Today I lost it!

[Di0202]

Okay so I had a really rough day today. It's been almost three months since I started my new job and today I actually cried from frustration halfway through my shift.

It started with taking patients from a nurse who left me with a lot of undone orders and gave me terrible reports. One of my patients was not doing well and since I have had him several days in a row it was pretty emotional. Another patient was asking for bottled water which seemed like such a ridiculous request given the status of my other patients. I had six patients--two of whom were total care and the were on so many meds I didn't think I was ever going to get them done. All of the rooms were a mess and none of them had any gloves.

It was noon before I finished my assessments and gave my 9:00 meds and I still hadn't charted anything. The docs were coming in with all kinds of new orders and I really felt like quitting at that moment.

At the end of the day one of the more experienced nurses took me out for a beer and a burger and we spent two hours venting. I am now filled with a new resolve--I won't be a quitter I just need to adjust my perspective and do the best that I can do. As my charge nurse told me today--Me working at what I think is a mediocre pace is better than most of the other nurses do at their best.

One of my patients sent me flowers today and another gave me a big hug when I left for the day. I guess that makes it all worth it!

Sorry for ranting--just needed to get it all off my chest.

[meownsmile, BSN, RN]

Thats ok,, you need to get it out to get past it. There will be days like this to come, and you will adjust your disposition as they come.

For what its worth i had a horrible last 4 hours of a 12 hour shift today myself. Try getting a new surgical, a new admit they want in surgery NOW, and a observation bed DD individual with constipation all at the same time. 1 with blood going, 1 trying to get pneumonia, 1 abdominal surgical vomiting and the Dr is in the middle of doing surgery on my surgical that got back at 7pm. Yep,, 7PM,, and i am supposed to get off at 730. Needless to say ,, report sucked, i left a mess for the next RN even staying an hour over to help her get some of it straightened out.

This too will pass, just to return and haunt us another day. Now, go to bed, forget it,,and dont worry. Thats what im gonna do.