neuro nursing is freaking hard!

Specialties Neurological

Published

Specializes in Neuro/Med-Surg.

Tons of tests, confused patients, neuro checks Q2, slight changes in LOC, sudden seizures, plus cardiac issues to boot. I think the patient load should be 4-5. . .not the 6-7 I struggle with!

Just a short vent. DAMN it's hard!

Our Neuro floor has 3-5 patients per nurse. 6-7? that is tough!

Specializes in Neurosurgical, Orthopedic, Wound Care.

We have 5-6, and your right, it is HARD! Even if this thread was started months ago, it feels good just to post! Thanks for the little vent.

Venting is good. It helps you not blow your top!!!

Keep up the good work!

does anyone know good neuro nursing school?

Specializes in Neuro-Surgical, GU, GYN, Med Surgical.

Hi all,

Thanks for all the post I am a new grad RN, I just started on a neurosurgical unit in Albert Einstein Hospital in the Bronx on Tuesday and I feel like Im lost..Is that normal? It is alot of work that I pray to master one day soon.....I felt very overwhelmed when the day was done...there is so much to do for each patient and to learn..I feel like Im in school again getting ready to take my unit exam....Please help with any advice, It would be greatly appreciated..I feel like Im all alone? Has anyone else felt this way when they started their first nursing job..Do you guys have any tips that can save my job..My probation is about 3 months and I would love to pass it...I love nursing so I want to do my best!!!..Thanks in advance!!!

Mocha Nurse

I work on a busy neurosurgical unit in the southeast where we have 5-6 patients per nurse. I've been there since the beginning of the year. When I first started, everything was confusing, and everything felt foreign. After 7 months, I feel that I am getting the hang of things. Don't get me wrong- I feel like I learn something new every day, but compared to where I was when I started, the difference is night and day. It will take you a while to get into your own habits, and to understand what to expect with each type of patient you care for. Eventually, you will learn that all surgical patients need to be weaned off of their IV meds, they need to poop, they need to walk. You will learn how to recognize complications like hematomas, CSF leaks, and what warrants calling the doctor for. No one expects you to know everything right away, and on my unit, I have never gotten in trouble for asking. I feel like I may have gotten on a few nerves for the multitude of questions I've had throughout these past few months, but at least I know I tried my best to give safe patient care.

My biggest piece of advice is: stay organized. Make your schedule at the beginning of the day, and stay on top of it. Check charts often. Write everything down. Never be afraid to call the doctor for concerns you have, because you've got to start to trust your nursing intuition. The majority of the time, things are fine, but trust your gut. The worst feeling is going home after a shift, and feeling like you didn't do enough for a patient. Eventually, your brain will adapt. It just takes time. You will do great! :)

Tons of tests, confused patients, neuro checks Q2, slight changes in LOC, sudden seizures, plus cardiac issues to boot. I think the patient load should be 4-5. . .not the 6-7 I struggle with!

Just a short vent. DAMN it's hard!

I cannot agree more! I just started in the stroke unit and we have four pts, between tests, assessments q 2 hours,vitals q 2 hours, and now i just heard we dont need an extra nurse for TPA pts, im praying the rosary every day before I go to work!!!

Specializes in ER trauma, ICU - trauma, neuro surgical.

Don't forget to include the 85 year olds who wiggle the restraints off their wrists like they are freakin Houdini.....

I work on a step down unit with 8 pt.s each, hate it. management even have the balls to tell us to give a presentation to the families in the early mornings when we are the MOST busy, what? yes! they have no brains!

Can you ask your coworkers to rally with you on this? Do you have a union, can you address safety issues? have the bosses work on the floor!

yes, we have to hold on to the job, I tell you, it is really hard to get a nursing job in a big hospital! Maybe you can discuss with your boss about acuity and safety?

The confused pts also drive me nuts but the family members can be the worse if they don't understand and demand things. Good luck!

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