Struggeling New Grad working in the med surg floor.

Nurses New Nurse

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Hi everyone!

This December would be my first year after nursing licensure.

I have been working in the Med Surg Floor for 3 months now. i work night shifts. i had 2 months of orientation and its been a month now since i worked own my own. i have good and bad nights. this past few weeks was always been the bad nights. specially last night.

I feel like i am struggling nurse. i feel like im so slow with everything! charting, giving meds, discharging patient and admitting patients. i ask so many questions to my charge nurse and other nurses and i feel like im such a pain and just added trouble to their work. they are not saying anything to me but i just feel like they had enough of my questions. i feel so frustrated and just feels down because i dont think i am productive enough as a nurse. i want to be the best nurse that i can be but some of the things i really dont know like chest tubes, some med clarifications, blood transfusions and other nursing procedures.

sometimes i cry when i get to my car after work because i feel like i messed up. like surgery check list that i didnt not even go half way and when the nurse asked me did you do the check list i just said no.. the patient is scheduled at 1300 hr and i just thought that the next shift can do most of it because i stiil need consent from a family member because the patient was not capable of signing anything.

anyway.. it takes me double the time to admit and discharge patients than other nurses. and sometimes i forget to do some of the charting and i just remember when i get home. :( i just feel so frustrated, discourage and sad.

will i ever feel competent enough?? had other nurses felt the same way?? am i alone feeling this way??

thank u for listening..

mochafrap

Specializes in Med-Surg/Tele, ER.
It's nice to know that I'm not going through this on my own!!! As I sit here and write this the tears are just streaming. I feel like my preceptor thinks I'm stupid and I just don't know if nursing is for me!!! I finished in the top 5 of my class, but nothing prepared me for this. I never did an admission, a discharge, taking orders, entering orders in school and I just feel like these things are very overwhelming when the charting is tremendous. I am orienting with 2 other orientees and feel out of my league. The other orientees are new grads as well, but one was previously an LPN and the other was previously employeed at a nursing home for 3 months after she graduated (6 months before me). I am just really frustrated because I'm the type of person that needs one on one instruction and it's not possible when my preceptor is busy bouncing between the 3 of us. I did a complicated discharge (on another nurse's patient...knowing nothing about the patient and finding out that he never used the Novolog pen before) immediately followed by an admission that I was completing for the first time and had to feel my way through on my own (was only shown how to do it & did not previously get an opportunity to do the admission with the preceptor there with me). Frustrated...Am I stupid or am I expected to know what I'm doing with these things out of school. And

You are absolutely NOT stupid!!! It sounds as though their orientation process is stupid. Even though I only had 3 days of orientation, it was with ONE nurse. and I was her only orientee. How can one nurse orient 3 people effectively? orientation (especially the first week) means you need to be with that person constantly to ensure that they are capable of providing safe effective care!

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Specializes in ICU.

I am totally in the same boat. 6 weeks of orientation, have spent 2.5 weeks on my own now. People say I look calm on the outside, but I am 8/10 stressed out on the inside. I am on days, there are heavy admits and discharges on this tele floor. I am slow to discharge, just trying to pass meds and then it seems like something always happens (crashing pts, new admit orders, prns, pts leaving for tests) that I can't get to my discharge.

I get there 30 mins early to prep, have not been able to take 15 min breaks and have left late every day except for two. The other nurses are nice, but when I say I'm stressed out, they say, "really?" They sympathize, but I think they've forgotten what it's like to be new.

I had 3 jobs as an LVN. This is my first hospital job. It's just OK. The 6 weeks of orientation were just barely enough to feel comfortable. There's still so much that I don't know how to do or watch out for. I usually go home and think of things that I've forgotten to chart.

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Thank goodness we have one another to lean on! As I'm reading these posts, I'm thinking,"oh yeah, uh-huh, i hear ya!" 3mos of orientation, 2mos on my own, & dang, what a ride it has been!! Good nights, bad nights, and everything else in between! Never hesitate to ask your preceptor a question! if he/she gives you a hard time, then maybe they shouldn't be a preceptor. I'm off orientation, but I still ask my previous preceptor, my colleagues, or charge nurse tons of questions. Personally, I rather risk looking silly than jeopardize a pt's safety. anyone hate charting like i do? i know we have to document, but can't help this feeling, esp when it's SUPER busy! i know how to, but i just dread it....sigh.

