4 months orientation as a new grad RN and I am STILL having major time management issues. I feel like I've come far but also feel like I know nothing, even after all this orientation. I'm getting mixed reviews from preceptors apparently, I've had so many that no one really *knows* me. I was moved from one unit to another when it was determined I was struggling but it hasn't gotten much better on this other unit (neuro tele) and I get very little feedback. I did have multiple preceptors and a maybe all over the place orientation but lengthy nonetheless. It doesn't seemed to have helped. I still don't feel like I truly know how to do all admissions and discharges, everything about getting patients ready for procedures or post procedure care. Sometimes I'm even nervous to transfer patients from the bed to the chair!! I don't remember all the protocols. I am so task oriented I feel like I am missing things all the time. I don't always understand what orders are for ME to do and what orders are popping in from other departments (like if your pt is in dialysis). I feel stupid because I keep having to ask these same questions! I had only three patients the other day after one was discharged and I was still all discombobulated! To be honest, I feel like I am in balls to the wall fight or flight panic all day. Because of this I feel already burnt out!! I just can't stay calm! At this point, I am not sure if overwhelming anxiety is hindering me or what. I feel bad for my employer because they have worked with me so much but I am honestly just wondering if my personality type is cut out for the crazy hospital setting. I don't know what to do because I am trying to figure out if this is a problem with me or somewhat normal because I am scheduled to go on my own tomorrow and don't want to go in and miss something critical and KILL SOMEONE! Everything in me wants to run away from this job but WHY am I so uncomfortable?!! Does this mean it is not for me? I honestly can say I don't look forward to anything during the shift. There is nothing I like about it because the stress of the job is overshadowing everything. Even on orientation it is hard to take lunches, sometimes not until 5pm and that is with begging. I'm so drained. I'd say I work with nice people but honestly I am so RUNNING and so stressed that I barely ever speak to anyone! How do I get to know my co-workers anyhow?
I know I should be thankful for this job and this opportunity but I keep giving it time, keep hoping this is normal but is this much anxiety and stress REALLY normal or, even healthy? My BP is up already. My manager keeps asking me how I think I am doing and do I feel like I can provide SAFE care to patients. I don't know what to say! If I feel like I know so little and am still not connecting all the dots how can I feel safe??
I want to call them and say I've been thinking about it and I just don't feel safe to provide care. I'm worried about killing someone and having no one on the floor help me when I need it. I'm worried that I suck yet no one is really telling me this 100% (by letting me go) simply because they need nurses. I miss my old life where I could relax on my days off and not just worry about this job all the time.
Should I really be concerned for the safety of my patients or do I need to take a chill pill? They won't give me more orientation, I've maxed, so venting to my manager is unlikely to help. Is it sink or swim from here?
Gabby Thank you for that informative post! I actually already do a lot of that, albeit not perfectly of course. I have that four color pen and so far I've been using one sheet of paper for all four of my patients. I found that when I used a whole page for each I got them all jumbled all the time and I couldn't remember what rooms I had quick enough when the docs would ask. Now it is one glance but def a lot of info crammed on there LOL. Thank you everyone for the advice. Not sure the environment of the hospital is a good suite for my personality type but trying to give it more time to be sure.
I used I sheet of paper for my 6 patients, 3 on each side.
My manager keeps asking me how I think I am doing and do I feel like I can provide SAFE care to patients. I don't know what to say! If I feel like I know so little and am still not connecting all the dots how can I feel safe??
Gabby-RN
165 Posts
I used I sheet of paper for my 6 patients, 3 on each side.