I feel like I'm going to get fired.

[Konfus]

I started my orientation in August. So I have been working for approx 6-7 months now. I am so screwed. I make so many mistakes. Big time. The night shift people hate me. I am a torture to them. One time, I thought that blood is only available if the blood bank calls us. I was wrong. The night shift had to give two units of blood. I forgot to change IV sites on patients. It is only good for three days. The patient had phlebitis and I did not even see it. The night shift person had to change IV. I had many instances where I forget to open the lock on a piggy back or I accidentally did not set up the piggy back right. I cannot give good reports. I do not ask the right questions from the previous shift, like where patient come from, why patient still here, or what pertinent history I should tell the next shift. I feel like I always forget stuff. I try my best to cope with situation. It has been very busy. I feel like I always ran around and I still do not finish what I have to do. I left a patient in a bedpan and I forgot to tell the aide. I hang the TPN wrong. I checked the blood sugar too early.

I did not act appropriately or proactively when a patient is complaining of something. I neglected a patient's concern. I did not listen to my patient. Patient complained that her legs were heavy. I put the patient back to bed.

I was running around. I am so confuse. I called the doctor. Doctor called back put on hold. I was not able to answer. Then I forgot about that patient. I had to deal with many other patients. I was also engrossed in finishing my charting, that I forgot. I did not even eat that day.

The next day, I learned that I should have called the MD again to inform them of the heaviness in her legs. The night shift person gave her lasix. I am so stupid. Why did I not call the doctor again? I forget things easily.

I feel like nursing is not for me. I suck at it. I just cried at work yesterday because care management called for me but I was not able to call back. I am just not meeting their standards- I think. I know it - even though no one has told me. Everyday I do a mistake. Everyday I forget something. I wish I could go back in time. What will I do if they tell me I am not meeting their standards and I should be let go? What if they report me to the board of nursing? My colleagues night shift have been complaining about me. I am definitely going to get fired. My colleagues are complaining about me. I am so incompetent.

In my 6 months of working, I had 4 patients that refused me because I am incompetent. The next day they just don't want me. I have been moved from one assignment to another. I guess I am just stupid. I am probably going to get fired. I feel like I am a very bad nurse. No one likes me because I ask too many questions. I should just quit. I thought I was doing fine but then I realize, I have very poor nursing judgment. They will fire me for sure, right?

I hope not. My parents are so going to be disappointed. All the complaints would pile up, then I would get fired, won't have a job, license suspended.

I am so scared. I haven't slept for several days now. Good thing I'm off.

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

Wow - take a breath Hon. Sounds like "Frantic" is your average working tempo. Not good. From what you have described, you have a real problem staying focused & prioritizing your work. Are you using an organizational aid (cheat sheet) to organize your day? If not, that would be a great first step. Do you have problems with your short-term memory all the time or only at work? If it is an 'always' issue, you may want to be evaluated for ADD.

(climbing on educator soapbox) Human brains are basically hardwired with some specific abilities that have nothing to do with "intelligence". Some people have perfect pitch, others couldn't carry a tune in a bucket. Some people are naturally graceful and some are clumsy. Some have photographic memories and some of us have to work hard to remember. Recent research has also validated that some people have a natural ability to multi-task .... and others do not. They found significant brain chemistry & functional differences.

Bottom line - Multi-tasking is a job requirement in any fast-paced nursing job. Even if you come up with a better way to organize yourself, it may always be a struggle for you and result in enormous stress. If you are not a natural multi-tasker, a more stable setting - where you don't have to deal with a continuous barrage of new information and changing patient care demands - might be much more suitable for you. It DOES NOT mean you are less intelligent or less motivated/caring than your colleagues. Be kind to yourself. (stepping off the soapbox)

[Nurse SMS, MSN, RN]

I agree with HouTex. Are you going to get fired? Honestly if your post isn't exaggerating things I think yes, you are. You sound dangerous in that setting, to be honest. However....

I think a one to one situation may suit you better. Perhaps home health? You still will need to brush up on your assessment skills. Missing phlebitis is a little concerning, but learning to recognize and trust the assessments you see is a skill that can be learned.

I am sorry you are hurting. You aren't a bad person. It just sounds like you are overwhelmed and a bit out of your element.

[generalRN2008]

Use a workflow sheet and report sheet. Take a refresher course. Maybe swap to home health

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

At six months, you're still very new. Are you using some sort of work sheet or scut sheet to keep yourself organized and on point? If not, that would be a great first step. As you work through your shift, make notes of things to pass on in report. Good organization, nursing judgement and critical thinking are all goals to strive for, but at six months it may be too early for you to actually have achieved all that. I don't know if you are catastrophizing or if you really are as incompetent as all that. My suggestion is to sit down with your manager, educator or former preceptor and have an honest chat about your skills and how you're progressing. After that, you should have a better idea of where you stand and what you can do to improve. Good luck!

[trepeace]

Maybe its just too fast pace. Go to a slower atmosphere.

[sourapril]

maybe you didn't get adequate training.

[Monkey Nurse, ASN, RN]

I think the experts have probably given you excellent ideas (I'm just a newb). If I was you, I'd consider some other type of nursing if the other suggestions don't prove fruitful. There is so much that can be done as a nurse that maybe you just need to rethink your current career direction. I know not all places have the best mentors and training but I'm hoping you have someone there you can confide in and figure out what kind of help you need to make all this go better for you. You didn't survive nursing school by being stupid-- I can be confident in that.

[LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN]

HouTx and Ruby have given some sound advice.

For each misstep, did you research it, look it up afterwards???-especially the phlebitis and identifying third spacing and the extremities-I am sure you know what to do in those situations if you encounter them again, as well as how to help prevent it.

Grab a brain sheet, grab your NM and educator, and YOU...you can fix THIS.