How to improve job satisfaction?

[mugs]

I am a new nurse. I work in LTC and subacute. Most of the times when I come home and reflect upon my day I feel I should have given more care to my patients but the eight hours shift and too many patients feels too much. I feel being rushed.Is it normal? What can I do to improve my job satisfaction? I stay back to do wound care, dressing changes and make calls to doctors instead of passing on to next shift nurse. What should I do to improve my job satisfaction? Are these feelings common for a new nurse.

I would appreciate your suggestions or tips to increase my work performance and improve job satisfaction

[RN403, BSN, RN]

The reality is you cannot do it all in eight hours. Some things will have to be taken on by the next shift. You do what you can and the rest you must pass on. There is nothing wrong with doing one last dressing change or placing an IV before you go to help your fellow nurse, but, again you must remember that you cannot possibly do it all.

Nursing is a 24 hour thing and the reality is things get passed along. We do what we can with the time allotted.

You also might try clustering activities and doing things as they come along. For example, do your wound care and dressing changes with your med pass. Call the MD with questions or assessment findings the moment that they arise. The more things you save for later the more things you will have to do later.

Your feelings are normal for a new nurse. Try to focus on the positive aspects of your job. Focus on one positive thing that happened that day and leave the rest alone. Remember to always take care of your personal physical and mental well-being first.

As a fellow new nurse I can say that things do get better as you go along. You are not alone in your feelings. Best wishes.

[mugs]

Thanks RN403