New Grad: How To Make It Over The Hump?

[ParryPerson]

I'm a new grad orienting on a post-op ortho floor, headed to nights tomorrow, and was wondering how you guys made it past the "I have to quit for my sanity" hump? I've read many posts and I see how many people talk about N/V, depression, and anxiety as a normal reaction to being a nurse during the first year. This may be what happens but most definitely should NOT be normal! I'm hoping that nights are easier, but I know that isn't always the case. I'm terrified and have already been to my doctor about the anxiety and lack of eating and sleep. I am naturally a night owl so I hope it gets better. I signed a contract for 2 years or I owe back the 6000 USD they gave me during nursing school to help pay for school (and also graduate a year earlier) which is completely understandable.

How did you survive your first year on 12 hour (night?) shifts? I work every day but wed/thur then the next week I only work wed/thur. Is this fairly typical of hospital shifts?

The days madness of 4 discharges and 4 admits and doctors orders and family and other people lighting up the phones and AHHHHH! I plan on doing 2 years and then hoping for a less stressful (I have anxiety and depression problems) occupational or public health or educator job (I have my BSN).

What are some tricks and tips you can give a new nurse? Any words of encouragement or information or help will be much appreciated!

[MallysMama]

Aw! Hang in there!! Ortho is a hard floor to work on- very physically demanding! My words of advice are to learn how to manage your time as best you can.

I used to share a "schedule" for the new hires that were struggling. It helps to do things the same way every time, if you can. Get/give a good report- dx, hx, body system top to bottom, IVs, labs of importance, etc. Review your orders. Go do your assessments on all your patients and make sure they don't need anything in the next little while (ice water? Bathroom?). Then write down when all your meds are due so you don't miss them. If you have time- start charting your assessments...if not go straight into giving meds. Start with the neediest patient first (the one with pain issues). Of course you're interrupted many times during these tasks...but take care of the interruption and then go back to your schedule.

Eventually you'll get faster and won't be so stressed when the unplanned stuff comes up.

I like to keep something sweet in my pocket (starbursts work great) and eat one here and there! Just seems to help the shift go by better! :)

[onedayitllbeme]

Im right there with u OP!! Really feeling like omg I'm not cut out for this. Such a nice reply MallysMama. Any chance u can share that schedule? In hope others respond as well.

[dudette10, MSN, RN]

As another poster has said, "The only way to get through it is to go through it." Everyone has anxiety as a new nurse. Everyone, and don't let anyone tell you they didn't. Also, anxiety doesn't follow a textbook timeline. Some people feel comfortable after six months, some take two years. It took me about 15 months.

Do get help if your anxiety clouds your thinking. Some anxiety keeps you on your toes, but too much is debilitating and a detriment to safe care. Good luck.

[MallysMama]

I wish I still had it! Sorry!! I transferred to the ICU last year- so I've chucked all my med/surg stuff.

Having a good report sheet was important to me. I created my own report sheet (aka brain) on my computer and made copies to keep in my locker. On the back of the sheet I would create my med timeline (the med times along the top and which rooms/patients needed meds at that time underneath it). I'm trying to find an old copy of that to share.

My schedule I created was also specific of what to chart and how often...which was specific to the charting system we used. So not sure it would totally apply to everyone else. Let me ask a friend if she still has it (met her as her preceptor and became friends)!

[MallysMama]

Ah ha! Found the report sheet! I then folded it up so it fit in my pocket! Hope it helps a little!

[RNperdiem, RN]

I learned how to take care of myself when not working.

Make sleep a priority. It is easy to cut into the time you should be sleeping to run errands or do other things. Don't do it. Protect your sleep. Lack of sleep does bad things to a person's emotional state.

Eat properly-real food. Your body will thank you.

Get some sort of exercise, outside if you can. This is a natural mood booster.

If you have hobbies or social activities that add some sparkle to your life, keep at them, even if you feel tired and are short on time, your emotional health will benefit.