It's A Struggle

Nurses New Nurse

Published

Specializes in Urology/Telemetry, Ortho.

I'm a new nurse. 3 months and counting. I am at a great hospital but I don't like the way I feel. So these are my issues:

  • I hate that I'm new and that I'm trying to fit in at my workplace. Most people are very nice. What I can't stand is that gossiping that occurs. And it's usually from the nurse techs. I sometimes feel that some of them detest us nurses because they are not nurses and some have admitted that. They think that we don't do anything on our job and that they do everything. Everyone has to work together. Period. That's what it's about. No one is better than anyone else. I'm grateful for the nurse techs (the ones that actually do work and DON'T complain most of the time). Really. I just wish that the ones who talk crap about us nurses would shut up and walk a mile in some RN shoes. I've done the nurse tech thing and they do A LOT. I truly appreciate them.

  • I have a wonderful preceptor but I feel guilty asking questions all the time, but nonetheless I ask questions. I shouldn't fell guilty at all asking them but I do. I know people say that it takes anywhere from 9 months to 18 months to get the hang of things.

  • I'm nervous when I do IV's and I hate this. I'm wondering how I can become less so. Sticking people with needles isn't going to be 'sparkles and ribbon'. I love how patients just expect for it not to hurt because they once had a top-notch RN who stuck them and it didn't hurt. Guess what? I'm new and I don't stick needles in patients all day long. I'm still learning. But of course I don't tell them that... :p

  • I am anxious when I go to work in the morning and then when I get there and get into the groove, I'm fine. I am not a morning person. I know that has something to do with it.

  • I'm trying to figure out how to integrate eating little snacks throughout the day because I desperately need them. I'm not hungry in the morning, but become so 2-3 hours after I've started my shift. Any suggestions? Please feel free to offer me some!

  • Lastly, I get so agitated with SOME of the PA's at my facility who think that they are Godsend. Irritates the heck out of me. Really? They act like they are the only ones running around with a lot to do. Last time I checked, I was also managing quite a few patients. It's called work for a reason...

Any comments are appreciated.

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Specializes in VA-BC, CRNI.

  • I hate that I'm new and that I'm trying to fit in at my workplace. Most people are very nice. What I can't stand is that gossiping that occurs. And it's usually from the nurse techs. I sometimes feel that some of them detest us nurses because they are not nurses and some have admitted that. They think that we don't do anything on our job and that they do everything. Everyone has to work together. Period. That's what it's about. No one is better than anyone else. I'm grateful for the nurse techs (the ones that actually do work and DON'T complain most of the time). Really. I just wish that the ones who talk crap about us nurses would shut up and walk a mile in some RN shoes. I've done the nurse tech thing and they do A LOT. I truly appreciate them.

Techs have always complained, will always complain. Its similar to the nightshift vs dayshift thing. Just stay out of the fight and hope everything blows past you. I have to stomp my aids down to earth every once in awhile but as long as they see you as a strong, confident and competent Nurse they will respect you and leave you be for the most part.

  • I have a wonderful preceptor but I feel guilty asking questions all the time, but nonetheless I ask questions. I shouldn't fell guilty at all asking them but I do. I know people say that it takes anywhere from 9 months to 18 months to get the hang of things.

Don't worry, as long as your asking appropriate and intelligent questions and not for the 87th time, I am sure your preceptor is fine with it.

  • I'm nervous when I do IV's and I hate this. I'm wondering how I can become less so. Sticking people with needles isn't going to be 'sparkles and ribbon'. I love how patients just expect for it not to hurt because they once had a top-notch RN who stuck them and it didn't hurt. Guess what? I'm new and I don't stick needles in patients all day long. I'm still learning. But of course I don't tell them that... :p

Practice, practice, practice. Those patients who once had a painless stick were most likely higher than a kite. Volunteer to do all the IVs on your floor.

