So a couple months ago I posted how stressed out I was as a new nurse on an intense floor. I was terrified to be an independent nurse away from her preceptor. Turns out, my stress has decreased a WHOLE ton.
Before when I had about 5 weeks of orientation left, I had emotional breakdowns at home all the time. It was absolutely ridiculous. I couldn't help it. Work terrified me. I was so scared of being alone and getting a diagnosis or an order that I had no clue of. I was scared to not have someone else question orders for me. Everything. I've been on my own 5 weeks now and now the only thing that stresses me is worrying if I'll get enough sleep before going in for my night shift.
I work with FABULOUS nurses who ALWAYS help when needed. My time management is so much better now. My confidence level is increased. However, my HCP started me on Lexapro, which definitely contributed, but I think also being away from the preceptor I was with also helps, he was pretty strict and I think I was a lot smarter than he gave me credit for.
There are still things I'm not 100% with. And that's okay. I may still miss orders or forget to document something, but the majority of my patient is taken care of and the safety is never a part that's compromised. I always remind myself- there's only so much that I can do in 1 12 hour shift. Whatever I miss, other nurses will catch it.
I'm scared that if I leave I won't find another job of because of the no experience thing. But I'm pretty sure if I stay I won't be be able to handle an 8:1 workload on that unit. I was thinking of maybe transferring to Inpatient Rehab for my first yr the ratio is still 8:1 but I'm hoping since the patient's will be the same for aleast 2 wks I'll be able to learn more and pace would be more manageable. What state do you live in?
nocturnallife, ASN, RN
70 Posts
I'm scared that if I leave I won't find another job of because of the no experience thing. But I'm pretty sure if I stay I won't be be able to handle an 8:1 workload on that unit. I was thinking of maybe transferring to Inpatient Rehab for my first yr the ratio is still 8:1 but I'm hoping since the patient's will be the same for aleast 2 wks I'll be able to learn more and pace would be more manageable. What state do you live in?