It is hard to ask for help.

[BlearnRN]

"I should be able to do this. "- I have been telling myself this the last few days on the floor. I realize I am new to the floor, but shouldn't I be picking this up fast. The floor is in the same area that I have been working in, so why am I having time management issues. I have been a nurse for over 2 years. I know how to manage my time. But why am I having trouble? Why, am I late on my tasks? I am so frustrated! I don't like feeling stupid and I feel stupid. I shouldn't have to ask for help but I have to. It is so hard to do this. I thought I would be fine with 3 weeks orientation but I have requested to have the full 7 weeks. New grads usually get the full 7 weeks but, I am not a new grad. The new grads on the floor seem to be flourishing. I could come up with all sorts of excuses as to why this or that is pushed off time - but I shouldn't have excuses. My last preceptor was asking why I did not give a vitamin on time. The basic reason was because I was so busy and it had become hard to focus and it was not given. But that had happened the other days I had worked also. I just feel so bogged down with a new computer system and new skill set.

I work per diem at my old place and I told the director a bit of what was going on and she said that there is still a place for me there. But, I wanted to go to this new place because this position gives me more experience within this field than what I am use to. I just don't know. Learning is hard especially when you feel stupid.

[Midwest4me]

i can sympathize with your dilemma. however, don't be too hard on yourself; it sounds like you've been under a number of pressures with the new computer system and some new skills.

are you getting grief from the preceptor or other nurses for being late with tasks? (being late with a vitamin is hardly the end of the world---how late were you giving it?)

so i assume you've completed 3 weeks' orientation since you feel uncomfortable and have asked for the full 7 weeks.has your request been granted? if so, use all available resources to hone your skills and learn that computer system. i wish you the best of luck.

[shellsgogreen]

there's a few things you can maybe do ;

1/ quit being hard on yourself - moving to a new position is never easy, and it takes time getting used to computer charting, new faces and just generally the way that unit does things

2/ maybe keep a record on when you do things, like start/stop meds and review it at the end of the day . or start the day with a to do list with time frames for each pt and check it off as you go along (things will always interfere with that, but a general list so you know what your day's plan is)

3/ look at what you're delegating - are you doing things that maybe your tech could help out with?

hope all goes well in your next shift

[Keepstanding, ASN, RN]

i don't have any quick answers for you, but i just wanted to say to hang in there. :heartbeat

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

BlearnRN,

You need a hug .... {{{{{{{{HUG}}}}}}}}}

Seems like you have accurately "diagnosed" Time Management as your primary diffulty. Don't despair - this is absolutely the most common problem for new grads. Now, I know you indicated that you have 2 years experience, but some of that was per diem. In my experience as a clinical educator, it usually takes 12 - 18 months for a new grad to be able to multitask effectively.

The problem is usually due to difficulty with prioritization. Have you tried adopting a method of 'sorting' tasks into different priority categories? I usually recommend a 3-level scheme:

Urgent - need to do within 15-30 minutes

Soon - need to do within 3-4 hours

Should - need to do before the end of my shift (could be passed on to the next shift if necessary)

At the beginning of the next day, sort everything out & 'attack' your Urgent tasks, followed by the 'Soon' tasks... then tackle the 'Shoulds'. Each time something new comes up - give it a priority. Never drop everything to take care of a 'soon' or 'should' task.

When you delegate something - be sure to attach a priority label to it & communicate this to the person to whom you are delegating. I don't advise delegating any 'Urgent' items - these usually deserve your personal attention. Your assistant needs to be on the same page with you. Also, be sure to track back to make sure that they did your 'soons' and 'shoulds'.

What you're feeling is normal - don't be too hard on yourself. I know that it may be pretty trite, but if you're a true Millennial, you will probably never be really comfortable in an unpredictable environnment that doesn't have much structure - however, you can learn to cope with it very well.