Need some words of encouragement

Nurses General Nursing

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Hey everyone just need some kind words of encouragement. It's almost 3am and I am awake. Can't sleep, can't stop thinking about what I did or did not do at work. A little about myself, I'm a new nurse and just recently off of 8 wk orientation. My thoughts are haunting me.

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Specializes in Cardiac Telemetry, ED.

There isn't a nurse on this planet that hasn't laid awake, tossing and turning, unable to stop the broken record of all their failings and shortcomings as a nurse. It gets better with time.

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Thanks Virgo...i prayed and grabbed my zune and played some tunes...then I got on here....

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Specializes in CVICU, ER.

You've probably already looked at the First Year as a nurse discussions here, that's what really helped me when I was coming off orientation. I also wrote everything down, ending with the good things I did during my shifts. I have about 2.5 years now, and I read the stuff I wrote back then. Some of the things I was worried about seems so easy now, like talking to doctors, etc. I recently moved to a new floor (ED), so I'm also up @ 0430 to worry about what I did/didn't do. :p Part of nursing, I guess, I've never worried about anything else like this.

I guess just try to keep an objective view of yourself, and correct your mistakes, if you can. :)

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I always knew that this job is a HUGE responsibility but wow it really hit home now that i'm alone. thanks...i'll read those posts

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Specializes in Pediatric.

From one semi- new grad to another, i feel your pain. One thing I sometimes tell myself is.... well, if I did something THAT bad, someone at work woulda called me :)

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I just vented to my husband and cried...i feel a little better...thanks to everyone who responded.

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Specializes in School Nursing.

hang in there nancy ! it will all get better with time and experience ! god bless you ! :nurse:

praiser :heartbeat

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Specializes in ICU, PICU, School Nursing, Case Mgt.

Dear NNancy.

I have been doing this for 18+ years and I STILL lay awake at night--or usually in the day because I usually work nights...It does get better, you can't be expected to know everything about nursing, I don't think I really learned the real profession until I began to practice. Just do your best with the best intent and don't take yourself too seriously (the job, yes, you-no)... and LAUGH, LAUGH, LAUGH, whenever you can-especially at work! Some of my best nursing memories are of nights when my friends and I would be convulsed with laughter and fall on the floor! Hopefully, you will meet and work with others who like to laugh, they will find you...alot of RN's have "sick senses of humor"--you have to in order to survive what we go through. One of the things you may enjoy-no, you will enjoy, is go to to the Nursing Humor thread and read some of the topics...I usually laugh out loud and yes, these outrageous things do and will happen...as far as the things you are upset about-cry then laugh.

Much luck in your career, if you did not feel this way then you would not be a good nurse!

SWS

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Specializes in L&D, OR.

I agree with your first response. I've been nursing for going on 17 years. Not many sleepless nights at this point in my career but we all have OSM's (oh s*%t moments) where you wake up in the middle of the night...in a cold sweat thinking..."oh man...what did I screw up today?". Do your best for every patient in every situation. Be conscentious. Treat them all the way you'd want someone to treat your mother or your child. Go home and don't worry too much. If you wake up and think of something you did or didn't do, call and tell your relief, then go back to sleep. Don't worry about getting in trouble for making a mistake...always FESS UP. Usually, our patients survive in spite of us and EXPERIENCE is what's left over when you FINISH SCREWING UP. There are none of us who are perfect...and those who think they are...are not very good nurses. :)

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thanks berry...

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Specializes in ER.
Hey everyone just need some kind words of encouragement. It's almost 3am and I am awake. Can't sleep, can't stop thinking about what I did or did not do at work. A little about myself, I'm a new nurse and just recently off of 8 wk orientation. My thoughts are haunting me.

you have to learn to let work go. Start the habit now.

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