Overwhelmed new nurse

[jrwilkes07]

So I started my first RN position about 3 weeks ago at a nursing home and rehab center. So far it has been extremely overwhelming. I am working 11 to 7 and I only got 3 nights of orientation. I wasn't really ready to be on my own but they needed a night RN so bad that I didn't really have many options for more orientation.

We are also in the process of opening a new wing and we have two patients over there which is technically a different building. So I have to cover three hallways and can't see or hear my two patients in the other building from where I need to sit.

On top of that I keep getting told different things by different people. I am still learning all the paperwork that goes along with the job (we are still using paper charting) and I will ask one nurse a question and then another nurse will tell me that is wrong and not to listen to that nurse. So I don't know I should listen to.

This is just getting very overwhelming and frustrating and somedays I just want to quit! Am I just getting myself worked up over nothing? Thanks!

[inchii]

Being a new grad, I think that you should have received a longer orientation. And having patients in a different building is dangerous. I think you should speak with your manager and tell him/her about your concerns. You may need additional week of orientation to get used to things. She can also clarify your charting questions.

[RunBabyRN]

Being a new grad I think that you should have received a longer orientation. And having patients in a different building is dangerous. I think you should speak with your manager and tell him/her about your concerns. You may need additional week of orientation to get used to things. She can also clarify your charting questions.[/quote']I agree- having patients that far away is a liability, and in surprised the hospital is willing to risk something like that. I also agree about talking to the manager. 3 nights of orientation isn't very much to help you be successful.

Paper charts are always a mess, as far as where thing end up. We use paper charts, too, and my preceptor and I are always fixing stuff in the charts. If we could at least find stuff, it wouldn't be so bad, since medical records puts stuff where they want it when the time comes, but sometimes we put duplicates of stuff in because we couldn't find the first one. Are you switching to EMRs anytime soon?