I'm drowning...advice please!

[DYatesRN]

To make a long story shortened, I started as a GN on a PCU floor in April....My preceptorship was great, I was the only new grad to pass pbds in over a year, and I was taken off orientation 3 weeks early because they felt I was above the average new grad. My assignments have been tough lately and I have done them with little complaint as I look on at other nurses talking and gabbing at the desk (I get no breaks because I try to do my best). The last night I worked I literally felt as though I was drowning.....I was given 4 patients (not bad really) but one patient consumed so much time. She was nasty, sarcastic and ungrateful on top of all the work I had to do for her! She was getting blood (2 units with lasix inbetween plus q12h lasix), cardizem drip, HAL with lipids, a primary fluid, and multiple piggybacks, IV push morphine..........I left in tears and swore this is just not for me. The son was throwing a fit about a missing walker that was not there when I got on the floor. The patients blood pressure was also getting really low from all the lasix and her lungs were so moist. I told the charge this is so difficult (and two of my other patients were demanding as well). The charge nurse just said "yeah"--no offer to help and sat gabbing with several other nurses all night. The lord got me through it. The seasoned day nurse I took report from felt like crying too--it totally stressed her and she is seasoned. I am highly contemplating taking a job with peds on vents for less money in the home setting. I did this as an LPN and loved it. What is the price of my sanity??? The other half says suck it up--but I am not happy and my family is tired of me being crabby. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

God bless!

[perfectbluebuildings, BSN, RN]

I don't know how you do it on a stepdown unit as a new nurse- I am a new nurse and I am overwhelmed on a peds general medical floor with the same number of patients you had on that unit. hats off AND hugs to you. i hope you find somewhere better to work SOON!!

[DYatesRN]

Thanks to all who took the time to respond. The two main charges we have on the floor are known to not be of much help...recently two good nurses from the night shift sat down to talk to the unit manager about them. God has a way of working things out in my life and I am sure he will once again direct me where my skills and caring will best be put to use. I am going to get my rest this weekend and talk to the higher ups on Monday. My health and sanity are not worth it. To all the others in a similar situation, know that you are not alone....

[alliecat]

Thanks to all who took the time to respond. The two main charges we have on the floor are known to not be of much help...recently two good nurses from the night shift sat down to talk to the unit manager about them. God has a way of working things out in my life and I am sure he will once again direct me where my skills and caring will best be put to use. I am going to get my rest this weekend and talk to the higher ups on Monday. My health and sanity are not worth it. To all the others in a similar situation, know that you are not alone....

I too am new and still on orientation on a stepdown unit. i might as well be off because i never see my "preceptor". there are days i think its totally unsafe, because pts with drips, post recovery heart caths, and etc. and then you have me , believe me if i have a question i will hunt anyone down to ask, its just sad that you have to hunt them down when you are still on trainging. Meanwhile i have to remind my self to breath and not get in to much of a hurry and to be safe.

[ShayRN]

I am sorry, but the nurses you work with are ignorant. I would NEVER let one of my nurses sink like that while I sat and chatted. I would also have gotten off my behind (as the charge nurse) and went and spoke with the son about the missing walker, you were taking the heat for HER. I think you should speak with your manager. I do think, however, that those of you who are only giving yourselves a month or two to adjust and then leaving the profession or quitting the job are not being fair to yourselves or your employers. It costs us about 25,000 to orient a new grad. (Our new grads get 12 weeks orientation, plus shadow a nurse as a grad under the title "nurse intern". They also get 3 weeks of critical care classes.) It is a smack in the face when they leave a month or two after getting off orientation and we do whatever is necessary to retain them. I tell all my new nurses, including the experienced ones coming from other units, to give themselves ONE FULL YEAR to feel proficient in this job. Yes, you will make mistakes, but how else will you learn?:)