mbulls

Thank you all so much! It's reassuring to know that many/if not all of you have gone through some of the same feelings I am going through right now. I will try to take it one shift at a time.

I am in a new nurse residency program at the moment. I feel so overwhelmed right now. My orientation period is coming to an end soon and I still rely on my preceptor for assistance. Orientation is 6 weeks and I was hired part-time (2-12hr shifts a week). Out of the possible 4-5 patients that we can get on my floor, the highest I have had so far is 3 (one of which has been a trach patient), and that is with assistance in some way shape or form. I'm wondering from you all: 1) How do I manage my 12 hours to read the orders, chart, call the doctor, give prn, give scheduled meds, provide treatment(s), change an iv, start an iv, possible admission, assess, change dressings, draw labs, etc)? 2) What method or system has worked for you all? Thank you guys in advance! I left my overnight shift last night feeling so overwhelmed and discouraged because it was my 3rd 12-hour shift in a row (I work a total of 4 shifts in a 2 week period), I got disrespected by an aid for no apparent reason last night, then the night before I got disrespected by an RT (which I have been told both are not so nice people in general but I still felt hurt since I've been so kind to everyone), and there is always something that I am told I didn't do properly. Any advice or guidance is appreciated, thank you!

Thank you so much for the detailed info! I started to think no one was going to answer my questions, and you went above and beyond. You rock!!!

I haven't been told by HR yet what the main difference is between being a part-time employee versus a full-time employee. I was hired for part-time instead of full-time (I was told it was no longer an available option), but haven't had the opportunity to speak to HR. So I have 3 main questions: 1) Can part-time workers go over 24 hours a week? 2) Is there holiday pay on top of shift differentials? 3) Is 401K, pensions, and health insurance only available for full-time employees? Thank you in advance! I figured while I'm waiting to get my start date, I might as well try and get some of my questions answered.