Time management, prioritization, multiple 'bosses',

Nursing Students Student Assist

Updated:   Published

Hi everyone,

I m in third semester of RN program. 1st 2 were fun and all was well. Now I am finding that with 3 patients and three diff nurses, plus preceptor, I am no longer getting things done or prioritizing well!

The worse part is that I thought I was doing just fine til my teacher says, 'can we talk?'

Then I feel awful and another student tells me it's OK we all go through it it's part of learning and instead of feeling better I get more tears.

I put no one in danger, just my three nurses to report to we're saying how did she get through to this level to my teacher,

How will I care for 5 or 6 after graduation if I can't do 3?

The other problem is that I am academically almost perfect-so there is too much contrast between my book learning skills and real life function in chaos

I do great in what if scenarios then the real one takes me too much practice for people's comfort-is there a way to get 2x as many clinical hours- I think I would do well if that could happen

My teacher says how can you answer all the Qs right and then not be efficient on the floor? You are working like a CNA not a nurse.

Finding my nurse to tell something I need to x 3

Finding where a thermometer that isn't being used and works

Getting a free computer

Feeling like gumby stretched to the max

No one else is having these problems-

HELP!

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Specializes in Psychiatric Nursing.
Quote
Hi everyone,

I m in third semester of RN program. 1st 2 were fun and all was well. Now I am finding that with 3 patients and three diff nurses, plus preceptor, I am no longer getting things done or prioritizing well!

The worse part is that I thought I was doing just fine til my teacher says, 'can we talk?'

Then I feel awful and another student tells me it's OK we all go through it it's part of learning and instead of feeling better I get more tears.

I put no one in danger, just my three nurses to report to we're saying how did she get through to this level to my teacher,

How will I care for 5 or 6 after graduation if I can't do 3?

The other problem is that I am academically almost perfect-so there is too much contrast between my book learning skills and real life function in chaos

I do great in what if scenarios then the real one takes me too much practice for people's comfort-is there a way to get 2x as many clinical hours- I think I would do well if that could happen

My teacher says how can you answer all the Qs right and then not be efficient on the floor? You are working like a CNA not a nurse.

Finding my nurse to tell something I need to x 3

Finding where a thermometer that isn't being used and works

Getting a free computer

Feeling like gumby stretched to the max

No one else is having these problems-

HELP!

You have to be very very organized and move very quickly! Like a good waitress in a busy restaurant. And you are responsible for everything!! There are some good organizing tools others have posted.. Hourly tasks, etc. it is good you are academically perfect. The trick is to stay perfect, keep cool, and speed up.. Your teacher should work with you to organize and prioritize.

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She is and I wish I could be just like her, wish we had one to one through clinical-it takes me a long time to get stuff

First time I made bread took a whole day now I do it with 15 min hands on time

I need 4x as much practice as most people seem to need

1
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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

Welcome to AN! and Welcome to nursing.....

I don't think you need 4x the amount of practice.....your desire to be perfect causes you to take 4x as long to get it perfect.

we ALL go through this......the first year after graduation is actually the hardest.

What you need is a good brain sheet.......here are a few.

5 Pt. Shift.doc

1 patient Float.doc

MTPMedSurg (2).doc

Report Sheet.doc

FinalGraduateShiftReport.doc

DAY SHEET 2 doc.doc

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Quote
Welcome to AN! and Welcome to nursing.....

I don't think you need 4x the amount of practice.....your desire to be perfect causes you to take 4x as long to get it perfect.

we ALL go through this......the first year after graduation is actually the hardest.

What you need is a good brain sheet.......here are a few.

Thank you those are beautiful,!

My teacher gave me one -clinical site specific -

Very colorful but so busy it is taking me a while to get used to what to put where-

She even said do assessment vs bs, baths bed changes breakfast and lunches by 12 and documented, along with treatments ( thank god I didn't have meds too) and walk this pt 2x this am - basically going over my pts with me

I wish I was allowed to have my ipad to note on and prioritize cause I have this list program where I can mark off as done and rearrange things and I do all my schoolwork like that

I think you are right, I work on my homework until it is perfect, and I want to hear everything in a pt, recheck vs when the BP drops -too often, look at all of the skin-

And I know like when I had my tonsils out no one looked at anything but my IV and my throat

So I am doing too much too slow

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

Help yourself....that is what they are for.((HUGS))

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