New Nurse difficult patients and exhaustion

nutella, MSN, RN · Jul 30, 2016

Hi all! I am new a nurse. I have just completed my first week on the floor. I am on day shift for orientation. I find I am always so tired when I get off work. I don't feel like doing anything. Is this normal? Does it get better?
I've also dealt with some difficult patients. Particularly the dementia patients. I worked with dementia patients for a while. But one started yelling at me and telling me to erase all his information off his white board. I kept explaining we needed that information to take care of him. My manager is super customer service oriented so I try to be really nice to these patients and explain things but it gets me nowhere. And when I have a full patient load I just won't have the time for it. Any advice?

Yes, it is totally normal to be super tired and exhausted as you are adjusting to your new role. Walking around the whole day and paying attention / focus and learn while getting oriented is very stressful and requires a lot of energy. In addition new nurses worry about being accepted into the team and have not learned how to navigate the "social scene" in the new place.

When you get home you probably just want to relax and recover....

Yes, it usually gets better as people adjust but it takes probably around 1 year to feel more comfortable and 2 years until you feel comfortable enough. Oh - and crying is also very normal the first year. I worked on floors with many new grads and the amount of overwhelm and anxiety often led to new nurses crying their eyes out.

Difficult patients - you will get the hang of it. Just remember : safety first ....and try to be diplomatic.

obc8166 · Jul 30, 2016

You will learn to prioritize... You will find you wont always have time to keep reorienting the same patient when you need to focus on your ABC's and Maslow's heiarchy of needs. You do need to keep snacks and plenty of water with you and snack as you work. This will give you more energy you need. Snacks meaning like nuts and healthy foods. Wish you the best... hang in there and don't sweat the small stuff. Prioritzation and delegation is vital.

obc8166 · Jul 30, 2016

You will learn to prioritize... You will find you wont always have time to keep reorienting the same patient when you need to focus on your ABC's and Maslow's heiarchy of needs. You do need to keep snacks and plenty of water with you and snack as you work. This will give you more energy you need. Snacks meaning like nuts and healthy foods. Wish you the best... hang in there and don't sweat the small stuff. Prioritzation and delegation is vital.

NurseGirl525, ASN, RN · Jul 30, 2016

I would say it's normal. I've been extremely exhausted. I'm also in orientation. It's hard adjusting to difficult patients. It's also hrs when you have additional patients on top of that difficult one.

I know that each shift for me gets a little easier. I get comfortable with a few more things each shift and I get a little faster. I cannot wait until I'm completely comfortable and am just running through my day like its nothing!!! But I also know it will take some time.

CrunchRN, ADN, RN · Jul 30, 2016

Could you erase the whiteboard and find a work around? That would comfort your patient and with dementia patients finding a way to meet them where they are and make them feel safe works wonders.

Scuba_NurseBSN · Aug 25, 2016

Thank you all! I am hoping it does get better with time. I get a little faster and better with things as the days go by. But all the stress of being a new nurse does make me miss school, and that is something I NEVER thought I would say.

brownbook · Aug 25, 2016

I know this isn't your biggest issue, but maybe for the dementia patient just scotch tape a piece of paper over the white board.

It will get better.