3 months of nursing and feeling burned out

CCU NRS · Nov 14, 2004

I am not sure how to help. I wouldlike to tell you that things eventually slow down but that is probably not the case.

You will get better at time managment and set a routine.

When I worked med-surg this was my routine.

Immediately after report go and assess each Pt and do the charting for that assessment right then (doorside charts where I was not sure if this is your case), go and pull all 0800 and 0900 meds (always check MARS during report and take 0700-30's with fopassing during assessment also FSBS's) check for neww orders while at desk prepare meds, crush, inject, etc and set up pass tray and mars, do 0800 meds and any insulin required from earlier fsbs's, return to desk check for new orders and then pass BF tays and assist with feeder and pass meds to feeder and crushed meds via NG-tube, then oral to those capapble, then eat my BF and then check for new orders, of course during each of these checks I am pulling any new meds or returning any D/C'd meds and calling pharmacy for anything that I may need to call for. Note orders and make initial note in progress note somewhere arond 0930-1000, after all orders caught up do any up to chairs or pulling lines ng's etc from orders. this usually takes you up to about lunch try to eat before trays arrive and then be back ntime to pass trays and 1100-1200-1300 in between and during this time. after lunch make any notes and check again for orders of course two things are really imperitive for success, good Unit clerk and good cna.

Time management, priortizing and time managment!

Hope this helps, Good Luck and hang in there

barefootlady, ADN, RN · Nov 14, 2004

CCrn;This is the best description of a schedule I have ever read. You are awsome.

CCU NRS · Nov 14, 2004

CCrn;This is the best description of a schedule I have ever read. You are awsome.

Thank you this is why I went to CCU the interventions and care are more demanding and require possibly a slightly higher degree of confidence but are made up for by the reduction in nurse/pt ratio

meownsmile, BSN, RN · Nov 15, 2004

OK, this is good,, i just noticed you were a CCU nurse and not actually a general med/surg floor. Because if i had to do all that was described in that general schedule i would be running my toesys off. There is no way i could do all that for the 8-10 patients i have on my general med/surg floor during the day.

All i can say is we all have days that we seem to be spinning our wheels and get nothing much accomplished. Hang in there.

Audreyfay · Nov 15, 2004

I no longer work on the floor, but when I did, I tried to check out kardexes and MARS before report. That would help me organize better. I'd also get questions answered. Of course, it required me to prep before I "punched in," but I found it worked for me. The order looked about right to me. The only thing missing was fitting in the baths. I worked in a modified primary nursing design, so I also gave a lot of baths myself.

Whew, I'm too old to go back to that. But it's funny how one learns to prioritize. It will come and you'll do very well.

CCU NRS · Nov 15, 2004

OK, this is good,, i just noticed you were a CCU nurse and not actually a general med/surg floor. Because if i had to do all that was described in that general schedule i would be running my toesys off. There is no way i could do all that for the 8-10 patients i have on my general med/surg floor during the day.
All i can say is we all have days that we seem to be spinning our wheels and get nothing much accomplished. Hang in there.

I did do all this on a med-surg floor our ratio was 6-8 on day shift and I did it for years.

I work CCU now but this was my med-surg schedule, I think I put that at the top.

westminster · Nov 23, 2004

Thanks for all the threads about gettting organized !!

I have just come off 6 weeks oreintation and am now out on a MED- SURG floor on my own ( This is aftera 10 year break from nursing) Boy do I feel out of my depth !!! I just feel like I am running around in circles and don't seem to have enough time. On our unit we get assigned 5-6 pts - No sweat I thought until I tried to put everythnig in to practice !! I'm fine until I get a change in orders or a pt who seems to need IV drugs every hour K+ supps or blood drawn and then I seem to take ages on one pt and don't have time for the rest. How do you get more organized !! I'm always the one charting (electronically) one hour after my shift has finished HELP !!!

Useful advcie from you more seasoned nurses would be very helpful !! ( I nursed for 12 years in the UK so I should know what I'm doing !)

trudlebug · Nov 23, 2004

I need some words of encouragement. I started on my med-surg floor July 27th. I still feel lost. the whole month of october i worked nights, so i really feel lost on the day shift. today was just crazy. i feel like i run around like a damn fool and don't get anything accomplished. the resident writing orders for me kept writing them all wrong,(I'm not mad at her, she is new too). so i spent half the time calling her to get the orders straight. i guess i just need to know how long does it take to feel like you are somewhat competent? i know i'll be a great nurse someday, but right now i feel like a failure. when one of my patient's is a lot of work, i almost forget about the more independent ones. i don't have any time to talk with my patient's (i know noone does but i feel so bad). some days i have just enough time to take care of my patients and I wonder how i would've gotten everything done if any of them had started to crash. i usually drive et get a coffee and my mail and then go to the gym after work to destress. Lately after work all i think about is work until i go to bed...I know all nurses do this somewhat, but does it ever get any better?

Boy, I could have written this...Started in August on med/surg tele floor, and I feel the same way. No real suggestions (the others are great) but I wanted you to know you aren't alone :uhoh21:

djsrn · Nov 26, 2004

Boy, I could have written this...Started in August on med/surg tele floor, and I feel the same way. No real suggestions (the others are great) but I wanted you to know you aren't alone :uhoh21:

That is what I need to hear. I think after nurses have been working 5+ years, they forget how hard it is to be a new grad. Thank you all for your responses!

stbernardclub · Nov 26, 2004

my advice is buy the best shoes you can, eat before you go in to work, and wear light , comfortable clothes....med surg is the hardest nursing i ever worked, and i have been in icu,ccu,telemetry and now home health...

I need some words of encouragement. I started on my med-surg floor July 27th. I still feel lost. the whole month of october i worked nights, so i really feel lost on the day shift. today was just crazy. i feel like i run around like a damn fool and don't get anything accomplished. the resident writing orders for me kept writing them all wrong,(I'm not mad at her, she is new too). so i spent half the time calling her to get the orders straight. i guess i just need to know how long does it take to feel like you are somewhat competent? i know i'll be a great nurse someday, but right now i feel like a failure. when one of my patient's is a lot of work, i almost forget about the more independent ones. i don't have any time to talk with my patient's (i know noone does but i feel so bad). some days i have just enough time to take care of my patients and I wonder how i would've gotten everything done if any of them had started to crash. i usually drive et get a coffee and my mail and then go to the gym after work to destress. Lately after work all i think about is work until i go to bed...I know all nurses do this somewhat, but does it ever get any better?

akcarmean, LPN · Nov 26, 2004

Just wanted to wish you luck and hope you find your nich soon. Take care and keep us posted