rndiva1908

I'm beginning to feel somewhat overwhemed with my new position in PP. I feel so "awkward and unfamiliar" with everything. I've been in tele. for the last year and still work as a tele RN per diem. I just started a new position at a large teaching hospital last week, and I feel like a new grad all over again. In the past, whenever I ventured off to another institution, I only had to become acclimated to the general system (i.e. forms, standard protocols). Now, I have to learn how to do assessments all over again. Overall, I'm very happy with my career decision and the facility. They have a very supportive orientation program. But, I guess I'm starting to lose some of my confidence. I always knew I wanted to work in women's health. I just hope that I'm able to have everything "down" by the time my orient. is up. Any suggestions or comments from you more experienced, "been there done that" RN's Thanks:-).

Thanks so much for the encouragement everyone! Come to think of it, I guess I kind of do look like Sylvester Stallone, except I'm a female. I haven't follwed up with a neuro yet because he can't seem me until next week. I got really depressed yesterday when I asked a neuro who happened to be making rounds on one of my patients about it. He just looked at me and said, "oh it'll be at least 8 weeks before you see signs of recovery". I told him that the ER MD told me it should resolve in 2 weeks. He laughed and said, "well I don't know where he got that from but it will be at least 8 weeks". That's an insensitive MD for ya:-)! This is even harder because as an RN, I feel even more out of control when I'm ill. I won't let anyone help me or console me, I just try to stick it out alone. I take care of the sick, I'm not supposed to be sick. I guess RN's can be terrible patients, too:-)!

I'm hoping someone could give me some insight into a condition I was diagnosed with, Bell's palsy. I recall covering this in nursing school, but I never thought I would be stricken with it. I thought it was a condition of the geriatric population (I'm only 29 years old). I came on suddenly last weekend. As I got dressed for work, I began to panic as I noticedI had no movement on the right side of my face. I went in to work anyway, received report on my patients, and became so distraught that I ended up going to ER 2 hours later. I was started on a dose pack of Medrol and told it would reslove on its on, in about two weeks. The problem is that no it's day 5 and I have seen no signs of improvement. I took off from work today, because I found it so difficult yesterday to give my patients the care they needed. I can't hardly speak. Eating lunch yesterday in the cafe was real show:-). I've done research, but so far I've heard so many varying recovery times. I've heard anything from a few days to a few weeks to several months to never?? What if I never recovery from this. I am feeling so depressed. I have completely isolated myself from everyone that I know until this problem subsides....any advice????

Hello everyone!! I currently work in telemetry and I may be making a transition into NICU or OB (post-partum/mother-baby). I've been in telemetry for exactly one year (I started as a new grad.). Since nursing school, I always wanted to work in women's health. I finally landed a job interview for Wednesday in my desired chosen area. Is there anyone in this forum that started out in tele and switched to OB? Did you find your tele experience useful in OB or did it make the transition much more difficult? Any advice, words of wisdom, or encouragment you could provide would be greatly appreciated. Until then....wish me luck!

Wow... Thanks everyone for your comments and support. I'm glad that I can share my feelings about that trying times of this profession anonymously and not be judged. The great news is that I started job #3 today, and I really think I'm going to like it. My first job was at an extremely large hospital, the second was extremely small. I went from feeling overwhemled to complete boredom. This hospital falls right in between. The pace isn't too fast or slow and that goes the same for the acuity level. Additonally, my new employer is under the same corp. as my first employer, so some things are still the same (i.e. equipment, forms, protocols, etc.), making the transition much more easier. I know today was only the first day and there will be bad days ahead. But I think that I've found my "new" home and I think I'm going to be happy there, at least for a while:-).

I'm new to this forum and new to nursing, as well. I graduated this time last year and started working in August in tele, at one of the largest cardio hospitals in Chicago. Now, less than one year later, I'm already on job #3. At an early age, I always knew I wanted to work in health care, and I always admired the nursing profession. Now, that I'm "in" it, I just don't know anymore. I had a pt last week who annoyed the hell out of me with her numerous request for pain med; her admitting dx. was hyperglycemia..go figure?). She's a frequent flyer. She was on MSO4, 50mcg Fentanyl patch, and toradol. Finally, I got frustrated and told her, "I don't know what else to do for you???". She was on the call light every 10 minutes. I feel so used and unappreciated by the end of the day. Used by every pt., family member, MD, inconsiderate RN I last received report from, administrators, social workr d/c planner, etc. I think the new ad campaign "Dare to Care" is very befitting for this thankless, overwhelming profession. You know something...when I get sick and can no longer care for myself, I but I won't be able to get anyone to give me even a glass of water;) Maybe bedside nursing simply isn't for me. I would like to try public health. Any thoughts or suggestions on how to cope????

These posts are really scaring me. I just accepted a position on a tele floor that uses the team nursing approach. I start next week. The pt ratio will be 6-7:1. The LPNs or new grad RNs will pass meds, do dressing changes, tube feedings, etc. We're responsible for the assessments and ensuring everything gets done. There are also CNAs to do the basic care. At least that what I was told in the interview. I wonder how the adjustment will be for me going from primary nursing to team nursing. I know a couple of RN at this hospital and I've heard mixed reviews. I've heard a couple say that they absolutely hate it, and a few say it's okay, and others say it's wonderful. I guess I'll have to arrive at my on conclusion when I start.....