Not sure I an do this

[megamoo1979]

Hi all, I am new to this forum, but not to this website. I am a new grad (graduated Dec 05) who is 4 shifts away from finishing a 7 week orientation on a postpartum unit. I just started the night shift 2 shifts ago. When I was on days, I was feeling pretty confident for the most part. There were still things I had questions on but I felt like I was ready to be on my own knowing that I had a very supportive staff to help out if I needed it. But since I started nights I feel like a complete idiot that has no business being a nurse. I feel like I've forgotten everything I've learned so far. I feel really unorganized too, even though I felt pretty organized on days. I am dreading going to work tomorrow night, especially since I'll be doing 3 in a row. I've made 2 really STUPID mistakes, which I can't stop thinking about. And no matter how tired I am when I get home in the mornings I can't sleep because I keep thinking about work. I've already gotten sick...apparently my immune system is aware of how stressed out and tired I am. I cry very easily. I don't know what to do. I've made myself a new report sheet to try to help with the organization, but I still feel really scared and really stupid. Last shift an oncoming day shift nurse was upset with me because one of my patients refused her 0600 ibuprofen that her Dr. had ordered. The day shift nurse said she'll get yelled at by the doc now since I didn't give the med. But the pt. refused it! I can't force her to take something she doesn't want! What should I have done?

I don't really know what I expect to get out of posting this...I guess I just needed to let it all outand maybe get some tips on adjusting to a whole new shift along with a whole new career. I don't even know if it's really the night shift that's making me feel so crappy or if it's the realization that soon I will be on my own. Maybe it's both.

Anyway, thanks for reading.

Megan

[melanie1126]

It's probably both. I went off of orientation in July and I was terrified my first night alone. Luckily for me I had supportive staff at night as well and they didn't mind my constantly asking questions. If I remember correctly, it took me several weeks to get used to working nights, and you will get used to having to sleep days as well. I have a DVD called am/pm yoga and I do the PM portion before I go to bed if I need to unwind and relax. That seems to help. Also, try to cut out the coffee after 3am if you're a coffee drinker. I found that I was wired at 7 when it was time to go home. As far as your mistakes, you're going to make them while you're learning. But don't put pressure on yourself by trying to fit into the same timeframe of more seasoned nurses. Allow yourself to be OK with slowing down some and take your time. It's more important to do it right. It will get easier! Good Luck

[CarVsTree]

Night shift can be very difficult to adjust to. It is much more difficult to stay organized and think on your feet when you're exhausted. I worked for a year on nights as a tech and then oriented for 8 weeks on days before I came back to nights. It was still a very difficult transition to learn to think at night again. But by the 2nd or 3rd night I was there. But, when I'm home I sleep well.

So, you MUST get your rest.

Tips:

1. When you're worrying about work eithter mentally or physically write your worry down and plan to worry about it at a time you decide.

2. BENADRYL! Benadryl is the PM in TylenolPM. It is a great non-addictive sleep aid. I take Benadryl 50mg when I need to sleep during the day. It works great. I wake up less and I fall asleep faster.

As for the nurse being pissed off about the Motrin. Tell her if she's so worried about it she can go try to give it to the patient. What a stupid thing to be concerned about. Sounds like she's just picking on you. Don't rent her any space in your head. She's so not worth it.

Good luck.

[indigo girl]

Hello. One of my first jobs as a new nurse was on a mother/infant unit on night shift. Do you work alone at night or is there someone else on the unit with you? Instead of anything with Benadryl (which has some nasty side effects i.e. destoys your REM sleep cyle, can cause nightmares, increased resting heart rate, and BP), try something simple like chamomile tea or something from the Traditional Medicinals Company called Night Night which is a nice testing blend of calming herbs. These are safe and lovely teas, and a nice way to baby yourself. In fact, why not baby yourself? A warm bath with a few drops of lavender, or a pillow containing hops flowers and other soothing herbs (they sell these in herb stores and online).

Your nasty colleague is trying to blame you because she didn't know how to stand up to a doctor blaming her for the patient choosing not to take the med. One way to deal with anyone who tries to give you a hard time is to physically get right in their space. Get very close, face to face, look right in their eyes, and tell her, "Patients can choose to say no, and I have documented it". Make sure you do document it. You sound like a very nice person, and it may be hard for you to stand your ground. I suggest just try it once as an experiment. Dare yourself to stand your ground. Most bullies will back off as they are unused to anyone doing what they do to you. It can be very amusing to watch them fold.

Managing your time just takes practice, and nights is a good place actually to do this. Make a list of what you have to accomplish for your shift. You come in, get report, check your med book, get your vitals and assessments done. Give meds, do treatments etc. If you can, try to chart early in shift. You can always add more to notes if something happens, but most of your charting will already be done. Probably, you are making alot of notes for yourself so that you can give a detailed report in the AM.

We need to address your immune system also. Well, sleeping will help of course, once you're able to. A good MVI, extra Vit C, and you can try Sambucol (buy online at Amazon.com for best price). This is an elderberry syrup extract developed by an Israeli virologist. It will help protect you from cold viruses.

Don't be hard on yourself. Use the other nurses around you. Who is in the nursery? You will develop a routine. Give yourself time. I wish you all the best.

[megamoo1979]

Thanks so much for the tips and words of encouragement. Keep 'em coming, please, I could really use it.

Megan