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I understand how you feel. I've been on the floor as a new grad for 4 months now, and already thinking about quitting. The only thing holding me back is a one year contract, if broken, I have to pay the hospital $8000. I am also thinking about not quitting for other reasons, that I will disappoint my family, and I'll feel like a failure. It's not like me to not finish something that I have started. But for the first time in my life I feel like this is one obstacle I can't overcome. I've been coming home crying and praying. I feel so fortunate to have landed this job in this economic downturn, that I might regret quitting. When I first started it was such a reality shock into the real world of nursing that I questioned my ability to be a nurse. I work on a very busy med-surg floor, and Im always exhausted, and have been feeling very depressed. Depressed because I didn't give the best of care, I have no life anymore, but I guess that's why us night nurses get that differential. I'm also depressed because this is not how I thought nursing would be (an entire shift filled with tasks, charting, and dealing with mad pt's, families, doctors, and administration). I'll tell you what I have gotten good at...holding my freaking bladder for 6-8 hours. I'm trying so hard to stick with this job, just counting down the months till I can finally scream and say "I QUIT" but until then I'm taking everyone's word for it, that I will get used to everything, to have patience, and give it more time. But this is too much on my body, and my mind, that I don't know if waiting for that one year mark is worth all this anguish. I dread going to work every single day, I hate it. Everyday when I get home, I go online looking for other jobs that might suit me better. Then I question if I ever did get offered another position if I would leave this job. I really enjoyed this job in the beginning because I started with 1-2 patients, I knew exactly what was going on with them as far as their health history, and what tests they were going for and why, but now, with 5 patients I don't know their diagnosis sometimes, their history, what tests they've had, why their taking this medication, I can't do a thorough assessment, and what the hell I'm doing sometimes. I'm to the point where I am scared for my license. I'm currently confused...but I do know that bedside is not for me. Damn contract!!!! But you know what, since the first day I started I have gained alot of skills, and I have learned a lot in 4 months. People say it's suppose to get easier with time...but I still find it very risky. Just my opinion.

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Hi! I'm a new grad, working on a busy med-surg floor. I've been on the floor during day shift to begin and will start on night shift soon. By the end of my orientation, I'll be expected to take care of 7 patients (and 8 or 9 some night shifts when someone calls out.) I really almost can't fathom taking care of 9 patients. Every week has had its challenges and successes. It gets so tough sometimes, but keep coming back because I do like the hospital and the floor and know that anytime I've started a new job in the past, it's always been so hard in the beginning. Also, the other nurses are doing it and they seem fine. But I'm still wondering how I will learn to do this -- take care of 7, 8 or even 9 patients on a busy night shift safely. My time management skills don't seem to be working so well. Any suggestions? This is so hard to do!

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To Student200977: It's so crazy for me to read your post because it's almost as if I am going through so much of the same things as you. And I wonder if this is just what you have to go through as a nurse in the beginning, and if after a year of doing this, that it all clicks and you finally can empty your bladder more than once a shift, ya know. I hope that you can hang in there. Do you have some sort of program at your hospital where you can talk with other new grads, to see if they are going through the same thing? We do have that at my hospital, so I will see next time we meet up, if they are going through the same thing as well. Take care, and if you need someone to talk about your frustrations with, feel free to message me.