  • I am anxious when I go to work in the morning and then when I get there and get into the groove, I'm fine. I am not a morning person. I know that has something to do with it.

I am always anxious before going into work...esp when I see another Nurse walking/running out crying lol. Thats when you know its going to be a bad day...

  • I'm trying to figure out how to integrate eating little snacks throughout the day because I desperately need them. I'm not hungry in the morning, but become so 2-3 hours after I've started my shift. Any suggestions? Please feel free to offer me some!

I always eat when I am charting or using the computer. Power bars just seem to go well with electronics.

  • Lastly, I get so agitated with SOME of the PA's at my facility who think that they are Godsend. Irritates the heck out of me. Really? They act like they are the only ones running around with a lot to do. Last time I checked, I was also managing quite a few patients. It's called work for a reason...

Pee in their coffee...makes me smile.

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Specializes in telemetry, ortho, med-surg.

I am a new grad with 4 months experience. I believe that with time, things do get better. I am less concerned with "fitting in" than doing my job because that will come in time. I was a tech also and know how hard I worked in that role. As a nurse, I help my techs as much as possible if I can. For example, I am learning how to cluster care for my patients. If someone who requires complete care and I need to give meds, start an IV, do a skin assessment or whatever, I tell my tech that I will give them a hand with bathing and dressing while I am getting some of my work done at the same time. I always show my gratitude with a "thanks for getting that done" or a compliment. As a result, things get done without me having to ask more times than not. There will always be gossip among techs. Some have been in their jobs for years and years and have seen nurses come and go. Don't let it get to you.

Now the IV thing, I always, always tell my patients that they will feel a big pinch so they know what to expect! Yesterday I started an IV and told my patient that she would feel a pinch and she allowed me to stick her 3 times! This is also a skill that gets better with time.

Hang in there!

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Specializes in orthopedics, telemetry, PCU.

would it be an option for you to switch to nights? you would get to work with a new group of techs, and probably have less interaction with PAs, as well as help with not being a morning person.

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Specializes in Urology/Telemetry, Ortho.

Thank you so much BugOut, kimima01, and jorjaRN for your suggestions. I really appreciate them. Good news, things have gotten better.

  • Not as worried about fitting in and now, and I'm SO much more comfortable. I'm my goofy, silly self again and I'm approached more by the staff. Just took a while to adjust.
  • Hearing less gossip from the AM techs. I never fed into it, but I think they want to see if you'll join them in their gripes or not. Our PM techs are not as gossipy and get along so much better with each other and with us.
  • Not anxious anymore before going to work. Able to handle the difficult patients a bit better. Comes with time. I'm friendly, yet firm and informative. I've actually gotten apologies from patients, and I got one the other day that really suprised me :nurse:
  • I'm SO comfortable doing IV's now since I've done many. I like doing them and usually do by feel and not by sight since many have been hard sticks. My patient's say the IV's don't hurt and we conversate while I'm doing them. Never thought I'd reach this point.
  • The mean PA's are less mean or have left our floor altogether. In general, the PA's are helpful and discuss your suggestions and their suggestions and why they work, don't work, etc.
  • I ask everyone questions. PA's, other nurses, MD's, my preceptor. They LOVE giving their knowledge to us newbies.

I considered night shift, but I'm going to see how days are for now. Thank you guys again:up:

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Specializes in Urology/Telemetry, Ortho.

And with snacks, I eat them while PC charting and after report. I just put them in one of my massive pockets. I had one cute, elderly woman patient look in my pockets and say "Gee, you have a lot of stuff in your pockets. Can I have what you don't want?" lol.

:dancgrp:

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Specializes in Medical surgical.

It is even worst if you worked there previously as a tech. Hang in there, in new york my self lookiing for a job, i do not know how to contact you . Are you an excelsior grad. would love to talk to you, we cannot post email address, but if you are a grad make a post with referencce to this site and i will be in touch. Hang in there, get the experience, you are the RN, ask away???????you will be ok

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