I'm a new grad and have been on my own (life after precepting/orientation) for two weeks now. I've read many of the already posted threads under the "First Year in Nursing" category and can relate to almost everyone. I broke out in tears reading the thread that said that it was OK to cry. I've chosen to work on the telemetry floor (7a-7p) after passing the boards and going through orientation. Most days, after my shift is over and I'm ready to go home (during and after precepting), I'm uncertain that I want to come back for my next scheduled shift!! The job is so fast paced and everything is hitting me all at once. I have typed up numerous ideal scheduling on Word to help guide me (0700 to 0800 - get report, 0800 to 0830 - go see my patients etc...). I have developed a baseline on how to manage my day but there is just so much interruptions throughout the shift (PT/OT/RT wanting to see the patients, patients' request, their families request, doctors who write new orders sporadically throughout the shift and not in clear handwriting, pharmacy not delivering meds on time, patients with change of status, making sure the correct consent forms are filled before an invasive procedure, new patient admits half way through the shift or towards end of shift, and the nursing students who take the charts, it goes on and on).
Leaving late to finish charting has become a routine. Night shift thinking that you are working with them now. Even after 12 hours on the floor, I feel that I don't know the big picture on all of my patients. I can only focus on their admitting diagnosis and their current signs/symptoms. Some medications that I give, I wonder why the patient is getting after knowing what they came in for, but I know that it is safe to give after looking up the med in my PDA, so I give it. Scary, I know. If I know that doctor is personable, I'll ask him or her. But in most cases, it's not asked.
I just hope that through time, I'll be able to get the hang of it. Hopefully before I get so discouraged that I end up quitting or worse, being force to quit (you know what I mean).
I hear you Joli. Yesterday, one of the evening shift RNs thought I was working with her because I was still around after my shift was over. It was kind of funny. Almost every day when I come home, I can't shake this feeling that I forgot something....usually it's nothing. Even though I'm having a hard time right now, I know that I can't give up on nursing too.
I am glad I'm not the only one. I have had THE WORST day! Everybody has been talking down to me like I'm a nobody. Today I verbally stated to my boyfriend that I don't like being a nurse. I hope I can make it too.
Let me tell you something that I have learned during the past couple of months of being talked down too. TALK BACK! You don't have to be nasty just respond in a nice but firm tone of voice. I have an impressive deep voice (very manly ) so if it gets too much for me, I open it very loud and people usually back down.
The other day I had this MD (woman) that was going on and on about a continous PCA pump and wanted to explain to me in a very demeaning way that I did not know what she was talking about. After a good 15mn of her going off wildly in the hallway, I mean everyone could hear her (itty bitty gal too) I opened up my mouth and spoke calmly and firmly right back to her and I left her standing right there and walked away. Oh did it work! She came and thanked me for how I was helping the patient and wanted to personally tell me that I was a good nurse!
I have learned that you need to speak up or people will gladly walk all over you, specially in the hospital setting.
You give it to me, I give it right back, MD or not I am just tired of putting up with it. I am not taking it anymore.
Hope this helps.
And whether or not I don't understand something talking or explaining things in a demeaning or sarcastic tone of voice will not help me get it anyway.
) so if it gets too much for me, I open it very loud and people usually back down.
grentea
221 Posts
I hear you Joli. Yesterday, one of the evening shift RNs thought I was working with her because I was still around after my shift was over. It was kind of funny. Almost every day when I come home, I can't shake this feeling that I forgot something....usually it's nothing. Even though I'm having a hard time right now, I know that I can't give up on nursing too.