I've lost confidence,0 time management skill

cherilee · Mar 16, 2008

Yes. of course. You are not alone. Nursing is tough, and especially when you are new. Don't spend too much time worrying... Regroup and reassess what it is that would make you happy. One setting that is good for you may be not so good for someone else. We are all different. There are many avenues to nursing, home care, psych, hospice, long term care, outpatient, take your pick.

I have been through really tough experiences so far, and Im one year in.

Im on job 3.

Keep in touch with us, good luck , follow your heart:redbeathe

jessi1106, BSN, RN · Mar 16, 2008

At 7 months my time management has greatly improved, but, still, I am often struggling and leaving late.

I think that time management can only come with experience.

It sounds like you started out in a really difficult and demanding position....it is only normal that you would feel stressed.

Thankfully there are so many opportunities in nursing. Don't be discouraged or hard on yourself. You have obviously already learned a lot and can probably determine if you want to accept the next

position(s) offered.

Good luck to you, Jess

SoundofMusic · Mar 17, 2008

Do you have a plan for your day that you can follow? I have developed a time plan and set goals for each hour: 7 -7:30, listen to report, get handoff, report to techs; 7:30 - 8, round on patients, take a.m. vitals, do a.m. assessments, (it really helps me to move FAST that first hour) 8 - 9, chart assessments, check labs, record vitals, check charts, round again. 10 a.m. -- first med pass, chart, check orders, etc, etc.

I had one preceptor who sketched it out for me hour by hour. It's a tight schedule, and keeps me really hopping, but it's helped a lot and helped me to stay focused throughout the day. Her goal is to take report and record final notes from 4 to 5 p.m., allowing her the final hours for more meds, admits, or whatever else happens to pop up. I also make little boxes on each patient and check things off as I complete them: assess, vitals, three boxes for chart checks, I's and O's.

I'm not so great at it either, but I also take a few minutes before rounding or gather stuff along the way, stuff my pockets well with everything I need, (I wear a supply belt -- is it geeky? Yes, but I've always got everything I need at the bedside, scissors, tape, etc. ) THINK while I pass the supply closet as to what I might need for each patient, extra bags, tubes, flushes, etc.

She also taught me to take orders off whenever I get a break, all throughout the day.

I'm starting to go in and say to myself that I control the day, that it doesn't have to control me. Doesn't always pan out with demanding situations, but it's an anchor I can try to grab onto once in a while. :bugeyes:

tralala · Mar 17, 2008

I HEAR you. .I'm a new grad as well, working ambulatory care, and am SO discouraged. Perhaps I had an idealistic attitude coming out of nursing school. . Mostly, I feel very unprepared for the snarkiness of some staff members, and although am trying to remain optimistic, I dread going to work each day. I too, graduated near the top of my class, passed NCLEX with no difficulty. .I've never had problems relating to others in the past, but for some reason, I am having extreme issues with this department. Apparently I haven't been alone, seasoned nurses have come and gone because of the clique here. Do I stay and try to rise above it, or am I in jeopardy trying to tough it out?

shortlittleRN · Mar 17, 2008

Thank you all for your replies. It helps to know there are others that feel the same way. It is unfortunate that the seasoned nurses and/or departments are so clique. I ran into the same scenario. I also thought of "rising above", but reality is, I couldn't handle the acuity and the intensity. The situation kind of traumatized me. I was very interested in critical care, but I'm not sure I'll ever try it again. Meanwhile, I'm job hunting. I know now to ask about the turn over rate. That information should indicate the unity of the unit.

Tralala, you're right. Nursing school does not prepare you for the mentality of "nurse eat their youngs". Like you, I've never had any problems of getting along with anyone. I've been in the service industry for over 23 years so I know how to associate with people. I thought I was too old to allow cattiness to effect me, but I guess I'm not.

jjjoy, LPN · Mar 17, 2008

If you haven't already, read through some other posts in "First year" and you'll see that you're not at all alone in your feelings. At this point, in many areas, finding a first job that suits you minimally well enough to not cause ulcers or complete self-doubt can be rather a challenge. We hear of many who try several positions before finding one that works for them well enough to begin the long process of becoming clinically proficient. My perspective is that there's a major disconnect between nursing education and the practice of nursing in the settings that most new grads start in. It's unfortunate, but now you've got to do what you need to do. You learn a lot from the first couple of failed attempts and each new attempt you come into with more experience and self-awareness. Is it fair to the hiring facilities that so many new nurses end up hopping around awhile? No. But there really aren't any better alternatives for new nurses to find an environment that will work for them. So don't feel that "not making it" in the first job or two is a poor reflection upon your abilities or potential.

