Hello, I have a question . Are there any slower paced jobs that a new grad can have, or are hospitals the only ones who hire new grads? I am finding I can not keep up with the pace of the hospital job. It is a cardiac unit, but from talking to others, it probably wouldn't make a difference if it was a different unit. I have a hard time keeping track of 4 patients- admits, d/c's and fresh plasties with all the paperwork , charting, new orders, families, etc. I get so overwhelmed my mind just goes blank- if I dont write something down then and there, I will forget it.someone can tell me something, and I will forget it 5 minutes later because I am so overwhelmed. I cant go anywhere without my little pad of paper, and it's such a waste of time to write everything down. sometimes i wonder if I have adult ADD!Does anyone have any ideas? Pay would not be an issue at this point- i guess my family would rather I have some sanity- I come home after every shift thinking this is a mistake. Any thoughts would be appreciated. I guess if worse came to worse, i could go back to school for Rad Tech(which I started 20 yrs ago). At least you can only take one x ray at a time :stone . I chose the nursing cause I liked the medical aspect and the people aspect. Thanks - JR
Hi Thanks everyone for encouragement- I just get frustrated when I see the experienced nurses having the problem of getting slammed, and here I'm thinking if THEY are having a problem, how can I ever not have one.I guess my problem is I have to learn to not see everything so black or white. The ex. I had the other day was 2 pts q 15 vsx4, q30 x4, etc, one of which is confused and keeps getting up- he was post icd, other was renal stent, orders have to be taken off for both, no secretary, and 3rd pt is bradycardic, but asymptomatic- frqent vs on him too. each one was priority as I saw it. Tonite was better- had one stable pt, two fairly stable pts, and 1 gi bleed being transfused and on protonix gtt. i guess one day at a time- it just seems when i have the bad days, i go overboard and want to quit when i get out. maybe i'll learn. thanks jr
Hi jrwest. I know exactly how you feel when a really bad day comes along. I'm thinking "that's it! There's no way I can take this anymore!" Maybe I'll try nightshift or move to a different unit ... maybe it'll be better there!??? I'm trying so hard to be strong and to NOT be a quitter but those bad days can really knock the wind outta me.
Thanks for posting - now I don't feel so alone. :) I hope things start improving for you soon. :)
Mine is a very similar situation! I just started in Mid-April and I decided to stay at the Nursing home I was already working in, as an Activity Person. I'm an older grad. and I thought I would ease into the hospital setting after getting my feet wet in the nursing home. Well, I'm questioning my career choice right now, too! I'm still not completely on my own yet, but I do the med pass for 30 patients, and my preceptor is busy doing other things. I'm always way behind and feel like I'm going to jeopardize my lisence. My patients have about 3-4 meds every 4 hours, and some are q 2hrs! I stay on the med cart the entire 3-11 shift, and have learned absolutely nothing else! I want to leave the field before I even get started, or work in a doctor's office but I can't find that job either. I wish there was a facility that would have a slower pace because they hire more help, albeit paying the staff less. I wouldn't mind at this point...some pay is better than nothing if I up and quit.
Hello, I have a question . Are there any slower paced jobs that a new grad can have, or are hospitals the only ones who hire new grads? I am finding I can not keep up with the pace of the hospital job. It is a cardiac unit, but from talking to others, it probably wouldn't make a difference if it was a different unit. I have a hard time keeping track of 4 patients- admits, d/c's and fresh plasties with all the paperwork , charting, new orders, families, etc. I get so overwhelmed my mind just goes blank- if I dont write something down then and there, I will forget it.someone can tell me something, and I will forget it 5 minutes later because I am so overwhelmed. I cant go anywhere without my little pad of paper, and it's such a waste of time to write everything down. sometimes i wonder if I have adult ADD!Does anyone have any ideas? Pay would not be an issue at this point- i guess my family would rather I have some sanity- I come home after every shift thinking this is a mistake. Any thoughts would be appreciated. I guess if worse came to worse, i could go back to school for Rad Tech(which I started 20 yrs ago). At least you can only take one x ray at a time :stone . I chose the nursing cause I liked the medical aspect and the people aspect. Thanks - JR
Never give up. If you can do meds passes quick try ECF. Most of the time you do have CNA's. It's slower pace and no IV ect. Wanders are the big problem. Just check out if the state has been writting them up. check out my other listing for pointers. Time Managment"
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 :)
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.
martymoose, BSN, RN
1,946 Posts
Hi Thanks everyone for encouragement- I just get frustrated when I see the experienced nurses having the problem of getting slammed, and here I'm thinking if THEY are having a problem, how can I ever not have one.I guess my problem is I have to learn to not see everything so black or white. The ex. I had the other day was 2 pts q 15 vsx4, q30 x4, etc, one of which is confused and keeps getting up- he was post icd, other was renal stent, orders have to be taken off for both, no secretary, and 3rd pt is bradycardic, but asymptomatic- frqent vs on him too. each one was priority as I saw it. Tonite was better- had one stable pt, two fairly stable pts, and 1 gi bleed being transfused and on protonix gtt. i guess one day at a time- it just seems when i have the bad days, i go overboard and want to quit when i get out. maybe i'll learn. thanks jr