smwiller

Oh dear Janice, I made it just 12 days shy of a year. How, I don't know. 12/29 was my last day of "floor nursing." I don't regret getting the experience, but it was the hardest, most stressful year of my life. What hospitals expect of RNs on a busy med surg unit is unreasonable and (I think) puts every nurse and every patient at risk. I am moving on to a position as a field RN for hospice and I can hardly wait. I know every job has its ups and downs and I am sure my new one will have challenges of its own, but I will not miss coming home crying, having nightmares about making mistakes passing meds, or the myriad other stresses that threatened my emotional and physical health. I guess, being on the back side of a year, my advice is hang in there, take each day as it comes. Savor those splended "nurse moments" -- you know the ones -- the times when you know you have made a difference in the life of a patient or a family member or when a co-worker tells you you are a good nurse. But when you know you are done, whether its four months, six months or 10 years, do yourself a favor and move on. I can say that it does become slightly easier, I did stop dreaming about work as often and had fewer days when I came home crying as time went on. But I did know by December that if I didn't find a new job, I was going to quit without one. Whatevery you decide, don't forget why you became a nurse. There's a lot of jobs out there and you will find the right one. Sheila

I have been told that it gets better. Frankly, I don't know if I am going to make it that long. I often come home crying, I am rotten to my husband and can't stand myself for it, and worst of all, on rare occasions, I have been short or gruff with a patient or a family member. I am tired of chasing down meds from pharmacy, searching for PCTs, loading copy paper and toner myself in the fax and copier. I am fed up with screeching unit secretaries who take six cigarette breaks a day (when I can't even get to the bathroom more than once) and would't put stickers on blank order sheets or progress notes and put them in the chart if their life depended on it. Though most of my fellow nurses are wonderful, I am sick of those who thrive on making comments that are mean spirited, exaggerated and only serve to erode self confidence. I know that there is no job out there that is perfect, but at the risk of being a terrible whiner, my current position is also hell. I am looking, but the market in my area seems to be at a standstill. I don't necessarily expect sympathy, I know there are alot of us out there in similar spots, but it sure does feel good to vent.

Well on Friday I hung Ancef for a patient that is allergic to penicillin. If I had completed the five rights/three checks I would have noticed that the patient's name on the bag was not mine. Like others on this topic, I was rushing (because I feel that I am too slow and am too late charting). I reported it to the charge nurse, called the MD, and, with my charge nurse, advised the patient, and will file an a incident report tomorrow. Thankfully, the patient did not react, but I am devastated. I am starting on day shift tomorrow and one of the day charge nurses who wasn't even present at the time sent out a "reminder" about medication errors, which for all the world feels like a personal attack. I am a mess to begin with because of my guilt and self-doubt, but this makes me want to crawl in a hole and certainly doesn't make me want to start my new shift with this nurse tomorrow. I am trying to dig my way out of this pit I have dug for myself, but I could sure use some encouragement from other nurses. Thanks!

My apologies. I believe I am a little over sensitive at the moment. I do appreciate this forum.

What do you all think about this idea: I am off today and tomorrow. I thought about asking her on Wednesday if I could shadow her instead of taking the team. That way I could see how she does things and get an idea of how she organizes her day. I am organizing myself based on how my previous preceptor did it and my new preceptor is (sort of) trying to fix something that may not be broken. I am thinking that if I observe her "way." I might find some useful practices to incorporate into what I am already doing and open up some positive interaction.

With all due respect, nurses like you are the reason why new nurses leave the profession. Get a clue for heaven's sake. Guess we are not all perfect like you.

I do appreciate the candid the responses, definitely food for thought.

My first thought was, "Didn't you think they teach that in nursing school anymore?" but I didn't think attitude was the right way to go. Earlier, she wanted me to start my day "her way." and I had to be assertive and tell her that I had already developed a good rhythm for checking meds and doing a quick review of my patient's orders would like to do that before pulling meds and starting assessments (we do beside report). She didn't seem happy, but her statement was "If that's what you want...."

I am a new grad, but I also have about 30 years in the work force (as a paralegal and an editor). I am would give my left arm (as I am right handed) for a positive comment from my preceptor. I am about half-way through a 16-week orientation and just last week they changed preceptors. I was just starting to gain some confidence and get a rhythm and I feel like I was back at square one (or nearly). Last night I had four patients and overall I was thrilled with the way it was going, though I got bogged down with two patients in the same room who weren't critical, but were total care, and one was a safety concern). Bottom line is I was late with routine HS meds on another patient. My preceptor's comment as I came out of the one room to give these meds was "I am going to give XX her meds, it's after 10 and some of these were due at 2100. I don't know how that happened." and later, get this, "Are you familiar with military time?" Not one single attagirl all night. I am devastated and would like to go to the educator with this, as what little confidence I had is slowly draining away. I am afraid if I will be marked a complainer or who knows what else. I honestly feel like I will be a good nurse and I will get there, but I could use some encouragement once in a while. I worked so hard to get here and I don't want to give up, but coming home and crying every night this week is not working either. Thoughts? Comments?