Being thrown to the wolves during orientation

Specialties Emergency

Published

I started in the ED last week and have 8 weeks of orientation. The first day I was given two rooms that I was 100 percent responsible for. The second day, I was given a full assigment with just the assistance of my preceptor. The third day, I was given a full assignment as well. Each day I had a different preceptor.

This is going against what my orientation schedule is suppose to be. I was given an oreintation scheudule that consist of weekly goals and assisgments. The first week I'm just suppose to observe and sort of learn the ropes. The second week I take 25 percent responsibitity, and the responsiblity percent increases throughout orientation.

I learn best by doing however, this is way too much! I'm always behind on charting and it is hard learning the paperwork and their system while having a full assigment. I've four years experience but not in this speciality. They assume because I'm experienced " I already know" this and that.

My question is: Is this how all ED nurses are oriented? All you just thrown out there and expected to sink or swim? Just curious.

Thank you.

Specializes in Trauma/ED.

I would speak with the ED educator and let her know your conserns then if you don't get the help you need speak with the manager. My biggest issue with what you said was the fact that you had different preceptors each day...that is not how a good preceptorship runs. That being said, the ED is a place that does tend to attract the "eat your young" style nurses who may be testing you to see if you have what it takes. If you weather the storm you just might win your coworkers over.

I have worked a lot of agency in the past and many times my orientation was, "Here's the Pyxis, and here's your assigned rooms"...good times :)

Im a new nurse and work in the ED we take anywhere from 3 - 6 rooms (6 is usually on nights). Anyways, i dont really have a preceptor i just work with whoever is there... ive worked as an ED tech for 4 years and in a level 1 trauma center (38 beds).... im at a level 4 now and only 12 room ED! it was an adjustment but i just learn to ask when i need help or have a question or am unsure what area to chart in (they have a different EHR than what ive used and they didnt train me on it since they were switching to the one ive always used 6 weeks after i started... BUt anyways its been alittle over a month since ive been there, i take 3-4 patients on my own (no one checks anything, i sometimes ask can you make sure i charted everything right...) and i try to take patients ive never had so i can ask questions when there is more staff avail to help. Usually im fine i just ask about certain medication and i will look them up in the book and refresh (since we dont remember every drug ever)... Make sure you ask when you have questions and even if they are annoyed with you who cares id rather have them annoyed that i double checked or asked a question than hurt my patient!!

I think youll be okay, and probably with your background they just assumed youd be fine... :)

Specializes in Emergency.
That being said, the ED is a place that does tend to attract the "eat your young" style nurses who may be testing you to see if you have what it takes.

I guess I haven't seen this as much where I work. Yes, there are a few "experienced nurses" on our staff who are less supportive than the rest, but for the most part the nurses in my ED are supportive of each other and of new nurses. I think it stems from the teamwork that is cultivated by our director.

We all know that at some time we will be slammed and need help from the other nurses on our shift, so we all try to be there to help them when they get slammed too. I think most of us realize that the new orienting nurse is gonna be a teammate sooner than we think, and so we had better help them out so they can help us out later on.

very unsafe

as a prudent nurse, it is your obligation to speak up and bring this issue to your DON. you are putting your license and your patients lives in gapardy

Specializes in ER.

I have 25 years in nursing, 5 in the ER, and I wouldn't find the OP's orientation acceptable. In a new hospital you need to constantly look up policies, ask about resources, and find equipment. Everything takes at least twice as long. I would ask for 4 weeks orientation with a preceptor, and advance the assignment based on my request, not the unit's. Definitely go to your NM and tell her they need to back off. You need to be extra with a preceptor, not full staff right now.

Specializes in ER.

That's how i learned and I am a better nurse for it. They threw me into the fire but would never let me burn. I do not do well with someone hovering over me. They stayed far enough away to allow me to develop but stayed close enough so that I wouldn't kill anybody.

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