Not sure if I'm smart enough

[Nikki0727]

Hello!

So here's my dilemma. I think I'm a good nurse. My employer says I'm good just have to learn my job better.

There are things that I feel like I should know and dont. Like ALL the meds one shouldn't take while being on dialysis.

Catheterization. It's not done regularly at my job so I haven't had a lot of practice with it. I know the book way how to do it but when you go to do it in real life it's a bit of a shock (well to me anyway).

I also feel as if I should know all meds,side effects and thing like that. Certain diseases I should know that I dont.

I work at a LTC ,so mostly I give meds,take vitals,MAYBE Cath someone,hang feeds.

I don't have to fax scripts or talk to Dr's or anything.

Is there anything to get my knowledge where it should be?

[NurseSpeedy, ADN, LPN, RN]

If you can learn the prototype drugs for each class then it will help for the rest of the drugs. There will be some slight changes here and there, but they tend to follow the prototype a lot. Know your important drugs and how they need to be taken and what labs need to be checked prior to given (or how often they are ordered to be checked to make sure the dose is therapeutic).

Catheters are nothing like you see in school. Sometimes you will get lucky but this is long term care. The women have sometimes had many babies, the uterus and rectum may not reside where they were anatomically supposed to stay, and it's more like a crap shoot. So, take an extra one with you so that you can still keep it sterile, try to visualize, but many times you won't be able to see it. In that case, aim up (99% of the time it worked for me...hence why my CNA gave me the affectionate nickname 'the catheter queen'...thanks, buddy!). If it slips into the lady parts, keep it in place, open your spare catheter and try again, noticing where the lady parts is with the one that's still sitting there.

As far as different diagnoses, jot down a few each day and look them up later when you have time off and read a bit about them. Find out which types of drugs to hold prior to a dialysis. This could probably be found in a med surg or pharmacology book. It just takes time getting used to the day to day things on your job. I went from acute care hospital nursing to LTC for a year after hospitals stopped hiring LPNs in my area. It was a culture shock and I had 11 years of experience. LTC is fast paced and a lot to take in at once but once you learn your residents each day gets a little bit easier as you develop your own routine that works for you

[crazynurse9]

You are crazy if you think your not smart enough. Not one nurse in this entire world knows everything. They are constantly asking and researching to make sure they are getting the right answer.

Just be confident and if you don't know ASK!!!!

[Cactus Nurse]

You did what many people can't- go to nursing school and pass the boards. You ARE SMART! There are plenty of nurses you haven't experienced things in their career, so don't think you need to have done everything and know everything.

This is what i'm doing to learn more little by little, every day ( I'm a 6months old nurse lol):

I have a "pocketbook" med- surg book- so any diagnoses I have never heard of- or I just learned in school, but forgot, I look it up. I read about it, maybe write a little note. I have a lined sheet of paper with a bunch of notes that I look over on my spare time.

Any med that is new for one of my patients- and all I know is what it is used for- I look up in my drug book. Lucky for me I do have many patients at one of my jobs who take many of the same meds (alcohol/drug tx- psych meds)- but finally reading them over and over and passing the meds everyday- I've memorized a lot.

Dumb- but I watch a lot of House, M.D. lol..... I really have learned a lot. This is why- they do a lot of the same tests, and use many of the same meds- so I've learned a lot of broad information, which will come in handy when one day my doctor walks in my facility giving my pt a broad spectrum antibiotic and I know what it is without having to look it up....

I've learned so much on the job- much of what I forgot or didn't really learn in school- this will happen to you.

[Nikki0727]

I seem like I can't retain anything. I mean I remember things but I have to reread things constantly. Like I'm in school studying for a test , but I've been a nurse for 3 years. It's repetitive, my work,but you would think I know ALL the meds I've passed. Idk. I'm being down on myself. Thanks ladies

[Imma_new_LPN]

First of all I'd like to say, STOP IT. WHY? I totally get what you're saying. We made it through NURSING SCHOOL. WE PASSED BOARDS. We are new. I had my first interview yesterday and let me tell you I'm scared. Scared as hell. There won't be an instructor looking over my shoulder. No class peers to guide me, complain to or cry with.

We are expected to be slow. This isn't going to happen over night. What I'm going to end with is. WE'VE got this, we can do it AND we will. Good luck to you.