stories or words of encouragement for 3 month @ the job

Wanna_BA_Nurse · Jan 20, 2011

:)Its good that you're actually aware, worried, and doing something about it. That is what good nurses do - they're aware of things. Anyway, the older nurses probably do look at you like you're retarded because you aren't as skilled as them and as you know nurses eat their young. I think it is a good thing that they put you under pressure. It keeps you on your toes! However, if it bothers you so much (and they're kinda being rude!) that isn't a good thing. :no:

I'm not a nurse yet, but I think what you're going through is normal. At least, this kind of treatment is what I expect for my first years because it will make me a better nurse. I think that is all they're trying to do (it may be in a mean way but what-do-ya-do?). My advice would be to stick with it and prove them wrong. That is what I'd do. I think it will make you stronger as a nurse and as a person. :twocents:

P.S: Here is a quote I thought of. "The road to success is dotted with many tempting parking spaces." DON'T PARK! You've come a long way!

Anyway, good luck! :redbeathe

classicdame, MSN, EdD · Jan 21, 2011

I went thru the same thing-----------YEARS ago. You will not feel comfortable in your own skin for at least one year and will gradually learn to accept you do not know it all.

As for the smart-aleck, tell her that a bad attitude does not change anything. I bet she has that attitude with everyone. There are sour people everywhere it seems.

gentlegiver, ASN, LPN, RN · Jan 21, 2011

the one thing i did not see anyone post was the most basic thing i learnt in school (5 1/2 yrs ago). it takes 5 years for a nurse to feel confident in his/her knowledge. until then you will feel "dumb" you are not! you are learning, you wouldn't be where you are if you were dumb! school teaches us the book learning, which is a great foundation, working teaches us the practice. this is why it's called the practice of nursing. it is an everchanging profession, and even the most experienced nurse will tell you that you never stop learning.

as for the impatient nurse who huffs & puffs thru your report, do what i did when faced with that... stop giving report, look at her/him and ask if she/he is finished with her/his temper tantrum so that you can complete your report. if she/he says your doing it all wrong, ask her/him what is wrong with your report, she/he may have some tips for you. it never hurts to remind her/him that you are a new nurse and would appreciate any constructive criticism she/he may have to offer.

jennybean14, BSN · Jan 21, 2011

OP and new nurses.....it does get better. You have to give yourself a chance and realize learning comes with experience. You can't know and be sure of everything right off of orientation. Find someone who can be a mentor for you and who you are comfortable with. As far as that rude nurse you gave report to......stick up for yourself and let it be known that you won't put up with being disrespected. Some people just like to be miserable! You'll be fine :)

gentlegiver, ASN, LPN, RN · Jan 21, 2011

When giving report, be as accurate as you can be. Try this;

1) Pt A - no problems this shift, all VS WNL

2) Pt B - b/p 140/85 this has been the pt's normal b/p for the last 5 checks, note left in Dr's book (or voice mail), h/r 60, t 98.6, sat 98% no c/o pain or discomfort

3) Pt C - fell in bedroom at 10am, unwitnessed, found by CNA who heard the fall, neuro's started, VS all WNL, eyes equal & reactive, c/o pain to right knee, area red, (may turn to bruise please keep an eye on it)no other red areas or injury noted at time of assessment, Dr & family notified, no new med orders, PRN bed/chair alarm order has now been implemented.

Pt D - no problems this shift, all VS WNL, however, it was reported by an aide that patient seemed confused just before eating, confusion cleared after eating

Pt E - diabetic bs 120 at 8am/ 140 at 11:30am no coverage given according to sliding scale

In this way all information is given in a straightforward/factual manner. If the nurse recieving report wants to know VS on all Pt's then give them to her. If she want additional information give that too. Some nurses want only the basics, what is wrong with the pt's, others want every bit of info you can give. You will learn which nurse wants what, but always try to give the highlights of the shift during every report (even if they don't seem to want to hear it).

canesdukegirl, BSN, RN · Jan 21, 2011

I agree with everything stated. You will feel like a dummy at first, but you are not because YOU PASSED THE BOARDS ALREADY! Whenever we as adults embark upon anything new, we always have that learning curve, no matter the material we are learning, be it finances, flying a plane, learning to ski. It takes time and repetition to learn and master something. Older nurses know this, and the jackwagon that showed her behind during report was probably chewed up and spit out when SHE was new, so she thinks that gives her a free pass to do the same. Is it right? Of course not. Is she miserable? You can bet the farm. Don't give her mental permission to reduce you to tears in the bathroom. Just take it with a grain of salt and be glad that you are a kind person.

You just have to grit your teeth and get through this next year. I like the suggestions that you come home and review the things that you did right, find answers to the things that were challenging, and arm yourself with knowledge. I have been in the OR for several years now, but I wake up at 0400 every single morning to review my surgical cases, even if I have done them a million times. It gets you in a focused state of mind, and that is ALWAYS a good thing.

