The unit I'm working on is called 3B and is a stepdown cardiac unit. Yesterday was my first day of orientation on the floor (which, first days on the job usually don't go well...). We do 12 hour shifts rotating day and night. I started out on days, luckily. 7am to 7pm. Usually on dayshift you have 4 patients and on nightshift you can have 5-6 patients. Assessments and vital signs need to be charted and done every 4 hours, and cardiac rhythm strips have to be printed and interpreted every 8 hours. The floor seems pretty busy, and that can be a good and bad thing. Either the day/night just flies by, or it's SO busy that it's dragging.
Yesterday, we had 2 patients most of the day since I'm a newbie, and thank goodness because I felt lost most of the day. Figuring out their charting system is going to take some getting used to, and I think that's the major thing that got to me yesterday. That, and the subtle differences like which doctor to call, and how in blue blazes do I get ahold of him/her. I remember feeling these things when I started at CMC, and I remember (now, looking back) that at some point I figured out what I was doing and became more confident. So I trust that will happen again. I orient on the floor for 6 weeks before I'm on my own. It's only been one day.. and I need to remember that, and not get discouraged.
Today I have the day off to relax and recuperate, and tonight we have small group with people from Providence Church - which I'm excited for. Care group (or small group, whichever you like to call it) always used to help me put my situation into perspective. I have it pretty good here... I need to remember that, and thank God for all the blessings He's given us. And just pray for the strength, and energy to make it through this season of life, and honor Him along the way.
Amen.
Love, Sara
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