overwhelmed with paperwork!!!!

NICUbabyRN · Feb 11, 2004

I know I was overwhelmed at time too. Yes, sometimes it will be easier, other times it will not be. It all depends on the pts. You can have a more serious pt that takes up more of your time physically and then have extra paperwork from them too. Than there are the pts who are more demanding just because...well just because. Let's face it.

Just remember that you will survive.

suzy253, RN · Feb 11, 2004

Yes, a lot of reports and paperwork. After clinical we have to prepare an A.M. report which is about 12 pages long. I work on it all weekend long. Then there's the care plans, teaching plan/report, etc. etc. It's true, it does depend on how much is involved with your patient but they are still very time consuming. I feel your pain! :)

colleen10 · Feb 12, 2004

Does anyone else have to do "Process Recordings"?

They are the bane of my existence.

I understand the concept and usefullness of being able to gain a better understanding of Therapeutic Communication, but we are not allowed to tape record or video tape our interviews so we basically just make up a whole conversation so we have something to turn in.

RNKITTY04 · Feb 12, 2004

Yes, I feel totally overwhelmed, The careplans, the "extra projects", The APA paper's and let us not forget the constant testing testing testing. On the spot regurgatation while in clinicals. Im truely starting to question myself if this is what I want to do with my life, especially when I see how little the general public thinks of nurses.

NICUbabyRN · Feb 12, 2004

Im truely starting to question myself if this is what I want to do with my life, especially when I see how little the general public thinks of nurses.

Please do not get discouraged like this. There are going to be times when people are going to be tough. But, when this happens I try to remember (if they are a pt) that they are here because they are sick. They may not be like this always. For the most part may experiences have all been postive. Everything is a learning experience even the bad ones.

wonderbee, BSN, RN · Feb 13, 2004

Does anyone else have to do "Process Recordings"?
They are the bane of my existence.
I understand the concept and usefullness of being able to gain a better understanding of Therapeutic Communication, but we are not allowed to tape record or video tape our interviews so we basically just make up a whole conversation so we have something to turn in.

Yes, yes and yes. I totally agree and they are a pain in the gluteus maximus. Such a big deal is made about these danged things.

sabRN2b05, BSN, RN · Feb 13, 2004

Overwhelmed???????? Nooooo! What ever on earth made you feel that way? :rolleyes:

Seriously though, my second semester ADN class had a 5 hr orientation today on all the paperwork we have due over the semester, for OB rotation, 2 med surg rotations, and the multiple individual sites we go to (pediatrician's office, wound care clinic, CNM clinic, etc) When we broke for lunch, we were all like "huh???????????" :uhoh21:

Anyway, as my advisor told me a couple of weeks ago.....in nursing school, you have to take it one day at a time, one assignment at a time, one test at a time, etc etc or you will go absolutely INSANE!! (personally, I feel as though I am already there :chuckle) I have to finish a maternal/newborn teaching plan (one each), lab paperwork, and 12 drugs cards for Monday a.m. I started on it tonight and finished the newborn teaching plan - I think I went into too much detail, but our instructor said to create it for a "new" mom, so I guess we'll see. Everyone just hang in there!!

Speculating · Feb 13, 2004

I sure do remember those days. I don't miss them a bit. I learned how to take short cuts quickly. We were lucky we were able to pick out our own pts. I always picked the same type. CHF'ers we the best you can find them on every single floor. This enabled me to pretty much keep the same pathophysiology. The drugs pretty much stayed the same give or take. One of the best moves I ever made was to by Davis' preprinted drug cards. All I had to do was highlight the important info and after the first time it was done for the rest of the year. I always did these types of things. Over my two years getting my ASN I had something like 5 major care plans (the 100 page ones). Again I kept the same type pt. All I had to do once I got the first "A" was plug in a few small items. 70 y/o CHF'ers god bless them! I had a care plan book with a CD so all I had to do was cut and paste. The preprinted drug cards. I also had Davis' drug guide and my lab/tests book on cd so all I had to do was cut and paste too. My med/surg book came in disc as well again cut and paste. These small things made my life so much more incredible easier I can't say it enough.

colleen10 · Feb 13, 2004

Originally Posted by RNKITTY04
Im truely starting to question myself if this is what I want to do with my life, especially when I see how little the general public thinks of nurses.

My husband said something to me the other night that made me laugh.

After an evening of me complaining about class assignments, he said to me "nursing, viewed highly in the eyes of god, lowly in the eyes of man."

I think I may use that as my new mantra when people dog nursing. :)