Newbie

[Ejc61]

Afternoon all,

New grad and started first job.

I'm having a hard time with my own anxiety, i feel as though

im doing "ok" with patients. My anxiety is coming from charting, i had one day tutorial on EMR system, and still feel like im lost. i have a preceptor, who tells me it will get better and i have to believe it but afte the first week i already dread that system. my fear is that i want to do a great job but i cannot let my patients play second fiddle to the charting. is this a normal newbie reaction?

[klone, MSN, RN]

Find out if your EMR has a test environment that you can practice in.

[nursephillyphil, BSN, RN]

Like what klone said, typically EMRs will have a practice / tutorial program. Also why dont you sit with your preceptor to review your charting?

[Ejc61]

Thank you !

I hadn't thought of that hopefully there is one for meditech.

[That Guy, BSN, RN, EMT-B]

Thank you !

I hadn't thought of that hopefully there is one for meditech.

There is. You should be able to speak to your unit educator to find out what it is.

[AceOfHearts<3]

Maybe you need to reduce the number of patients for a shift or two while you get comfortable with the charting system.

[JKL33]

Agree! ^

I would prefer orientations took more of a start low/go slow approach. I see no reason why people need to be put into situations where it's nearly impossible to not feel like they're drowning.

Ask your preceptor if you can do that instead of struggling with both patient care and charting, each because of the other.

Good luck to you. You can do it!

[iluvivt, BSN, RN]

While patient care takes priority over charting you must find a way to do both well.Do not underestimate the value in charting! Not only is this a legal representation of the care you provided to the patient it is a valuable communication tool for all those providing and organizing care.I can't tell you how many times my thorough charting indicated it happened just like I said it did.It saved me a lot of heartache.

[Charge200J, BSN]

Your preceptor is right. Charting does get better and faster with time and practice. Keep your patient a priority but try to sneak the charting in as you go so it's not a big mountain of work at the end.

When things get busy write those little important details on your brain sheet or even a scrap of paper towel for you to reference later when you sit down to chart. Also give yourself a little break, you are learning so much right now and going through a big nursing "growth spurt" and should be proud of yourself for handling this!