jcarl12

Just an update: I'm 4 for 5 on my draws since I posted this! Thanks for all of the helpful advice!

I do not work in a hospital. It's a short stay and rehabilitation center so we don't have an IV team or doctor on site. We don't have a choice but to call the physician unfortunately

Sometimes you just have to vent: So I've dealt with plenty of unpleasant doctors but last nights encounter takes the cake. After having to call a doc early in the morning to get an order for cath flow for a clogged PICC, I was reamed out for being inconsiderate and waking him up for something that could be dealt with in the morning. I understand people do not like to be waken up, totally get it, I can be a bear too BUT as a health care provider i think it is ridiculously rude and unprofessional to act like that. My morale is that whatever happens on my shift, I deal with it. I absolutely HATE when people leave stuff for the next shift as if they don't have their own cares that need to be done. It is our job to provide for our patients and I'm truly sorry to wake you up but honestly I'm just doing my job and looking out for my patient. I just don't understand doctors that feel the need to be complete *******! What should have been a decent shift was completely ruined from this encounter, something which could easily been a one minute friendly conversation. So frustrating!

I know how you feel. When I first started working at my current job (the first and only nursing job I've had) state was there while I was training. They followed me and my preceptor for one skill but otherwise left us alone. It was soooo nerve wracking!!! They had to come back twice after that and by their second visit, I was expected to be on my own. Thankfully I lucked out and missed them both times but now we just found out they should be coming back within the next two months. I just pray we pass the first time with flying colors so we can all relax! Right now it is audit after audit after audit by our managers. I feel like I know my job pretty well but when the time comes down to it I know I'll be too nervous to even answer questions properly!! Gahh. Good luck!

Thanks so much!! I'm kind of excited to try these tricks out now haha

I wouldn't be too hard on yourself. You are still learning and it is scary! Anything you experience the first time in my opinion is scary and nerve wracking. It's hard being a new nurse but remember just that, you are NEW. You are still learning just like everyone else did at some point in their career. I always feel that after situations like that it's important to reflect on what you could have done next time so when it does happen again, which it probably will, you can at least think back to that first time.

I would say take the job, especially if there isn't any other opportunities for you at the moment. Finding a new job as a nurse is tough in the market we are in right now so I'd take anything you can get. Many of the nurses I graduated with passed up their opportunities in hopes of finding something "better" and almost a year later still don't have a job. Just remember, more than likely your first nursing job isn't going to be your dream job. It's a place to gain experience in order to move up in the future. And an hour drive is doable. Many nurses that I work with make that commute and where it may not be ideal at times, it works and they are thankful to have a job. If you have to, rent a hotel or stay with family or friends the days you feel too tired to drive home for. Good luck!!

They have watched me do it so I know I'm doing everything correctly as far as the skill goes and the tubing and what not afterwards. I don't have a problem with that. I just would like some advice regarding actually getting blood and enough of it. Day staff doesn't have time to do it and if I can't, the mangers try if they have time. If neither of us can, then we call a lab tech but that costs us money. I would just like to be proficient and not have to rely on my managers and techs all of the time. It would build confidence tremendously. I'm not saying I NEVER get the draw, I just haven't had much experience so it takes time to get a good technique down.

I've talked to my managers before and they help when they have the time. Was just looking for technique advise! Thanks for the response

I think what you are feeling is pretty common. I have only been working as a nurse for about 8 months now and I still remember how nervous I was! (Actually, I was always nervous and anxious until about the 6th month mark and it's slowly getting better. From what I've heard and read, that's pretty normal too.) My advice is to stay confident!!! Remember that everyone starts at the bottom and you are not expected to know everything. Nursing school for me was just a tiny window into the actual nursing world. A lot of my knowledge has been from on the job learning. So keep that in mind too. It's impossible to remember everything!!! That's why it's important to ask questions, look skills/drugs up if you've never done them or even for a refresher, and use your coworkers especially while training! Also, remember you passed nursing school and the licensure test so you DO know something :)

Newer RN needing some advice... I work the night shift at a rehabilitation and short stay facility. As part of my nightly duties, I am supposed to draw and send in any labs that may be ordered by the primary. I absolutely dread coming to work seeing the lab book packed full of blood draws that I need to do. After having absolutely no experience (aside from one draw in clinicals on a school dummy) I need some helpful advice and hints from you pros out there! There's nothing worse than missing all of your draws. It is so frustrating and has taken quite the toll on my confidence. I feel like I'll never get the hang of it

I can definitely relate to you. I'm 8 months into my first nursing job and there's still stuff that makes me feel useless and even embarrassed at times. For instance, last night I was supposed to get 3 blood draws and of course missed all 3. I feel like sometimes I'll never get the hang of it and it always puts me in a bad mood. It definitely effects my confidence about my job at times too. I know eventually we will learn because practice makes perfect but I'm such a perfectionist. I just have to keep reminding myself that everyone starts at the bottom and we are not expected to know everything. When I look back on how I felt in the very beginning and even a couple months ago, it's obvious how far I've come already and I just have to keep thinking about that. It WILL get better. Hang in there! You are not alone!

I work night shift as well and often times it's just me on a floor with 30 patients and only two aides. I have said numerous times that the management that created the duties and job descriptions of night nurses at my facility (and I'm sure many others) has it in their head that patients sleep throughout the night. NOT THE CASE. I think the only reason I can handle working nights is because I'm so constantly busy so I don't have time to be tired. I've said it before and I'll said it again, night nursing is a totally different type of nursing. It is very far from being a 'lazy' job in my opinion. Maybe I'm just being bias but before somebody starts criticizing my job and how it's so easy, I challenge them to work my shift and see how 'easy' it really is. If you like it, then stick with it and don't worry what others think. They really have no idea unless they've tried it...

I can totally relate to you. I was always warned in nursing school that it takes 6 months to A year to feel somewhat comfortable as a nurse. I never really believed that it would take that long until I was actually hired as a nurse. I was not prepared for the intense anxiety, sleepless nights, overwhelming stress that comes with the job. I figured a little Bit might be present in the beginning but I was, and still am, amazed at how much nursing has effected my mental health. I've always had a little bit of anxiety but was able to work through it on my own up until I became a nurse. I started having panic attacks, uncontrollable crying episodes nearly everyday, was unable to sleep, and even started throwing up I would get so upset. It got to the point where I hated going to work because I knew everything and anything that went on that shift, I would panic about later until I'd call the nurse manager (that knew my situation) and he would reassure me. I tried talking to my boyfriend and family and friends but nobody was in the same boat as I was so it was hard for anyone to relate and understand what I was going through. It was truly devastating and I felt extremely self conscious that I could barely get through an entire day without crying. That's when I started visiting this site-it helped reading other peoples stories, knowing they were feeling the same way. I was totally against taking medication as you are an started seeing a therapist after being referred by my primary. Eventually I needed more help. I was sick of living each day hating my life. Medication was the only option I hadn't tried and after much thought, research, talking with others, an persuasion I decided anything was worth a shot. I'm still on it and can say that it has helped tremendously but I know it's not for everyone. I hope to learn new coping skills and be able to control my anxiety on my own soon but for now, this was what I felt was my only option and I'm glad I gave in. I can actually smile and enjoy myself now. Work is still stressful but I am better at leaving work at work and being able to enjoy my days off. I would recommend talking to people, reading these blogs, and keep reminding yourself that you're not alone. I wish you the very best, I know just how hard it is.