I'm not 'getting' this. Should I be RN?

[croppyRN]

I am a new nurse, have been working at Rehab/LTC for six months. The last four months have been at a great facility: Nurse/patient ratio averages 1:14. My problem: I'm always late finishing my shift, feel like I'm moving in slow motion most days. I know I've improved much since my first month or two, but I still feel like such a moron. I look at the more seasoned nurses with such envy. I want to know what they know, work as efficiently as they do, etc. If there are no 'crisis' (patient falls, surprise admits, etc.) I have a pretty decent day. But whenever something comes up, even if it's a lot of new physician orders to complete, it throws everything off for me.

Also, after I completed orientation, I had a couple of confrontations with a seasoned nurse who likes to take advantage of everyone, especially newbies. I wasn't aware of her polarizing reputation the first time I stood up for myself. The second time I knew but held my ground: I wasn't going to let her push me around. This seems to have back-fired on me. She is tight with most of the nursing aids, and a lot of them have gone out of their way to make my life miserable. The other nurses seem to avoid me; I think they feel as though I'm the trouble maker. Consequently, I've not made any friends, which really makes me sad. I feel as though I can't handle this new career. I'm old enough to be mom to many of these nurses. Want to know where I stand compared to other new nurses, but terrified to ask my manager or DON.

I'm in tears as I write this. Please give me advice. I'm miserable.

[croppyRN]

my first six months as an rn were horrible! focus on your work and doing it well. don't worry about making friends at work, we're not at work to make friends. as a nurse i go to work to help my pts. time management will get better as time goes on. unfortunately with the economy the way it is we are all getting the short end of the stick and expected to do more with it. i know very few nurses who actually get done with their shift on time.... unless ofcourse they are leaving work for the next shift - which will probably still be there for you when you come in the next day.

if things are truely that bad that you can't stick it out, try finding a different place of employment. but a lot of times as newbies, we just need to prove ourselves. keep doing your best for your pts!

onyx77 - thanks for taking time to reply to my cries for help! it is good to know i am not alone. i have heard that time management does get better, and i feel i've made some progress, but it doesn't seem to be enough yet. as far as your comments about nurses getting their shifts done on time, at our place, we don't see too many people leaving stuff for the next shift. what i sometimes suspect is happening is that the 'fast' nurses are cutting corners with their med passes (maybe not giving the stock meds, etc.) just speculation, but i wonder...

also, about proving ourselves, i think a lot of people make split decisions about others without even bothering to get to know them. this is a shame. i feel that once they get to know me, they will find that i show up for work to work, not to cause trouble and slack off. i try to do what's best for my patients, but in an atmosphere such as mine, that is easier said than done.

[croppyRN]

i think the issue is not the "seasoned nurse" but that of a bully who has enabled to get the upper hand with the use of her clique! she is obviously a bully who is used to getting what she wants and vindictive when she doesn't. unfortunately these kinds of people are everywhere and probably were bullies their whole lives!

brandy1017 - you've really captured the perfect description of this nurse: bully!! she is also on some kind of power trip, and it seems to be her drug of choice, to use people and walk all over them. as someone else said, she does these things because she has no self-confidence in herself. my best action is to avoid her and if i need to interact, to keep my head and stand up to myself without stepping all over her huge ego. thanks for your a great words of wisdom, and for taking the time to help me out. i appreciate it! :)

[telenurse2009]

Report the incident to the DON. If she can't resolve it, look for another job...doesn't sound like its a nice place to work anyway and you deserve to be treated better.

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

thats very true, one thought ..nursing is primarily a women's game. , and traditionally there is more , how should i say ,drama with a bunch of women vs man (man here) not all the time, but sometimes . so thats something that just comes with the territory, ur gona have to stop giving a **** about what other people think , and prioritize your family and kids , go to work , take care off business and come home to your loved ones

i really hate that so many nurses . . . even female nurses . . . seem to hate women. drama isn't associated with one gender or the other -- it's some people create drama. some don't. women don't have a corner on bitchiness. drama, "cattiness", gossip or anything else.

the first year of nursing is difficult -- you'll feel stupid, as though you don't belong (and really, it takes time feel comfortable in any new job) and as though you don't know anything. every new nurse feels that way, and some of us feel that way every time we start a new job. you'll get through it . . . it just takes a year! and then one day things will "click" and you'll realize that you feel like you know what you're doing.

[KSGMaine, ASN]

Being confrontational doesn't help - however, I do think that newbie or not, one always needs to stand up for themselves!! Being a "newbie" I have learned that I need to be an advocate for myself, tell people what I need and to stand up for myself!