willcare4u

Thanks PAERRN20 from what I've learned today from various sources is that I do spend too much time on the 'little stuff'. I do stop to get the water, blanket, towel, etc. It just seems to be part of my nature but I am going to have to concentrate on the needs of the pt. My next shift I am going to do things differently and see how that changes my day.

WeeBabyRN I take care of 6 patients. I've been doing some reading here and have come to realize that my orientation was not very long. But, it is all they give and I am one of the fortunate few in my class that was able to get a job as a new grad so I am trying to not complain too much. I am off the next couple of days and I am going to try and figure out how I can organize and prioritize my days better. This is my usual day: - Get report - Look at pt labs - Write down what times each pt needs meds given - Give all pts am meds From here I lose control and end up behind the entire rest of the shift. Like I posted in my reply to Student 200977 I am going to try and chart on each pt while I give them their am meds and see if that makes any difference in my day. I sure hope so.

I am thankful to have a job I just wish I liked it more. I did go and talk to someone in the education department at the hospital and she gave me a couple of suggestions: 1) use the SBAR sheets to get report on, that way you have all the info handy when you need to call a doc quickly 2) since we have computers in all the pts rooms I should try to do my charting on each as I give them their morning meds (I feel this will put me waaaay behind, but I'll give it a try) 3) this was my favorite, things will get better with time :) I realize that I am not alone in my misery of being a new grad, it just really sucks when you feel completely incompetent.

I am a new grad and have been working on a VERY busy neuro med-surg unit for 2 months. Every day when I leave work I feel like I did a horrible job, today was the first day that I actually cried after work though. Every day I feel like I wish I could quit and wonder if I made the right career choice (this is a 2nd career for me). I had 5 weeks of orientation where my preceptor helped me very little. I still don't know how to communicate to doctor's - which sounds kind of stupid but I NEVER know the answers to their questions. At the start of my shift I make a list of what needs done, potassium riders, orthostatic VS, neuro checks, etc... but the unit is so busy that it is usually the end of the shift before I remember the list of "must do's" I made at the start of the shift that never got looked at again. Then there's the charting - which I don't even get a chance to start until after I've given report to the next shift. I feel like I put my license in jeopardy every day I go to work. It seems like I still ask stupid questions all the time. Some of the nurses look at me like "are you kidding, you really have to ask someone about that" which makes me feel especially inept. I really don't feel qualified at all to take care of most of the patients on the floor. I don't know if I am a 'normal' new grad or if I really am on a floor that is too challenging for me. I have put out apps for a new job like crazy but have not even gotten an offer for an interview. So I am stuck until something new comes along. Do any of the more experienced nurses have any suggestions that might make me feel better. I don't think med-surg is for me. I know everyone says to start on med-surg and get a good background before moving on but I truly dislike going to work where I'm at now. I know you've all heard the same thing from numerous new grads and maybe I should 'stick it out' but I think a slower pace would be more beneficial to my learning how to be a RN. I was considering hospice, rehab or the mental hospital - to take care of pts, not for me to become a pt there :chuckle Although that may be a possibility too!

I just need to vent. I am at a loss on how to study for one of my nursing classes. I have just finished taking my second exam in the class and I don't think I did very well on it. The test consisted of 2 essay question - totally unrelated to anything we covered in class and a 15 multiple choice questions that were somewhat related to what we covered in class. We did get a study guide from our instructor but it covered almost 20 chapters and ended up being 40 pages long when I completed it. I know it was nice of my instructor to give us a study guide but when it doesn't even relate to what is on the test I feel that it is actually detrimental. But I really don't know what to do to improve my grades in this class, so I keep doing the study guides. I did go speak with my instructor after the first exam but she did not offer any study tips. I really don't know what else to do. I am passing my other 4 classes all with A's but I can't get a passing grade on any of the exams in this class. This exam I read and outlined all of the chapters, did all of the questions at the end of each chapter, did the questions on the CD that came with the book, and did the posted study guide. Too bad nothing I studied was actually on the test I am not alone either most of my class is in the same situation. Does anyone have any advice for me?

I am starting my 3rd semester of NS in 1 week and am having some anxiety over my upcoming clinical. My instructor has a reputation for being a difficult instructor. I have heard that she has failed students for not correctly identifying abnormal heart and lung sounds. Therefore my main concern is over performing a thorough assessment. I have been reading the archives and found lots of great info. I am currently a NAP and feel comfortable doing an assessment but I don't know if it will be "thorough enough" for my instructor. This is what I am doing now with my patients: Introduce myself and ask them their name and if they know where they are and why they are here. Explain that I am going to do an assessment Listen to their heart and lungs (I only listen from the front and sides though, maybe I should listen to the lungs from the back?) Listen for bowel sounds and palpate abdomen, ask if it hurts Ask when is the last time they urinated and had BM Check pulses (radial and pedal) and capillary refill Check IV site Assess skin and check for edema (I mainly just look at legs and arms) Ask them if they are having any pain and have them rate it, ask what makes it better or worseMy question (finally) is do you think this will be a satisfactory assessment for my instructor? Or do you think I should add anything? Thanks for the input!!

I am taking a summer Nursing Research class and I need a topic for my research paper - I am horrible at picking a topic. I need a problem statement that is related to a nursing issue. I will need to find 10 research articles from nursing journals related to the issue, so a somewhat broader topic may be better. I have been reading around the site (I just found the site 2 days ago) and have already learned so much from what is posted, I wish I had found it sooner. Since I am still in school I thought maybe I could find out from those that are nurses what you think some nursing issues are. Any help would be greatly appreciated :nuke: