Nervous New Grad

[BeanSproutRN]

I am a new grad and last week just started on a med/surg floor. I've always wanted to be a nurse and was so excited about working as an RN!!! But now that I have started working I am so overwhelmed! I have 3 patients of my own and am constantly busy all day! I dont know how to organize myself and prepare for more patients, eventually getting to 6 patients...

My preceptor is helpful but I feel she gets frustrated when I dont know where to find something or I forget to do something she told me. She tells me I am doing well, but on the other hand tells me I am disorganized! I don't know what to do. I worked so hard for this degree and really have a passion for it but I feel like such a horrible nurse! I panic and forget what to do and when I think I am doing well my preceptor will only mention what I did wrong and kind of laugh when I am confused. I am just so upset about this... I want nothing more to excell at my job, the harder I try the worse I seem to do.

If anyone can give me any advice or any tips on how to get organized in a med/surg setting I would really appreciate it! Thank you

[SummerGarden, BSN, MSN, RN]

op: nursing is a negative feedback field!!! you will hear more negatives then positives about your abilities to provide proper patient care. if you want to build your confidence, you will need to pay attention to those things you do right and be sure to give yourself pats on the back because not many others will. with that said, time management is a skill that takes experience. you will improve over time.

to get started, create a "brain sheet" of the things and tasks that are most common of all patients throughout your shift on that floor. you can get a copy to modify by searching for them on allnurses. once you start using a brain sheet that fits your way of thinking you will be a bit more organized.

also, another trick i used as a new grad is to have a note card of common protocols. sometimes the educators gave them out to place on our badges. other times i made my own so they could remind myself of things i used to forget, such as the color associated with the gauge of an iv port. try not to have too many cards or your badge will be weighted down. in fact, if you need more then a few notes throughout your shift, then have a small ring note pad to carry in your pocket with a list of things you often forget. this way you can cut down on the number of times you have to re-ask the same questions of your preceptor and will become more independent when caring for your patients.

remember, a lot about patient care involves knowing where to find information. it is not about knowing everything off the top of your head. gl!

[BeanSproutRN]

Thank you so much for sharing your wisdom. Im going to make my brain sheet and note cards right away! Thanks again so much, I appreciate the encouragement!