Inadequate and overwhelmed...

Nurses General Nursing

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Specializes in Medical, surgical, inpatient rehab.

Hello, I guess I am looking for some encouragment...advice...

I have been a nurse for 3 years. Worked at a large hospital for 1 yr in Neuro vascular, and Oncology, then I took 6 months off while I had a baby and we moved. Then I worked for another year in a very small rural hospital, where we only had 2 nurses on at a time to cover ER, OB and 12 bed Med/surg. (talk about stress) but somehow I made it through. Towards the end of that year I worked at the clinic next to the hospital and loved it. However, my 1 yr old started to have asthma symptoms so I made the decision to stay home with him and did that for 7 months.

Well, we just moved again, my son who is now 2 is no longer having asthma problems, so I decided to get a casual position at the local hospital (med/surg). That way I can work 1-2 eve or noc shifts a week and still be home with my 2 yr old and 2 other kids (9yr and 12 yr) during the day.

I have just finished a month of orientation and computer training classes, and am about to be on regular shifts this week (on my own) But I am feeling overwhelmed and inadequate. I know I have enough experience, but I tend to over worry about things, I over check things, I am constantly worrying that I will make a mistake. The patients are so sick, and the computer charting is so lengthy and time consuming and I just feel inadequate and overwhelmed!

Standing on the outside looking in, and from the feedback I get, I believe I am a good nurse, I am observant and always double check, but I still feel so scared. I often think I would be so much better suited to an office job, administration or clinic work, but I don't think I can do that and be able to stay home with my kids and the pay cut would be much less than my night shift casual pay.

I guess I am just looking for some way to cope for now, some way to feel good enough and not feel so scared.

Sorry this is so long. Any input, advice or similar experience would be appreciated.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho.

By "casual" do you mean you are working as a unit secretary? Or are you actually nursing staff? Just never heard of nursing staff on a med/surg floor called a "casual" position so sorryif i have misunderstood.

Either way, med/surg is a high energy, fast paced unit to work. Even the unit clerks get their workout by building and tearing down charts to keep up with the fast patient turnover, keeping up with everchaning surgical orders and changes in patients status. Phones ringing off the hooks, and having to hunt up staff to talk to "mr roberts son" etc.

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I noticed that you already identify your strengths - you receive feedback that you are a good nurse, you know that you double-check, you have experience

Can you identify more specifically for yourself what you feel overwhelmed by, and then develop some plans to develop some strategies for overcoming these?

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Specializes in Long Term Care.

I know you have been a nurse for several years. However, it has not been in this environment before.

Give yourself some time to get used to it, time to feel comfortable with the unit and the routine. I don't care how much experience you have, you will always go through the stages of reality shock to some extent.

Take some time to just relax. Things will come around. Your hands will get out of your way, and your tongue will untie itself when it is time.

Best Wishes and welcome to med/surg.

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Specializes in Medical, surgical, inpatient rehab.

I am an RN, casual is an unscheduled or resource position.

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Specializes in Medical, surgical, inpatient rehab.

Thankyou for your encouragement. =) I agree time will help....

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Trauma, Ortho, Neuro, Cardiac.

I agree. Give it time. You're not always going to feel this way.

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