jessbRN

I'm sorry that you are going through this, because it isn't an easy thing. I apologize if I have repeated what you've already heard a million times on this thread, but it would have taken me way too long to read every comment. If I were you, I would try to go back to your previous employer and ask her for a second chance, and I know I have seen this mentioned. I work on an Acute Medical floor, and I've been there since February. I graduated with my RN in December of '15, so I'm still a new grad. It does take a good amount of time to get in a routine. When I first started out, I had only 11 twelve hour shifts on orientation and I was on my own. I was scared, but I knew if I just jumped right in, that it would be best for me personally. I have awesome coworkers and a great manager and when I first started out, I asked a million questions. The way I see it, if you ask questions, you're always learning. It would scare me if a new nurse though they had everything under control. One important thing to remember as a new nurse is to ask for help, and to not freak out if something happens. Sure, there are certainly high stress events that occur, but it will help nothing to get freaked out. Just try to prioritize and do one thing at a time - not everything has to happen at the same time. Prioritization is key, and that's something that you'll learn in time. That's probably the hardest thing to learn. Most everything else is typically routine, like med passes, IV's (even though those are tricky as well), basic nursing skills, assessments, admissions, discharges - but you'll do these every day and so you'll catch on to those quicker. Please try to go back and give it another shot. Med surg nursing might not be for you, but in my mind, it is a great foundation. I have learned so so so much in these almost nine months of being at my job and I wouldn't trade it for anything. There are other options out there though that do not require experienced nurses, but they are more tricky to get a job in because a lot of places have employees who like their job enough to not leave. But any other job you have, there will be a learning curve. Med surg isn't for everyone though. Best of luck to you in whatever you decide to do. But remember, ASK ASK ASK! Don't be afraid to ask questions!! If someone gets an attitude because you're asking too many questions, you can simply remind them that they, too, were new once. There's always something new to learn, so there will always be questions to ask.

I am currently working on a Med-Surg floor and I love it! I've been here for seven months now, which is hard to believe. It has gone by so fast and I love (almost) every minute of it! One thing I do struggle with though, is teaching. My days go by so fast and there is so much to do, I want to make sure that I can adequately take care of my patients without feeling rushed, but I am also realizing that teaching makes such a difference! Would anyone be able to help me with tips on how I can provide patient teaching and relay it to a patient so there not saying, "Yes, I know to wash my hands," or, "Yeah yeah yeah, smoking isn't good. I've heard it a thousand times." I want to teach in a way that will help to captivate my patients so they will retain this information, not just give me an eye roll. I also realize that everyone is different and that they require different methods of teaching and that some people out there just doesn't care about learning. But, I do want to start somewhere and do all that I can for these patients. Thanks in advance!!

I have seen many articles posted about new nurses being overwhelmed with their medsurg jobs and I'm sorry for posting another, but I just need to vent. I have previously worked as an LPN at a LTC facility for a year and a half before I went back to school and obtained my RN. I liked it at the LTC facility in that I loved my patients, but I did not really care for my day seeming like it just consisted of med passes and charting. I have been working at my new job on a general medical floor since February. I have already come off of orientation and have worked on my own for about 3 shifts. My entire orientation I felt went well - I had SEVERAL preceptors (not my fault, but a poor choice by my manager for not putting me with one consistent person). Everyone has been great so far - they've been kind and helpful and occasionally check up on me to see how I'm doing, when they get a minute out of their busy day. The first two days off of orientation went fairly well. I tried staying on top of being on time with my medications, and I do my assessment on my patient while I'm giving them their medications. But, I never can seem to chart my assessments until way later in the day - even after I've given report at the end of my shift and have to stay later, which doesn't bother me, but I would like to chart as close to real time as possible, but I just haven't seemed to have been able to do that. I worked on Friday (my 3rd day off of orientation) and that day was just terrible. Again, I tried to make sure my medications were on time, but I didn't chart on one single patient until after I gave report to the night shift nurse. Hand off report took forever this day because 2 of my patients decided to have some issues going on with them that they didn't have all day - so had to call docs on those patients and put orders in the computer and carry out those orders. I didn't leave work until 10:45pm that night. And I got to work at 6am that morning (don't clock in until 6:45) so I can do quick research on my patients and have an idea of what I'm getting into for the day. I didn't mention that I didn't even take a lunch break this day, because I was just so darn busy. I know that the first year, and especially the first few months of nursing, is like boot camp and I know it's going to take a while to get my routine. But the day that I had just got me discouraged after the good days I had previously on orientation and the first couple off of orientation. I feel like something always needs my attention, and when I get a minute to start charting assessments, something else comes up, like someone gets sick and needs tending to, or someones blood sugar drops, or I get phone calls, or the doctor is rounding. All of the things that happen, I feel like need my immediate attention and I take care of those things so that more stuff doesn't get piled up and get more behind. And then I feel like at the end of the shift, I have tried to keep my own head above water so much, that I haven't had much time to get everything sorted out for the next shift so I can tell them what the patient is going to have going on that night or the next day that they can prepare for. I love being a nurse. I really do. I love people and I love helping. I am just overwhelmed and my most recent shift situation has gotten me discouraged. And I work 4 twelve hour days in a row this coming up week and I am already not looking forward to it because I am terrified it is going to be like the last shift. Just some words of encouragement would be nice. I love that this website allows for people to vent and to share experiences and advice. Thanks in advance for anyone who comments here!!