Bandaid08

I worked my first year as a nurse on a very busy telemetry unit. I thought I would enjoy acute care and wanted to specialized in the critical care setting. After my year's experience, I deceided it was not at the right fit for me. After much prayer, I transered to a nursing facility. It has a nursing home section, a skilled nursing area, and a new rehab wing. I began my two weeks orientation on the new rehab wing. I loved it so much and things were starting to improve for me. The DON decided to no longer offer 8 hour shifts on the new wing, so I was transferred to the skilled section. I had about 5 days of orientation until I was scheduled without my preceptor. Now my preceptor has a very hurt foot and is on medical leave. Because of this, I can't have more orientation with her. I have been on my own for two days. I feel overwhelmed. I "only" have 7 patients. I feel that I cannot handle having 13 one day. Today I had a very challenging patient and patient's family memeber. One of the more seasoned nurses saw that I was beginning to drown and did not tell me what to do, she just did what needed to be done. I was very grateful. I don't know if I should request more time with another preceptor. My past preceptor was very nice and compassionate, but very casual in getting things done. I want to combine compassion and efficiency. I tend to stay way past the time my shift ends. I really want to break this habit. Going into overtime is not appreciated and I have a personal life and am working on my Bachelors degree. As a new nurse, I find it so hard to find a rhythm in my day. On the tele unit, I would arrive 30 mins early to get prepared for my day. I felt as if it still did not help and I would leave late anyways, so I have been arriving right on time at my new job. Tomorrow I am going to try arriving 15 mins ealrly before swiping in to prepare myself for my day. Any other suggestions on how to survive? I really want to learn how to become a very great and strong nurse! Thank you!

I passed my boards last June, and have been working on a step-down telemetry unit ever since. CABG patch kid summarized most of the major drugs you will see. It is overwhleming and like COD 123 said, don't worry about memorizing every detail. I had a basic knowledge of my drug classes and every day build on my knowledge. I am lucky enough to have a pharmacist on the floor thorughout my shift. They are an excelent resource. When dealing with pt.'s BP and HR, I have often found myself in a "to give or not to give" situation. If I am hesitant about a certain drug, I never fail to hold it and ask someone more experienced. I have even asked many Doctors. I like to phrase it, "I held this medication, because of _____, was that the best thing to do?" Most of them seem to appreciate me asking instead of just doing. Often times they will also use that as a good teaching opportunity. Also become more familar about certain procdures and what medications they should or should not get before. As an example for Adenosine and Dobutamine stress tests and Lexiscans you would not want to give anything that would affect thier HR. The other day I overheard a cardiologist telling a co-worker that Zocor precribed alongside Cororone, Digoxin, or Coumadin can react negatively if the presriber does not carefully monitor the doses. He encouraged us as nurses to point this out to prescribers. Hmmm, who knew? When questions arise in my day, I write down the answers. Every day is something new to learn. Hope this helps! Blessings!

The story of my life. Thank you for sharing!

I need some advice on building healthy relationships and setting good boundaries with my co-workers. I have heard people say thier co-workers are like family. After all we have been through a lot together and spend the holidays together. Some nurses at work are very gossipy and have no problem with offering me advice and/or judgement on very personal issues. There have been a time or two where things have gotten completely inappropriate and I needed to politely say something. I care about my co-workers, but am not here to make friends. I want to make work pleasant and learn all I can, but have no desire to socialize with them after work or talk to them about more personal issues in my life. Gossiping takes away from our what our real focus at work should be; our patients. It is hard when you are new, because these other nurses are more experienced and I need thier help to become a better nurse. I am interested to hear other peoples thoughts and advice on this topic.

I am a new grad and I have been on my own (off of orientation) now for 6 weeks on a busy telemetry unit. I more often than not leave late. I very often get backed up with passing meds (if we are super busy) and my point of care charting often goes wayward around lunchtime when things start to pick up. We give report to second shift at 5pm, but it is not unusual for me to stay until 7pm, give or take another 30 minutes. I also need to be much better at being ready for second shift when they come in. Around 5 I am sometimes still trying to rush and do patient care (such as meds, drsg changes, etc.) or I waited to call a doctor towards the end of my shift and he ends up calling when I am trying to give report. I know that I need to better prioritize those things. I feel that when I stay late, I am being too slow. I become critical of myslef and think our unit is too fast paced for me. Many people have said this is normal for new grads. So then, occationlally when I am able to leave on time, I feel like I am just rushing or missing something. Do other people feel this way as well? What are some acceptable reasons for staying late (such as major change in a patient's condition, you should stay late enought to help the next shift get control on the situation.) And what are some things that just need to be passed on?

Hello everyone! I am new to this site and am so excited to network with fellow soon to be nurses! :) A little bit about my journey to NCLEX so far: Before graduating from my ADN program, it was required that we pass an Exit Exam given by HESI. I felt so nervous, ill prepared, and my anxiety level was very high. The more practice questions I did, the more overwhemled I felt. Because I had not prepared far in advance for this, I felt guilty and not deserving of a passing grade. To my surprise, I passed on my first attempt! :) May 16th was pinning. The following week I took the Kaplan reveiw course. On the 1st day readiness test I scored "Borderline." On the last day diagnostic test I scored in the passing range. Friday May 23rd my college sent out my application to test. That night I payed my online $200 Pearson Vue NCLEX fee. As you all know, (if everything goes as it should,) I expect to get my ATT letter 2-4 weeks from that date. That works out to no sooner than sometime next week, & even thats pushing it. Since taking Kaplan, I havn't done any online (or offline) prepwork. Today I am trying to stay true to the 2-week Kaplan study plan. :typing I have a great support system and have the necessary time in my schedule to prepare for this exam. Even with that support, our lives are all in a state of transition right now. This is such an exciting time , but one in which worry and fear can creep up on us fairly easily :uhoh21:. I am having a difficult time staying focused and having faith in God's plan for me. It is so hard when I study to not mentally digress into thinking about what the future may hold. I am excited to hear how your journey's to licensure are going as well! Thanks for listening to mine. :) Despite the stress and excitement, my we remember that as nurses we will have a wonderful opportunity to help care for others and help relieve suffering in this world. :heartbeat That is an amazing thing! Best of luck to you all, my thoughts and prayers are with you! :loveya: