Could really use some calming down right now

Nurses New Nurse

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New RN, just grad in May. Been in a long and grueling hospital orientation, working my butt off. Word is they're generally 10 weeks long, and I'm in my 9th week. I feel I'm ready to fly on my own. A few small mistakes, but nothing at all major. I'm tough on myself, but overall I'm meeting my own expectations. My weekly evaluations have been really good, being exposed to a wide range of patient diagnoses, been receiving high praise from my preceptors.

So, why when I got my schedule for October it has me on 2 additional weeks of orientation? Not once during these past 9 weeks has ANYONE mentioned needing more weeks of orientation. I feel I'm blindsided without any explanation. I haven't asked for more time. Unless my preceptors have totally been lying to me, where is this coming from? I got an email from the orientation coordinator saying this is your schedule through week 12. I don't know how many of these weeks you'll need, so we'll assess where you are after you finish your 9th week this week. Didn't say I definitely will have more time, but obviously it's crossed their minds. My feedback has very positive. What did I do wrong?

Maybe they are noting how stressed you are and are going to give you more time to build confidence. Sometimes stress reduces the more confident and self-assured we are in our skills. If they are noticing that you're frazzled and stressed, they want to be sure that this isn't going to be the norm when you're on your own on the unit. Take some deep breaths and accept all the help you can get. You have a long, wonderful career ahead of you!

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I agree with the poster who suggested this has less to do with your competency and more to do with possibilities.

Be happy to get two more weeks rather than all the others who are thrown out to the dogs earlier than expected because of staffing needs.

Take some deep breaths, my dear, say nothing, and be happy. Could be that next week they will decide that you will be cut loose.

Things are not always how they look at first glance!

Best wishes to you!

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Specializes in ICU / PCU / Telemetry / Oncology.

My own orientation was extended by 2 weeks, and I was THRILLED. Sure, I am ready to fly solo but any extra time I have with my preceptor I will embrace. It's not like I get paid any more for being on my own either. Be happy for the extra support, you will miss it when it's over.

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Specializes in Nurse Manager, Labor and Delivery.

Coming from a management standpoint, unless you are a really seasoned nurse, I rarely take any new nurse out of orientation early....even if you are doing well. What I usually do is have you with your preceptor that last few weeks as your "backup" with you having a full assignment. This way, if you get in the weeds, you still have your preceptor to help you out. What usually happens is that the preceptor can be a resource for everyone and do side things and can still be your wingman if needed.

Really, I am sure it was not intended as a slap to you to keep you in orientation. Look at it as your opportunity to hone some finer skils and reach higher. You will be on your own soon enough...

Yay you for doing so well!!!

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Specializes in LTC and School Health.

Same thing happened to me. However, my attitude was different from yours. I felt like I could fly on my own however , I was glad for the extra two weeks. There is always room to learn and grow especially as a new grad. Don't look at it as a negative, this is a great positive thing.

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I would be in heaven if someone gave me extra orientation. If you think you are doing "ok" then perhaps you are not? I know of no nurse who has felt comfortable (and not 100%) only after a full year of work. BTW I was out of bedside nursing for 15 years, yes 15 years, and the clinic closed so I went to med/surg and guess what? They gave me three, yes three days or orientation. One day to follow the nurse, the next with the nurse observing me and answering my questions. I was a wreck but put on a good face and it all worked out. I would have given $ to have the opportunity of more orientation.

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Specializes in OR.

The same thing happened to me when I started my new job, but they were only keeping me on orientation on the schedule if I needed it. I ended up not needing it, so they took me off early. Honestly though, take whatever you can get. I've seen way too many times where people get yanked way sooner than they should, and then when the seasoned nurses voiced their concerns to the manager, he lied about it and said it never happened. Some places only care about having a warm body. Be glad your employer doesn't seem to be like that.

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I graduated last May and my 8 week orientation was extended to 10. I regard myself as a highly intelligent person but sensibility made me regard this as an opportunity to learn more. I have been told I am ready long time ago but it didn't hurt my ego. I am more into trying to protect my license and be fully prepared for any extraordinary event.

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Specializes in med/surg; floatpool, mom/baby, nursery.

I would not take it personally, but welcome any orientation i could get! Sounds like you are doing great!

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Specializes in CICU.

Grab the extra orientation time with both hands!

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I have to agree with others - take the orientation if they will let you have it. If my boss had been willing to extend my orientation I would have been ecstatic. Well my current job is the exception but my old job I would have loved the extra time!

I don't think it's a personal thing, don't read it as such. Is there a type of patient your unit carries frequently that you have not taken care of? Skills you have not had a lot of chances at but are 'common' (more than others) on this unit? Is there any education time you have but maybe aren't yet aware of? I know where I used to work, we were the med surg unit that would take trached patients. So we were really super at trach care where other patients popped more NGs and foleys in patients. We were also considered med surg / stepdown, so sometimes the acuity of our patients was through the freaking roof! Well, I worked on a neuro unit so our patients were high acuity even at the med surg level. And we were a monitored unit, with the most monitored beds in the hospital - we got a medley of patients off service.

There's a ton to learn as a new grad. Don't take it personally. My other question - is it possible they want to give you a week or two on another shift than your primary incase they have to rotate you? There's lots of possible explanations. I was terrified to go off orientation.

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The worst case scenario is that they think you could benefit from more orientation, but you're getting no direct feedback on your weak areas. If this is the case, it is just plain silly that you haven't received any hint of where you may be a little behind. There is something you can and should do about that. You can simply request additional feedback. You can say you appreciate the positive feedback thus far, but you would like to know some areas for improvement and suggestions for how to go a/b it. I once had a supervisor who only gave me positive feedback 100% of the time. During my performance evaluation, I confronted the issue by saying that 1) There must be some areas for improvement & 2) I am open to hearing constructive criticism. Her response (paraphrased): "'MarieBailey', you are your own worst critic, and you have a lot of self awareness. Pointing out shortcomings your are already painfully aware of would not be productive." Maybe they see the critic in you?

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