Started 1st job Slow as Molasses!!!

dian57 · Sep 17, 2005

Crystal, first stop and take a deep breath. You will conquer this problem. You were smart enough to get the job, and certainly smart enough to do it well. Give yourself a little more time. Right now everything is new, the residents, the facility, the paperwork, your coworkers. Don't expect to get it down perfectly on your second shift or your third or fourth, it won't happen.

Each day you go in will be a little better. As you familiarize yourself with things, you won't have to think so hard about each task; they will become habit.

As far as the state and GT feedings, ask your careplan nurse to add a blurb in there--'it has been determined that meds can be safely crushed and administered together via GT.'

If you can crush all PO meds together in applesauce, the same goes for a GT. Unless you're concerned that too much bulk will clog the tube. Here's a little tip I learned about GT meds: crush and mix in some applesauce. When all the powders are throughly mixed, add some warm water. Something about the pectin in the applesauce will make the meds go down the tube without clogging, like sometimes happens when you just add water to powders.

As for families--the only thing you can do is prevent them from distrupting your med pass by simply telling them, "I'm passing meds right now and need to concentrate to prevent making an error. I will come to your room as soon as I'm finished. If you need help right now, please go to the desk for another nurse."

I tell my staff, don't let families badger you with unreasonable requests or repetitive questions. Call your supervisor and let them handle the situation.

Nat_gagui · Sep 17, 2005

My advise is to focus on your strength and what you can do offer to other , everything did not come as fast as we like. A baby did not came out from his/her mother womb and walk right away and so is you without years, i mean years of studying the Best Profession on earth. Be Proud of Yourself...You are Unique and Precious :)

Nat

daffi75 · Sep 17, 2005

:rotfl:

When I started my first job Imy working hours wer 7.30-14.00 but I went home every day after 5 because I could not manage with all the tasks given to me.
We were 5 nurses dayshift no one wanting to hgelp me no one wanting to answer my questions they just said If you are not good enough-just go and give place to more experienced person.
(by the way this happened not in the U.S. I am working and living in Bulgaria.)
So I realized I must help myself of my own. I thought over it and I found out I was spending too much time drinking coffee(it is not forbidden but only when you have a spare time expecially at lunch break) and smoking cigarettes(itis forbidden but we always hide somewhere and do it).I stopped doing that and concentrated only in my work.Nothing else.
At that time in 1996 in our country they did not concentrate much on patients" rights as today when we are a developing country planning to join the E.U. But nevertheless there were always patients who were complaining relatives asking something from me and anything like that.
I realized that I should divide my patients in 2 "groups":persons who always complained and wanted more attentoin fom the medical staff and another ones.I started performing my tasks beginning with the 1st group and when they were at least satisfied to some extent I went to the other ones. That was the way I got better in my job without losing it because of patiens"complaints.
And when I got used to the tasks I had to perform,then I was finally able to do my job in the time required,so I started leaving work at the same time my colleagues did.
Was that helpful....I hope so.
With kind regards,
Katya :rotfl: :rotfl:
TOday was my second day on the job and I actually thought about not going back. I'm slow as molasses, one med pass goes right into the next. I have been receiving help but I wanted to try to pass meds on my own because I will be running the cart by myself soon. I got extremely frustrated and exhausted I hurt from my back to my feet . I had residents asking and asking and wanting attention and couldn't give it to them. DOn't give me wrong it was some things I could do but not most. I have fallen in love with my residents and I don't event know all of their names, but faces. I don't give up easily and I have to work tomorrow and I left today without finishing my work because if
I didn't I definately could make it tomorrow. I orientated 7a to 7p today because I was hired for Baylor, I think that was the mistake I think I should orientate a couple of days on 7 to 3 and 3 to 11 and then orientate on 7 a to 7p. I felt overwhelmed(spell) today and I didn't like my job. It was also confirmed that the facility has a lot of mess makers (of course I figured this) Oh!! guess what Surprise, Surprise, Surprise...Nurse patio ratio when through the roof. Remember that 15 patients to 1 nurse senerio I was singing about NOT!!! It is more like 24, but of course I new it was going to be something:flamesonb I have nurses all around me my administrator,DON, medical records persons, staffing/employee edu person,chart assessor, receptionist amd activities director. The staff nurses tell me there is an good dependable RN on Baylor weekends and she is extremely helpful and knowledgeable(older nurse that has been in the game for a long time):biggringi . PLEASE help with these questions:crying2: :crying2: :crying2:
1. How do I increase my speed without cutting corners the way the other nurses do?
2. How do I deal with certain orientation instructions like "when state comes in you put each med in one by one with a flush. Shouldn't I being doing it that way now???Event though in school we put all the meds in together???
3. How do I deal with unreasonable family members that are unhappy with things that are unreasonable and try to have you running the whole while they are there? I experienced that today because the other nurse was doing an admit????
Well I guess I better stop here I don't want to write a book!!!
_______________________
A new nurse with a conscience