Nurses

I'm a new nurse and I have been having a difficult time transitioning into my new role. I was thinking of calling it quits even though I've worked so hard and long to get where I am. Everyone tells me that the only way to learn is by experience. So I'm thinking of take a continuing ed class or two. I've seen a lot online. Does anyone recommend an online site for courses.

Re: Nurses

what kind of nursing are you doing? when i first started my career as a nurse i cried everyday for 6 months and had nightmares about messing up for about a year. it was a horrible transition but it paid off. i have been a nurse for 7 years now and i LOVE it. everything comes naturally now and i'm at ease in my position.. there is so much opportunity out there you just have to find your nitch. don't give up yet! hang in there! Talk to your unit educator, attend conferences if you can in your speciality, hang on to every word or piece of advice from more experienced nurses..
enjoy what you are doing for a living.. it's a caring, rewarding profession. FM if you ever need any help!

Re: Nurses

I'm working on a tele floor. It's really fast paced and sometimes the pts can change status so quickly. I had two pts. going bad at one time and had to transfer them to the units. And because I'm newer I don't it takes me longer to do everything. Luckily everyone I work with is great and helped me out with the paperwork and everything. It takes me so long to do everything!! I feel like I'm bothering everyone by asking so many questions. And by the time I get home in the morning ( I work nights) I'm so wired, I toss and turn thinking about what I did and everything. It's not even in a constructive way of giving myself feedback. I'm just a mess! I work mostly on this floor but I float to med/surg floors so I need to have a general knowledge of different areas of nursing. But I feel it's a great way to learn and see many different things. I was ready to give up but I worked so hard to get where I'm going. I want to get my BSN and I want to start that next semester because I really want to give myself time. But I'd like to do something in the meantime to educate myself. That's why I'm thinking of CE course online. Thank you for the words of encouragement.

Re: Nurses

It is so hard!!! I'm brand new too (i'm still on orientation). I'm on a tele/thoracic step down unit. I love it, but its so scary. The other day i had 1 pt v-tach at 5:30 and another pt vtach at 6:30. Luckily both were asymptomatic, but i felt so clueless. I heard that the 1st year really is the hardest, but after then, it all comes together. So, i just keep that as my short term goal- get through the first year and try to learn as much as possible. No one expects you to know it all, and having a great support system makes all the difference (the nurses on my unit are SO awesome, too!!). I'll be working nights, too (my orientation is days, but i switch to nights at the end of the month). I know when i get home i start thinking about a million things- did i d/c that cath, put that O2 back on after the albuterol trx (i almost forgot to do that with one of my chest tube pt's- luckily he was monitored on continuous pulse ox, and i was stalking his o2 level since it kept dropping) Anyway... i started doing things to distract myself when i get home- pop a movie in when you're falling asleep, go on the compter for a few, etc... just dont let yourself lay there thinking about it- it will drive you crazy. Im still so new, so i'm sure when i have a team of my own, i'll probably be writing the same post in a couple of weeks- but we can do this... we worked too hard not to!! You got through nursing school, you can get through this too! And, with a year of tele under your belt- you will have SO many options!!!

Re: Nurses

Re: Nurses

I'm not a nurse, but I know someone who worked in a couple of hospitals on Long Island and hated it for a lot of the same reasons you mentioned. She ended up finding a job as a RN traveling in the community to do mammograms and breast cancer education and loves it. I also imagine she is still paid pretty much the same.

I work for a home health care agency and they are also ALWAYS looking for nurses.

Re: Nurses

Posted by neenie

Posted by Melmel821
And because I'm newer I don't it takes me longer to do everything. Luckily everyone I work with is great and helped me out with the paperwork and everything. It takes me so long to do everything!!

I know you haven't written back yet, but i just wanted to let you know you weren't alone. The other day, i finished getting report, was doing my assesments, and had a pt code on me at 8am, then a close call w/ another pt an hour or so later. The whole day, i just felt like i NEVER got back on track. I dont even remember anything i did that day b/c i was just running around all day trying to play catch up. i woke up at 530am, and the first thing i had to eat was PB&J and 445pm. I was fine though- i made it through the day, kept on smiling... and then i got to my car that night and cried for like 10 mins straight- wondering what the hell i got myeslf into. I couldn't even drive b/c i couldn't see and i'm so NOT a crier. But, then i also had some awesome pt's that made me feel like i really helped them and that were sad that i was off for the next few days, so that felt nice. I want to say that that made it feel like it was all worth it, but it was a really crappy day, so that might be a stretch
Anyway, i just wanted to let you know that you weren't alone. it is SO hard, but you worked too hard to give it up (and you'd probably regret it so much, too). I picked up a book about surviving your 1st year in nursing- i'll let you know if it's any good.

Message edited 9/9/2008 4:47:04 PM.

Re: Nurses

I'm glad that you decided to stick with nursing but try a different area! FM me if you ever need to talk (or whine/cry/complain/vent- i'm sure i'll be feeling the same way!)

