LLSRN

Best advice...stay in orientation as long as you can. Don't let them tell you are ready if you don't feel that you are...sometimes due to staffing shortages some hospitals want their new nurses on the floor a little faster than they should. Try not to feel overwhelmed. Don't be afraid to ask alot of questions and then some more questions. There are no "dumb" questions. If your hospital offers critical classes be sure and take them. Make sure you always have a resource person available you like and trust. Patient safety is always first and don't be afraid to say, "I'm not sure I can handle my assignment, this patient, those lines, etc,etc,etc! Critical Care is my love and have been there for 17years now. It is fast paced and challenging. However, in the area I live, I have found that they are pushing are new nurses into the real world way to quickly. Leaving them overwhelmed, stressed, and even in tears sometimes. Just last night at work one of "newbies" was heard to say, "If I knew it was going to be like this I would have chose to work somewhere else. I thought it was going to be fun." It is truly wonderfully satisfying work once you are comfortable. But, I too, still remember my utter panic when I was "on my own" Be patient with yourself and those around you....be sure you are comfortable before on your own, and most definitely make you weakness known. If you have supportive coworkers it should be a great time and even "fun."

Wow, I think I took care of that same patient about 2 weeks ago. Turns out the other hospital in our town doesn't want him and just about every cardiologist in town refuses to treat him. All I had to say to him is if you don't want treatment then why are you here. He didn't like my bedside manner either...called me several "bad names" and continued to refuse treatment. I got pulled from being his nurse and he ended up AMA in less than 12 hrs. I am a very patient nurse, but there are some patients that test that patience! All I can say is document well and hope that he somehow doesn''t find a lawsuit in this matter.