looking for pity, feeling overwhelmed & unorganized (long vent)

S.N. Visit, BSN, RN · Aug 25, 2005

Sorry you are overwhelmed....... heck I feel overwhelmed just reading your post ! :coollook: I haven't any wise advice, but wanted to tell you that " it happens", and tommorow will be better!

(that's what I'm going to tell myself when it's my turn to be in your position)

Good luck, I feel for your mad/sadness .:icon_hug:

edited because I can't spell :chuckle

RNLisa · Aug 25, 2005

Ugh I am so mad/sad with myself. Last week we started 3rd semester on the med surg floor. 3rd day of semester, 2nd day of clinical we are let out on too the med-surg floor to pass meds. I was freaked out because I haven't done anything med-surg related since 1st semester. Our 2nd semester was OB, Peds, and Psych were not doing any charting, just observing and helping. We also didn't give any meds either. So here I am trying to pass meds (PO SQ IM)(IV as well but not with out instructor or RN present entire time) on 2 pts and do any drsg changes. So I am a little rusty but it wasn't so bad, I didn't have that many and was able to look up all my meds prior to admin. So this week we spent Tues and Wednesday on same floor doing total pt care, charting, and meds. At least I only had 2 pts. I was running around all day yesterday and today. I feel unorganized and like a huge moron. I get nervous when drawing up meds and forget everything. When my RN was standing with I messed up on drawing Reglan and we had to waste it. :smackingf I knew what I was suppose to do but felt so nervous and so rushed because we were running behind! My charting was horrible; I didn't even get a chance to eat until I got home. If I wasn't passing a med every hour, doing BS checks, drawing insulin (trying to track down RN to witness), then I was trying to look up the next med, review proper admin, and trying to finish charting. Also the hospital cut back drastically on CNAs (phew they work hard) so I was trying to clean up one of my pts myself. I had a dressing change that I was trying to get done but my RN wanted me to wait so she could come in assess the wound with me. It wouldn't be so bad if everyone else in my clinical group was just as overwhelmed but it appears they are not. A couple of them seem to really have the knack of it. They work as student interns at a couple of local hospitals and that experience looks like it is really helping them. Looking back now I wish I would have taken a job as an aide last semester instead of continuing to work at my current job full time. I realized last Wednesday that I really need to get some practice. So I called a local hospital about and extern position but don't even meet with HR until Fri. I love my clinical instructor but she can't be with me all the time (10 people on 2 floors). Before the end of this rotation she wants us to take on 4 pts! I really need to get my self together. Sorry for the long post but I really needed to vent before I get depressed and cry. Has anyone else ever felt this overwhelmed? Any tips? Thanks for listening!

Wow, I am so sorry you are feeling this way. Actually, this is just what I am afraid of. I haven't had to pass meds since Winter quarter this past year. Spring quarter was OB/Peds, then Summer was mental health. We really got out of practice. I am so worried about time management, remembering skills, etc. In fact, I have been in the RN program for a year now, and have YET To put in a foley. I learned it and checked off in Lab, but have yet to do it on a real person. I dread the day I do it for real. 2nd Year instructors at our school expect us to just know it, remember it and do it; no questions asked pretty much.

My best advice (which I should take it myself) would be to plan ahead and review any skills you feel rusty on, make a "plan of action" the night before your clinical assignment and remain as calm as possible. I know it is easier said than done especially since I haven't begun Fall quarter yet (another 3 weeks). But, that is my plan.

Good luck, stay with it, don't give up and let us know how things are going!

I may need to vent in 3 weeks too!! Hope you all will be there for me too.

JentheRN05, RN · Aug 25, 2005

I remember that. I had the worlds worst anxiety. One thing that helps is make up your own report sheet. Put what needs done, and when it needs done. I think I might still have a copy if any of you want to PM me your email address and I will see what I can get for you. PS - I have a few extra things that might be helpful as well. Just PM me and I'll let you know what I got.