Are you eating breakfast? How about your protein intake? Are you hydrating well throughout the day? Take care of yourself first, or you will feel more strung out than Keith Richards on crack! When you are going through high anxiety periods, your body will demand more of you, so you need to take care of yourself first. This is so important, but seems to be the last thing that we as nurses do.

Keep your head held high. You can do this.

serenity1 · Jan 21, 2011

You are not alone!! Many of my school friends and I feel the same way. It will get better...slowly. I have been on my own about 6 months. I have a few "charming" nurses I give report to on day shift that I would rather not. I also have ones that I pray don't follow me because they look into the charts to see if they can bust me on anything. I leave work praying I didn't forget anything or miss anything. I wake up in the middle of the night thinking of things I forgot to chart. It can make you crazy. I have a report sheet that I keep track of everything I do with each pt. and what time. I stick to the same format daily and check off everything as I chart it. I ask a ton of questions and have made friends with a few of the senior nurses that I trust if I have problems or issues. I have signed up to take some classes that my hospital offers to gain more knowledge about my area. I still pull out my school books and review different things that come up. I did make a great "how to" note book for myself when going through orientation that I use. I also printed the policies and procedures that pertain to my area the most and keep them in a notebook with me every shift in case I need to look something up quickly. Getting enough rest and turning off work when you are off are very important. You have to take care of yourself. If I work 3 in a row or too many on-off-on-off days, I am so wiped out and sick of the bs that I'm ready to work at Walmart. After some good sleep and relaxation, I can go back to work and appreciate my patients again. Nightshift is difficult, and I will be going to days as soon as a shift opens up. I love patient care. I just don't like "nursing". Hope it gets better for you!!

CathieRN · Jan 21, 2011

I've only been a BSN RN for 3years. I worked for one year on a very busy Med/Surg floor to get my foot in the door. I have now been at a different facility for 2 years. Unfortunately, it really takes a YEAR to settle in to a new job--and that's even if you have experience! Each hospital/clinic/nursing home, has their own policies/procedures, documenting requirements, forms, computer systems, organization of supplies, doctor's preferences (Ha! I wouldn't even go there!) and THEN you have to hone your assessment skills as a new nurse!!!! Physical assessment anomalies, medications, disease states, post surgical care, end of life care, learning to deal professionally with difficult patients/families, patient education....WHEW!

Just as a patient who is faced with seemingly insurmountable recovery (bilateral knee replacement who lives in an upstairs apartment alone, waking up from a colectomy with a new ostomy, on TPN/Lipids, would vac, NG tube) it WILL get better. There may be set backs and bad days, but it will get better. Keep your chin up "kid!":hug:

anotherone, BSN, RN · Jan 21, 2011

I am also a new nurse of about 3 months. I am also miserable. I come home from every shift feeling dumber than when I went in and like I know less than the last time I worked. I keep telling my husband I don't want to go back but he thinks I should give it a while longer and that with time and experience it will get better which I know but I have to survive it first. He also said there will come a day when I will be the one answering questions for the new nurse. Anyways I had had some work related questions that had been bothering me so I decided the next time I worked I would ask the other nurses who had always been willing to help. I work 11p-7a so it is slower and more relaxed. We tend to talk and help each other. I had worked with this nurse several times b/f, she is an RN and has been at the facility for awhile, we had always gotten along in the past. Sometimes she made me feel dumb like when I asked for help giving an enema b/c I had never even seen one but I thought oh well I can't help my inexperience. Anyways over about a 2 hour period I think I had asked her 3 questions when she told me to back off that i could give her a list of my questions when she wasn't so busy shed look at them. She sounded pretty nasty when she said it but if she was that busy I understood. Problem was that she then called a family member on her phone and was laughing and playing with the aides. Then i had a real problem that i needed her help with and in front of all the aides she turned around and said look i already told you once to back off, you need to leave me alone and give me some space. Completely took me off guard and totally embarrassed me. Next thing I know I'm in the bathroom crying. It was a miserable night. Well the next morning I was so ready to get out of there and wouldn't you know it there was a brand new nurse on her 1st day taking over for me and do you know what there were things I was explaining to her just like my husband said. They were minor things mind you but it was a start and I know i'm scared when I go to work or when the phone rings for that matter b/c i am prn but i don't have that total look of fear like she did so I guess I am learning and getting better. Just so you know I am slower than dirt, I have to ask the same questions over and over, most the time I have to physically be shown how 2 do something 2-3x b/f I remember so you are not the only one. But you know what we are slow b/c we are new we've never done this b/f i couldn't walk in to McDonalds, get behind the desk and fix someone lunch either. I think it feels worse b/c we are talking about live people and it is fast paced.

I am a new nurse also. I have many of the same feelings. Your co-workers sound pretty unsuportive!