pray, read the bible, but overwhelmed

[SleeepyRN]

I spend time with God each day, particularly before going to work. I'm 7 weeks into my job at an LTC/SNF. I pray for His guidance throughout work and that through His strength I care for my residents the best I can. Some days go "relatively" smoothly, and I thank God for His strength that got me through the day and allowed me to be a blessing to others. Other days like last night, almost NO ONE got their meds because from the get go there were multiple things going on that needed my attention, but I couldn't be everywhere at once, let alone pass out meds. I ended up only being able to pass narcs and antibiotics. I had no back up to help me. We are VERY short staffed with CNAs. What I'm not understanding is why after all ny prayers and all my thanks giving and all my faith, why is it that my residents didn't get all the care they needed from me? Is it perhaps God new that (while illegal) BG over 600 and multiple phone calls to MD and documentation took precedence over many meds that He felt could be skipped tlast night? That the many falls I prevented took precedent over many meds I didnt get to? I tried my absolute hardest, prayed during work, but so many meds were not given. Even BP meds. I have prayed that God will let me know if he wants me in this work place, and I feel I keep getting the answer YES.

Any thoughts?

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

Oh and believe me, lol, I was hauling butt. I was sooo thirsty but didnt have time to drink more than 2 cups of water.

Been there , done that. See my thread on hydration.

[JBudd, MSN]

God will always give you strength, but He will not solve problems miraculously that are caused by people. In this case, your staffing problems, not your fault but then the fall out from poor decisions affects far more than the ones making them. Otherwise, free will and freedom to choose goes right out the window.

If He is telling you to be there, then know that He will give you the strength to keep caring and trying to change things. Sounds like your priorities were well done: the acute case, the most important meds, then the lesser needs. Our most challenging obedience to Him is under difficult circumstances (and sister, been there done that!).

"3Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;4perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us." Romans chap.5

[SleeepyRN]

God will always give you strength, but He will not solve problems miraculously that are caused by people. In this case, your staffing problems, not your fault but then the fall out from poor decisions affects far more than the ones making them. Otherwise, free will and freedom to choose goes right out the window.

If He is telling you to be there, then know that He will give you the strength to keep caring and trying to change things. Sounds like your priorities were well done: the acute case, the most important meds, then the lesser needs. Our most challenging obedience to Him is under difficult circumstances (and sister, been there done that!).

"3Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;4perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us." Romans chap.5

Thank you for your post. I needed that reminder. I also thought about how I prayed on my way to work that I would be a blessing to others that day. Well, I had a resident who needed a blood draw from lab, and she kicked him out of the room. He (lab) was about to leave when I caught him and had him come in the room with me. She had been scared, and I comforted her. I held her hand while the blood was drawn and talked to her. Sure enough, CBC was quite elevated, and she is now on antibiotics. God did answer my prayers and blessed her through me.

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

When you are taken from your med pass to treat an emergency... What is the facilities policy then?

That night, many residents did not get their medication.. would that not be a boatload of med errors?

This situation is going to happen again, I am trying to be proactive so you can at least handle it without getting in some serious trouble.

[xoxJanexoxDoexox]

I think God is answering not only your prayers but the prayers of your patients as well. To have someone who genuinely cares for them, the way you obviously do, is a blessing. It's sad that the facility you work for is understaffed and you are stretched so thin, although I believe this is a common occurrence. You said in your OP how concerned you were about some patients not getting their medications..I think that previous posters were just trying to give helpful advice and/or help you to protect your license. I've always been told God only helps those who help themselves so I think it's great that you posted seeking advice. Perhaps you might find it helpful to start a different post stating the details of the shift and asking what other nurses would have done in the same situation or how others might have organized the shift? Best of luck

[kguill975, MSN, APRN, NP]

Have you considered that maybe God is trying to reveal something to you about this job? I pray every morning before I touch a patient, and I often pray over the course of the day, especially on rough days. I'm a NP, so I don't have the pressures of passing meds, but I sometimes get stressed when I'm trying to figure out what's going on with my patients. A simple, "Lord, I need your help right now", usually calms me enough to be able to focus and prioritize. If you find yourself having these kinds of days often, start asking God if He's trying to reveal something to you. It could be that you aren't where He wants you to be. Regardless, He is a very present help. God bless you, and I pray things get better for you.

[SleeepyRN]

Have you considered that maybe God is trying to reveal something to you about this job? I pray every morning before I touch a patient and I often pray over the course of the day, especially on rough days. I'm a NP, so I don't have the pressures of passing meds, but I sometimes get stressed when I'm trying to figure out what's going on with my patients. A simple, "Lord, I need your help right now", usually calms me enough to be able to focus and prioritize. If you find yourself having these kinds of days often, start asking God if He's trying to reveal something to you. It could be that you aren't where He wants you to be. Regardless, He is a very present help. God bless you, and I pray things get better for you.[/quote']

Thank you for your post. I've prayed that God reveal to me if this is where I belong right now, and I feel strongly convicted that He he does want me here for now. Being new I still struggle with getting meds on time. I manage to, but that's without even taking a sip of water. This was the first day that non-time sensitive meds had to be given after first med pass was due. I should have clarified that before. Nonetheless, it is still very wrong and against patient rights to receive their meds on time even one shift. I will have to brainstorm about what to do next time I'm in a situation like this. I didn't have support from my supervisor. She was irritated that I went behind her and checked the resident's temp. I felt how hot her skin was, so the supervisor got a thermometer and it showed no fever. I knew the thermometer had to be wrong and told her so. She said "No, she's fine." I got a different thermometer and sure enough she had a fever. She didn't like that I checked her BP either, saying don't worry about that. But IM the one has to call the doctor, IM the one who's license is on the line. My supervisor overhead me on the phone with the MD, and sure enough he asked about her temperature and BP. So she knew I took the resident's BP after she said don't bother. She gave me the cold shoulder the rest of the shift after the MD wanted to send the resident out.

[kakamegamama]

Hang in there. I agree wholeheartedly with JBudd's comment.