New Nurse - need advice

Remified · Nov 29, 2009

I deal with time management issues myself. The words "kind and caring nurse" tip off the possibility that you might want to cut back a little on the amount of time you spend building rapport with patients. As horrible as that may sound, a little can go a long way as far as where the time goes. Everyone has 24 hours in their day. Easier said than done, of course. It's great that you're earning a good reputation with patients but the other side of the coin may be that it's killing your ability to keep up with the charting. Whatever the case may be I hope you find your balance and wish you the best!

PostOpPrincess, BSN, RN · Nov 29, 2009

Sounds like you focus on the patient and families more than your charting.

I wish we never had to chart. But...you will have to set limits on your time with patients when appropriate and find that time to chart.

It's a give and take, like the other poster said...."balance."

iluvdetroit · Nov 29, 2009

The main problem I have always had as a nurse is that I feel like I have to give totally optimal care all the time, and to me, that always equated to being in the patients' rooms as much as possible, to the point where if I wasn't stopping in at least every 15 minutes I felt like a bad nurse. You know what? That isn't realistic. I mean, sure, if the patient is having a lot of major issues and high acuity, then that may be necessary. Otherwise, it can be overkill. The way I discovered that I didn't have to do that to be a good nurse was by being a hospital patient myself. I had cervical disc surgery and was in overnight. All three of my nurses, day, evening and night shifts, stopped into my room a couple of times on their shifts after introducing themselves, outlining what I could expect during that shift, and doing an initial assessment. I discovered that it was no big deal if they didn't drop in frequently, because I knew that they were as close as the call light if I needed anything. It didn't bother me at all that I only saw them a couple of times a shift, and it made me realize that most patients, like me, don't expect that. They also don't expect to get to know their nurse well (I mean, what are the odds that they will ever see him/her again after they go home?) so, while I need to be friendly, I don't need to chat at length with them or their families, just enough to be personable and not cold.

I don't even know if you have this same expectation of yourself as a nurse, but, reading between the lines of your post, it seems like you might. If so, take it from me, most patients realize that you are extremely busy and have other job duties to fulfill besides standing at their bedside. Stop in at least hourly, stress the fact that someone will be there quickly if they put on their call light, and sit down and chart. :specs:

DLS_PMHNP, MSN, RN, NP · Nov 29, 2009

I am also a new RN (less than 6 mos). At the beginning of my shift when I am in the pt's room doing their assessment and med pass, I sit either in a chair or on the edge of their bed. I spend about 5-10 minutes with them, letting them know their plan of care, etc. I also LISTEN to them if they have any concerns, questions, etc.

I find by giving them my undivided attention at the beginning of the shift, they are much less likely to use their call light and are a lot more accepting of the fact that I will not be in their room frequently throughout my shift.

It's also a great relationship builder.

All the best to you-

Diane

RNsharkinaj · Nov 30, 2009

very normal...I think the magic number is 12 months. A year is about how long it takes to be pretty confident in your nursing skills. But it sounds like you may need to find things that you can cut out during a shift. Also a very good worksheet that you can even design yourself is very important in maintaining your focus if you get off track.

PAROPPY, BSN, RN · Nov 30, 2009

Here's what I try to do with my patients on my initial assesment: ask if they are in pain and dole out appropriate pain meds, ask if they need to use the bathroom, reposition them, change their sheets if they are soiled, fill up thier water jug, whatever you think your pateint might need. In the meantime while doing these tasks talk to them as you normally would and develop your rapport then. Hopefully by anticipating their needs and taking care of all these things will cut down on call bells when you finally sit down to chart. Don't worry you are not the only one to find a spot and cry it out once in a while. It happens to the best of us lol :)