cnjalbert

I want to say this is an awesome place to come for any nurse out there. Thanks to everyone who contributes! Ok, So a little background on me. I am a fairly new nurse I received my license in July '08. I have worked med surge at our local hospital. I Realized that was not for me. Then I worked in a nursing home for a year. And becoming the shift supervisor before I decided to look for better hours. I then got into home health care. I love home health care. I worked in a very fast paced home health care company for 6 months. Due to the pressure it put on my life (I think we all understand) I started looking for a slower paced home health care company. While looking for a staff position I was offered a DON position at a small more laid back company. I took the position and I must say I love where I work. This is the place I could retire at. So I am asking for any advice from any managers or supervisors. Specifically, becoming a nurse supervisor from a staff nurse. What are the things that are expected? How do I become a likable, yet respected DON. What books might help get me in the right direction. Also, any stories of situations that might help. I really want to make the best of my situation and become a good supervisor. I want to be someone my staff can look up to and come to if they need anything. I look forward to any advice I get. Thanks in advance. -Nicole

i am a new nurse and i have been working at a nursing home for about 2 months on the 3-11 shift. i am a floater and have up to 32 residents. everyone's says it will get easier, but it seems to me that the only way it will get easier is if i give almost all my 5 & 9 meds together, except if they have the same med given twice on my shift. (with the exception on given insulin on time). the administration says "they will never admit it, but they agree that this is the way the real world is". some have made the comment that i should have the med pass down by now. but i try to follow the administration times as much as i can. i don't know enough about some of the meds to know what is safe to give together and what is not. how do i know if administration is truly ok with the way their other nurses are doing things. do i just conform or do i question? i feel if i question, my job could be in jeopardy. but if i conform then how do i know ethically what is correct? this is my license i worked so hard for. i am so busy that i don't have time to get med times changed especially when each day i work i am on a different hall. it seems like i spend all my time passing meds that i do not have time to learn the other aspects of my job. i feel i learn differently than most. so i am more cautious. i have made up a sheet to help me keep up with the meds to give and times. everyone comments that it slows me down. however, when i try not to use it i have the worse days of my life. i spend extra time off the clock trying to learn everything i can to get a jump on the day. however, it just seems like i am spinning my wheels and not going anywhere. how do you get organized where everything falls in to place? i love being a nurse and i know i am making a difference. i just don't want to lose my job for not keeping up and doing things "their" way. thanks for any advice you can give