Surviving orientation...

[beckster_01, BSN, RN]

I'm in the middle of my 5th week of orientation on my floor (I had 2.5 weeks of classroom orientation before my unit orientation). While the first several weeks were difficult I was able to keep from getting too down on myself because I knew it was normal to struggle with these things. My primary preceptor has a very different personality than I do. While she is an excellent teacher, she has trouble "letting go" and allowing me to try and direct patient care on my own. For example, instead of asking me what I think I should do next, she will rattle on a list of 10 things that need to be done. For the first couple weeks this was helpful so I could get a broad picture of things I needed to be thinking about, but listening is NOT the way I learn! I have talked with her several times about how I need to verbally work my way through my list of tasks, but every day we get so busy that she forgets and begins to "take over," and I'm supposed to come off orientation in 2 weeks. I should mention that when I work with my secondary preceptor I feel much more in control and organized, so deep down I think I am ready, but the majority of my shifts I come home feeling inadequate, disorganized, and stressed out. I recognize my preceptor's personality and our differences, but it is hard when at one point she is telling me I need to focus on one thing at a time, and the next minute she is saying I need to multitask more.

I'm not sure if I should sit down with her and tell her (again) that she needs to back down a little and let me try and form my plan on my own? She knows that one of her problems is she has a hard time letting go, but feels that when we are in a time crunch she needs to step in. My opinion is that I am always going to be in a time crunch, and while I am a new nurse I might not be able to take care of EVERY little thing. I need to focus on the important aspects of my care without getting distracted on the smaller things because I physically and mentally am not capable of going faster without compromising my quality of care. I think it is better to leave a few things for the next shift than to rush through my meds and assessments and make a mistake. The next shift knows I am new and should give me a little understanding. Should I mention that I have been better able to manage myself with my other preceptors, or is that confrontational? Or should I grin and bear it, learning what I can, and figure out my own way of doing things when I am off orientation? My unit really is very supportive, as are my managers. Both of my preceptors have given me positive feedback, but some days I come home and wonder if I can really do this...

[juststartinout]

It sounds like you're doing a good job to me. You want to be hands on and get into work, keep it up. You may feel a bit claustrophobic with you preceptor around, but remember this *won't* last always. Soon, you'll be on your own, setting your own schedule for how things should be done. Your lucky to work on a unit where they don't mind that you're new and passing some things along. Enjoy it learn as much as you can, and grow into the great nurse you sound like you're becoming! Good luck!