KHT

We all experience that as a new grad fresh off orientation ... it truly does take at least a year (or more for some) before you will experience the anxiety levels go down. It's also not uncommon for more "experienced" nurses to switch to a new hospital and find themselves reliving those feelings again. One can never plan their day in the world of bedside nursing. You will find what works for you and learn to find efficiencies in your work flow but that takes time and experience ... I know it is difficult right now but that is completely normal! Take a deep breath and just take it one shift at a time. There are nurses who have years and years of experience who still have questions so don't be too hard on yourself. In fact, if you were not asking questions as a new nurse, I would be concerned. Also realize that sometimes, the assignments aren't exactly fair (depending on the charge) ... and that may put a wrinkle in your workload too but you will also be able to recognize that in time if you haven't already.

I am a second career RN who got my ADN at age 45 and my BSN at age 47. I already had an MBA from my previous career so I felt that BSN was a missing link or bridge that would allow my MBA to be more directly employable in this new career. Like you, I thought about the cost vs. benefits of getting that BSN as I was not willing to invest a lot of money into yet another degree (at this age), but in the area I am in, I find that a BSN is required (preferred at the minimum) and allows you to explore a lot more opportunities down the line (beyond just bedside). I was able to find an online BSN program that fit my needs ... all online, no classroom, no clinical, and it was under $8K (because the program accepted all my prerequisites from my previous degrees). Doing the math, I was going to be able to pay this off very quickly with my current job and thus, I concluded that the long-term benefits (and security) outweighed the immediate cost. However, I realize everyone's situation is different and you have to do what is right for you. The sheer fact that you are posing this question tells me that you have reason to think about this ... and one last thought I'll share ... I feel that continuing education never hurts. It doesn't have to be structured or costly as a bachelor's degree, no, but I think in this dynamic industry, things change and we have to stay on top of it to ensure that our practice is keeping pace with that change.

He went off on the doctors ... demanded this and that for his medications and at what time, etc. and they accommodated every single one of his requests.

Again, positive reinforcement doesn't stick ... negative reinforcement has produced more results so we are sticking with that until he calms down ... then we go in and do what he asks.

This is exactly what I have done and what all the others have done too but it doesn't stick..and yes, I document everything!

Yes, acute care.

I work night shift and social workers have all gone home but I know everyone has tried talking to him, only to find that he quickly reverts back to that behavior.

So, I work in a facility where it's not uncommon to have patients who are confused and aggressive - out of psych issues or other diagnoses where aggression is an expected stage of their disease process. Sometimes, they're cranky or aggressive because they're seekers and you're not getting them their much needed "pain" med. However, this latest patient is a whole new ballgame for many of us on the unit. Quadriplegic - so completely dependent for all activities of daily care. BUT, he is verbally abusive ... you F'n nurse, hurry your F'n ass in here when I call, F you! (racial slur here and there), and he goes on for 45 minutes that he eats up of your time "fixing" his position because he dictates every minute detail. I'm at a loss as to how to deal with this .. if it's coming from a confused patient, that's one thing but this is draining when it is coming from someone who is completely oriented and knows exactly what he is doing! 45 minutes each time repositioning is required is also a problem because it takes me away from my other patients who can go downhill very quickly but I wouldn't know it. The charges, nurse manager, supervisors, head nursing office, all know about this patient because he calls them incessantly when things don't go his way. BUT he is allowed to continue this behavior. I'm dreading the next time I go in and find that I'm assigned to him!

That's actually a great idea since everyone can enjoy it!!!

It's my first year as a floor nurse and with the holidays approaching, I'd like to get something for the staff on my unit. I'm struggling though with ideas that won't totally make me go broke ... especially because I don't want to exclude anyone on my shift (including the nursing attendants). They have all helped me during this time to grow and learn (regardless of whether it was through good or bad experiences). If anyone has any ideas they would like to share, I'd so appreciate it! Thanks in advance!

Thank you ... I think I have to work on accepting that and better understanding the process of becoming the nurse I want to be. I'm not one who likes to ask for help (although I enjoy helping others) and I am my biggest critic. It's reassuring to know that everyone has had to go through this ... and for every oncoming nurse who likes to give me a hard time for one reason or another, I have to think about the ones who have been supportive and have been willing to guide me. Thank you everyone for your feedback ... I'm always so appreciative and grateful for this forum!

So I am working in an acute care unit ... fresh off of precepting for about 2 months and had such a horrible shift. I had a difficult admit and I needed help from the other veteran nurses getting/doing tasks I had not done before to get the patient set up. I felt rushed and so behind (especially in charting). I felt crappy because I realized the reality that I'm never going to have the time to give the full attention that each patient really needs. And I'm wondering when or if I'm ever going to get to that point where I'll be able to do everything? I stayed past my shift for an hour finishing up a few loose ends so that the receiving nurse didn't have to be burdened by what I couldn't get done with that admit. But what made the shift even crappier ... giving report to another nurse who points out how I should have done this or that ... and because of a language barrier (another pt didn't speak English) I misunderstood about where pt wanted her subQ shot (although I had given it in the same spot the past two shifts w/no issue) ... she said that I might be liable and that I better hope that the patient doesn't complain ... and yet, when I ask that nurse to help translate my apologies to that patient for not understanding, she is too busy. Sorry if I sound like I'm rambling ... I'm so fried from this shift and just so discouraged! I'm dreading going in tomorrow for another shift.

I haven't started yet ... anytime I try to confirm my discussion via writing (email), no response (I get a phone call back and another verbal discussion. I do have other options so I don't NEED this job.

So I accepted a job offer ... a key factor was a flexible schedule where I specified days of the week and consecutive shifts. The hiring manager assured me that can be arranged no problem. After my acceptance, I'm finding that the schedule isn't as flexible as it was "sold" to me and every discussion since then with the hiring manager has been related to scheduling issues! Not exactly the best way to start off a new job but not sure what to do at this point ... ??? ...if I should return my ID badge and tell them they have not met the terms of the offer and therefore I need to negate my acceptance??

Thank you so much!!! Much appreciated!