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Specializes in CVICU.
I understand how you feel. I've been on the floor as a new grad for 4 months now, and already thinking about quitting. The only thing holding me back is a one year contract, if broken, I have to pay the hospital $8000. I am also thinking about not quitting for other reasons, that I will disappoint my family, and I'll feel like a failure. It's not like me to not finish something that I have started. But for the first time in my life I feel like this is one obstacle I can't overcome. I've been coming home crying and praying. I feel so fortunate to have landed this job in this economic downturn, that I might regret quitting. When I first started it was such a reality shock into the real world of nursing that I questioned my ability to be a nurse. I work on a very busy med-surg floor, and Im always exhausted, and have been feeling very depressed. Depressed because I didn't give the best of care, I have no life anymore, but I guess that's why us night nurses get that differential. I'm also depressed because this is not how I thought nursing would be (an entire shift filled with tasks, charting, and dealing with mad pt's, families, doctors, and administration). I'll tell you what I have gotten good at...holding my freaking bladder for 6-8 hours. I'm trying so hard to stick with this job, just counting down the months till I can finally scream and say "I QUIT" but until then I'm taking everyone's word for it, that I will get used to everything, to have patience, and give it more time. But this is too much on my body, and my mind, that I don't know if waiting for that one year mark is worth all this anguish. I dread going to work every single day, I hate it. Everyday when I get home, I go online looking for other jobs that might suit me better. Then I question if I ever did get offered another position if I would leave this job. I really enjoyed this job in the beginning because I started with 1-2 patients, I knew exactly what was going on with them as far as their health history, and what tests they were going for and why, but now, with 5 patients I don't know their diagnosis sometimes, their history, what tests they've had, why their taking this medication, I can't do a thorough assessment, and what the hell I'm doing sometimes. I'm to the point where I am scared for my license. I'm currently confused...but I do know that bedside is not for me. Damn contract!!!! But you know what, since the first day I started I have gained alot of skills, and I have learned a lot in 4 months. People say it's suppose to get easier with time...but I still find it very risky. Just my opinion.

My situation and my thoughts exactly!!!

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OMG!!! I have been on my own now for 8mos and I STILL feel the same way....I have come to really dislike my job ALREADY! I don't like not feeling "safe" and still having trouble mananging my care and paperwork...paperwork...paperwork...and yeah...I will probably will need depends when I get older because my bladder will be no good! Many times...I don't take a break and eat lunch for only 15 minutes or so before I am back on the floor. I don't know...I was told its "where" I work, but it sounds like its a "new nurse" thang. Being in Med surg has really made me think twice about bedside nursing period. Don't like that I feel this way, and have been working hard to "think" other wise, but hasn't been helping. I will say a prayer for ALL the new nurses, may be find balance soon!!!!!!

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I work at a unit that seems to be out of the ordinary with unsafe, unfair practices. I am new so I don't know anything else.

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I cannot not tell you how much your post made me feel like I'm not alone! I have been working on a med-surg floor for about 3 months now (almost 4 weeks off of orientation). I have been coming home crying almost everyday and I cry every night before I have to go back. I ask ALOT of questions to my charge nurse. I feel like such a pest. I just want to do the right thing. Everyday when I get off I go through my entire shift in my mind thinking if there was something I have forgotten. I never feel organized. I never get out on time because I always have charting to finish that I couldnt get done during my shift, but my co-workers seem to get everything done. I have even been considering going back to school for another career. I am always terrified that something is going to happen and come back on me. I really hope this gets better. Right now I regret my career choice.

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I cannot not tell you how much your post made me feel like I'm not alone! I have been working on a med-surg floor for about 3 months now (almost 4 weeks off of orientation). I have been coming home crying almost everyday and I cry every night before I have to go back. I ask ALOT of questions to my charge nurse. I feel like such a pest. I just want to do the right thing. Everyday when I get off I go through my entire shift in my mind thinking if there was something I have forgotten. I never feel organized. I never get out on time because I always have charting to finish that I couldnt get done during my shift, but my co-workers seem to get everything done. I have even been considering going back to school for another career. I am always terrified that something is going to happen and come back on me. I really hope this gets better. Right now I regret my career choice.

hi there. when i read your post, i thought it was me writing it. Its going to be my year anniv today as an Med surg rn. After 6 months it has gotten better than the first time i wrote this post. But still, everyday is a learning experience. Till now i find Med Surg tough but i don't regret being here anymore. I am just ready to be in a different nursing field because my legs hurt already from all the running and walking :p. (i really want to go to home health). i hope everything will be better!

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I felt the same way! Exactly! Was going to go back to my old job! I have 1 year experience and left my first job and now have a better one, still bedside. I am back to orientation and feel overwhelmed again! I am ultra careful which makes me a bit slow. Other orientees seem to "get it" better than me. It does get better but it is still nerve racking!

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