Barbr93

I know this is an older thread... but you could have described all but 2 of my preceptors in ICU, I had 3-4 nurses sit by and just watch as I tried to call MD, time seizures, and maintain the safety of the patient... as well as try to get someone to start calling for tests. I mean literally just stand by and watch. It felt like the mean girls of nursing. I hope you found a happy place to work😊 I did, and I learned so much more with supportive encouraging people. ❤️

You need to learn from your mistakes most of all. If you need help organizing, and time management... you need to use sheets,and get advice from other nurses... and remember not to chart anything until completed. We have ALL made mistakes. Nursing is not easy, otherwise lots of people would do it. You need to work on being confident in yourself. I think you should definitely network, and find people you can trust that have some level of experience who can help you. See if you can practice in a skills lab. The bigger hospitals have them, and so should many smaller ones. See if you can visit the one in your old nursing school. Lots of places let former students come practice at certain times, or have continuing ed classes. Try flu shot clinics in the fall... you will get a Lot of practice with shots. Keep looking and networking. Gain confidence in yourself, and really just be careful about your meds and documentation.

It does take time. You can do it. Caffeine at night, but I didn't usually drink any after 3am... Normally your patients are settled in and require less than day shift. With that said, all of my emergent situations usually happened right before shift change... ( why is that?! ) If you have to call a Dr at night...have everything ready and all questions/ requests down. You don't want to call a second time because you left something out. ������������ Melatonin helped with sleep during the day. Get blackout blinds. You can find the inexpensive ones at Lowe's and Home Depot. Let family and friends know not to call or text u during the day when you are sleeping. They forget sometimes. You will have to adjust your social schedule, and it will be harder if you have kids, but can be done.

You don't have to give up! There are so many options in nursing. Talk to other nurses, talk to your friends and family. I would say first off, you need to talk to your supervisor. It will be tough, but you need to ask for help if you need it, and I hope they can give it to you. I don't think there are many of us who have not felt very similar to you. Some stick it out, and some don't. It is just how life is. The choice is yours. You need to figure out what is best for you. I would say try another floor or department to start. If you don't find you care for your current employer, start looking. Network. Nursing is not easy. It's backbreaking, heartbreaking, and emotionally draining. But it can be so rewarding! Plus, you don't always need to work on the floor, or in direct patient care. Step back, write down what you like and don't like , what you are looking for, what you want to accomplish...talk to others, and make sure you have a good support network.

You sound like a GREAT Preceptor, one who wants to teach! I just came out of an 8 maybe 9 1/2 week orientation in the ccu. ( NEW GRAD, new at all of this!) First off, I was hired to work icu nights, but was never scheduled in that department. Second, my preceptor expected me as a new grad to know everything right off the bat, and although I knew a lot, there is SO much to learn! I know my pressors from my anti hypertensives, and my anti arrythmics... Gave all meds ON TIME, was never late, and always always reported off!! What your preceptee was doing sounds like bad nursing period. In my opinion it takes time to develop the skills I needed, which was learning more about med titration, and getting faster on my charting. I was basically asked to leave, and they would find me another unit. Some of the folks before me had 4-6 months to train. .The preceptor I was assigned to had to leave, and I got handed off to whomever on the unit, on any given day which was insane to me. Some nurses were great, one guy in particular had a great knack for teaching, and was good with IV's, and could tell you lots about hearts, but he only worked there 2-3 days a month, so I could not be with him as a preceptee. I think it is one's willingness to learn and work hard, as well as the quality of your orientation that helps prepare a critical care nurse. I feel that in my case, they failed miserably. I will be willing to go back, but not until after I can ensure that I get quality training in the future. I enjoyed every day in critical care. I wish I had had the preceptorship I needed, and the classes I needed, which were not provided. I hear some hospitals put you through a short course on critical care, and then let you go with someone. THAT would have been great I would love to start over, and get another preceptor, but with this place being as crazy as it is, I have decided to go to a specialty area, possibly the OR.

Hi I'm new to this site, and need help w/ Excelsior. This site seems very helpful, and full of supportive people. I am used to more traditional nusing school and am unsure about how all of this works w/ Excelsior...Do the notes from e-bay really help? What is the FCAA? Does anyone know what the CPNE is really like? I keep reading about how crazy hard it is...It is freaking me out. What sites are best? I was thinking of going to ATL site when I am ready Any tips or input would really help! Anyone on this site from the New Orleans area? A study partner would be awesome! I was formerly at Charity RN program in the fall NAC 2...( if you were in this class no explanation is needed) Your help would be greatly appreciated!!!! :redpinkhe BeBe