Orientation Nightmare!

[Lamesz]

So I am a new grad nurse on a surgical unit. I am on orientation and got my 30 day eval today. Come to find out my manager told me my preceptor raised concerns about my critical thinking skills, and being to "rough" with a patient with pulling a central line. They also said my preceptor was concerned because I gave a pain med with Tylenol to early to an actual Tylenol dose (it was one hour early- you get one hour each way to give a med). Now I am so upset!!! I have to spend 2 extra weeks orientating with another preceptor. I feel very betrayed by preceptor. I am the first person she has ever precepted. She has been short tempered with me, and gets fustrated when I ask how to do something over again. It's like she expects me to get remember everything only after one time of being taught. I have been thankful and kind to my preceptor, and honestly feel like I am doing ok at being a new grad nurse. I know I have so much to learn and want to learn the best practices, but I feel as if I got pushed under the bus on this one. I told my Managers I was fine with doing 2 extra weeks of orientation. Now I feel as though I will be labeled as the "dumb" or "bad" nurse on my floor. I work really hard and am giving this my all and it is really tough to hear this after all my time and effort! I have cried for a whole day about this, and I DON'T cry! Two other new grads on my floor, whom I went to nursing school with, have got the ok to go out on their own. This is what is making me feel really inefficient! I heard my preceptor talking with other nurses and CNA's today about me having to do these two extra weeks....so fustrating! I am just hoping for advice on how to handle my situation! I really would appreciate input!

-Lost New Grad

[mansanas2]

Hi. I agree mentor/preceptor should discuss the issues with you. Mine did the third day, however here are the issues "you cannot ask question when we are in the patient room", "you cannot talk to me about another patient when I am writing about another patient", "you are not getting it, I told you to focus on things what your patient have (report is from him who speak 100 miles/hour) (at times, I will forget to check the I/O or forgot pt have hemovac)" "or did not get the first time how to hang an antibiotic (now you will need a muscle to prime this thing, also I am left handed and he wants to use my right hand non dominant, so what do you expect), and you show your not confident" another thing, everyone is watching you and will be talking about you, now mind you this is my third day....he tells me things, when he wants to. I sit in the corner trying to find things to keep me preoccupied. I do not have access to the lounge room, or anything. He expect high things for me which is great but I think there is something missing. Or is it me? The patient he assigned me was awesome, and understood that I am a student nurse and learning. So yes, it took me awhile to get their vital signs - the machine was foreign to me. He thinks that it is a sign of not being confident.

Now I am not sure if going back for the 4th day will have any value if he already made up his mind about me. He expect me to remember everything about the patient, I am not allowed to make mistakes. I get nervous asking question because I am nervous, that's the truth. Is that bad? Also, I heard him talking to someone in front of all the other nurses, how I am there and that I am not getting it, etc. I left the area so that I will not hear it at that time. I always have to run after him (he run fast), and most of the time, I am not even sure if he wants me there. Uggh..I dread it now...

[Katie5]

Take it. Do your two weeks, come out better and move on.

Refuse to be weighed down by it, life is full of choices, Make your choice. Bad nurse?!!! It's not what they call you- it's what you anwer to.

[eagle78]

RubyVee I love the quote on your posts

When arguing with an idiot, make sure the idiot isn't doing the same

Sorry to get off topic...

[me_again]

Thank you for your post regarding the preceptor/student issue. I am orientating at a new facility and found out that my preceptor made what I thought was an unfair assertion to my new manager. It was a terrible blow to me, because I am quite sensitive to what people say. Your post reminded me that it will pass and my focus should be on being the best nurse that I know I can be. You said it clearly and succinctly!