"Will it ever get easier?"

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Specializes in ICU.

I started on a telemetry unit a few weeks ago. It's my first job as an RN and I am really stressed. I have worked up to three patients by myself and four with help, but when orientation is over I will have to be able to handle six. I only have a couple more weeks on orientation and I am getting nervous. I go home every day remembering things I forgot to write down and I feel like I am never going to be able to handle the load. The staff is great, but they all have their own patients and I hate to be the "weak" link."

I love working with the patients and their families and have had a lot of positive comments from them. It's the paperwork that is killing me!!!!

I am working the day shift and have considered switching to nights. Maybe there would be less physician orders coming in and the pace wouldn't be quite so hectic???

Any works of encouragement, advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks :stone

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Day shift usually more hassles. I've been working night for the last couple years, there's something rarely do at night such as discharge patient. Ha Ha! But not all the nurses can handle night, I personally sleep a lot during the day time.

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Welcome to nursing! It will eventually get easier. I'm a 3 yr RN. Started in CVICU. I'm very detail oriented, so patient care came first and paperwork last. Eventually you learn to prioritize and time manage. Once you get it down it is very rewarding. It is important to find a mentor and ask many questions. They can often lead you to working smarter not harder. The benefit of day shift is you learn and deal with things that nights do not. Plus you don't wack out your bodies natural time clock. Chin-up it does get better the longer your in practice. Good-luck!

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

You'll be o.k. It's going to be tough, stressful and overwhelming. We all feel that when we come off of orientation, and most of us feel that way for a while, maybe up to a year.

You'll learn to organize, prioritize and delegate with time. Don't be hard on yourself and good luck!

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Specializes in Cardiac - Med/Ortho/Surg/Gyn.

i would totally recommend night shift to gn's. it's easier to focus on time managment, routine, patient care without all the doctors, order changes, and tons of other people up on the floors during the day shifts. i worked as a night nurse for a year and a half out of nursing school. i feel i got a better orientation and more thorough feeling of how to manage my time and patients needs without all the distractions. as a new nurse, best to start simple, then build once you're more comfortable.

i now work eve shift 3pm-midnight, and i love it! i only have 6 patients max, as opposed to 9-10 on nights. and.. i am able to collaborate and absorb new orders, doctors questions, discharges.. etc with no problem. i can definitely tell a difference in my work, than some of my school mates' work who were oriented on day shifts.

good luck to you! god bless!:)

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Specializes in ICU.

Thanks for the encouragement! I have had a few days off to regroup and am ready to hit the floor again this week. I have come up with a few strategies to help me keep up with my paperwork. My patient care always comes first, so sometimes the paperwork falls behind. I'm nowhere near ready to give up. I truly love interacting and caring for my patients so I have to believe that eventually the organizational skills will come.

Thanks again!! :)

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Hi,

I'm a new nurse too just coming off my orientation. My paperwork situation is easier than you b/c I'm in Labor and Delivery w/2 pts max. My problems are different and more in the way of critical thinking, that I think will come with more experience.

However, I just spent a couple days in a med/surg unit w/an ill relative and picked the nurse's brain about how she manages 6 patients. (I think at some point I'll go to med surg) She said paperwork comes last. Carry a piece of scratch paper w/ section for each patient and make notes of meds given, times, etc. Then chart at the end of shift. Make a photo copy for the charge nurse for report if need be. Patients come first, charting second. Also, if it was me I'd look for the most organized nurse on my unit and ask her out to coffee and pick her brain on how she organizes herself.

Good luck to you, I think Med/Surg nurses work extremly hard. My respect goes out to all of you!:balloons:

I started on a telemetry unit a few weeks ago. It's my first job as an RN and I am really stressed. I have worked up to three patients by myself and four with help, but when orientation is over I will have to be able to handle six. I only have a couple more weeks on orientation and I am getting nervous. I go home every day remembering things I forgot to write down and I feel like I am never going to be able to handle the load. The staff is great, but they all have their own patients and I hate to be the "weak" link."

I love working with the patients and their families and have had a lot of positive comments from them. It's the paperwork that is killing me!!!!

I am working the day shift and have considered switching to nights. Maybe there would be less physician orders coming in and the pace wouldn't be quite so hectic???

Any works of encouragement, advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks :stone

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