My first job and I am very OVERWHELMED... Just need some support

favthing, APRN · Aug 17, 2010

Take it easy and one day at a time. Realize that orientation is usually overwhelming. You've got a lot to learn, so just respect the stage you are in and relax so that you are open to learning what you need for success. As for the numbers of patients, it all depends on the acuity of them. Just work hard, one patient at a time and one task at a time. Don't expect perfection right away, and expect that you WILL have some bad days, but keep going relying on what you DO know and CAN do.

itsmejuli · Aug 18, 2010

I was overwhelmed too when I started my first nursing job in April. It does get better with time.

Time management is key. Ask your co-workers how they plan their days to get everything done. Learn from each one, some are better at time management than others. Then plan your own time and stick to it as best you can.

I work in LTC with the same 20 residents every weekend, if we're short a nurse I'll have 30 residents to care for. I start my day by reviewing the TAR and writing down all the treatments. I also go thru the MAR quickly and find the diabetics and write down when their accucheks are due. Then I stock and organize my med cart, I want to make sure I know everything is there and where it is so I don't waste time once I start my med pass.

As for mean co-workers, I have them too and I just ignore their attitudes and speak to them professionally. I'm not there to make friends, I'm there to work.

I still get overwhelmed at times, like when I have to do something I've never done before. I ask for help.

It does get better....just give it time.

LordHaveMercy · Aug 18, 2010

Don't have much to offer but just wanted to let you know I am in the same boat, new grad on orientation and completely overwhelmed sometimes. We just have to stay strong and it WILL get better with time. Hopefully we will both be feeling more comfortable and confident before we know it. Good luck to you!

Lizerbith · Aug 21, 2010

Hi! I'm a new grad too. I'm currently in a Critical Care Fellowship and working on a Cardiac Progressive unit at my hospital. I don't know how much help I can offer you, but maybe you'll feel less alone knowing there is one more real person out there who is struggling too. Compared to some of the other stories I'm reading on here, I feel pretty spoiled with how much time and help I'm getting at my job. Comparatively speaking, I'm pretty darn lucky. Even still, I feel like I'm making a billion dumb mistakes. I had my first moment walking down the hall yesterday where I smiled to myself and thought "You know, maybe I can do this," only to find I made yet another mistake. My pt was going up for a stress test and he had 2 IV's in. One from EMS and one from the ED. Obviously, he didn't need both, so I pulled one before I sent him up to the lab. It turns out, I pulled the wrong one (ED) and the one from the EMS started leaking while he was upstairs, so they put ANOTHER one in! I felt like such an amateur. My preceptor said "It's ok! It was nothing thats unfixable." But really, who does that!! Me, apparently...There are about a billion other things I feel like I'm doing wrong. In my fellowship, we have 2 days of classes and then I work 2 twelves on the unit for orientation. In class, I did great on my drug test, but I'm having trouble learning to read EKG's. I feel like I'm the only one in my class that isn't understanding everything right off the bat. I've had 5 days on the floor and I'm up to 3 pt's. There is a girl in my class that has had a full team (4) since day one!!! My preceptor is just now starting to give me the beeper and the phone, but I've had minimal contact with doctors. Even knowing that some girls in the fellowship have had only 1 or 2 patients doesnt make me feel like less of a failure. Everyone keeps telling me that I'm being too hard on myself and to stop comparing myself to other people, but its hard not to. I just want to do a good job and I don't want to make all these stupid mistakes, but I can't seem to figure out how to stop. I have days where I drive home feeling like I'm making progress, and other days where I cry like a baby the whole way home. I've been told thats normal, but it doesn't feel normal.

SO, like I said, I don't have any words of wisdom for you. I wish I did. I do hope that this made you feel better somewhat. Even if all you do is read it and think, "Man, I'm better than this gir!!" I'm okay with that. :) I hope it gets easier for you!!!! All my best!!! :nurse:

rn4lyfe08 · Aug 21, 2010

OMG, IDK what I'd do if my orientation was only 5 days for a new area of nursing and I've been a nurse for a year! Even as a Health Care Worker (btwn CNA & LVN type duties), I had about a month of orientation. Scary to me that they'd put you and your license in jeopardy like that. Are they short-staffed of RNs? I would definitely be chatting about my concerns with the DON.

Lizerbith, don't feel bad. Many of us who weren't in critical care areas have felt the same, like every tiny thing is a huge error. I remember when I first started in Pedi, I thought everyone thought I was incompetent b/c I didn't know how to use a buretrol. (My pedi rotation in school was like 4 wks, w/ rarely any pedi pts, and no IVs at work) Then I felt dumb b/c I didn't know how to clear air outta line w/o disconnecting it. Boy did it feel great when I got some skills down, and even better when I was called upon to show others how to do things. It gets better.

I do have to admit though, that soon, I will be in your shoes when I start my PICU Internship. I am soooooo excited, but also sooooo anxious. I feel it'll be like starting over again with the not knowing anything, etc, but I am eager to learn.

Hope everyone can find some peace of mind in knowing that you are never alone, and even the most seasoned nurses were in your same shoes once upon a time.