New nurse needs help

[daisy84]

I started my first job in late October and by early Dec. I quit my job. I worked on a medicine floor with 6 patients on day shift. Everytime I was without a preceptor I couldn't keep up with anything. I couldn't get my meds. out on time, I had no idea where or why my patients were going (for procedures and such), and most of the time I didn't even know why they were admitted. The other nurses were wonderful in helping me, but they were taking care of their patients and mine half the time. I asked for night shift to give it a try, but my supervisor said it would only be harder for me. Left with no other options to try, I backed out. Now, I'm starting search for another job, but I'm afraid of another failure and a bad resume. I would like to be a travel RN one day but I know I need experience on a med./surg. floor. I cried all the time on the med. floor and had nightmares every night. I hated it. I have no idea what other floors I should try. How do I know what I will like if I haven't worked any yet. I don't think I'll ever make it as a nurse. I feel like I need to get the basics, but where and how. Any advice would be helpful. Thanks.

[Virgo_RN, BSN, RN]

Six patients on day shift is ridiculous. First thing, I would try to find a facility with a better staffing ratio. Second, try to find one with a good new grad orientation program. You may have to be willing to relocate if there are no facilities in your area that meet these criteria.

[dettwiller5]

I agree that it would be great if you could find a hospital with a really good new grad orientation program. Have you considered home health? It works for a lot of nurses- you can focus care on one patient at a time. Many home health agencies that are attached to hospitals where I live hire new grads and have a great orientation program. GOod lUck with everything.

[chicookie, BSN, RN]

Six patients on day shift is ridiculous. First thing, I would try to find a facility with a better staffing ratio. Second, try to find one with a good new grad orientation program. You may have to be willing to relocate if there are no facilities in your area that meet these criteria.

Really? Six patients sounds normal to me. It actually sounds like a good day...........

But I do agree with you about finding a good new grad program.

I also suggest talking with the nurse recruiter, they can help guide you in the right direction.

My friend felt alot like you did and she went talked with the nurse recruiter and it turns out the nurse recruiter felt she would do better in the step down icu. Sure they were more intensive patients but you only have two patients plus its a small hospital so it isn't overwhelming. My friend is thriving in the step down icu. That might not be for you though but your recruiter might be able to give you some good insight.

[squee-gee]

I can't imagine why the supervisor said night shift would be harder! I was offered a night shift position after orienting on days and jumped at the chance. It is much easier to organize your thoughts, get meds out on time, do research and really understand why your patient is being treated. Don't get me wrong - I'm not sitting around twiddling my thumbs - as a matter of fact, the first 4-5 hours zoom by because I'm so busy (I do 12 hour shifts) - BUT, it is nowhere near as crazy as it is on days. I am still getting the experience of caring for med-surg patients, but at a much saner pace. Don't give up! You have to give yourself a chance with a more supportive facility. There are lots of other alternatives.

[Up2nogood RN, RN]

Really? Six patients sounds normal to me. It actually sounds like a good day...........

.

Yikes! I have no more than 5 pts at night! Day shift starts out w/ 3. I can't imagine as a new grad attempting to be responsible for that many pts; totally unsafe. I would search for a hospital w/ bettter staffing ratios.

[Ginger's Mom, MSN, RN]

Where do you live? To me you assignment was heavy but not undoable. You need to give more details, but other here have given you good advice.

[emilysmom,RN]

I work in a large hospital on a med surg floor. Day shift gets 6pts and nites get 6-8pts a nite. Yes it is very hard and stressful but as a new nurse I am learning alot and I have good nites and bad. But I have been getting out on time and doing my best.

Good Luck

[chicookie, BSN, RN]

Yikes! I have no more than 5 pts at night! Day shift starts out w/ 3. I can't imagine as a new grad attempting to be responsible for that many pts; totally unsafe. I would search for a hospital w/ bettter staffing ratios.

That is the best ratio in this city. Sad but true. We are getting worked up though, and you stay with your preceptor as long as you can until your feel comfortable. Unless your manager is a .....

but its all good once you get used to it.

[RN_MishMish]

5-6 pt. may be a decent load for an experienced RN and it definatly takes time to build up skills and time management abilities in order to safelt and effectively care for 6 pt. In nursing school, one of the requirements to pass the advanced med-surg course was to handle 5 pt at least once during the shift and it takes time and practice to do that... a good preceptor/clinical manager would be able to identify the areas which hold you back and give specific advice on how to improve in those area. Sure, putting a new grad RN down and making them feel like failures is easy... don't let it get to you. Everybody has a right fit and this med job wasn't yours. pick up the pieces and don't let it get to you!! :redpinkhe

[Virgo_RN, BSN, RN]

I've had 5. I don't feel safe with more than 4. Of course, we are a "critical care" unit with patients that have one foot in the ICU. On a medical floor, the patients can be pretty sick, but aren't quite as likely to deteriorate rapidly. Still, these patients tend to be very busy, with many medications, pain, nausea, wound care, and psychosocial needs that can keep a nurse pretty busy. They may not need such close monitoring as our cardiac patients, but they are, generally speaking, much busier. This is what makes a patient load of 6 on any shift other than noc seem insane to me. How in the world can you possibly provide quality care under those conditions?

[futurenicunurse2008]

Yikes! I have no more than 5 pts at night! Day shift starts out w/ 3. I can't imagine as a new grad attempting to be responsible for that many pts; totally unsafe. I would search for a hospital w/ bettter staffing ratios.

,

The hospital Im out days start out with 3 or 4 the most anyone has on either shift is 5 and thats when our census is full. however newgrads get the fewest # of pt usually 3, or if they have 4 they make sure to give us at least 2 walky talkies (pt who r not very acute)

ive been taking 4 but i still have a preceptor to back me up.