Jen

GrnHonu99, RN · Aug 25, 2005

I feel for you! Dont do anything that you are uncomfortable with! You are still a student and are still learning, maybe its just me but 4 patients seems like a lot for an NS...one instructor for 10 students on 2 floors??? We have one instructer per 5 students all on the same floor. We passed meds our first clinical and are passing them the second clinical. We are not allowed to give any meds or really perform any procedure without our instructor present. Can you practice with the injections at home? I use a rolled up towel. Good luck!

Imafloat, BSN, RN · Aug 25, 2005

Phew I got tired reading all of that.... I think what you are going through is normal. I have been overwhelmed with one patient before. Maybe those people that appeared to have it all together had easier patients than you. Don't sell yourself short. It also sounds like your instructor is spread very thin, 10 students on 2 different floors is nuts. Take a deep breath and know that tomorrow is a fresh day. Do you do prep the night before? That is when we look up our meds and stuff. I used to make a schedule the night before clinical with all meds and patient care items on it. I would then take 5 minutes when I got on the floor to look through the bedside charts to be sure there were no changes.

lunakat · Aug 25, 2005

Phew I got tired reading all of that.... I think what you are going through is normal. I have been overwhelmed with one patient before. Maybe those people that appeared to have it all together had easier patients than you. Don't sell yourself short. It also sounds like your instructor is spread very thin, 10 students on 2 different floors is nuts. Take a deep breath and know that tomorrow is a fresh day. Do you do prep the night before? That is when we look up our meds and stuff. I used to make a schedule the night before clinical with all meds and patient care items on it. I would then take 5 minutes when I got on the floor to look through the bedside charts to be sure there were no changes.

We used to prep (and boy did I hate it). But this semester they say "no prep" going to treat like real RNs and find out about pt when we hit the floor. Now I wish we were prepping. We pick our own pts which is cruddy because we pick when we get there at 0550 and then its time to hear report @ 0600. So I have accidentally shot myself in foot by picking pts with lots of meds and stuff to do. I wish I could get there earlier but its kind of frowned upon (if I got there @ 3am to do pt research I would feel so much more prepared for plan of care, meds ect... :rotfl: )

jerryh55 · Aug 25, 2005

We are not told of who we will be caring for untill the morning clinical. We are there at 06:30 and are given our patient assingments. We have from then untill report, usually around 7:00, to see if our patient needs anything done prior to report. If not,,we go into report and then start working on our patients care. We only have total care on one patient. Lord knows how hard it would be with 4. And as stated before, we have one instructor per floor with 5 students. Once we have checks all the meds against chart, we are allowed to do the PO's, but must have the instructor present when we do any other meds.

Keep The Faith And Be Safe

Jerry

**RosesrReder, BSN, MSN, RN** · Aug 25, 2005

I am truly sorry for your mishap. All I can say is that take a deep breath, relax and hopefully things will be much better tomorrow.

JentheRN05, RN · Aug 25, 2005

Usually when you have made it to the "more than one patient" clinicals, it means they know you are capable by now. Well I should say more like 2 patients. Most people have 2 patients in 2nd year.

As I have told the PM's I will remake my report sheet hopefully tonight. My copy is at my old job (I will be picking it up today) and remake it so it can be emailed to you. I know it will help, it was a lifesaver for me. My anxiety was too high to concentrate on what comes next.

Believe in yourself - I can't say that often enough

Jen

Rosa2Little · Aug 25, 2005

No matter how any one looks on the outside, we all feel like nervous, dorky, I-think-I'm-gonna-cry-and-I-want-to-go-home-NOW, novices whenever we learn new skills. Just keep going. You'll get though it. You are NOT alone!

twinmommy+2, ADN, BSN, MSN · Aug 25, 2005

It does get better the more you are on the floor. I always hate the first week of clinicals cause you're just learning the floor, where all the supplies are, what kind of charting method they use (paper as opposed to computer). I think you'll learn the time management pretty quick on this rotation.