graduated two years ago and finally landed a job recently in the ED. I was hired with a few other people.
first off, i got my orientation manual about 3 weeks after my first clinical day after repeatedly reminding the lead charge nurse. Second, my new grad orientation class does not start until my 9th week of clinicals.
My preceptor is nice and tries her best to teach me the routines while checking off competencies. The thing is i get flustered when i'm doing certain interventions and she comes in the patient's room and asks, "what's taking so long?" I know i have to work on my time management. Its been a two weeks since i've been given a three patient load and last shift I had my first full load of 4 patients. I am trying my best to get everything done, but i feel my preceptor still helps me out a lot finishing tasks. i feel like after i get one task done, i look at the tracker and the other patients have 4 more things to do. That is when i start panicking. i get tunnel vision, i feel my heart pounding, my forehead sweats, and i feel a knot in my stomach. i still get stuff done, but i hate that feeling.
I am wondering how I can handle 4 patients after my 12 week orientation is done and i'm having anxiety just thinking about it. The thing is, the other new hires are already handling 4 patients well without much help from their preceptor. However, these new hires had prior nursing experience in various floors. I know i should not compare, but my preceptor stated it doesn't matter that i don't have experience. Its 12 weeks for all new hires. So basically, its sink or swim.
I am happy i have this opportunity and i want to make it, but am afraid that i might be let go if i don't improve soon with my time management. Any tips with time management? how do you calm yourself down when you notice there is so many tasks left to do, nurses asking why your rooms aren't moving, preceptor reminding you about the time, doctor's shouting, etc?
Im in the same boat as you. I will be starting my 5th week of orientation tomorrow in the ED. Its scary ...it truely is. I come home and make a list of everything *new* I see/do/meds. Then run through situations in my head.
What if I have a patient who let say was "dropped off" at the ED entrance with a gunshot wound to the chest (because that never happens ) and I was making all the decisions...the first thing Id do would be ...
Then I would make a list of my actions ...then Id list why I would do that and in that order. Then I would answer how Id accomplish it. Its prioritizing.
Also remember ...EVERYONE LIES!!! That person unable to use their wrist didnt fall on it like they claim. Its more than likely from the track marks and abcess ...
Also, get to know the protocols for everything like the back of your hand.
hey u guys thanks for the advice. i start on my own next saturday. i really don't feel ready at all, but i have to do it and get learn how to swim on my own. i know i can ask for help (even though the unit itself is busy during the day and the group help mentality is missing compared to night shifts) and that in time i will get my time management down. that part is still a struggle. i can't seem to get a flow for four patients.
there was one time during one of my night shift orientations i had an open spot for a fourth patient. i was taking care of three patients passing meds/doing interventions when i noticed i had a 4th patient who came in 15 min ago. that patient came from an ambulance and was triaged, primary assessed, passed meds, ekg done and labs sent....apparently the charge nurse and a couple of nurses all did it. They didn't say anything to me and i was grateful they helped. very grateful. However, i thought to myself...how am i suppose to keep up if i can't even do that on my own during day shifts starting next week. its kinda bothering me and i just wish my time management was here..but i heard it takes time.. not going to lie, my anxiety is up.
hey guys so i'm six months in and its still very hard. but i'm surviving. sure i made mistakes here and there and were given a couple of talks, but overall the unit manager thinks i'm doing a good job. i still am a ball of anxiety, and i hope that it'll subside somewhat the next six months. i survived four ambulances at once, a blackout where the unit had to do paper charting which i had no formal training, my own little psych unit when i had four empty rooms and within 20 minutes i had restrained homocidal pt, suicidal pt, paranoid pt and a verbally abusive pt, etc. its crazy, i love and hate my job at the same time. i'm hoping after six more months i can comfortably say i'm an ER nurse and a survivor. lol.
Guest03/15/15, BSN, RN
69 Posts
Im in the same boat as you. I will be starting my 5th week of orientation tomorrow in the ED. Its scary ...it truely is. I come home and make a list of everything *new* I see/do/meds. Then run through situations in my head.
What if I have a patient who let say was "dropped off" at the ED entrance with a gunshot wound to the chest (because that never happens
) and I was making all the decisions...the first thing Id do would be ...
Then I would make a list of my actions ...then Id list why I would do that and in that order. Then I would answer how Id accomplish it. Its prioritizing.
Also remember ...EVERYONE LIES!!! That person unable to use their wrist didnt fall on it like they claim. Its more than likely from the track marks and abcess ...
Also, get to know the protocols for everything like the back of your hand.
Good luck. :heartbeat