Jewl

To everyone who replied to my post last night, thank you for sharing your advice and experiences with me. I will take everything posted into consideration, because you guys gave some awesome advice:-) Jewl.

I am a fairly new graduate RN with 6 months:nurse: experience, but I am still having a hard time doing floor nursing. I am so frustrated with the amount of work I am assigned and also being too busy to give the care my patients deserve. I don't think floor nursing is for me at all. I really don't see the benefit of me continuing working on such a busy floor. I rather search for different options. I had such a bad day that I just want to hear from other nurses who practice in other areas and also those who are passionate about floor nursing. Jewl

L8RRN, I work on a med-surge floor right now. I live in Florida and I too wonder if it is different at other places. I am a new grad and after orientation I was given 5 patients. Now I am up to 6 patients. Just the other day, they tried to give me 7 patients, but I had to refuse. It is hard enough taking care of 6 patients with only one aid leaving me to do all my am care. I have heard that St. Anthony's Hospital only allow their nurses 4 patients; sounds too good to be true. Anyhow, if you didn't really enjoy med-surge than why go back. You could work home health, take a travel assignment, enter a specialty, or even teach at a school. Definitly look to see what type of opportunities are available to you before going back into an area that you really didn't love. However, if you feel you could use more experience than med-surge is the way to go. It is stressful, and I think after my one year is up I will leave. Good luck!, Jewl

Lil Miss Sunshine27, Hi, I too am a new grad and have recently found myself in a difficult situation with one of my co-workers. I needed help big time and was feeling overwhelmed during one of my shifts, and she was the charge nurse that day. I actually had a good orientation and know how things are suppose to be done, but I could not get things completed in time, because I had so many things go wrong that morning. My computer did not work properly, so I wasn't able to scan medication when they needed to be administered. Also, for some reason I was unable to access narcotics out of our pyxis system, and that problem took at least an hour and a half to resolve pushing me further behind. I had circumstantial things happen to me that day that really threw my entire day off and to make it 10 times worse, the charge nurse just used everything I needed help with or was behind in as an opportunity to complain about it to my other co-workers trying her best to make me look bad. With all that being said, I definitley know what it is like when you are not getting the help that you need. It is stressful and can be dangerous depending on the circumstance. Just keep you spirit up and seek out a friendship with someone. There has to be some workers there who will embrace you and support you. If not than maybe that place isn't good for you. As a new grad it is really important to have help when you need it. In regard to not being sure how to use the IV pumps and breast pumps, I too was never shown how to program an IV pump, because one of my preceptors didn't take the time to show me. If you have't done so already, go on Utube and type in what you need a demonstration on. I learned how to program an IV pump by watching a utube video. Stay positive, and know that you can succeed even without those nurses support, but don't stay there if you are really unhappy. There has to be someone there who will be willing to take you under their wing, if not than don't feel bad for seeking out employment somewhere else. If things don't change than seeking out employment at another facility might be the right thing to do. Just take one day at a time. Good luck, Jewl

I seriously need some advice from all fabulous nurses out there. I am a new grad and am working on a med-surge floor. I love what I do, but I am doing all nursing care as well as all ADL's. I do not mind changing linen, giving bed baths, taking vitals, ect. However, I am not able to be with my patients and give them the nursing care they truly need, because on a floor of 30 patients, the patient to nurse ratio is 1 to 5 or 1 to 6 and one aid for the whole entire floor. I am not complaining, but I frustrated and truly need some sound advice about how to manage my time better and prioritize. I find myself running around filling pitchers of water so my patient will have something to take their pills with, or searching for a thermometer, because the supplies are limited at my hospital and there isn't an aid around to delegate to. For those of you who work at a hospital, what is it like for you? Is staffing and lack of supplies an issue? There are a lot of things wrong at my hospital, and I am curious to know what everyone else is experiencing at their place of work. Thanks! Jewl:confused:

Wow, thank you everyone who wrote something; I appreciate your comments. I was feeling pretty down last night after a hard days work, but this morning I feel well rested and confident that I can prioritize and plan my day better than yesterday. Improving day by day is my goal. Thanks again everyone! Enjoy your weekend! Jewl

I am stressed out over my new job as an RN. I just got out of my 9 week preceptorship and have worked 2 shifts on my own since then. I feel overwhelmed most of the time and annoyed at every imperfection. I feel like I need to stick it out for a year, but I need some advice on how to organize my day. I work on a med-surge floor and float to Ortho also. Today, I was stressed out because none of the computers worked and it just slowed me down. I feel frustrated and angry that things are so disorganized. A lot more than just the computers were a problem, but that seemed to be the biggest issue. Is every hospital short staffed and disorganized? Just wondering if it is just mine... I could use a little advice or encouragement...anything. Thanks, New RN

dear brass monkey, i am waking up right now, still half asleep, but i just read your post and i can't help but laugh (in a good way). yea, that sounds like a typical morning. i would love to hear more from you, feel free to write me anytime. have a great week, jewl

Thank you everyone for your input!

Hi everyone. I would like to know how you start your day after you get report. I am just starting out and would like to get some idea from you all. I am still trying to find a routine that works for me, and I find it helpful hearing from other nurses about how they manage their time. Thanks all! Jewl

Thank you for replying:-)

Hi. I am a new grad and have started precepting on a med-surg floor. Do you have any advice on how to go about your morning routine? For example, how you prioritize your day & manage your time. I think my preceptor isn't too excited about orienting me, but I am trying to follow her lead and do things her way. I am trying to make the best of everything. I have a couple concerns. I hear a lot of the nurses I work with talking about sometimes being given 7 patients. That makes me nervous. Also, according to my work schedule I have only 7 weeks orienting, but I will need at least 12 or 16. I have to talk with my supervisor about this, but I wish I didn't. I really want this job to work out. Any encouragement or advice would be helpful. Especially about time management. Thanks, New Grad

Thanks for the advice!

Has anyone here taken the pharmacology hesi for RN? I am getting ready to take it in a few weeks and have been taking the practice tests. Drugs are my weakest area and was hoping I could get a few pointers on how to memorize drugs effectively. Thanks! Anything helps;) Jessica

Hi guys. I am not trying to be negative, but am curious as to what you all find the most frustrating or annoying about nursing school. Is it the teachers, classmates, all the test, ect.... Im in the 2nd quarter ADN program and it is getting only getting harder. Jess:stdnrsrck: