I got hired at a local hospital February 15th. Passed the boards April 13th, but didn't find out until about June 1st. I got my CCRN cert... I'm not even sure what that is anymore... I don't think it's an add-on, but it's worth 72.0 CEU's. [it says I completed the following course "Critical Care Nurse Training Program." Again, I'm not even sure what that is anymore... I don't think it's an add-on. If I go to the BRN, I can't find anywhere where it says I've even completed the course, but maybe it might not be up yet. Some people haven't even received their certificate yet. It also says in small print "Provider approved by the State of California, Board of Registered Nursing CEP #144. This certificate must be retained for four years from date of course completion."] [i work in med-surg] I feel like I've been struggling more days than not. I work nights, 7 day schedule [7 days in two weeks] and 12 hour shifts. I am tired of feeling like I failed. How come I'm the only unrested nurse? I have trouble sleeping at night. I still get occasional patient-crashing nightmares. I don't feel like I have a handle on nursing yet, like I'm missing some sort of logic. I rememebr finishing the NCLEX feeling reeealll over-confident about the test. 75 questions... no trouble at all. In fact I took the CCRN final exam the day before and passed both. Now, I feel like I completely suck, like I have no logic in nursing. I feel like I screw up a lot. It's not the staff, either. I get along with everone. People that don't knwo me think I'm really good, and when I start to tell them about my problems... they tell me I'm exaggerating. Here I am, still awake. I called in sick to get a grip on myself. I've made two mistakes already!!! One was forgetting to document that I called the MD for a Temp of 101... (Who the hell orders Tylenol 650mg Q4 around the clock, anyways? It barely made the 4 gram rule.) The second one, I don't even want to talk about. It's not like anyone was hurt or no one died from it... it just got me even more frustrated. Crap, I feel like I want to give up already. The thing is, I feel like I am missing the logic and I will never catch on. My friend became a charge nurse after 6 months. Another, after 10 months. I've been in nursing for almost 6 months already. I suck. Ugh! (Get the Ativan ready... 2mg IVP Q4H PRN agitation.)
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I had to clarify some things, so I edited the post. I apologize for the confusion.
I sure guess you are missing it out somewhere,i don`t really think you are a failure you know.The Bible says that "all things works for those that believes"
and there`s a common saying in nigeria that "there`s nobody that is above mistakes"
You know that all fingers are never equal,if your friends hit the point before you do does not mean that you have missed it,you can even do better than they have some other time.Try and forgive yourself.The greatest love of all is learning to love yourself.Forgive yourself and up you will rise to achieve the very BEST of the bests.
I know how you feel. I have been a nurse for 30 yrs and often wonder what I am doing in this field! For one thing, when I have gone through this in the past, I have dropped some hours, even if it is only a shift per pay period. It also makes a difference if you have your days off in a row, and if you are doing 7-12's in a row, well, that is your problem right their. Even seasoned nurses like myself, usually wear out at day 5. After a long time in one area I have also switched to a different specialty. Could be ICU or med/surg is not the real you, and you need to find something different that suits you better. You went right from school into a lot of hours, and that can be stressful in itself until you've had more time to get experience. I worked ER for over 20 yrs and was soooooooo stressed out!! I don't think I had a good day at work in 6 years, and McDonalds was looking like a good career move! :rotfl: I finally had to take a whole summer off to regroup, and prioritize what I really wanted to do. I realized ER was no longer for me. You might need to do the same thing. Sometimes just taking on a different job makes all the difference in your well-being.
I could have written this post myself! I just took 8 months off to decompress...and I've also changed speciaties and practice areas at intervals to get that much needed change in perspective! It's how I've been able to stay with this for 28 years, as you have also noted! :)
New nurses need to immediately go into 'anti burnout' mode, and identify strategies to counteract the drain this profession places on us. We must care for ourselves in this profession. Hugs to all nurses here!!!
Hi there. I hope you don't give up because you seem like the kind of Nurse who actually cares about what they do to their patients. Nursing is never easy when you believe it is just like the text books, and/or, you want to be perfect. It sounds like you are expecting each nursing situation to be like the tests at the ends of each chapter; when it is not you beat yourself up. Try to give yourself the benifite of the doubt, and stop comparing yourself to others; everyone learns things in their own way, and with your knowledge base and caring attitude you can become a great patient advocate. So in my opinion I feel you should find a councelor to talk to, get some sleep, and change your thoughts about your nursing skills.
This is all just my opinion, so I hope I have not hurt, but helped you. If I have said anything that has offended you please feel empowered to say so, because I know I mean no harm. Good luck.
McD
I got hired at a local hospital February 15th. Passed the boards April 13th, but didn't find out until about June 1st. I got my CCRN cert... I'm not even sure what that is anymore... I don't think it's an add-on, but it's worth 72.0 CEU's. [it says I completed the following course "Critical Care Nurse Training Program." Again, I'm not even sure what that is anymore... I don't think it's an add-on. If I go to the BRN, I can't find anywhere where it says I've even completed the course, but maybe it might not be up yet. Some people haven't even received their certificate yet. It also says in small print "Provider approved by the State of California, Board of Registered Nursing CEP #144. This certificate must be retained for four years from date of course completion."] [i work in med-surg] I feel like I've been struggling more days than not. I work nights, 7 day schedule [7 days in two weeks] and 12 hour shifts. I am tired of feeling like I failed. How come I'm the only unrested nurse? I have trouble sleeping at night. I still get occasional patient-crashing nightmares. I don't feel like I have a handle on nursing yet, like I'm missing some sort of logic. I rememebr finishing the NCLEX feeling reeealll over-confident about the test. 75 questions... no trouble at all. In fact I took the CCRN final exam the day before and passed both. Now, I feel like I completely suck, like I have no logic in nursing. I feel like I screw up a lot. It's not the staff, either. I get along with everone. People that don't knwo me think I'm really good, and when I start to tell them about my problems... they tell me I'm exaggerating. Here I am, still awake. I called in sick to get a grip on myself. I've made two mistakes already!!! One was forgetting to document that I called the MD for a Temp of 101... (Who the hell orders Tylenol 650mg Q4 around the clock, anyways? It barely made the 4 gram rule.) The second one, I don't even want to talk about. It's not like anyone was hurt or no one died from it... it just got me even more frustrated. Crap, I feel like I want to give up already. The thing is, I feel like I am missing the logic and I will never catch on. My friend became a charge nurse after 6 months. Another, after 10 months. I've been in nursing for almost 6 months already. I suck. Ugh! (Get the Ativan ready... 2mg IVP Q4H PRN agitation.)
---
I had to clarify some things, so I edited the post. I apologize for the confusion.
I got hired at a local hospital February 15th. Passed the boards April 13th, but didn't find out until about June 1st. I got my CCRN cert... I'm not even sure what that is anymore... I don't think it's an add-on, but it's worth 72.0 CEU's. [it says I completed the following course "Critical Care Nurse Training Program." Again, I'm not even sure what that is anymore... I don't think it's an add-on. If I go to the BRN, I can't find anywhere where it says I've even completed the course, but maybe it might not be up yet. Some people haven't even received their certificate yet. It also says in small print "Provider approved by the State of California, Board of Registered Nursing CEP #144. This certificate must be retained for four years from date of course completion."] [i work in med-surg] I feel like I've been struggling more days than not. I work nights, 7 day schedule [7 days in two weeks] and 12 hour shifts. I am tired of feeling like I failed. How come I'm the only unrested nurse? I have trouble sleeping at night. I still get occasional patient-crashing nightmares. I don't feel like I have a handle on nursing yet, like I'm missing some sort of logic. I rememebr finishing the NCLEX feeling reeealll over-confident about the test. 75 questions... no trouble at all. In fact I took the CCRN final exam the day before and passed both. Now, I feel like I completely suck, like I have no logic in nursing. I feel like I screw up a lot. It's not the staff, either. I get along with everone. People that don't knwo me think I'm really good, and when I start to tell them about my problems... they tell me I'm exaggerating. Here I am, still awake. I called in sick to get a grip on myself. I've made two mistakes already!!! One was forgetting to document that I called the MD for a Temp of 101... (Who the hell orders Tylenol 650mg Q4 around the clock, anyways? It barely made the 4 gram rule.) The second one, I don't even want to talk about. It's not like anyone was hurt or no one died from it... it just got me even more frustrated. Crap, I feel like I want to give up already. The thing is, I feel like I am missing the logic and I will never catch on. My friend became a charge nurse after 6 months. Another, after 10 months. I've been in nursing for almost 6 months already. I suck. Ugh! (Get the Ativan ready... 2mg IVP Q4H PRN agitation.)
---
I had to clarify some things, so I edited the post. I apologize for the confusion.
Hey I've been there too! only 6 months in nursing- LTC-as of now Med-surg my choice. A bit of advice given to me from a 15 year nurse- U spend ur schooling on learning how to pass a test and the first year after getting liscensed becoming one. Don't give up ! Her wisdom has kept me going, so true it is. 3 hours of orientation and charge of 73, Just keep plowing! u'll make it. I to go through each day with what if's,Gone this far, U have what it takes to make it! Or u wouldn't still be going after it! Go for it, It will be easier soon enough. Let me know, We are all in the same corner, on how u fair.
I got hired at a local hospital February 15th. Passed the boards April 13th, but didn't find out until about June 1st. I got my CCRN cert... I'm not even sure what that is anymore... I don't think it's an add-on, but it's worth 72.0 CEU's. [it says I completed the following course "Critical Care Nurse Training Program." Again, I'm not even sure what that is anymore... I don't think it's an add-on. If I go to the BRN, I can't find anywhere where it says I've even completed the course, but maybe it might not be up yet. Some people haven't even received their certificate yet. It also says in small print "Provider approved by the State of California, Board of Registered Nursing CEP #144. This certificate must be retained for four years from date of course completion."] [i work in med-surg] I feel like I've been struggling more days than not. I work nights, 7 day schedule [7 days in two weeks] and 12 hour shifts. I am tired of feeling like I failed. How come I'm the only unrested nurse? I have trouble sleeping at night. I still get occasional patient-crashing nightmares. I don't feel like I have a handle on nursing yet, like I'm missing some sort of logic. I rememebr finishing the NCLEX feeling reeealll over-confident about the test. 75 questions... no trouble at all. In fact I took the CCRN final exam the day before and passed both. Now, I feel like I completely suck, like I have no logic in nursing. I feel like I screw up a lot. It's not the staff, either. I get along with everone. People that don't knwo me think I'm really good, and when I start to tell them about my problems... they tell me I'm exaggerating. Here I am, still awake. I called in sick to get a grip on myself. I've made two mistakes already!!! One was forgetting to document that I called the MD for a Temp of 101... (Who the hell orders Tylenol 650mg Q4 around the clock, anyways? It barely made the 4 gram rule.) The second one, I don't even want to talk about. It's not like anyone was hurt or no one died from it... it just got me even more frustrated. Crap, I feel like I want to give up already. The thing is, I feel like I am missing the logic and I will never catch on. My friend became a charge nurse after 6 months. Another, after 10 months. I've been in nursing for almost 6 months already. I suck. Ugh! (Get the Ativan ready... 2mg IVP Q4H PRN agitation.)
---
I had to clarify some things, so I edited the post. I apologize for the confusion.
