I'm a new nurse, just started my current and first position on a medsurg unit a few months ago. I work 3 to 11pm and usually have 5-6 patients. When I come in, I get report, which seems like forever, haven't actually timed it, but I'm going to start and rush these other nurses. Round on my pts, do vital signs and daily assmts at the same time. Come back to computer and chart VS & DA, put in my 3 or more care plans. Write my notes for each pt. I leave my outcomes and I&Os for 2200 because it's basically end of shift and the measurements are more accurate at this time. After charting VSs, DAs, CPs, and Notes, I pass medications. Accuchecks. After passing 1700 meds, I chart them. Then I'm trying to complete the last two pt's that I didn't document anything on earlier. Meanwhile, it's chaos in between. 1900 nurses are coming onto shift and want their report. I don't even fill out those report sheets, I write on my own sheet and they just have to take notes. After, I'm still finishing up on documentation, and getting ready to pull and pass 2100 meds, more Accuchecks, etc... Of course chaos continues (pt's wanting this and that, new admission, or like yesterday, I had to DC a pt right when I came onto shift, but I made her wait until I did my routine, then I DC her about 1830). I had a new admission that arrived on the floor at 2005. So I had to do the whole shebang for her. I suck at med reconciliation, I usually get stuck and need help with entering that into MediTech. On a good day, I get out about 12am, but I'm usually out between 1 and 2am. I feel like such a slow poke, especially with other nurses getting out on time. What am I doing wrong? What is your routine if you work 3 to 11 shift? I don't even have time to go over lab values. If I see that they were in during morning shift, I figure that the morning nurse already reported abnormal or need-to-know labs to doctor. I don't think I work slow, I work as fast and as accurate as I can. I'm feeling incompetent, but I'm fighting through this. Any advice? Please.
