"Love it Hate it" Nursing that is

[dottiejane30]

I feel excited about going to work and I do love it but most the time I'm scared to death and hate it at the same time. I graduated in May of 2008 passed boards in June and started working on a Med-Surg floor in July with only 6 weeks of orientation and no previous nursing experience. I'm not sure this is the way to start nursing. It seems like the smart thing to do is to work up the line from CNA to LPN and then RN. Just to learn from a book and the few clinicals we have in school is not enough. Every time I ask an LPN or CNA or even unit clerk something they smartly say you're the RN you should know this. The night shift RN's get so irritated with me because I'm not experienced in giving report or I'm not quick enough and I don't know all the short hand stuff when taking report. This past Sunday there were 39 patients and the three RN's each had 13 patients and the 5 LPN's had about 8 patients each and we were all just trying to keep from drowning. Is this the normal load of nurse patient ratio? I need to go to bed so I can get up and go to work tomarrow.

[Logos]

I think 13 is to many.

[RedhairedNurse, BSN, RN]

We don't have more than 6. Usually 5 for the mostpart.

[mama_d, BSN, RN]

Holy crap that's a lot of patients!

And as to this: Every time I ask an LPN or CNA or even unit clerk something they smartly say you're the RN you should know this.

It's total BS. I hate hate hate it when people refuse to help, especially when it's a newer grad who needs it. How does that ensure optimal outcome for the patient? How are we to help each other learn if this is the attitude? There have been plenty of times that I've asked for the tech's opinion or help for something, and plenty of times that a BSN nurse has asked me for help. This whole degree based warfare is ridiculous and hurts our patients, who should be our primary concern.

I'd suggest you manage to stay and get your year of experience, if you can tolerate it for that long, and then move on to greener pastures. But if you quit that place tomorrow I wouldn't blame you!