How do you count the time?

[paxpax]

How do you count the time of being a new grad or new hire nurse? If I count from my first day (9/17), I've worked 3 ½ months, if I count since my first day on my own, it's been 6 ½ weeks.

My experience on a busy tele floor has been somewhat rewarding; however, extremely daunting. I'm a middle aged person who happens to be a new grad after a mid career change. Tonight I had what I consider a difficult night. I took over an admission from the ER at the beginning of my shift. This patient became unstable and needed to go to the MICU. I was supported by my colleagues, nurses and docs; however, I feel so useless in crisis situations. I was trying to get a BP on the patient and accidentally pulled out the pt's IV access. I got frustrated looks from the docs, but the nurses were helpful. Pt eventually went to ICU, ICU was upset with me because I didn't 'finish' the admission papers. ICU was also calling me time after time after receiving the patient for many minor details. I hit a point tonight asking myself, "why am I doing this?" I feel like crap because in all the drama, it took away from attention and care for all my other patients. I didn't have time for thorough assessments of my patients. I felt like I gave uninformed reports to the next shift. I didn't even start to write my progress notes until the shift was over.

Anyway, I drove home tonight feeling like a crappy nurse. I ask the 'time' question because I want to get a handle on when I might start to feel more contributory to the team and less a burden, which I feel like now.

[nursemike, ASN, RN]

I count from my hire date--you're gaining experience while you are in orientation, too. But as much as you hear about the first six months, first year, etc., you can't put too much store in that. In time, you most likely will feel more comfortable and capable, but there's no set rule about how much time. I know what you mean about feeling helpless and useless in a crisis, but you stayed and did what you could while calling upon the help of others, and the next time you see the same crisis, you'll know more what to do, as well as reinforcing the things you know to do for any crisis.

With all my many...months...of experience, I've found that it does get easier, but from observing nurses with more years than I have months, I don't think it ever gets easy. At least it sounds like you have a supportive team, and I think that's key. Any nurse can get overwhelmed, but what is there in this world that three nurses working together can't accomplish?

One of the nicest things that was ever done for me while one of my patients was having problems was that a couple of my peers passed a couple of my other patients' scheduled meds while I was tied up--and that's a favor you or I could offer to do for even the most experienced nurses, because even the best nurses have to let some of the routine stuff slide a little while managing a crisis. (If it's your patient in trouble, I think it's important to be there, even if all you can do is watch and take orders from the "grown-ups.")

[surfer betty crocker]

hello OP-i feel your pain. being a newbie here myself. i personally think that being present, getting that bp regardless and following through and finishing the shift are all examples of great and solid performance for the beginner.and we create solid, then we build from there. its the only way. and the look of the frustrated doc--hey let me tell you i know they were residents once--and i worked with residents who literally broke out into sweat trying to LP a patient for 30 minutes.- in other words we ALL have been there! and please don't discount getting the help the patient needed to the bedside and following through to the transfer as no big deal. to me that is the best thing that can be done for patients that are floor patients. some shifts i literally have to say to myself that the bottom line is to just .get who/ what the patient needs then i am doing my job. we are not super human. we can do only what we can do. hoo ray for decent co-workers! hang in there--i too ask myself the 'why am i doing this' questions on the ride home. they tell me it will get 'better' not easier but 'better'. baptism by fire. i have to agree with the previous poster--next time a situation like that arises you will already have a little experience to build on. for me thats the scariest part i think--getting that 'experience'. hang in there and keep on keepin' on.