Why do I seem so SLOW?!

ginarn5 · Jan 16, 2007

You don't say how long you have been at it but relax. It takes time and practice to get the big med passes like that done quickly. You are probably working with nurses who know the patients and all their little quirks--and believe me those little quirks can eat up all your time!! It pays to memorize those quirks and what prns they usually want. Don't compare yourself to the other nurses who are getting done so fast. Either they have been doing it for 20 yearsor they don't take time to talk to the patients and/or they are doing 5,6 and7 o'clock meds and prns all together. And, often, if a nurse knows a patient usually wants a prn they just give without the patient asking. Of course, there is the one who wants you to run back and get his Tylenol every day UNTIL the day you sign it out and bring it without asking-- then they'll look at you like you're crazy and say they don't want it!! Give yourself a break and remind yourself,and the impatient patients, that you're doing your best. Good luck!!

GardenDove · Jan 16, 2007

When I worked in the nursing home, many of the fulltime nurses who had worked there a long time practically had the meds memorized. Also, many took shortcuts. 2 hours sounds about right for a med pass on days at a nursing home.

wearyLPN · Jan 16, 2007

Thanks. I have been at it about 3 months at this job but there are 6 different assignments and I rarely have the same one in a row. The one with 15 chemsticks M-W-F KILLS me. :chair:

loriann, BSN, RN · Jan 22, 2007

I work on a tele floor in acute care and I ask the same thing about my

self, "Why am I so slow?" It doesn't help that the nurses on the unit also like to comment on my speed, or lack of, but I think it happens because:

1. I'm new (3 months into a brand new nursing career and I never called myself Speedy Gonzalez on my resume); and

2. I talk to the patients in the AM and I, unlike them, am not rushing to order my waffles and sit on my behind for the next hour.

I know that sounds bitter, because it is, but I think it just takes time.

Please hang in there and I promise to too.

:nurse:

wearyLPN · Jan 22, 2007

Thanks Lori!! You got yourself a deal!!

loriann, BSN, RN · Jan 23, 2007

Anytime Ms. Weary!!

danissa, LPN, LVN · Jan 23, 2007

don't worry about being slower if you are a new nurse. You have to take time to be careful and get things RIGHT! trying to rush through things will just mean mistakes are made. also, being a Good Nurse, means you take time with your patients, you sound like you are doing fine! Keep being careful!!

nursedawn67, LPN · Jan 23, 2007

Personally I would rather see you go slower and be sure it's right then rush and mess up. Also when I see another nurse is still passing meds, I go and see if there is anything I can do to help her out, myabe she is behind because she has other things going on.

Just keep on doing what you are doing, it will speed up as you get more used to it.

Good Luck!

wearyLPN · Jan 23, 2007

Thanks guys!!! I have always felt that way as well, better to be slower than make mistakes. Thanks for the encouragement!

caliotter3 · Jan 23, 2007

Just wanted to give you some encouragement on being slow. I used to get upset b/c it was taking me forever on one section. This was the more difficult section that had more people, more meds, more difficult everything, to include more fingersticks. When I found out that the other nurse was faking fingerstick results (I found this out when I discovered the memory function on the glucometer!), I saw that it was not all me! She also had other tricks up her sleeve, one of them being "preparing" the entire med pass beforehand. She could do this b/c the fac used the little paper souffle cups. She would get each one ready, and write with her pen the name and room number of the pt on it and carefully place the whole shebang on the top inside tray of the med cart. She didn't put any of them outside on top of the med cart b/c we are not supposed to prepare meds ahead. These were just a few of her tricks of the trade. If it meant less work, or better yet no work at all, she had thought of it herself or picked up from others. Not doing things and charting them completed, was her forte, as I found out. So, of course, when I went through and tried to do everything I was slower than my usual slow. But with time, I got faster. You will gain time too. It would be easier if you stayed on one assignment long enough in a row, for familiarity to kick in. Good luck!

wearyLPN · Jan 26, 2007

Thats horrible!

Well I no longer feel bad. LOL I think I am doing pretty darn good. It may take me the whole 8 hours but I know I am getting ALL my work completed.

Thanks!