Stitch3296

I plan on starting the RN-MSN leadership and management on March 1st. Finishing up the background check today. Not sure what I plan to do with the degree yet, but excited to get started.

I work on a med/surg and pediatric floor. We don't have a lot of peds patients at our hospital either. Approximately 1-2 a week during the Winter season. And less the rest of year. On our floor, we have med/surg RNs who have additional training of approximately 8 shifts specifically with pediatric pts. One shift of training doesn't seem to be the safest option. When advocating for a change, it's always a good point to bring up. We all want to safely care for our patients. When it comes to peds, they're not little adults! Good luck

Not at all! I was a stay at home mom for 13 years when I went back to school to become an RN. Graduated at 37 and was working in acute care within 3 months of graduation. Go for it, you'll never regret it. And it's good for your kids to see too!

During nursing school, how did you cope with the stress? Some of those skills may still work for you. Remember to take time for yourself. Also it will get less overwhelming as time goes by, it can be a lot to take in when you start out. Be patient with yourself and all that you're learning. One thing that really helped change my perspective and helped me when I first started was thinking about what I learned that day, and sometimes if it was a particularly rough day I would journal about it.

Congrats on the new job and passing nclex! I was in your shoes last year. Been working med/surg NOC shift for almost a year. Here's what my night looks like. 2300-2330ish. Get report on my 6pts. 2330-2400 Spend time looking up my pts, i.e. meds scheduled for my shift. Sometimes a quick look at h&p if there's time. I also sometimes prior to looking up meds will assess the last pt I get report on. After looking everyone up, I quickly prioritize who I'm going to see 1st. I prioritize based on acuity 1st, then who has 2400 meds, blood sugars, or who has uncontrolled pain. 2400-0200. Assess all my pts and pass scheduled meds. Chart the assessment a you go. I try and finish all my assessments by 0130. 0200 we have a team huddle where we quickly check in with eachother and ask for help if we need it, or offer help if we're able. Love three team atmosphere we have ava being able to help one another. 0200-0400 finish charting all the non-assessment items, like education, braden, fall risk, my note. Also passing any scheduled meds or pain meds called for. If I haven't yet, look at h&p and last drs note to ascertain the current plan for pt. 0400-0630 Pass AM meds and do any blood draws scheduled for my pts with PICCs. Also one last check in with pts for pain meds and making sure their IV fluids wont run out in the 1st 2 hours of the next shift ( set your co-worker up for success) 0630-0700 Check new lab values for pts (lab draws between 2-4, so results are usually in) Message MDs if necessary about labs. Finish my nurses note and progress summary. Look at h&p if I haven't had time. We have some day RNs who really want a lot if info/background. So it's nice to be prepared, but not always possible. And it's ok to say "I don't know, you'll have to look that up". It doesn't happen often that I say this, so if I do they know the night was busy. 0700-0730 Give report. Hopefully it's only to 2 nurses, but sometimes it's 3. Rarely 4. 0730-0740 If necessary, finish my notes and summary Words of advice: Be patient with yourself, this is where the real learning begins. At first it can feel overwhelming. Don't be afraid to ask questions. Approach your day with an attitude of "what can I learn today?" Help you're co-workers every chance you can, especially your CNAs. Nursing practice is like an onion, there are many layers. As you get comfortable with one aspect, you'll add another layer. Advocate for your pt. This was longer than I intended, but good luck too you in your new position

It sounds like you have some great goals long term, and some excellent motivation and drive to get there. If it were me, I'd look for a job that would work with and not against your studies. Nursing school is tough, and working in a situation like yours "overworked, overstressed and underpaid" isn't going to help you get where you want to go. Why not start looking elsewhere? With a year's experience, you could get a job in the hospital as an aid. It's a great place to get used to the flow of acute care. Your current situation sounds less than ideal. And I'm sure management knows the ramifications of their decisions and how they affect staff. But if you don't take care of yourself, and look out for your needs it becomes increasingly more difficult to continue to care for others. Good luck to you!

Med/surg & pediatrics Nights 6:1 Days/eve 5:1 Peds 4:1

Obviously not knowing all the details or people involved, as far as who has been charge and who hasnt, some people are more suited to the roll. Or have a natural affinity for it. Perhaps nurse Y shows qualities your manager is looking for in a charge. As far as the preceptor, maybe the options are limited? Maybe ask you Mgr what it takes to precept and find out how you can maybe be in that role. Heck the same could be said for being charge. If that's something you're interested in, find out how you can improve to be in the roles you desire.

Don't worry! You'll have an orientation period. Ask lots if questions, and believe me the opportunities will come to practice those skills. You probably already have some great time management skills. Those will serve you well in acute care. Hopefully your floor is like mine, it really is a team environment, we are all there to care for the pts. And we help each other out as we need it. There's always someone who is an expert at ivs or ngs or whatever skill is needed. Learn from them! One day at a time , and a good attitude will get you through!

Hold your head up. It's crazy at first, it gets better. Everyone has struggles with time management in the beginning. Maybe ask your preceptor how she organizes her day. And ask other nurses on your floor, then find what works for you. I remember feeling very overwhelmed the first few wks, but keep at it and it gets better. What really helped me is approaching work with the attitude of what can I learn today instead of being worried about all the possibilities of what could go wrong, or where I was struggling. I'm 9 months in and sometimes I don't get my breaks at all, some pt loads are heavier than others. Do your best to make time to use the bathroom and stay hydrated. Everything will get easier!

