More good days than bad

jenrninmi, MSN, RN · Oct 28, 2005

((Hugs))!! I'm sorry things are not going so well for you. What department are you working in? Why is it that you are "getting all the horrible patients"? Why is this happening? Aren't they assigning an even amount of difficult patients?

acgemt · Oct 28, 2005

I am sorry you are going through this. Believe me, you are not alone...hug... Just like you I graduated in may, and started in july. I am just about to come off orientation (er) and its like...now that the light at the end of the tunnel is near, I am getting more and more nervous. There have been many nights recently that I have been feeling lost, and wondering if I will ever make it. My only advice to you is to take one day at a time. Try going to one of your co-workers that you have built up a rapport with, and tell them your situation. They could be a mentor/person to lean on during the rough times. And most importantly, remember the wonderful and momentous occasions that make your job worthwhile...the ones where you feel like you really made a difference in a patient's life. You can make it...:)

button2cute · Oct 28, 2005

Hello All,

Have anyone ever say to you that God never gives you too much that you cannot handle and it is God is giving you the amount for your plate. In otherwords, God does not give you the amount you cannot handle at one time and God is showing you that you can handle the situation by using your knowledge, strengths and skills. Therefore, it's a test and you can passs as long you use all of the resources, believe in yourself, and understand each situation as it arises.

I am sorry to bring religion into the answer and I hope I did not offend anyone, and If I did ......I am sorry.

You have to get over this hump and learn the lessons that is presented to you through the situation/s which are presenting to you right now. If you chose to leave this situation/s without learning the lessons than it will present itself again to you in another situation.

You are being challannging because of the skills and knowledge which obtaion through through your years and school. Beat the challenge and learn how to approach the challenge with an open mind and arms. become stronger by tackling the problem mentally as well as physically. After, the defeat, than everyone will know your abilities to handle anything that comes your way and understand the variety of methods of solving the same situation.

I know that you feel that the famous "dumping zone" because you are the new graduate and they have experiences over you. Well, smack that in butt and/or lips real quick by speaking up to the team of nurses working your shift. Explain to them about your feelings and the approach of assigning patients to a nurse. Lastly, return with positive comments of the their assistances during the overwhelming situation and "thank you" each individual through examples (that helps the to identify each one during the criisis and it givs recognition).

Good Luck and Hang in there,

We all been there one time or another from time to time

Buttons

NurseyBaby'05, BSN, RN · Oct 28, 2005

I'm hearing ya. I graduated in May too. Yesterday was the first time I had a day go to s*** and still manage to get out of work at a decent hour. I'm assuming it will be the last for awhile. If you are considering making changes, I would wait until you've been at your present job at least six months or more. Obvoiusly, if your license is in jeopardy by you remaining or you feel you don't have back-up, run like the wind. On the other hand, if you're feeling overwhelmed and like you're getting run over by a MAC truck, stick it out for a few more months and see if the pendulum starts to swing the other way. We're all in the same boat. Don't let those other new nurses that appear to have it all together fool you. They're overwhelmed too. :icon_hug: :icon_hug: :icon_hug: :icon_hug: :flowersfo

shape0fmyheart · Oct 29, 2005

Thanks for the replies. I'm sorry that I posted that twice, my computer was telling me that the website timed out and I didn't even think it posted once! I work on med-surg/oncology/hospice. We get a LOT of surgical patients, and have had a lot of hospice people that seem to be dying every other night (they did tell me they seem to come in spurts). Whenever I have a good night it shocks me, and I hate to say anything outloud about how it was a good night because I really fear that when I return the next night, that night will be from hell. Superstitious I guess. Funny how I've never been real superstitious before but about this I REALLY am. I don't think the assignments are split up fairly but at the same time I'm not sure the other nurses realize that most of the time. Like the other night I had 7 patients, 5 were surgical and almost all 5 were having issues. I had to call the on call surgical doc about 3 of them. And the surgical docs are NOT NICE :rolleyes: . But before I have noticed that I've been assigned patients just for someone elses convenience. One night I had the low even numbers and another woman who works 5 8's a week that always stays at the high evens, decided to give me room 20 (the hospice room with a dying patient, wow thanks), because he was on isolation and she had some surgical patients and we're not supposed to mix them. Guess what, I have surgical mixed with isolations every other night probably, it's unavoidable. The night she handed me off this hospice patient on iso, I also had surgical patients, more than one! That night was HORRIBLE, and wouldn't you know that the hospice patient died around 3am so I had to deal with that as well. She was my preceptor and I never thought she would do something like that to me, but I guess you never know. I just don't know what to do. Our nurse manager even knows it's been bad seeing as the other day she handed out cards for money for the cafeteria saying "thanks for putting up with the high census" on them. Oh and another thing, our floor seems to stock the entire hospital. They overschedule us on nights so 1 or 2 of us can be pulled to another floor; I am just waiting for my day. I do feel at times that my license is at risk because I feel like I can't provide the care that I should be providing to my patients. Sometimes I don't even get in to see someone until 2am, or I'll go most of the night basically ignoring some patients because I have others with such high demands. I just leave those mornings thankful that everyone is alive. This is such a big weight to hold on your shoulders, having a license and a life that's in jeopardy to be taken away or be sued or whatever. *sigh*. I don't know... I really don't know what I expected nursing to be, but this isn't it.

shape0fmyheart · Oct 29, 2005

LOL, I just realized that I meant to title this "More BAD days than GOOD". See what this job does to me?? :imbar

RainDreamer, BSN, RN · Oct 30, 2005

(((((HUGS))))) for you. I'm sorry I don't have much advice for you as I'm going through the exact same thing right now. Here's to hoping it gets better soon! :icon_hug:

NurCrystal22 · Oct 30, 2005

Hi, hang in there. I'm new to nursing too and I know how you feel. I'm in orientation right now, one more week to go until I'm supposed to be on my own... but last week we were short staffed so i was basically on my on anyways. Some days are hard... some days are bad, some days I make mistakes, but then.... some days are PERFECT and that's what keeps me going.... knowing that I'm getting better. Sometimes I have hard patients and I don't get in to see them right away, but I at least peak my head in their room and ask them 3 questions:

1) Are you feeling okay?

2) Are you in any pain?

3) Do you need anything?

And when I'm in there I can quickly do a visual assessment. That makes me feel better.

I work on a TELE/MED-SURG floor, most days I love it and I love being a nurse... but then there are days from hell, and I think, "I'm so not coming back here tomorrow, no way!" But I come back... and I keep coming back and it gets better.

You'll be okay, hang in there. I agree you should stay at least 6 months before making changes... things might turn around quicker than you think. Keep us posted and good luck!

~Crystal

shape0fmyheart · Oct 30, 2005

Thanks everyone for the positive words! Good luck to those of you feeling the same way I am right now, I realize I am not alone. :)