Hey I've been there too! only 6 months in nursing- LTC-as of now Med-surg my choice. A bit of advice given to me from a 15 year nurse- U spend ur schooling on learning how to pass a test and the first year after getting liscensed becoming one. Don't give up ! Her wisdom has kept me going, so true it is. 3 hours of orientation and charge of 73, Just keep plowing! u'll make it. I to go through each day with what if's,Gone this far, U have what it takes to make it! Or u wouldn't still be going after it! Go for it, It will be easier soon enough. Let me know, We are all in the same corner, on how u fair.
I can totally relate to how you feel. Stick with it, though. It will get better. My best friend and I graduated in May of 2005 and during our first year we kept saying, "It has to get better. It couldn't get any worse." Now we are both doing well in our respective jobs and we both love our jobs even though they are challenging. Nursing is not easy, nor is it dull. It is so rewarding when I can go home after a good shift and know that I comforted someone or eased their pain or alerted the doctor of a potential problem. Hang in there for a while before you give up on nursing as a career.
I got hired at a local hospital February 15th. Passed the boards April 13th, but didn't find out until about June 1st. I got my CCRN cert... I'm not even sure what that is anymore... I don't think it's an add-on, but it's worth 72.0 CEU's. I feel like I've been struggling more days than not. I work nights, 7 day schedule and 12 hour shifts. I am tired of feeling like I failed. How come I'm the only unrested nurse? I have trouble sleeping at night.
> I work nights, 7 day schedule and 12 hour shifts.
And you wonder why you are tired, and have trouble sleeping at night? If you refuse to take care of your own health, you won't last long in any job, whether it's nursing or flipping hamburgers. There aren't any magic pills that will replace the sleep your body needs on a regular basis, so don't start relying on caffeine to keep you awake or sedatives to help you sleep.
I certainly empathize with you, I am on my 4th day on a telemetry floor. I asked for med surg but did not get that job. I feel the same way. I knew however school would not prepare me for the real world of nursing. I did not get taught a head to toe assessment until the last darn semester. Someone should be monitoring what goes on in clinicals but that is another topic.
The only thing I can think of to say is rely on past experiences, did you accomplish passing nursing school and the boards? There is a lot you did not know before you did that...and you did it! You can learn or you would have not gotten that far, and you can learn also how to be a good nurse in reality. But it is school all over again, in a reality setting. School to me means that you are now ready to beging learning how to be a nurse, not that you get spit out of college with nuring knowledge. YOu have the background information but school is not over...now you are learning.
Take a tip...don't let your insecurities show...the other nurses with devour you. Ask questions, look and listen to what is going on. Go home at night and read anything. I keep a notepad in my pocket, whatever I hear that I am not sure of or never heard I study up on if I don't have to be back there in the am. Try building on what you do know.
>I work nights, 7 day schedule and 12 hour shifts.
I work 12 hour night shifts and have a hard time after the second night. Sometimes I don't even know how I made it home. I have a 60-75 minute commute each way. No wonder you are tired.
I'm doing better. I still don't understand how you people work three days in a row. My social life slipped away a long time ago, and i'm trying to find my way back into the gym. Today was actually a good day. Thank you all for your words of encouragement, it's just so frustrating, and at times, I wonder if it's really for me. I see other nurse work so efficiently they function like robots. One nurse told me it takes years before I can function like a robot. The thing is, I don't want to be like that, i just want to make it through. How long was it before you guys felt confident in yourself, as to be sure you knew exactly what you were doing, and have no problems with your shifts?
Wait a minute.........how does one get to be a CCRN without having at least 2-3 years' experience under their belt? I hold certification in Med/Surg, but all candidates for the exam have to have 3,000 hours of experience within the past 5 years. I can't imagine CCRN having LESS stringent requirements; otherwise certification doesn't mean anything. No disrespect to the OP; I just have a hard time believing that a new grad would even be eligible to sit for the exam. :uhoh21:
Hello friend,
GracefulRN
119 Posts
Friedrich Nietzsche said that, and I agree