New Med-Surg RN Needs Advice

[FieryPsychRN, BSN]

I graduated Nursing School in May, passed the NCLEX in June and immediately went to work as an RN on a Med-Surg unit. I applied for other units, but this position was chosen for me as a "good fit," so I took it to get the experience. I have never worked as an LPN or a CNA, so the only healthcare experience I have is the clinical hours I was required to have during nursing school. Our unit is broken up into 3 teams usually that consist of 1 RN, 1-2 LPN's and 1-2 CNA's depending on staffing. Of course we also have a unit secretary and case managers on our unit as well. I can have as many as 12 patients under my care at one time! That in itself is enough to stress me out!!

I oriented with three different RNs for six weeks, and I have been on my own for three weeks. During these past couple of months I have encountered some of the rudest, meanest, self-centered, gossiping people, and these are people that I have to work with!! I have been humiliated by my LPN in front of my patients, and my other team members; I am ordered around by LPNs; One unit secretary screamed at me because I used the copy machine, another unit secretary barked at me because I was in her way. One LPN flat refuses to help me with anything; I am used to do things that other people don't feel like doing; Two of the doctors have humiliated me, one face to face and the other over the phone.

Time management is a big concern for me. Working with a team that is antagonistic especially concerns me! I barely have enough time in my shift to get everything done!! Being the newbie really sucks people!! We all know this!!! I am not really excited about being new either! But unfortunately it takes time for us all to adapt! I need any advice anyone can give me to help my day run smoothly. What do you do first? When do you chart? What do you delegate? Is it okay to pass on some tasks to the night shift? If so, what? I feel so bad when I can't get everything done!! I sometimes sit at home thinking of what I didn't get done and it truly bothers me!! I stayed over the other night just to finish up some things that I couldn't finish earlier in the shift!! I'm not sure if the manager will frown on that or not!! How do you handle the team members that run the other way when a call light comes on?

I always ask my LPNs or CNAs if they need any help and how things are going with our patients a couple of times during my shift. And yes, I even ask those that NEVER help me how things are going and if I can do anything to help. I even ask the other RNs! One of my CNAs said that she isn't used to having anyone that she works with care if things are going okay or not. Why is that??? Together Everyone Achieves More!!!

I try to start each day with a fresh new attitude but it almost always goes bad because I am constantly

having to do things that I feel like could be delegated. Unfortunately I am not aware of everyone's tasks and when they do them to know if they really don't have time to help or if they are snowing me. I realize that I will not be the newbie forever and some of them will decide that I'm not that _____ that they thought I was when they first met me, and they will accept me. Truth is, I am not there to fit into their cliques. I am there to do just exactly what it is I feel called to do, and that is to provide excellent patient care to my patients no matter what!!

My reward is sitting down at the end of the day and remembering the sparkle in my patients eyes as he laughed when I said something to him to lighten the moment, or the sincerity in my patient's voice when she said, "thank you...you are so sweet," when I gently wiped her face with a warm wash cloth.

Please let me in on your secrets! Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks for your time!

[Jerry 75]

Your new and it takes time to adapt in a new enviorment. Setting limits for inappropriate behavior is important other wise people will **** all over you!

It is unprofessional and unacceptable for an LVN or any co worker to humiliate you in front of a patient. That is demeaning and rude and is considered harrasment!

As far as unit secretary screaming at you-that is unacceptable. Tell her I will not tolerate you screaming at me like that.

As far as character flaws with co workers being self centered, gossiping that is there own character flaws don't worry about it. Your not there to make friends. Youget poaid to do ptient care. As long as they are not spreading rumors or lies about you mind your bsusiness. Also find a confidant a senior Nurse who is concerned about you-perhaps one of your preceptors and share your experiences with her.

As an RN you will be delegating tasks to other Nurses as well as to LVN's and CNA's For an LVN to refuses to comply with your order to do a task that is = to insubordination. Immediatley after the LVN refuses to carry out your order call the supervisor on duty and make a verbal complaint as well as f/u with a written complaint

Just like in the ral world in the hospital mileau we deal with a myriad of personality flaws. Some Nurses like to tease, push buttons, insult, harras, intimidate............ Now there are laws against harrasment in the work place!

Good luck!