Are there any other nurses out there whom feel overwhelmed like me?
I am 53 years old and came late to nursing - I got my ADN at age 48 - and I'm at the stage of life where I have to write things down or I'll forget them. I'm starting to think that I'm not capable of working as a bedside nurse.
Since graduation, I've struggled to find a job where I can keep up the pace required to succeed. I've tried working at a SNF, home health nursing, short term rehab and I'm currently working in med-surge at a small rural hospital - at every one I've struggled to keep up with the pace of the workload.
My fellow nurses seem to move at the speed of light (at least it feels like that to me), caring for 5-6 med surge patients and dealing with complications that arise seamlessly, able to dig into patient's charts to provide an excellent hand-off and head straight out the door afterward. In comparison, I'm often struggling to get my documentation done by the end of my 8-hour day shift, and if I have a complication like a death or a heavy/difficult admission I'm sunk and will have to stay past the end of my shift to finish.
No matter how hard I work I can only manage to do what's necessary during my shift; I don't have time to dig into patient charts for what took place in the shifts before mine (for example, a medication that was discontinued.) Oncoming nurses will often ask me questions during hand-off that I can't answer, and it makes me feel inferior for not knowing.
Often I will notify a provider of an issue or a CNA of a patient need but when it's time for hand-off I haven't yet been able to follow up and make sure it was resolved. I feel like I'm chasing my tail all day long. Am I alone in this?
I'm not lazy; I work hard and rarely stop moving. I don't spend time chatting and socializing with my coworkers. My mind processes information a little slower than some, I read slowly and I get scattered when I'm interrupted, but I am a caring and thorough nurse practicing safely. I want to be a great nurse, but it seems my best just isn't good enough.
Is there a job with a slower pace?
Is there a place for me in nursing?
f anyone has shared this experience, I would love to hear from you.
I'm a new RN at 52. I almost have my BSN, then on to NP! Girl you've got this! You need a brain sheet. I'm orienting and almost every day I want to go home and cry. LOL. BUT I bought a 6X9 notebook clipboard. I made a check list sheet, and it has a notebook pad to take notes. I don't care if it's a cup of ice I write it down or I'll forget. I just write the room number. I use my Apple Watch to set timers, I keep a sticky pad in my clipboard. Wear good support hose! And every week I rewrite my "brain book" to tailor more as I learn. Sadly I leave my brain book in different rooms. But there is an answer for that too!! I found a very strong and small magnetic belt clip. I'm going to glue a small metal plate to the back of my notebook and it will stay attached to me. Get there early, stock up your pockets with everything you need. I jokingly told someone I was going to get some of those clear plastic shoe cubby door hangers and make a cape out of it. LOL. I said I'll look like a walking supply closet. ? and search Etsy for nurse brain sheets, watch you tube for time management for nursing. Take on the Marine moto! Improvise, adapt, and overcome! Oorah!!
I've felt this way too, and I got my start late and am a little bit younger than you. You're not alone. You described having a number of different jobs since 2019. Part of me wonders if maybe you aren't giving yourself enough time to get acclimated to your new working environment. I have trouble with time management too, and I know for me, getting my own report sheet made a big difference. I never understood how some people can just write on blank paper. Taking report on blank paper would be a nightmare if I got report from someone who gave me a half-assed report. I know you said that overnight shift didn't work from you, but maybe a 3-11 shift, a 8 hr shift vs. 12 hr shift etc. Others here have made some great suggestions too. Good luck!
The great thing about nursing is there are so many different possibilities. Don't give up and accept just any position
FYI I'm 60 came to nursing as a midlife career change. Best decision I ever made. I love nusing and love being an ED nurse in a larger city! Keep your mind engaged. Check out memory games challenge yourself. Brain plasticity-it's real.
I have a question. I don't necessarily think it's an age thing at all. It may be a personality thing. Have you ever dove into finding out your personality through the Enneagram or Myer-Briggs Typology Index? A lot of beside nursing depends on the person to be efficient at doing routine tasks. Perhaps you are more goal oriented or more people centered. Knowing your strengths and weaknesses is key. I'm an INFJ and I'm goal oriented when nursing is all about completing tasks. I had to make sheets with time blocks and place different tasks on the sheet including routine med administration. It really makes a difference. There are days when I don't have always have the time to organize my day this way but I can really tell the difference when I do. Also, if you have a med cart, fill it with extra supplies including straws so you aren't constantly spinning your wheels between the patient's room and the clean supply room.
Also, if you are fortunate to be in a place that utilizes epic use the electronic brain. All the tasks are right on the screen for you. I hope these tips help.
Best of luck and remember to be kind to yourself.
Give yourself some grace, nursing is a tough profession. I struggled with this on med/tele floors, sometimes I felt like I could never do EVERYTHING I knew my patients really needed in a shift. Exhausting. I've done travel Nursing x 8 years, recently changed specialties to outpatient Nursing and have no desire to be back at the bedside. Things will always have a way of showing you what's right.
Specializes in Maternal Newborn and Denials Management.
My entire bedside nursing career which was over 20 years from the age of 22-mid 50's I used a small portfolio notebook kept in my pocket with everything I was required to do that shift. As I did things, I checked them off. At the end of my shift, I put the paper in the shred bin. That is the only way I could keep organized and on track. However, there will be days that the plans we make for our shift goes out the window and then you have to wing it. I find in chaotic times taking 5-10 minutes to prioritize what needs to be done and writing that down to be tremendously helpful in not forgetting something. Somedays you cannot possibly finish everything which is why we have shifts.
I am 60 and I have found my niche in Endoscopy. I worked in PACU for 20 years which was great for a slower pace and plenty of colleagues around to assist.
Both of these areas I think are good for the older nurse.
YES! There is a PLACE for you. We just have to find it ?
Being a NURSE does not mean you have to work at BEDSIDE in a HOSPITAL.
There are so many places nurses are needed and used, a busy med-surg floor is just one of them. yes, you can think about another shift, unit, floor, or even smaller hospital. But why not think about the other things you like?
For example - like kids? What about school nursing? If you like geriatrics, try assisted living centers. Like computers? Try an insurance company and think about case management (calling people after they are discharged) or providing reviews for hospitals ("utilization review"). Is there a specialty you like - think about an outpatient center or provider office. Churches have parish nurses and corporations have occupational health nurses. DME and RX companies hire nurses for product demonstration and hotlines. Lawyers hire nurses for case review and workers compensation claims. Some may require additional certification, and some might be wiling to train.
Don't give up! Just do some research, network, explore and don't be afraid of the unknown. You would be surprised what you find.
I know exactly how you feel. Menopause through me for a loop! Anyway, I have to say that I'm very relaxed at my current job and making just as good money as some of the more demanding stressful jobs that I've had. I currently work in Behavioral 4I/CPP home which is basically group homes that have no more than 4 clients who have intellectual and physical disabilities along with behaviors and nursing needs IE: G-tubes, catheter, diabetes ect... These homes have DSP who do most of the hands on care. Nurses basically give the meds, change mic-key G-tubes, catheters, and if there is a diabetic client we will manage their needs as well. As you can imagine only having 4 clients gives you all the time that is needed to provide excellent care without being stressed.
imaginarymuse, ASN, BSN, LPN, RN
5 Posts
I'm a new RN at 52. I almost have my BSN, then on to NP! Girl you've got this! You need a brain sheet. I'm orienting and almost every day I want to go home and cry. LOL. BUT I bought a 6X9 notebook clipboard. I made a check list sheet, and it has a notebook pad to take notes. I don't care if it's a cup of ice I write it down or I'll forget. I just write the room number. I use my Apple Watch to set timers, I keep a sticky pad in my clipboard. Wear good support hose! And every week I rewrite my "brain book" to tailor more as I learn. Sadly I leave my brain book in different rooms. But there is an answer for that too!! I found a very strong and small magnetic belt clip. I'm going to glue a small metal plate to the back of my notebook and it will stay attached to me. Get there early, stock up your pockets with everything you need. I jokingly told someone I was going to get some of those clear plastic shoe cubby door hangers and make a cape out of it. LOL. I said I'll look like a walking supply closet. ? and search Etsy for nurse brain sheets, watch you tube for time management for nursing. Take on the Marine moto! Improvise, adapt, and overcome! Oorah!!