Monday, July 16, 2012

Lord Save Us

After all the protesting, list of things I would rather do (eat broken glass, get new boobs and find a job at hooters, be up at triage every day for the rest of my career) I have agreed to be charge nurse at this place like an idiot. So. That's happening.
I'm ambivalent. On one hand, I've exhausted all my options as a regular staff nurse as far as doing new things, unless I want to go somewhere else, which I'm also considering, oddly enough.  I know  make me stronger, and maybe more confident, and it'll look good on resumes and stuff if I do decide to leave. I'm sure it will help me with decision making skills and with being assertive, which I absolutely need to improve on.
On the other, I am scared shitless.  I feel like I am way too dumb to be doing this already, and that I know absolutely nothing, but sad as it is, being a nurse in this ER for three years and a couple of months is what some people call "experienced". The thing I'm most concerned about it is not having the emotional fortitude required to do this job.  People can be serious dicks to the charge nurses.  Like they think that being bitchy and bratty and whining about who has what (obviously you aren't too busy to take an inventory of everyone else's patients) is going to make the ER less full and make them less slammed.  I don't know.  I just don't really complain to other people and I don't have a ton of patience with people who do.  I honestly worry that I will end up getting stabbed in the back by someone I'm cool with or more likely, that I will have to listen to someone bitch about trivial bullshit on what is already a crappy day and that I will completely lose it on them.
Either way, it's happening and I guess I'm on my way to being a grown up nurse.  Any tips from the adults out there? Can I have a couple more years at the kid's table, please?

11 comments:

  1. I have no tips for you, but it'll be awesome to have a charge nurse who's head isn't shoved up her ass. you'll be amazing!

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  2. No advice here, but I can't wait to hear the stories :D

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  3. You're going to rock it. You'll be great. You'll get better every day. You seem like you have a talent for knowing what to do and when to do it. You'll have moments where you'll sit back and know you could have done better. It's just like being a regular ole rn. But now, you're sorta in charge. In the ER, we're never really in charge of anything anyway.

    Stay true to who you are. You'll do fine. And, if you hate it, just find another spot if that's what you want. Knowing of you what I read about you, you'll find a way to make it yours. Go kick some ass.

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  4. Read somewhere else that typical charge nurse roles could be euphemistically referred to as 'charge mommies' (haha). Regardless, with the no-BS approach and get-it-done focus, I think you'll do VERY well. Best wishes!

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  5. Find a mentor. Talk, don't vent, about the challenges of the job to someone you trust and who will listen. Don't take shit personally.

    Try it for a set time period and reevaluate if you really have the skill set to do the job well without driving yourself bonkers. If it's not for you, don't take that as an indictment of your ER nursing career; it's not.

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  6. Most times when folks worry that they don't know enough is when they know plenty. Your wisdom is showing

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  7. I had the same exact thought process. No seriously, 3 years of experience, fear of failure, not enough assertiveness, worry of being perceived as too bitchy/not bitchy enough, and general idea that I'd be the worst relief charge in all of history.

    It didn't happen. I found a good mentor, used common sense, stayed out of petty bullshit, and forced the nursing supervisors to become Work BFFs with me - and the ER didn't burn down.

    You're intelligent and a fab nurse, with a shit ton of common sense. You'll be fine.

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  8. You'll be great. I recommend start as you mean to go on. Have clear boundaries. Don't be passive aggressive - say what you need clearly, firmly, confidently. Don't tolerate behaviors you don't want to see by praising the traits that you do want to see. Kick butt!

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  9. Try to work WITH the techs. Be helpful. Be assertive. Be willing to change your plan on a dime. Think of how a charge nurse you admire would handle a situation if in doubt. Most of all keep a sense of humor at all times. You will be great!

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  10. I would say that sometimes the other nurses may complain to you as a safe way of venting. Sometimes you might only have to say "Yeah, I know it sucks. Hang in there. Some nights are like that." And they'll feel like they've been heard and get on with it.

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  11. http://www.strivingforskinny.com/2012/07/advice-from-er-doctor-to-drug-seekers.html

    I thought that you would find that humorous. :)

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