See if you can find an IV class...see if you can audit the IV part of an EMT or paramedic class...they usually practice on each other and paramedics are wonderful at teaching IV skills.

You can do it!!!

mspringer · Dec 11, 2003

Tips and Tricks for IV starts.....good luck! You'll get it. I swear some that I gotten have been nearly by accident.....couldn't see thing to save my life.

http://www.enw.org/IVStarts.htm

M

SmilingBluEyes · Dec 11, 2003

I echo the others...you are working too hard and have a lot of emotional stuff going on. I think you ARE cut out for this...you just need to cut yourself some slack.....

and cut back on working so hard. Be good to yourself. Nurses are infamous at neglecting self in caring for others. It's a bad thing to do. I wish you the best...........you were smart to vent here. Dont' be afraid to do that.......and really give yourself a break. You deserve it! You sound conscientious and caring to ME!!!

(((HUGS)))

Agnus · Dec 11, 2003

Originally posted by peaceful2100
How can I tell if I am having new nurse jitters or if I am really not cut out for nursing.

For those who read my When does it get better thread you know what I am going through. BTW, I started seeing a counselor this week and he is strongly recommending anti-depressants. I am going to the Doctor tomorrow and talk to her about all this. I know I needed help but the moment I started snapping, getting mad at my daughter, yelling at her, grabbing her and hitting her out of frustration was the moment I said enough is enough already I am getting help. If not for me then for her but I do REALLY want it for me too. It just took seeing what I was doing to her for me to stop being so stubborn to seek help.

I was so happy the day I graduated from nursing schoo back in Mayl then that happiness turned into sadness and bitterness when I found out I had to work on a medical surgical floor. I am sooooo overwhelmed on that floor having up to 8-10 patients is some serious stuff for those who don't know. For those who know you understand all about it.I constantly fear what if I miss this, what if I miss that. I STILL have NOT been able to sucessfully start an IV. I have came close a few times though. I get really fearful when it comes time to get ready to start an IV. I try so hard to block out my previous failures at starting one but it is hard for me not too.

I feel as though I am not a good critical thinker at all. I don't know how to improve my critical thinking skills. Deep down I REALLY think I have what it takes to be a good nurse and Deep Down I think I can find my Niche and get into an area I enjoy. However, right now I am really anxious, worried, skeptical, doubtful, fearful, obessessing. I obsess about work when I am NOT at work. I have had a 7 day stretch. Tomorrow I go back for 3 in a row. I have been Obessing about work the WHOLE entire time I have been off and I try not too. Christmas is coming up and I am trying to get into the spirit but so far I have not been able to because of all the stress I am having from my job and the depression:o

Even though I made it through nursing school and passed boards after the second time:imbar I feel like I am not intelligent enough to be a nurse. Like I don't know what I am doing half the time. I do ask questions when there is something I don't know. I feel as though people are laughing behind my back because of the questions I ask though. One girl I work with tell me that people have been talking about me.

So how does one really tell if it is just new nurse jitters or they are not cut out for nursing.

Any suggestions.

News Flash. You do not HAVE to work there. My dear there are other nursing jobs. This one is all wrong for a new grad.

You need a preceptor who is not over worked and over stressed who will work with you and help you will skills like starting IVs and critical thinking.

More than that you need to be in a friendlier enviorment that is a lot less stressful and more supportive.

Leave. For someone to say,"people have been talking," about you should tell you two things. The person telling you this is no supporter. Anyone who tollerates this is abusing you. This is clearly agressive behavior. NO ONE IS BORN A NURSE. Everyone including your detractors needs nurishing as a new nurse. Get you tail out of there pronto. And never again feel you HAVE to take anything.

tgibson3770 · Dec 13, 2003

Originally posted by Agnus
News Flash. You do not HAVE to work there. My dear there are other nursing jobs. This one is all wrong for a new grad.

You need a preceptor who is not over worked and over stressed who will work with you and help you will skills like starting IVs and critical thinking.
More than that you need to be in a friendlier enviorment that is a lot less stressful and more supportive.

Leave. For someone to say,"people have been talking," about you should tell you two things. The person telling you this is no supporter. Anyone who tollerates this is abusing you. This is clearly agressive behavior. NO ONE IS BORN A NURSE. Everyone including your detractors needs nurishing as a new nurse. Get you tail out of there pronto. And never again feel you HAVE to take anything.

Best advice I've heard in a long while!

Tweety, BSN, RN · Dec 13, 2003

Sorry. I posted in the wrong thread.

I posted in your other thread. Keep on keeping on!

OKRN · Dec 13, 2003

I just graduated in May 2003. I understand what you are going through. I work in the ICU and constantly dread going to work in fear that I will make a mistake, esp a life threatening one. I am terrified that I will miss something. However If I ever have a question no matter how stupid it is I ask one of the more experienced nurses. That seems to help relieve some of the anxiety while im at work, however I will go home in the a.m. and constantly think about my night and wonder oh crap did i do that or i wonder if i missed something. The anxiety hopefully will decrease once we become more experienced and then we will look back and think " I can't believe I used to stress out of this".