I've learned since I started nursing that I am very much a rule follower. I feel like I have to do everything by the book, catch every mistake, (even if it isn't mine) and just overall feel like I have to be perfect. As everyone knows, this is impossible in nursing. I feel so overwhelmed all of the time and although I realize I'm doing the best I can, I can't keep doing this. Most people can tell themselves, this is something that can be dealt with tomorrow or they do as much as they can and then can go home and forget about it. I however can't do that, I even find myself going looking for mistakes and triple checking everything in my and others responsibilities. I am overly thorough to the point of being so overwhelmed ALL OF THE TIME that I just don't feel like acute care nursing is right for me.
I'm wondering if anyone knows of a niche in nursing where I may thrive. Is there somewhere where a highly anxious, rule follower would be able to use that thorough, perfectionist mind. I know it sounds like this type of personality should be great for any kind of nursing, everyone wants a thorough person to make sure everything gets done. But it really isn't, you have to be able to roll with the flow and know that sometimes things just can't get done, or at least every word of the policy isn't going to happen. My personality just won't let me do that and it makes my whole personal and professional life pretty miserable. Anyone have any suggestions?
Agree with GrnTea - Periop is the ideal place for OCD-ish nurses. They add enormous value to this area by ensuring absolute consistency and attention to detail. This is particularly important in OR, where even small deviations can be life-threatening. I certainly don't want anyone getting creative with the sponge count if I'm the patient!!
Over the years, I have had many colleagues who absolutely hated the 'chaos' of ICU - but ended up thriving in OR.
You can't imagine how happy I am to have stumbled on this post! I am a new nurse and my first job was just terrible! I had the exact same issues as "greetings" ! I actually did go see a counselor about my OCD at work, her reply was "maybe you could qualify for SSD!" I totally freaked thinking, I just graduated from a new career to be stopped in my tracks! I am currently an LPN, and just got accepted into a RN-BSN program. I was so afraid I wouldn't be able to do my job. Thank you to everyone who has replied! I now feel as tho my passion for caring can actually find a home.
Just an aside: As for that hollowed phrase "nurses eat their young", it's a really terrible concept and very unfortunate to new nurses. It seems all those nurses with veracious appetites have somehow forgotten how it was for them in the beginning. You would think that with time would come wisdom rather than contempt.
edmia, BSN, RN
827 Posts
Hi!
While you were describing your dilemma, I immediately though of chart auditing or even better, infection control RN.
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