Like everything, there's got to be a balance. Patients aren't in the hospital to get a good night's sleep exclusively. They're sick and sometimes that requires being woken at night. But also better healing takes place when the body can rest. That being said, like any shift, we have to be able to communicate with our coworkers. And it's nice to have a connection and have conversation with eachother. That being said is important to remember the time of night it is. But also, everything does seem louder at night because everything is less. Staff, actvity, etc. So everything seems louder (ie. Bed alarms, iv pumps, etc)then it would on a different shift. On our floor, we do occasionally get a bit loud at night. One of us remembers and nicely shush's whoever has forgotten. No hard feelings.

I'd take the med/surg job. More variety of experiences and learning opportunities. Plus there are ALWAYS shifts to pick up to increase your hours! Congrats and good luck on your decision!

I'm in the Pacific Northwest, graduated with my adn last year and am currently in a residency program in acute care on a med/surg floor. But one of the hiring stipulations was that I return to school within 2 years and get my bsn. Our hospital is also considering magnet status so that would require any other adn rn to pursue their bsn. Another local hospital hired about 1/2 of my classmates with no stipulation for getting their bsn. Eta..pay isn't much different $1/hr for bsn, and $1/hr for certs.

Yep. And like previous posters it is usually not for a nursing skill. But it's still nice to be acknowledged because it's all part of the job of caring for someone. Though the last pt that said I was a good nurse who felt I gave him really good care, asked if I was single. He was on our unit for awhile, and complimented me to a couple other nurses...it got a little creepy towards the end. But mostly I take the compliment and in turn thank the pt for being a good pt. Which sometimes isn't true but turns their attitude around!

Having doubts is a normal part of lofe, just don't let yourself get stuck there. One day at a time, it's all you can do. Sounds like you've worked hard, keep at it and you'll get there. But don't forget to take breaks. Take a mental health day, do whatever it is that you enjoy. And when you can, take a vacation. One of the ways you will continue to be successful as a student nurse and a nurse is self care. Even if it's something small like a good cup of coffee or an extra long hot shower. And 27 isn't old. I graduated from nursing school at 37, and got my 1st nursing job at 38. You got this!

I wouldn't worry about it. Learn from it yes. Worry, no. Nothing to be done about it now. And if your performance has been as you stated in the past, I have a hard time believing you'd be dismissed or given a bad reference for 1 lapse in judgement. Don't beat yourself up, learn from it and how you would handle the situation differently next time! And remember it's never ok for pts to be abusive, not saying that's what happened, but sometimes it's easy to forget and tolerate a lot cause of their pain etc.

I don't see how this is bad. You get 5 off after 5 on. I work 6 8 hour shifts, then get 4 off. The 2nd week I work 2 on, 2 off. You do what you gotta do right? Make sure to do self care and I think you'll be fine. I have a friend who does 7 on, 7 off and she's fine. Good luck to you.

I can only speak to my experience. Each residency program is different. As far as new grad orientation, where I work it is 10-40 shifts with a preceptor. For my residency program, we are each assigned to a unit. Most of us had 40 shifts with a preceptor on varying shifts. After the 40 shifts, we were on or own, but still have obligations to residency program. For ours, we meet once a month for an 8 hour class. In this class we get additional education on things like code blue, picc lines, end of life care etc. It also gives us a chance to talk with other new grads about what is going well, and what isnt. There are 18 of us in our cohort. We also are doing an evidence based project that will be our "final" if you will. We have 12mos. Of class. We signed a 2 year commitment, one year to the floor we were hired on, and one additional year to the hospital. I highly recommend a residency program, there is so much more support as anew grad, and they want you to succeed.

Have a good attitude, be willing to learn and admit you don't know the answer. Don't be afraid of the "tough" patients, learn as much as you can from them. Always be willing to help others.

Glad you're having some great experiences so far! And you're right....attitude can make ALL the difference!

Thank you for this post! I've done nights before as a CNA, and recently started nights as a new grad. I work with a good group of people, but am having a hard time adjusting to nights. Even though I love the pace of nights, I am already looking forward to switching back to days when a position opens. It's too hard on my body, and my family to have me working nights. And I have been feeling guilty, but it's good to know it's not for everyone. Most of the RN's on my floor love working nights, and you can tell it's the right shift for them!

1. WA 2. 30.01 +6.00 shift differential 3. No experience 4. Med/surg

I'm a new grad too, started work in September so I don't have been there done that advice, but wanted to offer a few encouraging words! I would ask specifically what the day shift nurses concerns were. If you don't know, you can't change or focus on that area. Could be something as simple as how they want to receive report. I would also say advocate for yourself. If you're comfortable being on your own, then fight for that. I think the suggestion of asking for more difficult assignment when possible with a strong pod-mate is a great suggestion. You seem very self aware, and I would continue to advocate for your needs. It sounds like normal new grad learning to me. There's a huge difference between school and real life nursing. You mentioned bouncing ideas off coworkers...this us a great way to learn. My mgr. Always says she'd be more worried about her new grads who weren't asking questions. Good luck to you!

Borrowed just under $40000. Payments are $402/month. Just paying minimum now while we pay down our other debt. Then will pay more towards it.

Try not to worry. One foot in front of the other! I'm a new nurse as well. Started in September, I remember feeling similar to you. But with each passing day I've learned something and am feeling more confident. Of course there's good and bad days, but you can do this. Nursing school teaches you the bare minimum to practice safely. There too much to learn to fit it all in to school. Find a mentor. Ask questions. Don't be afraid to try something new. Set goals for yourself, and when you meet those, set new ones. My 1st few weeks I never thought I could handle 3 pts, let alone the 6 we have on our floor. Now I'm managing 6, and starting to be able to look ahead and look at the plan for each pt. And the big picture. You'll be there before you know it. My best advice is don't be too hard on yourself. Everyone has been in your shoes, whether they admit it or not. Instead of being fearful, approach it with the attitude of "what can I learn today"? As soon as I changed my thinking, I started finding more success! Good luck! You got this....you're more prepared then you think!