Stressed out- doing too much?

[rkitty198, BSN, RN]

Hello all

I have been a nurse for two years on a surgical unit with medical overflows and have done more within the hospital I work for than those that have been nursing for many years..(our unit is busy- I am saying than nurses on other units in many years of nursing)

• I have also been pretty stressed out too, with all of the responsibilites
  
• I am on two committees: peer review and NPI (nursing performance improvement) which with NPI I am to do the monthly reports, chart audits and it is very time consuming
  
• I am in charge once a week
  
• I am to take the charge nurse course in one week
  
• I am taking a basic preceptor course this month as well
  
• I am getting a new graduate for three months, next week
  
• I teach a class every month or so for the new grads
  
• I am working three days one week and then four the next
  
• We have three shifts of students from the college that also are on the unit

So with all that, I am going to be in charge, with a new orientee, on two committees, helping the students, and doing floor duties, working two extra days a month

I have been sick with a cold and sinus infections four times this year already, including now...

However, now typing all of this out, I realize that this is a lot on my plate. I see however that if I am not a part of these things, the other nurses are overwhelmed too, so where does the ball drop?

I sort of think that this is too much, yet I also think that I want to make great strides in my career as well.

Not to mention I am not getting paid that well to be taking on all of these responsibilities..we get yearly 3% raises and a clinical ladder to nurse level 5 and I have already made it to level 3- with a 7% increase plus the 3 gives me 10%-

Two questions- is this too much?

How does one ask for a raise- do you think I should get more for the extra work..

Thanks for reading this- I feel a bit better now

[TopazLover, BSN, RN]

Yes, I think it looks like too much. Do you keep track of # of hrs. spent on chart audits? It is wonderful that you are willing (your are willing to precept and work with students, right?) to teach and assist with charge.

You might think of sitting down with your list and make a priority list. If you had to give up one of the things you told us, for your health, which would it be? Seems like you are at that point with your infections.

If you have good documentation of your responsibilities you certainly can ask for a raise. If they have a strict procedure, it won't make a difference to them. They want to get the most our of each person possible at the least pay. That is business. Don't let them get too much out of you. The personal costs of overwork and over stress are enormous. You don't need more money if they tie it up with strings, and they probably would.

[rkitty198, BSN, RN]

Yes, I think it looks like too much. Do you keep track of # of hrs. spent on chart audits? It is wonderful that you are willing (your are willing to precept and work with students, right?) to teach and assist with charge.

You might think of sitting down with your list and make a priority list. If you had to give up one of the things you told us, for your health, which would it be? Seems like you are at that point with your infections.

If you have good documentation of your responsibilities you certainly can ask for a raise. If they have a strict procedure, it won't make a difference to them. They want to get the most our of each person possible at the least pay. That is business. Don't let them get too much out of you. The personal costs of overwork and over stress are enormous. You don't need more money if they tie it up with strings, and they probably would.

I think this is a great idea! It helps to have someone come in and give advice!

I can take out being charge...I love the other things and I have to do chart audits...

Being in charge with a student is too much, takes away from the time spent teaching- plus I love to teach and peer review is very interesting to do...

So I will talk with the nursing mananger to see about taking out charge until I am done precepting...yet still take the course...

Thanks for the advice!