denise2010

So, it seems as if every day and night shift nurse is being pulled daily. At the minimum 2 on days and 2 on nights. We have had up to 4 pulled on night shift to go to another floor to work. We are getting pulled in the middle of a shift after 4 or even 6 hours of work. I work in the ICU. Staff is frustrated, although we take turns within 2 days it's your turn to go again. I have been on ICU for 8mos. For me it's very frustrating because I know have to float to other ICU's or even Open Heart Recovery. Scary!!!! We have had a big turnover and the hospital has cut back on jobs. We are forced to flex up on the beds when we are capped. We have 3 pt assignments, new admits 30mins within one another. It is not a safe environment at all. I feel as though I need to look for another job because things have been going downhill, but I am not finished getting my experience as an ICU nurse. I feel as though I should go PRN and then find another full time job, I can't afford to be DTO'D or even lose a job for that matter. All of our experienced nurses are leaving and pretty soon who knows I may be the experience and that is not cool because I am still learning and have a miles to go. The hospital seems not to care and want to cut back on cost. I guess my question is am i jumping the gun by finding another full time job and stay prn or make moves to secure myself?

I had the same problem as a new grad myself and it was very frustrating. I found that facilities do not want to pay the cost for training a new grad when they can hire someone with experience. Also there is competition out there with other nursing schools and the students that pass boards as well. There is too many of us out there at once trying to find a job. Just hang in there. Usually it's easier to get a job at the nursing homes, but it depends on what type of environment you want to work in.

Oh my gosh, this site really works. It helps to speak with people who understand. While on day shift with classes I worked the floor on days. Which was not good to combine classes with work because I was focused on getting through the classes if any. Then I went to nights and really only had two weeks to put things together and learn the policies of the facility. Yes, we do have critical ill patients. That's what bothers me. I have discussed it with mentors and charge nurses and the same comment is we are here to help, feel free to ask me questions. Of course, you have different situations when in orientation and out. I wanted to be in ICU, it wasn't just a light bulb that clicked on and said I am going to be an ICU nurse. I have thought of this before an during school. My other choice was ER but they were not excepting anymore grads. Don't get me wrong everyone has been inviting and confidence booster. So far my patient load to me seems as though it was a bit much. I think the assignment could have been choosen a lot bitter. Last time I worked I got a patient whom I started the shift of with K runs and bed changes because she constantly had diarrhea. No wonder her K was so low. May I add we like have no aids on nights most of the time and we give baths at night. Thank goodness she had a fecal mgmt bag. My other patient was in surgery had a small bowel repair. Whom I could not really pay attention too because my other patient was busy. I kept assessing his sx site and paying attention to his vitals. Then I noticed a bulge in this flank area called the resident for him to tell me oh thats ok its just his intestines pushing out. Then I noticed some ST elevations , since it was so late I conversed with some nurses and we put an order in for cardiac enzymes with the am labs. Then he refused to be stuck from being tired of being stucked over the course of days. So, he refused. Afterwards, I was going to do a 12 lead. I had to give report by that time and i felt as though I could have done better then that because I could of. His monitor through out the night at times at least three said non sustain V tach. I would rush in a check on him, he was moving around. What else does that indicate and could I have done anything differently. Please give suggestions. I go back tonight too. Wonder how this will go. I am willing to give it some time but you less than 12 week orientation is not good especially when your preceptors are not the same. The only thing that saves me and at least make me feel somewhat confident is the med surg experience and the feeling of knowing something is wrong. I wonder if day shift would work out better since more resources are around, although that means more docs. Heck at night its like pulling teeth for orders and call backs. I am sorry this is so long but there is so much on my chest. Please advice Thanks.

Hi, I am new to the forum but I visit this site often and have found it too be very helpful. I am a new RN graduated in June. I worked as an LPN for a year med-surg and bridged over. I was just recently hired as an ICU nurse. Our dept is neuro, transplant, well basically everything except cardiac. I have been off orientation for a week now. Orientation lasted for six weeks, about 4 weeks dedicated to classes and courses. I guess my question is I am fearful going to work and fearful while I am there, I do ask questions but you can only get so many answers. I work night shift. The nurses are helpful but to a certain extent. I am wondering if this is for me or if I should go back to Med surg. I am wondering if orientaion should have been longer and more consistency with one preceptor( this could not be avoided due to short staff). How long should I give myself to feel more confident? Should I just look for something else? Thanks