Redeemed98

Just to start off- I love this site- it is a valuable source for info, advice, encouragement, etc..- has been a great help to me! A little back info: I graduated with RN- ADN in 2007. I worked med surg at a nearby hospital for 3 years, had my 2nd child, resumed back during this time, had my 3rd child- leaving the above in 2010 to stay home. I stayed home for 2 years, got a job at our local nursing home in 2012 and worked for nearly 2 1/2 years, leaving after my 4th child to stay home again. It has been 2 years now, I am taking a job at our local hospital and possibly the nursing home again at the end of this month. I am somewhat nervous as I've been out of it for some time now. They are using computers now where as paper charting before- I'm not too concerned about this, will take time I guess. I have since nursing school and then after, always underestimated myself, always feeling like an idiot or incompetent comparing myself to others. I am trying to get over this but it's a challenge to some extent. I don't mind asking for help or asking questions, I am just very hard on myself. My nephew recently got his ADN- RN as well and we've chatted about things and family illnesses and at times, things come back and he's like oh yeah, I didn't think of that- so I guess I do have more knowledge than I think. Anyway, after all that's said- anybody have any advice for me getting back in there? A recap: I posted a thread in Feb. 2008- "RN on med surg for 3 months, need advice"-- it has since closed and a couple people wondered what happened to me... So- @ kbok and @ CrunchyMama My med surg problems with my orientee got bad, I was so anxious and nervous, not knowing if I could take it- I had to stand up and confront her, I cried of course, but I had to speak honestly and defend myself and ability, I believe she gained respect for me in doing that as well as understood me more. Afterward, orientation went smoothly and we became closer and are friends on fb until this day. I had a pleasant work experience from then on and worked as noted above. I appreciate all the advice, info, encouragement I received- had I not, I may've quit. ❤️

Country Girl 1, Thank you for your reply. My mom said that somethings not right if I'm still miserable. She was a waitress, but she said that she loved going to work. I do love nursing, and my patients, not pediatrics right now, but I want to find a job that I can nurse and be happy. I've got a lot to think about.

Sorry so long. This is my 1st job, I've been there since the end of November, all was great, but lately, I'm miserable most days. I pray before and on the way to work about it for a better attitude, and God helps me each and every day. The people I work with for the most part are great, some more than others. I leave at 6 am drive 20-25 min to work and leave at 7:25 if I'm lucky, most days near or after 8' and then drive 20-25 min. more--I really hate driving. We have a mixed floor ranging from pediatrics to geriatrics (I really like the geriatrics). They try to keep us at a 6 pt to nurse ratio, but I recently had 7, which is a lot for a new nurse, not counting admits and discharges, which gets really crazy. The charge nurses help me a lot. I'm still trying to get used to being a new nurse, now on my own for close to 2 months. I'm so busy sometimes just checking the chart and giving meds which most days don't all get given before 10/10:30, depending on the pt. I origianlly said I wanted to work at this hospital, got a job at our local hospital, which is a swingbed facility, which will take acute pt's but usually transfers out- they didn't have a position for me, then I got an offer from this current one where I will get good experience. I said that I would work for at least 6 months, and then see. I'm only near 2 months in and the day before I go to work, I'm dreading it. Once I'm there, I do my job the best I can, and can't wait to get home. I work 2 days in a row, and am off for 2-3 days depending on the week. I don't feel like I have time to talk much with my patients, because of all the paperwork, because I don't want to be there until 10:00 charting- we still do all paper charting. Don't get me wrong- I love being a nurse, I love interacting with my patients and taking care of them. I'm doing a good job, I just have so much to learn. I'm just really having a hard time. My husband is upset that I can't just suck it up and do the job for 6-8 months, which we said would be good. He says that if I'm miserable, just quit- but I know he will be dissappointed. We have put so much into school and have plans. I know I need the experience, but I don't know if I'm just being selfish or if this is natural. It's really causing tension between us because I can't seem to balance it out, and he senses that I've been down. I would love to work back at the hospital here, 5 minutes from home, but haven't called yet because I'm trying to put in at least 6 months. I have about 4 weeks for my current schedule, and then I'm going to try to work 2 days during the week and a Sat. and 3 days during the week the next and see if that will help. I also have a 9 year old daughter and feel guilty because I'm not closer to home. Can anyone out there relate, or is it just me. I just want to be happy where I am at. Any advice or guidance will be appreciated, from someone who knows what it's like.

Hello all! I have 1 more day of orientation and then on my own. I'm feeling very nervous about it, and have been trying to get myself organized. I like being organized as much as possible, and at my hospital, we report on tape recorder for the oncoming shift, which I don't really like, but I've put together a sheet to help me during my day as well as when I report, even though it needs to be tweeked a little. Maybe it will help someone here. Room- / Name- / Age- / Dr.- / Dx- Allergy- Diet- IV- VS: q VS: B/P- P- R- T- 8- 12- 4- Tylem 7, 11, 3 Accu √____ _____ ______ O2 @___L/min per_________ Activity- Other- Labs-

That is sooo true. I have a a handful of people that I've talked to about the coming semesters that are just what you described; but only one person that I trust to tell me the truth. I listen to the others, and trust one, but it's my own individual experience, and I'm going to have to walk it myself. Your insight is greatly appreciated, and I will try to keep it all in mind. :)

I'm beginning my 2nd sememster of an ADN program on Monday. I'm a little nervous, but trying not to freak out. I was so scared going into my first semester. People were telling me how awful it was, how mean the teachers were, etc...:uhoh21: I didn't know what to expect. I had a few breakdowns at home, and two a clinical, and I felt like hiding :sofahider; but I was blessed with a wonderful advisor and clinical instructor and found the teachers to be nice overall. There was so much reading, and because of the Hurricane in our area, we had to make up 2-3 weeks worth of work and lost almost a week of clinicals. I passed with a B in Dosages and Fundamentals, and I am thankful to Jesus for helping me through it. So, try not to let it consume you. It will seem like it's never going to end; but when it gets tough, pick your head up and push through it, and it will be over before you know it (as was my experience, looking back). It took a lot of hard work to get to this point, and it should be a wonderful experience. As for myself, I'm going to try to enjoy this semester, and with the help of the Lord, just be the best that I can be. Everyone have a wonderful semester!

Hi, I am entering Nursing School in the fall. I was just thinking about what kind of options are available to a new grad to begin working. I am a wife and mother and have pursued nursing with the intentions of working part time for the most part. I am not saying that I never want to work full time but I would like to work part time while my children are still young. Is it possible to begin working part time right away or do you have to gain experience first? Also, Are you limited to undesireable shifts and positions as a new nurse or do you normally have plenty of options even as a new grad? Thanks :)