Just need some encouragement

[Spotty44]

After 5 and a half months of searching, I FINALLY found a job at a SNF. I've been super excited, even though it wasn't the job I was hoping for. I had my first night of orientation last night and, even though the staff seems great and supportive, I felt SUPER overwhelmed (and I'm not even on my own yet)! Most of my clinicals were in the med-surg area, and having 15-17 patients/shift is much different than having 4 patients! There's so much to do and keep track of and I feel slow because I don't know any of the residents. I came home feeling really anxious, when my husband asked me how my night was, I just wanted to cry. Of course, a contributing factor is that this is the first time I've ever worked nights, so I'm trying to get used to that as well. I didn't sleep well today because of my anxiety.

I know I'm probably being too hard on myself, it was just my first night. I just feel like I need some encouragement that it will get better. I have 9 years of previous experience in the medical field and always performed extremely well in clinicals, so I know that I CAN do this.

[TMS1980]

I just wanted to say don't give up! I can't tell you from expeierence it will get better, but I have "heard" You learn a lot your first year our to Nursing School... Just focus on soaking up as much as you can during orientation! Don't be afraid to ask questions even when your on your own! I just found ed my first job too...I am feeling scared, and overwhelmed....I should say I haven't even started orientation yet... LOL Hang in there! :)

[EMP, RN]

I went home crying the first night at the skilled facility I work at. I was so overwhelmed and thought there was no way I could do this job. Yet here I am, still working there and for the most part doing okay. There are still days that are just crazy and I end up not getting everything done and end up passing things on to night shift (eve shift at my facility pretty much does all admits and dc's, so our workload tends to be heavy).

To cope with all the info from orientation I made cheat sheets with all the procedures for new orders, admits, dc's, labs, etc. I also made a sheet of all residents (using room #'s) listing their code status, treatments, and the times of their non-med-pass meds so that it is harder to lose track of stuff.

[juzme]

Please give yourself some time...I was pretty experienced by the time I got a charge position at a facility on a floor with 20 something residents, it took me a good 6 months to year to really feel comfortable. And NS is a whole different beast and that also takes getting use to also. Good luck to you:-) You will be fine!

[Spotty44]

Thank you guys for your encouragement! I just wanted to pop back in to say that everything is JUST fine!! My second day of orientation felt much better, I've finished my 10 days of orientation and last night was my second night on my own, and I'm doing well! Still sometimes feel like I don't know anything, but my coworkers are very knowledgeable and willing to help.