Keep us updated on your journey!

Nurseismade RN · Mar 18, 2008

Silly me, I started straight out of school in a level 1 SICU. The first two weeks were exciting then the excitement wore off. Next thing I know, I hated goingto work, anxious all the time, and couldn't remember a dang thing. And my time management was awful. After 8 weeks, I resigned and the manager agreed it wasn't for me. Now I'm not sure I'll be capable as a nurse since my time management is so lacking.
I'm now looking for positions in a less acute hospital, but I have this constant fear that I'll fail. I know I'm not stupid since I was able to survive an accelerated RN program. Anyone else ever experienced this fear?

try long term acute care hospitals......I just started working in one...this is my second job...graduated in june...passed the boards w/75q....but my first job was not challenging. I love it......its med surg with a little telemetry and rehab. I get at the most 6 patients....and your patients stay at least 2 weeks....:)

Here is a great description of what you will encounter as a nurse in a LTAC:-

LTAC stands for "long-term acute care" hospital. LTAC hospitals treat critically ill, medically complex patients who suffer from multiple organ system failures - active disorders of many parts of the body. These conditions include cardiopulmonary disorders, wounds, kidney diseases, complex infections, and neurological disorders such as head and spinal cord injury and stroke. Because they are medically complex, our patients often are dependent on technology, such as mechanical ventilators, total parenteral nutrition, respiratory or cardiac monitors and dialysis machines for continued life support. At our hospitals, we strive to help our patients recover through a carefully orchestrated multidisciplinary team approach.

First, to correct some common misperceptions:

LTAC is not chronic care.

LTACs are not skilled nursing facilities.

LTACs are not rehabilitation facilities.

LTACs are not short-term acute hospitals.

Keepstanding, ASN, RN · Mar 18, 2008

:kiss I have nothing to add to these responses, but I do want you to know that what you are feeling is normal. I felt the same way when I started my nursing career.

I sure hope things improve for you. You deserve only the BEST of everything !!

_______________

Praiser

shortlittleRN · Mar 19, 2008

:kiss I have nothing to add to these responses, but I do want you to know that what you are feeling is normal. I felt the same way when I started my nursing career.
I sure hope things improve for you. You deserve only the BEST of everything !
_______________
Praiser

That is encouraging given that you have 17 years behind you. Which means your discouragement didn't stop you from doing what you want to do.

I have applications all over the place and have yet to find the place I'm comfortable with. I don't know if this is too hard to find, but I want an atmosphere that I feel has unity and truly work together as a team rather than competitive cattiness. I've a lot to offer. I'm a hard worker, a team player and always try to do my best. I hope I find my comfort zone to grow... Thank you for all your support.

rbs105, ADN, MSN, RN · Mar 19, 2008

I TOTALLY can relate!!

2 years ago I graduated and started on a stem cell transplant unit in a major hospital. These people had not only cancer, but were getting stem cell transplants. WHAT was I thinking!! I had to pass drugs I'd never heard of, hang Mag and K runs regularly and figure out how to coordinate them in w/their regular antibiotics, manage multiple lines, etc. It was great for about 3 weeks and then I panicked. I lost all confidence-especially when a pt asked me when I was going to graduate from nursing school!!! I had horrible preceptors who would get upset if I asked about something they'd already told me about or if I had the wrong answer for their question. Very unwelcoming and non-helpful...

All thru school I liked the OR but my instructor said, go to the floor, you need the experience. I hated med surg clinicals, had some experience w/cancer issues, so I thought that was my fit. WRONG!! I transferred after 6 weeks to the OR and have been there ever since and I love it. Every once in awhile I will help transfer a pt to the floor and I am reminded why I quit. Some people are afraid to quit and they stick it out and are miserable. Know you're not alone, find what you like and go for it. That is the beauty of nursing!:wink2:

rbs105

karma78 · Mar 20, 2008

You are not alone! I also graduated from an accelerated program with honors, received good feedback from my preceptors throughout school and during orientation. I work on a med-surg floor with remote tele. Our load is 7-8 pts a night. I have been on my own for 1 week now and feel like I am just not grasping it. I feel like my report sheet is my brain, I can't keep anything straight without it, and that is a mess half the time. I spend all of my 12 hours catching up on documentation while most of the other nurses have it done during the first few hours. I triple check everything I am doing, so it takes that much longer. I feel like my morning report just isn't flowing. I haven't even been taking breaks since I've been on my own because of my lack of time (13 hours without food or drink=not good). I'm trying to stick it out and gain the experience before giving up, because supposedly this is normal- but like you, I am not so sure. You followed your heart and you will find the right fit. Good luck!