S.o.s

hi ben,

(time to change your username!)

it will take a minimum of 6 mos to establish your own routine;

probably closer to a year.

our new grads around here, usually have a 12 wk orientation.

it sounds like you did well.

you knew your priorities and handled them accordingly.

yes, it absolutely is overwhelming.

i assure you, even experienced nurses get overwhelmed.

i find it easier to chart as i go, rather than wait til the end of the shift.

but ultimately, you need to give it time.

i promise you, it won't always feel like this.

you did well, my friend.

give yourself a big pat on the back.

leslie

That was a crazy assignment for an experienced nurse, let alone a new grad just off orientation. You deserved help with all that was going on; don't feel bad about it. Hopefully, it was just a coincidence that all of those things happened around the same time. Hopefully the next coincidence occurs when you've gotten more experience. Hang in there - you made it trough the shift, I can say after 14 years that every bad shift teaches me something new.

Something I've noticed of many new nurses is that they are afraid to ask for help when they're drowning; your co-workers are not going to think less of you for doing so, and you will repay the debt many times over. Teamwork is very important, especially on night shift.

Who's brilliant idea was it to give you the admit when you had two pts going south? Good that your charge nurse helped but it would have been better if he/she had readjusted the assignments based on the accuity. Emmanuel is right about asking for help. Don't feel guilty, it's for the pts safty.

hang in there, it really does get better :):)

Thank you for all of your encouragement. I had a really good night last night so in general I'm feeling better. I'm still just really nervous and scared over all but I guess those feelings won't be going away anytime soon. Thank you all again! Oh yeah you're right I do need to change my user name!