Nurscee's Freaking Out!

lovingtheunloved, ASN, RN · Feb 13, 2005

Aaawwwww, I'm just a CNA and I don't really know what to tell you other than hang in there. (((((((((nurscee))))))))))))

curleysue · Feb 13, 2005

I have heard alot of these terrible stories. I am only a student but I feel for you. During clinicals and work as a CNA I have seen way too many nurses in your shoes. Why does it have to be like this? That is why burn out for nurses is so high. I know its because we need more nurses but they don't make it very easy for people to become a nurse. At least here in Oregon its really competitive to get into nursing school. I just don't understand this.

Hang in there. I know I don't know exactly how you feel cause I don't walk in your shoes but I can just imagine. It must be so FRUSTRATING. I would cry coming home from work everyday. You have every reason to be feeling this way. Its not fair.

I don't know what kind of advise I could give you. Maybe other nurses will give you great advise. I just want to let you know that I understand how hard it is for you and I hope you can hang in there and hope things get better for you.

Take care. Curleysue :)

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide · Feb 13, 2005

WHOA........hold the phone!! You mean you're fresh out of nursing school and you haven't had at LEAST 3 months of orientation??!! That's crazy.....a decent employer doesn't throw a brand-new nurse to the wolves like that :angryfire

I'm an experienced RN who's worked in hospitals for much of my career, and not one of the three I've worked for turn a new grad loose---let alone give her 7 busy patients---for 12 to 26 weeks. You are NOT overreacting.......that's a heavy load for ANY nurse, but most especially a newbie. (Not to mention the fact that it's unsafe.) No wonder we can't keep nurses, if this is the way new grads are treated

I would advise you to have a meeting of the minds with your nurse manager and see if you can get more orientation.....if not, I'd start looking for another job PRONTO. Your patients' lives, as well as your license and your livelihood, are at risk if you accept workloads like this when you still have so much to learn; even when you've got some experience under your belt, seven to nine patients are far too many to care for properly.

Good luck to you, and please let us know what happens.

sharann, BSN, RN · Feb 13, 2005

I agree wholehartedly with mjlrn in that you really are not ready to be flung into the shark tank especially with a caseload like that! A hospital that offers(in writing) new grad orientation would be a safer place to start(except for my hospitals "new grad" program which is full cra*). Good luck

Nurse831 · Feb 13, 2005

I understand how you feel. I am in the same boat. I am a new graduate, had six weeks orientation then on my first night shift alone I had to take 12 patients. I told my manager I couldn't handle it but they didn't care. There is a nursing shortage and alot of patients. I stayed at that job for 5 months and now have a new job where I have 5-6 patients. Good luck :) Hope things better. Are you union?? You can fill out a protest of assignment to cover yourself

saskrn · Feb 13, 2005

Help! I've only been a nurse for a month and a half.
Last two nights I've worked 12 hours (supposed to be 8) that's not the big deal though.
First I had 7 patients alone....won't even go into the hell that was.
Then tonight I had 6 but 5 were on insulin, and one of them was a every hour 20 units of insulin.
That isn't to mention the wet to dry dressings, pegs, brain surgery, and other various and sundrie items.
Not only that but this antiquated hospital still only does handwritten documentation. No computers.
I dissolved into tears. Don't know if I can do this!
YES, I DID ask help. But we have nurses who have 9 pts. They have their own share of problems.
Did you ever feel like you'd freak out????
Did you ever feel too dumb to do this????
Tell me I can make it, or not. Got ANY solutions?
Is my life long dream to be a nurse just a pipe dream?
HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I don't want to come off as being cold, but when I graduated, I was able to do total care on 13 acute patients. Is seven bad?

If you're having a hard time, I think you should definitely speak with your manager. It is part of professional responsibility and accountability, IMHO.

Hang in there, you'll be ok! :)

abundantjoy07, RN · Feb 13, 2005

I really like your reply. Of course, I'm not a nurse...yet. But orientation is very important. I also like how you said that 7 patients is a heavy load for any nurse. Your reply was really sweet. But that's not the point. I'll be sure to really look for strong orientation programs when I start looking for work. Orientation takes some of the fear out of being a new nurse.

:nurse:Nursee...Please do what Marla suggested. Please don't give in or give up. Don't get discouraged or sad. You have what it takes! Keep us updated!!!:kiss

WHOA........hold the phone!! You mean you're fresh out of nursing school and you haven't had at LEAST 3 months of orientation??!! That's crazy.....a decent employer doesn't throw a brand-new nurse to the wolves like that :angryfire
I'm an experienced RN who's worked in hospitals for much of my career, and not one of the three I've worked for turn a new grad loose---let alone give her 7 busy patients---for 12 to 26 weeks. You are NOT overreacting.......that's a heavy load for ANY nurse, but most especially a newbie. (Not to mention the fact that it's unsafe.) No wonder we can't keep nurses, if this is the way new grads are treated
I would advise you to have a meeting of the minds with your nurse manager and see if you can get more orientation.....if not, I'd start looking for another job PRONTO. Your patients' lives, as well as your license and your livelihood, are at risk if you accept workloads like this when you still have so much to learn; even when you've got some experience under your belt, seven to nine patients are far too many to care for properly.
Good luck to you, and please let us know what happens.

aileenve, ASN, RN · Feb 13, 2005

Where is this hell-hole? You need to speak up to the management, remember to protect your license!

IMustBeCrazy · Feb 13, 2005

That is a heck of a load for someone new. I agree with the others, look for a better situation starting yesterday.

To Sask in response to the 13 pt load, I am guessing that you may have juggled the pts and tasked out meds, etc. But I seriously doubt as a new grad you were able to give a holistic assessment or have time to even think about foreseeing patients circling the drain before it hit you between the eyes. I'd be willing to bet you look back on that time in your nursing career and think 'Thank God I didn't kill anyone' with the hindsight of an experienced nurse. IMHO.

weesyanne · Feb 13, 2005

Oh my gosh, I am so sorry, nurscee! Get out of there now. Turn in your notice and don't look back. Heck, if it hasn't been 90 days, you don't even have to give a notice or have a reason. Just state, "This isn't working out." Talk to other hospitals and employers and find out who has a strong orientation program of at least 3 months. You don't need to risk your license for some place that probably doesn't care anyway.

When I first got out of school, I routinely had 10-12 patients with a CNA. It was absolutely hellacious. I stayed a year and a half and transferred to another floor where the most patients I had at night was 6-7. Still sounds bad, but it was manageable at that point. Talk about eating our young!!

Tweety, BSN, RN · Feb 13, 2005

Good luck to you, I'm not sure what to add to the others. It's touch out there on the floors and I have the same struggles that you have and I've been doing it a lot longer. It's frustrating. Hang in there, because everyone, and I mean every caring nurse struggles for a while after school. You're feelings are entirely normal.

You don't have to do this for the rest of your life. If this doesn't work out you can always move on.