new grad new job question(sorry- long)

grinnurse, RN · May 1, 2005

I would hate to see anyone give up on nursing especially since it took alot of blood, sweat, and tears to earn. I think that you feeling overwhelmed is part of being a "real" nurse. I too as you mentioned must write everything down or it goes out of my head and I would think of this as positive rather than a negative. I think this will all get better with time.

How long have you been a "real" nurse? I grad in May and once working I totally expect to be overwhelmed when I start my new job as a nurse. I figure it will take a good year to even begin to feel like you know what you are doing and a little longer to really have confidence in yourself as a new nurse.

I you had the patience to get through nursing school you can do this too!! Don't give up yet!!! Every new day is a chance to learn and gain more confidence in yourself :)

jgreenlady · May 5, 2005

Hi,

I'm about to graduate also (May 13). I will be taking a accepting a graduate nurse position in a hospital that is offering really good benefits for new grads(loan repay etc) with no contract. I'm going to start on a stepdown floor for solid organ transplant patients. I consider this an excellent opportunity and this is an area I love. Even though Med/Surg is often suggested as a good starting point, Med/Surg really scares me from what I saw in clinicals. I felt if I started in that area I would end up hating nursing and quitting. I was at a small hospital that sometimes had 8 to 1 ratios. With me, sometimes the two patients I had made it really tough to get everything done. Of course we were doing full care, with baths, linen changes etc. I'm hoping even with the critical nature of transplant patients, at 4 to 1 I will get a chance to get my bearings in nursing and start to feel more confident. They have promised a good preceptorship.

Best to you,

jgreenlady

martymoose, BSN, RN · May 6, 2005

Thanks for the encouragement. I guess it's something I will have to sort out. I don't think it's a total lack of knowledge thing, because I know what has to be done, yet everything else has to be done at the same time too. Every day I come in the previous shift says what a zoo it was today. I can't work like that anymore. maybe ten years ago I could have had that pace, but not now. I could see why there's a shortage in the hospitals- who would want to work in that environment ,wondering if you've missed an order , or your pt is going south, or the confused patient we cant get a 1:1 for has decided to get up and walk to the BR while he is still hooked up to IV and hardwire monitor!! And now worrying about your license youve worked so hard to get, and knowing the realization that it can be taken away easily. I'm sure the BON doesnt want to hear excuses. My hat is off to hospital nurses! I guess I just cant do that type of nursing. Maybe a DR's office might hire a new grad, but now that it has been 6 mos since I graduated, I guess I wouldn't be new anymore. I dont even care about less pay. Haven't seen any ads for office nurses- maybe I can hold out. Good luck to both of you- Hope things work out better for you than they did for me.

martymoose, BSN, RN · May 6, 2005

Grinnurse- Rocky Horror???

Happy-ER-RN, RN · May 6, 2005

Don't be too hard on yourself. Even if you do decide to move away from the hospital, know that you are doing what is right for you and your circumstances right now. Don't let other people's expectations get to you, it sounds like you almost feel guilty for not wanting to be the hospital "super nurse", it just isn't for everyone. That doesn't make you any less of a person. It could be that you just need a beak, you could get a low key job for while and then go back to the hospital some day. Or maybe a more laid back position is just better for you, don't feel bad about it, you have to do what makes you happy. You only have one life to live.

grinnurse, RN · May 6, 2005

Grinnurse- Rocky Horror???

Put your hands on your hips, and pull your knees in tight!!! It's the pelvic thrust..........really drives you insaaaaaaaaaaane!! Let's do the time warp again, Let's do the time warp again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

LOL Rocky Horror Picture Show still alive and kickin' in my mind. :yeah: :cheers:

nurstudnt546, BSN, RN · May 7, 2005

Hi jrwest. I am a new grad working on a step-down unit (day shift) and feel the same way as you do. Everyday I feel like I'm drowning in new orders, trouble shooting IV pumps, phone call, family, and never ending call lights. Yesterday was such a nightmare! I felt like I was getting behind every hour that I just had to go to the bathroom and CRY!!! Most days I don't even take a lunch break in hopes that I'll catch up and go home on time (I don't know how I last a whole day w/out food, water, or bathroom breaks). I too forget things and often find myself not even fully listening/thinking about what the person who's actually talking to me at the moment because my brain is busy trying to remember everything said to me prior and all endless things I'm about to do.

I have only 4 more days left with my preceptor (orientation total of 3 months) and I am terrified. The thought of being on my own fills me with unbearable stress. There are some days when I love nursing but most days I wonder why I chose this career and am beginning to think of what degree I can acquire while wkring as a nurse as "way out" eventually. I am stressed out and unhappy! :crying2:

Nesher, BSN, RN · May 7, 2005

Don't worry - you are not alone with the feelings you are having.

What I read between the lines is you are having trouble setting priorities straight - the sense that everything needs to be done NOW. That generally isn't true - it's just YOUR sense that it must. As a nurse learning to decide what is the top priority, what is second most important etc is a key to success.

Is there a experienced nurse you trust that you can ask to mentor you in this area?

Or is your manager someone you can have ahonest chat with - perhpas she/he might have an idea who you can approach to find support.

What the mentor nurse can do is help you to think about all that you need to do and talk about decsion making etc.

Please don't give up - but be an advocate for yourself and find the help you need to get past this rough spot. OK?

Nurseizme · May 8, 2005

Oh how familiar you sound to me. I have been a nurse for 1 year now. (doing happy dance) I was exactly where you are, and wondered if I would ever get the hang of things, or if that feeling in the pit of my stomach from constant fear of the unknown would go away. Guess what, It does get better. One day you will look back on this experience and think wow I survived. I am not saying that you will always not have some fear, Fear is good. I told myself I have to crawl before I walk. Every and I mean every nurse feels overwhelmed at times, gets behind, and forgets. You are human, please dont give up and dont beat yourself up. This too shall pass....You can do anything you set your mind to do. CHIN UP.

Cerridw3n · May 9, 2005

:redbeathe Dear Nurstudnt546 and Jrwest-

The best advice I can give is to take your breaks/lunches, eat well and drink water. Put your feet up on your break. Relax.

I can't tell you how many times I've point blank been asked for something from a patient and then walked in to give meds 20 minutes later and get this sinking feeling like - oh crap, he wanted prune juice/a tooth brush... whatever. It's hard not too but you just can't beat yourself up. It actually makes you less confident. I've found that a little laughter and some humility go a long way when explaining why you didn't deliver the goods.

You are fine tuning your system right now.. and it's going to be trial and ERROR. Give yourself some slack... Think of all the good you do each day and don't focus so much on the deficits.

Finally, Nesher said the prioritization thing. This is SO TRUE. Don't let yourself get sidetracked by little things. Focus on the most important/immediate needs and let everyone know where they are on your list. IE: I am going to get your foley out, but first I need to give some pain medication down the hall to someone who needs it right NOW. People are more understanding than not and if they aren't... then don't feel bad.

Good Luck, hang in there...

Sunstone

nurstudnt546, BSN, RN · May 9, 2005

Thanks for the encouragement everyone. :) Sunstone, you're right about me - I tend to sweat the big and small stuff. Forgetting simple things for patients (like the toothbrush or apple juice they asked for two hours ago) just really irks me. And missing a turn or oral care right at that 2 hour mark sometimes shatters my whole day. I feel like since I'm missing the little things that maybe I'm missing the big things as well. It's hard keeping everything together and have not quite found "my way" of organizing my day. I hope I find it soon but in the mean time, it's really frustrating! :angryfire