LabyrinthRn

I agree with rose_queen a brain sheet is a must! I also, use a multi color pen. I write the things I need to be sure and report to the nurse/chart on in red. That way it sticks out! I have a sheet for each one of my patients. I'm only 3 weeks out of orientation and I totally get the worrying! When I reported off to the other nurse last night I gave her my cell phone number because I was scared I forgot something. I told her I would probably be up late anyway worrying. She had a chuckle and said "I remember those days" "they are a lot fewer now, go home and sleep and stop being silly" I'm glad she said that to me. It gave me a little hope that one day roles will be reversed and I will be the one to chuckle about the "new nurse" days. Meanwhile I return to allnurses so I don't feel alone in my struggles! Thanks for your post strawberry111 :-)

Mostlysunny, we worked hard to become RN's. We can do this, we have come to far! We just need to find our place as RN's and when we do, we will thrive again! Every time I start to panic and think negative about my current job. I push those thoughts out with positive ones. If I fail, I will fail with a smile on my face lol Good luck!

I go back in Saturday. I can already feel the anxious feelings creeping up :-( It's just getting used to the not knowing what your going to walk into. My old job as an LPN was very predictable, which was boring and nice! But with each day I'm learning and growing! I was actually able to jump in and help some other nurses catch up on med pass. That felt good! I try to help out when I can because I'm really needy myself right now, so I try and return the favor even if its just Grabbing a call light or picking up supplies.

Hang in there! You got this! I am 2 weeks out of orientation now. It's still scary, but I manage. I work days on the weekends. Its crazy busy. I got report from a nurse that basically dumped on me. I was behind from the word go! She didn't offer to stay and help or anything. She handed over 5 patients all with SEVERAL very important things left undone. I went to my charge nurse for help because I had no idea where to begin! The charge nurse saw some if the things left and I thought I saw smoke coming out of her ears. She went to fund the nurse and she had already clocked out. So needless to say she was reported to our unit manager. Which is freaking me out because I am new! I don't want to be the new nurse that runs and tells on everyone! That wasn't my intention! The charge nurse that day happened to be one of my preceptors so I felt comfortable going to her for help. I didn't know the result could potentially mean trouble for the other nurse!!! I felt horrible and asked her not to submitted anything to the manager and she assured me that I wasn't the only one that this particular nurse has done this to! BUT I don't want to be put in the situation of getting her in trouble with me being so new. I know I can't let people walk all over me to. Now I'm just going to feel weird the next time I see her :-(

I feel your Pain INN_777! Let me point out one thing YOU ARE NEVER ALONE. You feel like it, but even experienced nurses have to ask for help we just have to ask for it a little more It is frustrating for me. I felt like several times this weekend I was just waiting to be helped because I had no idea what to do, but we are still learning. I survived! There were times I thought about hiding in a broom closet!!!! lol BUT Just keep reminding yourself your human and can only manage one thing at a time. And Prioritize! Sometimes that means stopping for a second and re-working the plan instead of rushing full steam ahead! Have your preceptor look ahead on the schedule and see who will be working with you when your on your own. That way she can give you the names of people who can help you. My preceptor did this and I ran to them and they were great. If you have a charge nurse use her she is great! My very first day I arrived about 45 minutes early for my shift so I could look up labs if they were back, medicines for the day, and get an overall idea of what I was up against. Also, if I had any questions, I was ready in report. Keep me posted I want to know how everything goes! Another piece of advice is take something comforting to work. What ever it is. I have 2 things. One: I wear a cross I am a spiritual person and two: I have a The Walking Dead (TV show in case you don't know) cup that I drink coffee out of in the mornings. It has Rick and Darryl on it When I got overwhelmed I took a few seconds went to the nurses desk looked at my cup and drank my coffee and I had a moment of ZEN ;-) Take time for you! As crazy as it gets you have to use the bathroom and at least have a snack! How can you function and take care of others if you are not taking care of yourself! You got this!

Thanks so much for the reply! It helps to know that others have been through the same thing and made it out the other side!

My first day on my own will be this Saturday! I am a nervous wreck! I know it's impossible to get 100% of all scenarios in orientation, but I just still feel so incompetent. I accepted a position as an RN on a intermediate/medical surgical unit. I was previously an LPN in a doctors office. This is a HUGE change! This is what I wanted, but I just get so nervous the night before work it's hard to sleep! My last day of orientation I was told by our on boarding specialist that everyone said I was doing great and thought I was going to make a great addition to the unit. I just have to work on my confidence! I am blessed to have supportive co-workers and a job! I am just missing the comfort of my old job of not having the nerves and losing sleep. I just keep trying to remind myself why I went back to school and why I chose to change positions. I eventually want to be able to teach and want to learn new skills and make a difference in my work. It's just hard to remind myself of this on the way to work when I feel like I want to puke and the night before when I cant sleep lol! It's got to get better. I watch the other nurses and it's amazing how they just know how to react in situations and watch them do procedures with ease! I can't wait until I can do this. I would love to be a preceptor and have a nursing student. I know to be able to do this I have to learn and pay my dues. I just wish I could fast forward this first year lol:yes: Thanks for listening.