christmasjmt

Thanks for the helpful replies. I am a little confused by some of them. I really don't have any anger management issues or issues with doctors and am not sure where that whole thread came from. I work PRN (maybe 6-8 shifts a month) in the hosptial float pool. As far as my "stupid mistakes" are concerned. They really are stupid, for instance the other night I gave 1mg of Ativan (0.5ml) instead of 0.5mg. Then another day when it was crazy busy on a tele floor with 6 patient and 2 waiting on me to discharge them plus one other that had an upset family, I gave a lady her metoprolol without first checking her blood pressure which was 90/58. I usually always check vitals myself and not rely on the ones the aide took at 7am when I pass my 9am meds. I could go on but nothing I've done has resulted in any injury to any patient and I'm sure they do happen to everyone. I just feel so bad when I go home after a shift when I've made a mistake. I'll think what if something happens to the patient, I should have done this or I should have done that, etc... I'll think about it for days and feel like work will be calling any minute to tell me not to come back. I've never been written up or in trouble so I really don't understand what my problem is. Maybe I do need to just slow down. (I would love to have the time to take regular bathroom breaks or even one in the first 9 hours of my shift). Who knows what I've done wrong and don't even realize it. I think I would like to try something other than hospital nursing but the schedule is so flexible and I can't give that up with regards to my family right now. Is it ever going to get better? Are there any nursing jobs out side of the hospital with the ability to work anytime 24/7? Should I get out of nursing and just dedicate myself to playing the lottery? I really do appreciate all of your input.

I've been a nurse for 2 years now and my second year has been much worse than the first. I find myself not wanting to go to work because I know I'm going to make some stupid mistake. I feel like I have been making a lot of mistakes recently and I go home feeling guilty after many of my shifts. It makes me wonder if my first year I was too stupid to see all the mistakes I was making or if there's something wrong with me? I'm ready to quit nursing and do something else before I really screw up something major and hurt someone. I thought I would start feeling more comfortable and more like a nurse at this point in my career. I actually feel worse because anytime I do something stupid I think I should know better. Has anyone else had feelings similar to this after atleast 2 year in nursing? Will I ever be a real nurse? I hate feeling the anxiety and guilt and like I am incompetent.

What can anyone tell me about Ranken Jordan. I saw an ad in the paper that they are hiring. I checked out their website and it seems like a really neat facility. Does anyone work there or has anyone been there that can tell me more about it? I'm thinking I'm going to take a tour but just wanted an inside scoop prior to doing that. What is the work environment like? Is the work enjoyable? etc... I'm going to assume they pay the same as every other hospital in this area. Any info would be much appreciated.

What do you know about BJC? Do they treat their nurses well? I know they are a magnet hospital which should mean that they do. How's the pay and the working conditions/atmosphere?

I currently work at SSM St. Josephs and I know they have some kind of loan forgiveness program as well as tutition reimbers. for further education. I don't know the details of the loan forgiveness but the recruiter I spoke with and human resources are all very helpful and nice. I was just wondering about St. Johns because I've always wanted to work at a big busy teaching hospital.

Just wondering if anyone currently works or has worked at St. Johns Mercy Medical Center. I am new to the area and wondering how it is to work there. What are the working conditions/ambiance of the staff? I heard it is the only unionized hospital in the area. Is that a good thing? How's the pay, etc... Any info would be much appreciated.