Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Moving on up!

Starting any career can be difficult, and Nursing is falling into that category. When I was still a student I was filled with fear of screwing up, and in general felt completely retarded...but things they are a changing.

I'm not getting over confident, but I am celebrating the small victories!

When orienting to a unit, one normally spends about 2 weeks, or 8-10 shifts with a preceptor to keep an eye on you. I spent over a month on orientation in Pediatrics because I am a new nurse, and I was able to spend 2 nights on the Med-Surg floor while Peds was closed.

Peds was closed on Sunday night, so I thought I would just be on call but a nurse called in so I was headed to my first night shift alone on the Med-Surg floor. A seasoned nurse will take upwards of 8 patients on the night shift, but thankfully I only had 5! The problem was all but one of my patients had been admitted or transferred to the floor about 4 hrs before my shift. It took me 7 hrs to get caught up on my charting and be able to sit down to eat!

But, my major success was when it came to the 9pm med pass. I had a patient that was supposed to receive an EXTREMELY large dose of long-acting insulin at 9, but was also scheduled for short-acting insulin at the same time. I used my judgement, after bringing it to the attention of the charge nurse, and administered the long-acting insulin, but held the short-acting. I then waited til midnight and rechecked the patient's blood sugar, and it was where it needed to be. YEA!!!!!!!!! Had I gone by the schedule I could have ended up with a patient with extremely low blood sugar!

So, I have officially upgraded my status to not completely retarded :o)

11 comments:

Jillene said...

Whoo hoo!! Sounds like you are doing a great job!!

Jessica said...

Congrats! Isn't it a great feeling to make the right call? All those years of schooling is paying off!

Kristina P. said...

You are doing a great job, Mary!

Irish Chick Soup said...

Thats awesome. Good of you to use your brain. Especially being so new, you should be proud.

Erin said...

You're figuring it out! Good for you!

Wendyburd1 said...

Good Job Mary!! When I am old and someone is handling MY insulin, I hope I get a good nurse like you, who THINKS!!:)

Crazy Charm said...

Yay! I went to the hospital the other night for some seriously huge hives. The nurses were all grossed out which surprised me. Don't you guys see just about EVERYTHING?!

:)

Queenie Jeannie said...

You rock!!!

Jessica G. said...

Hooray for the successes! Good for you!

Momma Sarah said...

Hip Hip Horray! I always knew you weren't completely retarded! ha ha! You are one smart chick! Way to go!

Grandma Arnold said...

Hey hey, a chip off the old block!!!