drowning in nursing :(

Specialties Med-Surg

Published

Hi Everyone, I'm a new nurse really struggling to keep afloat. I've always been hardworking and very determined. I have always known that with determination and hard work I can achieve anything. I have now been working in the Med/Surg floor for almost 3months and while I feel like I get the vey basics of my job I Constantly miss things that are then caught by my Preceptor, I get frustrated that I myself can't get it right. I feel like I come off as a ditz which in reality I'm not. This whole hospital job is really out of my comfort zone and I've never had to work with so many different challenging personalities, and while I absolutely love my job the fact that I just can't get it right is really starting to affect me. I need some help :(

Specializes in Hospital Education Coordinator.

you need an honest conversation with your preceptor and maybe with your supervisor. If they are not aware of what is causing you anxiety they cannot help you. I will say that, nationwide, the MAJORITY of new grads have issues with their first job. Eventually you gain confidence and begin to be able to breathe. At this point you need guidance. Write down what bothers you and then work on them one by one.

Dalla

157 Posts

Specializes in Rehab/LTC.

If you still felt this way after a full year of working, I would be worried. After just 3 months? It is perfectly normal. Talk with your preceptor. Share how you are feeling.

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN

1 Article; 20,908 Posts

Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

you need a good brain sheet.......here are a few.

doc.gif mtpmedsurg.doc

doc.gif 1 patient float.doc‎

doc.gif 5 pt. shift.doc‎

doc.gif finalgraduateshiftreport.doc‎

doc.gif horshiftsheet.doc‎

doc.gif report sheet.doc‎

doc.gif day sheet 2 doc.doc

doc.gif Two pt worksheet.doc (45.0 KB, 348 views)

doc.gif Pt Assessment Tool.doc (51.0 KB, 451 views)

critical thinking flow sheet for nursing students

student clinical report sheet for one patient

i made some for nursing students and some other an members have made these for others.....adapt them way you want. i hope they help

tokmom, BSN, RN

4,568 Posts

Specializes in Certified Med/Surg tele, and other stuff.

I will ditto what Esme said. Use a brain sheet and use it the same way each time with info in the same area of the page. That way you always know where to look. Make a place for any new orders so you know what you need to complete that is new to the pt.

I no longer do pt care, but I have a sheet that I use with pt's names on it for d/c. I have home health in green ink, a general going home order in red ink. etc.. That way I can glance at my sheet in a second and know who needs what.

Anything new, goes in a corner of each box. This way nothing is missed for me.

Good luck and chin up. You can do this!

Specializes in Med/Surg/Bariatrics.

Took me a good year to finally feel like I got it. I wanted to quit at one month, three months, six months, etc. Then it just clicked and I felt so better about myself as a nurse. Talk it out and hang in there, it does get better!

amoLucia

7,736 Posts

Specializes in retired LTC.

To OP (and all you other new nurses and soon to be newbies) - I think most all of us experienced 'new nurse job-itis'. I remember I did. My first job we had 5 brand new GNs. Watching them, I felt the whole world was moving foward at warp speed, while I was going in reverse (at best, I was stuck in neutral!). A wise LPN coworker took me aside at quick coffebreak one morning and gave me the pep talk. Told me I was doing fine for a newbie, and all things would come in time. Told me my 4 other new coworker GNs were also feeling the same as I was, only I didn't know it because I didn't see them too much. Told me it was Reality Shock. The weight of the world was lifted off me. So to all you out there, hang in there! Good luck!

aea_11

17 Posts

The transition from nursing student to competent nurse takes time. DO not get frustrated. You have gone this far-- successfully completing nursing school, pasing nclex, and receiving your job. Kuddos to you. If you feel overwhelmed, then I think all you have to do is talk to your preceptor and/or manager about your concerns.

If it's patient load, I would suggest you go down to 4 patients, if you are currently caring for 5. Less stress on you, in which then you can successfully accomplish all tasks and interventions that are needed to be done for your patients. Once you feel confident in your current patient load, then you can add on more patients. But only until you can successfully handle total care.

YOU CAN DO IT! I know you can! It takes time to feel confident in your skills and develop a strategy to conquer the day. However, once you find out a method that works for you.. you will be less stressed. It really does take time!

HEH0102

3 Posts

I've worked on a Med/surg floor for almost two and a half years. You will settle in it has only been three months. You have not even had the chance to develop you own style seperate from your preceptor. I agree with jess missouri, it takes time to click and develop your own style. Remember even when your done with your preceptorship, YOU ARE NOT ALONE there is always somebody you can ask for help and second opinion.

sauconyrunner

553 Posts

Specializes in Emergency.

Wow, I think all of us can relate to this. The reason you have a preceptor is, in part, for him or her to notice and point out what you might have missed - so you can learn. 3 months...90 whole days. And you don't go work on all those days.

I know as a Newbie, I really craved reassurance. Sadly none of my preceptors ever seemed to want to say "you did a good job" I think as we move on we forget to remind people that they are doing alright and are getting what they need to "get"

It takes a long time to put all the pieces together, and then you will have days when even having all the pieces doesn't really help things all come together. Hang in there. You can do this!

NurseLiz13

7 Posts

Thank you everyone for your kind words, I am glad to inform you that i feel way better while i still need help in finishing up i do get more of it and i fell like i will be able to do this. I know ive made many mistakes and more to come but i am feel better about myself.

NurseLiz13

7 Posts

Thank you everyone for your kind words, I am glad to inform you that i feel way better while i still need help in finishing up i do get more of it and i fell like i will be able to do this. I know ive made many mistakes and more to come but i am feel better about myself.

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