be a better nurse

I have recently been feeling alot of anxiety about going into work. There are days when I feel things are great. But more often then not, I feel that I am not “supposed” to be working in this area. I am wondering how long should I ride this out before looking for a job in a different area??? and what area do I try??? Is the new area gonna make me feel the same??...just a different unit??? MAYBE…I just need some xanax. LOL. does anybody have some insight on this??? suggestions???

I am working in a surgical/cardiac/trauma ICU in a bigger hospital. I drive almost an hour to work now, which is a big change from 6 minutes! I am learning at breakneck speed and just came off orientation 3 weeks ago. What can I say? Each shift is truly an adventure.

The other day I came into work and saw that I was assigned 6 patients on 3 different halls and thought, “whoever made these assignments must hate me”. Any time we have patients on multiple halls we call it “the weight loss plan” because undoubtedly you will be running from room to room.
I met my young patient who was on the liver transplant list for an extremely rare disease and instantly understood that the universe brought us together. As this patient was quite ill I would be preparing for a transfer via life flight to the hospital coordinating the transplant care. I think that day I was the only person, possibly, in the entire hospital, that could make the connections and give her reassurance that she needed during this frightful time. Why? Because 10 years ago my father had a liver transplant by the same hospital and same team of doctors and has continued to have care by that health care team ever since.
It gave me a reason to reconsider complaining about my assignments in the future and instead wonder who the universe will bring me together with next.

being a better nurse isn’t directly related to patient care. It can be just as important to step up and help out a fellow nurse. I know I have had countless days where there was nothing I could do to catch up and even the thought of someones offer to help would move me to near tears. Today it was my turn to help.

given the constraints of under staffing and the acuity of my patients. I was reminded the other day that if we (nurses) had completed everything there was to do with the patient, first they would be discharged and their would be no reason for giving report for the next nurse to continue care. Good point!

that instead of counting the things you should have done count the things you were able to complete. What is more important? Holding the hand of a family member when they hear that their mother’s cancer has returned or not leaving anything unfinished for the next shift? Today I held someones hand.

yet again a dysrhythmia test. Those people that claim traveling nurses travel to avoid “being caught out” probably dont realize just how many exams I take each year.

THis one sort of flipped me out as it had a mix of ridiculously simple questions (Identify the P wave on this EKG) and some very difficult ones about isoelectric lines and positive or negative deflections…

After a bit of surprise, I managed to pass with a 97.5%
and of course, I feel a wee bit more confident regarding the assignment.

isn’t my only goal at work.

I have been working my new job in the IMC just over a year. my confidence has improved tremendously. everyday is a new experience and inturn is gaining more knowledge. What life’s path has to offer me is still unknown, but I will continue to put one foot in front of the other and see where I end up.

happened yesterday. We had a very busy busy day and at 1 pm I decided I would just “die” without coffee, so I begged the charge to handle my pts for 10 min and tried to run upstairs. The elevator was broken , so I was standing there when a woman who looked vaguely familiar approached me smiling. It was the wife of patient I had had over te weekend with a dying heart. He had gotten a pacemaker and was just all smiles. I rarely get that opportunity to see how patients do. He thanked me for everything, especially reassuring him that he would feel like a new man after Pacer insertion (and he Did!). Not sure this qualifies as being a better nurse, but, It really made me feel happy with my choice of profession.