new nurse vent

acuteobrn · Nov 7, 2004

Sorry about your bad day, stick in there, organization and time management come from experience. Days like this are ones that will make you a stronger nurse if you don't let it overwhelm you. Did you care for your patients as best you can? If so then you done good. :)

**canoehead, BSN, RN** · Nov 7, 2004

If the patients are still breathing when you leave your job is done. Write ups or no write ups, with a day like that, as a new nurse, and your patient load you did well not to start crying at the desk. Give yourself a pat on the back and remember that everyone you work with was new and clueless at one time. The nastier ones will never admit it though.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Nov 7, 2004

Don't let anyone make you feel stupid. Anyone would have a hard time with that kind of load.

I hear you though. I struggle with a seven patient assignment when they are all quiet and stable and I'm not a new nurse. Throw a patient in horrible pain or unstable and your whole day is shot.

Diamond2 · Nov 7, 2004

reply to starcandy i do agree with you and know how you feel. i have worked in many jobs with support (not always nursing) and my first area as a qualified has made me feel as if 'i am stupid.' my first week as a qualified was 'asking a simple question' to the nurse in charge who either ignored me or questioned why i did not know. i proceeded to get on with my job taking more time avoiding him than concentrating, as i should on patient care then not wanting to go to work. i constantly checked if he was on the same shift as me due to my anxieties. i eventually spoke to him about his management skills when he ignored a student who only asked a question and became very upset. this took alot of courage. the situation did change with me (possibly because i spoke up!) but i feel as a newly qualified that more support should be given. you are not stupid at all and many nurses have informed me that they felt the same as you and i when first qualified. it does take the few who seem to enjoy the power of 'us not knowing everything' in a new area of work that i feel is a sad situation. i do need to say there are others who have been very helpful and understanding that i am in a new environment. my experiences will only allow me to support others in my situation as i progress, if i do stay in the profession.

barefootlady, ADN, RN · Nov 7, 2004

I commend you on a job well done. As a new RN this assignment was probably a little too demanding for you, but you did it, the patients were breathing when you left and you realized that not everyday is going to be a good one. I would hope that the other RN's on your floor would take the time to remember when they were starting out and how every new patient presented a challenge to the new nurse. I am an experienced med/surg RN and I will admit that an assignment like you described would keep me on my toes. Time-management, building of skills, and patients assessments all take time to learn, do not let others make you feel inadequate. You are doing a good job, and you will get even better over time. I wish you the best and I hope you will one day look back on days like this one and be able to accept them as part of the job. Good Luck and keep us posted on your progress. :balloons:

starcandy · Nov 7, 2004

I felt better after a good night sleep and I realize that I did my best. I guess I will be able to start a new day tomorrow. Thanks for the support. I will have to get along with different personalities, but it is difficult for me because I am a shy person. I am supposed to be in a mentoring period but I feel like I am on my own. My last shift was a good learning experience even if I think it was unsafe. Can you believe I will probably have to be charge nurse in the next month? I can't imagine dealing with my own assignment and charge duties.

nursbee04 · Nov 30, 2004

I felt better after a good night sleep and I realize that I did my best. I guess I will be able to start a new day tomorrow. Thanks for the support. I will have to get along with different personalities, but it is difficult for me because I am a shy person. I am supposed to be in a mentoring period but I feel like I am on my own. My last shift was a good learning experience even if I think it was unsafe. Can you believe I will probably have to be charge nurse in the next month? I can't imagine dealing with my own assignment and charge duties.

Starcandy -

I am new nurse too (graduated in May), and I was placed as charge nurse (on nights with a full pt load plus charge) after a month on the floor, so I know how you feel. I cried every morning on the way home for awhile, and occasionally I still cry when I leave, but you have to be able to ask yourself: "Did I do the very best that I could for my patients? Did I do my absolute best with the resources that I had? Were my patients safe and alive and comfortable when I left?" If you can say yes, then you are fine. That is a pretty tough assignment for you, and you should be proud of yourself for juggling that load. Just think, could you have handled that so well fve months ago? I am able to handle things now that I would have freaked out about at first. You are not stupid, you will find a routine that works for you and get into the groove eventually. Just remember that Prioritization and Organization are key. You'll get the hang of it!!

Do you have a preceptor you can go to? Is your preceptor leaving you on your own/not supportive? Is there any way you can talk to your nurse manager about the situation? You do not need to be placed in charge if you haven't had an adequate orientation, and you shouldn't be afraid to voice your concerns to your nurse manager.

I know how discouraging it is, and I hope things get better for you. Stop beating yourself up!

((((((((((hugs from one new grad to another)))))))))))))

akcarmean, LPN · Nov 30, 2004

Sorry to hear about your bad day. My thoughts are with you. I will be in your shoes one day. I am sure you did your best that's all you can do.. Take care.

Angelia

meownsmile, BSN, RN · Dec 1, 2004

Been there dont that. You will be fine. You will have more days like the one you just left. I used to feel just like you did but with time it gets better. Ill tell you like i have posted before and like i found out myself.

The more stressed out you let yourself get, the worse things get. Take things one step at a time and dont let yourself get to rushed even when you know you need to. Keep yourself calm cool and collected and take one task at a time.

With time this day will seem mild believe me. I have days that i shuffle 9 patients. I may get 2 new surgicals, 2-3 discharges, a new admit along with the other patients that arent going anywhere that particular day that still need things. Hang in there, dont be afraid to ask for help when you see you might be getting overwhelmed. Dont wait to ask for help until it is out of hand.

vidrine rn · Feb 28, 2005

Starcandy -
I am new nurse too (graduated in May), and I was placed as charge nurse (on nights with a full pt load plus charge) after a month on the floor, so I know how you feel. I cried every morning on the way home for awhile, and occasionally I still cry when I leave, but you have to be able to ask yourself: "Did I do the very best that I could for my patients? Did I do my absolute best with the resources that I had? Were my patients safe and alive and comfortable when I left?" If you can say yes, then you are fine. That is a pretty tough assignment for you, and you should be proud of yourself for juggling that load. Just think, could you have handled that so well fve months ago? I am able to handle things now that I would have freaked out about at first. You are not stupid, you will find a routine that works for you and get into the groove eventually. Just remember that Prioritization and Organization are key. You'll get the hang of it!!
Do you have a preceptor you can go to? Is your preceptor leaving you on your own/not supportive? Is there any way you can talk to your nurse manager about the situation? You do not need to be placed in charge if you haven't had an adequate orientation, and you shouldn't be afraid to voice your concerns to your nurse manager.
I know how discouraging it is, and I hope things get better for you. Stop beating yourself up!
((((((((((hugs from one new grad to another)))))))))))))

i agree, i am a new nurse too, graduated in may. where i work the rn's train to be charge nurses. some days we take patients but some one eles is charge nurse. i had 6 months of

orientation. thank god. what i try to do is in report write down every thing u need to

take care of first. than as the shifr goes by, write down things u need to do as they come up. cross them off as u do them. as for pain medication ivpushes, if alot of patients are calling. make a list and again cross them off as u give the meds. but always remenber, the shift has to end some time. ha ha oh by the way, if a pt is asking for pain med go and see about that pt because u dont want to let the pain get so bad that it can not be controlled.