PS- home care is really starting to look good to me

Re: Nurses

I have been a nurse for over 2 years on a cardiac step down unit. Everyone is on tele. We get CHF pts, cardiac cath pts, EP pts (pacemakers, AICDs, cardioversions, etc). It is hard work but it does get better. When I first started I also felt very overwhelmed. I also found myself laying in bed, going over what I did and thought I didn't do over and over in my head. Now, I am orienting new nurses and students. I am able to answer other nurses' questions and help them out with things. One of the most important things is the support of your coworkers. When there is a code on our floor, we all stop to help that nurse out. When one of our pts looks like they are turning a turn for the worst but not coding, there is always another nurse in there to help you (thats also what the charge nurse should be doing). With time, you will get experience and confidence. I rememeber when I first started and would talk to my DH about it and he would say "How long have you been a nurse? You just cant be so hard on yourself. Give yourself a chance to learn and get used to it." He was right. It also helps when there are other nurses on your unit going through the same thing as you, you form a bond and can really support each other. Good luck and hang in there. FM me with any questions.

ETA: www.pesi.com, has CEU classes. They are usually held at the garden city hotel throughout the year. they have an "ultimate cardiac strategy" course and cardiac meds course. They are one day each. My job reimburses me for them, plus they count as one day of work for the week. Also, my hospital offers CEUs in our nursing education dept. They are free. You should look into that and also ask your nurse manager and other nurses about CEUs.

Message edited 9/10/2008 7:33:27 AM.

Re: Nurses

i am not a nurse, but i work closely with them on a tele floor. Let me tell you, this is a very hard job and i have seen quite a few nurses go through what you are now. But i have noticed that after a while (6-8 months) these nurses have turned from frightened new grads to confident nurses, still of course with many questions, but completely in control. Once you are a tele nurse, you can do anything IMO, keep working,don't hesitate to ask for help from other more experienced nurses, it will get easier

Re: Nurses

I saw many classes I'd like to take there. Thank you for that website. I think in person is a better way for me to learn than online so I think this will be very good for me.

As I've mentioned I am going to be floating which means I will work on oncology, ortho, tele, post op floors etc... so I think this will be a great educational opportunity for me to take advantage of.

Re: Nurses

Hang in there!! The first year of nursing is really hard no matter where you work. I started as a new grad in the ER and I remember feeling like a complete moron for the first 6 months at least. It takes that first year to be over to get a feel for really being able to assess your patients, and to develop good judgement.
I just left the ER to go to another unit and I feel like I know nothing either, its normal to feel overwhelmed when you don't know how things are done on that unit and how different the patients can be from what you are used to.
After that first year, you will be able to look at a patient from across the room and know right then and there that he/she is in trouble. Not to say don't assess your patient, but subtle signs become more obvious, and you will have had situations in the past with patients who had xyz problem, and you will recognize it the next time it comes around.
I also commend you for taking a float position as a new grad, that is great experience, but it also puts a lot of pressure on you. Having to learn the ways of each floor, plus the meds, treatments and care for so many different types of patients is not easy. Many new nurses find it easier to stick with one place in the beginning and learn that before moving onto the next place.
I think its necessary for nurses to read articles, take classes, and keep up with the latest standards of care, but nothing is going to teach you like your experience will. Its so frustrating to just get that year over with and be able to feel like you know what you are doing, but trust yourself because you do know what your doing.

NEVER be afraid to ask questions. NEVER do anything that you haven't done before without asking or having someone help you. It doesn't matter if you are a new grad or been a nurse for 25 years. You protect your patient and your license that way. I see new grads afraid to ask questions because they are afraid they will look stupid, but its better to learn the right way to do something than to take a chance and make a mistake. Don't be afraid to look up anything. Medications, procedures. Every unit has a policy and procedure guide which will explain what you can and cannot do on each floor/unit, and they may differ from each floor that you go to so keep that in mind. Things that you can do in PACU and Tele you will not be able to do on ortho or med/surg.

Sorry for this long winded post, but my advice is if you are overwhelmed with this float position, pick a specialty that you like the best and ask if you can just work that floor. I think that way you will be able to have a stable learning environment.

FM me anytime if you want to chat

Re: Nurses

I am in my 20th year in nursing and yes, the first year is the toughest.

I can remember being very afraid and wondering if I will ever get faster and will I ever be able to prioritize things efficiently. I was lucky enough to work with some amazing people in my beginning years who i really learned so much from, and supported me through it.
In a year from now as your confidence comes increment by increment you will look back and these days will seem far away.
Please do not think of calling it quits after all the hard work you have done to get where you are..it is a huge accomplishment ...please feel free to FM any questions you have...

Re: Nurses

I think the other nurses have said pretty much what I wanted to say. Hang in there Education will help you as nursing is continous learning process but I think what you need to do right now the most is give yourself time and hands on experience. There is a light at the end of the tunnel, I promise you.

Also want to add there is so much you can do with nursing nowadays don't think about calling it quits because of one bad experience just keep exploring your options. If you go to nurse.com they often offer a seminar called career alternatives for nurses. If you continue to find yourself unhappy you may want to check that out.

Just wanted to mention you can also check out allnurses.com to vent all your frustrations.