Please... what is going on??? objective opinions needed

Nurses New Nurse

Published

SO I started a new job two weeks ago, in a long term acute setting.

first week, lots of confusion, but did what I could , paid attention and followed preceptor.

second week, Im taking two pts., giving meds independently, documenting on computer, answering call lights, asking any one ifthey need help, etc. My preceptors are different culture, and sometimes I dont understand their accent, or they are giving me quick answers, and im learning in a very busy environment, complex medical telemetry unit.

SO today I m thinking everything is fine; I m giving meds, my documentation is done independently; i am getting to know the pts, etc. I havent recieved any feedback except one meeting last week where the preceptor says "IM not feeling comf. with giving you two pts yet, theres some confusion with iv pump, etc" . In front of the manager she says this. I tell everyone at the meeting,that yes its new, new equipment, I just need my time to become acclamated,( and im supposed to get six weeks).

So today my preceptor says "You ask the same questions over and over to more than one person, everyone will think you are not paying attention or that you are not learning" .

Now I have not exactly been walked through anything here. Usually my response to questions is "Didnt they go over that in class with you?"

I said "i have to ask questions, thats how I learn, you are training me, and If I have to ask more than one person, its because I didnt get a sufficient answer." "I need instruction". And I disagree. Sometimes I do ask more than one person, but not constantly.

Anyway, the conversation got a bit weird, she said

"The last time they asked me to step down from preceptor they fired the girl two weeks later". Excuse me:angryfire "Are you implying?"

I am one of the easiest people to get along with. I have been working so hard to learn, I have been on the floor8 DAYS. will someone please tell me what the hell is going on here??? She said they all have been "communicating" to ea. other Im asking the same questions too many times. Am I supposed to have a photographic memory? I dont think I have to defend asking questions!!!!:angryfire NOW WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO> I HAVE TO WORK!!! can they just up and fire me for NOTHING???

ALL of my documentation of everything I do is there. It is ALL FINE>

IM so angry . Thank you whoever you are for reading this..

ANy words appreciated!!! ive been a nurse for almost a year,and the people at the other hospital were nice, kind, and instructed me as they should have.

Lisa

PS the preceptor KNOWS IM PAYING ATTENTION.

0 Votes
Specializes in Medical-Oncology.

First of all, welcome to the world of nursing. These first 6 months are the worst, and it will get better.

Now, it's very difficult for anyone here to give you an objective, intelligent answer to your questions since none of us are with you and your co-workers on your unit. For me, I also felt like I wasn't receiving adequate communication and instruction during my intital precepting period on day shift (7a-7:30p). Part of it was how busy my medical-oncology unit is, part of it was that I don't think my clinical rotations were sufficient to teach me what I needed to know on the floor. I also got the "Didn't you learn that in school?" response a lot.

What I can recommend is that if you feel like you need something, ask for it. Talk to your preceptor. Talk to your manager. Talk to both of them at once. You need to let people know what you are thinking & feeling or they might not know.

Hang with it and keep us informed on how things go.

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It sounds to me - from a computer nowhere near you, your unit, or the situation - that your preceptor has had orientees removed from her aegis before and is worried that your asking other people questions is communicating, once again, tht she is not teaching her charge adequately.

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Specializes in Operating Room Nursing.

What i suggest you do is to document every conversation you have with your preceptor from now on. That comment about the last girl who was fired sounds like a definate threat to me. If she says it again tell her she is making you feel uncomfortable and intimidated.

I personally wouldn't worry about the IV pumps. You'll pick it up in time and it's just trial and error.

I really think it's kind of pathetic for her to have a go at you about the IV pumps. If that's the worst thing you've done IMHO your doing fine.

If it continues i would quietly speak to the manager without the preceptor. I would ask them if they have any comments/suggestions about my performance. If there are none i would try and get this in writing. And the next time the preceptor says something i would produce this piece of paper and politely tell her that she needs to back off.

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Specializes in med/surg, telemetry, IV therapy, mgmt.

Go to the manager and ask for another preceptor. Tell her about the nasty comment your preceptor made to you about "The last time they asked me to step down from preceptor they fired the girl two weeks later". That was inappropriate for her to do that as well as an intimidation tactic to prevent you from tattling on her. Actually, being more experienced, I would write that whole incident up and give it to the manager so she has documented proof of this preceptor's behavior.

I have a PowerPoint presentation in a PDF file on what a preceptor is supposed to do. Unfortunately, the only way I can get it to anyone is by attaching it to an e-mail. If you want to see this presentation to get some ideas on how to go about organizing a talk you might want to have with your manager about the shortcomings of this preceptor, I would be glad to e-mail it to you, but you need to supply me with an e-mail address to send it to. You have to do that by sending me a PM as it is against allnurses TOS to post personal e-mail addresses on the public forums.

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Specializes in Acute Care Cardiac, Education, Prof Practice.
It sounds to me - from a computer nowhere near you, your unit, or the situation - that your preceptor has had orientees removed from her aegis before and is worried that your asking other people questions is communicating, once again, tht she is not teaching her charge adequately.

This about sums it up for me.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

I agree with Daytonite - you need a different preceptor. You can easily phrase it that you want the absolute best experience and that the fit with the current preceptor isn't working for the following reasons: name the incident where she said the last new nurse was fired, the fact that you don't always understand everything that she is saying and that she was concerned about you asking questions of different people.

Good luck - it does get better.

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she could be feeling threatened by your asking other persons, assuming you dont trust her...

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I agree with those who have said that you need a new preceptor. But it also sounds like these people from a different culture predominate in this unit and from what you said about them talking about you in a group mode, you will have a difficult time there. I can guarantee you that you will not last there or at least will not have a pleasant work atmosphere unless the majority accepts you. Unfortunately, this is the way it is in many places. You can only hope that the nurse manager is not a member of the majority and will listen to your concerns in a rational manner. Take the other advice offered. Document everything and speak to the nurse manager. If you must, ask to be transferred to a different department, preferably one where there is a little diversity and you are not in the minority. Good luck.

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thanks for the responses, they are appreciated.

If I go to the manager, And tell her things that are said to me, I just feel like Ill make more enemies... And look bad for pointing fingers at other people....

But if I dont stick up for myself, Im just in the same situation where Im not getting enough instruction, etc.

i GUESS WELL SEE

tHANKS AGAIN

LISA

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In March I will be a nurse for a year, so I know where you are coming from. I am not all pleased with the hospital I work for, but want that year experience b/4 I move on. With that being said, my preceptor always told me to ask someone else b/c everyone does it different.

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Go to the manager and ask for another preceptor. Tell her about the nasty comment your preceptor made to you about "The last time they asked me to step down from preceptor they fired the girl two weeks later". That was inappropriate for her to do that as well as an intimidation tactic to prevent you from tattling on her. Actually, being more experienced, I would write that whole incident up and give it to the manager so she has documented proof of this preceptor's behavior.

:yeahthat:

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