Brownelfin

Thanks, subee, that is good advice - I wish it worked for me. I worked nights for a while, and it was certainly more my speed, but my body couldn't manage the varying sleep schedule; I was miserable and sick all the time.

Are there any other nurses out there whom feel overwhelmed like me? I am 53 years old and came late to nursing - I got my ADN at age 48 - and I'm at the stage of life where I have to write things down or I'll forget them. I'm starting to think that I'm not capable of working as a bedside nurse. Since graduation, I've struggled to find a job where I can keep up the pace required to succeed. I've tried working at a SNF, home health nursing, short term rehab and I'm currently working in med-surge at a small rural hospital - at every one I've struggled to keep up with the pace of the workload. My fellow nurses seem to move at the speed of light (at least it feels like that to me), caring for 5-6 med surge patients and dealing with complications that arise seamlessly, able to dig into patient's charts to provide an excellent hand-off and head straight out the door afterward. In comparison, I'm often struggling to get my documentation done by the end of my 8-hour day shift, and if I have a complication like a death or a heavy/difficult admission I'm sunk and will have to stay past the end of my shift to finish. No matter how hard I work I can only manage to do what's necessary during my shift; I don't have time to dig into patient charts for what took place in the shifts before mine (for example, a medication that was discontinued.) Oncoming nurses will often ask me questions during hand-off that I can't answer, and it makes me feel inferior for not knowing. Often I will notify a provider of an issue or a CNA of a patient need but when it's time for hand-off I haven't yet been able to follow up and make sure it was resolved. I feel like I'm chasing my tail all day long. Am I alone in this? I'm not lazy; I work hard and rarely stop moving. I don't spend time chatting and socializing with my coworkers. My mind processes information a little slower than some, I read slowly and I get scattered when I'm interrupted, but I am a caring and thorough nurse practicing safely. I want to be a great nurse, but it seems my best just isn't good enough. Is there a job with a slower pace? Is there a place for me in nursing? f anyone has shared this experience, I would love to hear from you.

Just wanted to add, for outdoor lovers, that snakes are much more active and likely to bite in hot temperatures. On a very hot day in August - temp in the nineties - my dog was bitten by a juvenile copperhead during a hike. It was coiled under a large kudzu leaf. The emergency vet stated that he had seen 5 other snake bites that week, and that they always increase in hot weather.

I’m a baby nurse of 2 years, and I’m thrilled to have this forum where I can learn so much from those with lots of experience. Not only did you teach me about WKS, but you introduced me to the symptom name “confabulation” - “a symptom of various brain disorders in which made-up stories fill in any gaps in memory...often described as ‘honest lying.” Great word!

That’s extremely helpful. Thank you so much!

Thank you, Jedrnurse, for the honest feedback. Could you give me an example of one of the human services agencies you mentioned? Are you talking about senior care services?

Looking for advice from nurses working in rural MA - I’m planning to relocate from North Carolina to Massachusetts for my husband’s work. I have an ADN with about 1 1/2 years experience at my first RN job, Inpatient Rehabilitation (not affiliated with long term care). I work twelve hour day shifts with an average assignment of 6-7 patients. My husband’s work is in Devens, and we are looking for a country home within a decent commute from west of there (areas of Fitchburg, Gardner, Ashburnham, Hubbardston). Some of the hospitals I see near the areas we might live are: UMass Memorial Health Alliance; Clinton Hospital and McLean Hospital. Searching openings at these hospitals, I’ve seen few full time jobs and even fewer day jobs - most are nights and PRN/per diem. I’ve transitioned to a career in nursing in middle age; I’m 50 years old and don’t do nights well, so I really need a full time day job with benefits. I’m willing to try almost any kind of nursing, but I’m afraid my options may be limited by my experience. Here in North Carolina turnover is very high so nursing jobs aren’t hard to come by, but I’m worried that things may be much more competitive in MA where you have nursing unions. Will I have a hard time finding a full time day job with less than two years experience and an ADN? Where should I search/where are most nursing jobs posted? Do you have any advice on preparing a resume’ for a second job? Any and all advice and opinions are welcomed - thanks!

Dear Samurai15, I am in the very same boat you are. This is my first job as an RN, a little over a year and a half experience now, and I am always the last to leave. I work in an inpatient rehabilitation facility where our average patient assignment is 6 or 7. We are always understaffed with CNAs so that I feel responsible for performing patient care that many of my nursing colleagues will avoid; I can’t bring myself to tell a patient that they must wait until a CNA is free to take them to the bathroom. Between med passes, patient needs, calls from MDs/therapists/families I am constantly interrupted and can’t seem to get all my assessments charted until the afternoon. I don’t know if I’m simply slower at everything or if I’m doing more work than other nurses, but I often feel jealous and perplexed when my coworkers can sit and talk in the break room and still walk out the door on time. Many days I feel that I’m expected to do far too much while doing my best to provide vigilant, safe and compassionate care, and I regret choosing to become a nurse.