[caroleann]

Help! I am a new grad just starting in L&D. I just finished the 3rd week of orientation and am feeling completely overwhelmed. My first 2 weeks were spent on days where I had 4 different preceptors (my assigned one was sick 1 week). Now I'm working my shift with another preceptor. During the past week I've been with 2 other people as well as her (now a total of 7). Many of these nurses are very good teachers, but I have been unable to establish a relationship with anyone. Most of the staff is friendly, but I felt unwanted by just about everyone this weekend. I am an extremely quick learner and feel I can accomplish many tasks in a timely manner with competence, but this experience has been draining and frustrating. I am feeling overwhelmed and unsure of my decision to go into L&D? Any advice?

[caroleann]

Thanks so much kday! I had already decided to see if one of the people I have already worked with could help with the preceptor duties and I will also use her as an unofficial mentor. She has been a nurse educator and was extremely helpful to me. This is my second life career, and she was very affirming to me regarding my decision to tackle something new at age 40! Thanks again, it's great to know I'm not alone.

[This message has been edited by caroleann (edited March 05, 2001).]

[FamilymanRNBSN L/D]

Originally posted by caroleann:
Help! I am a new grad just starting in L&D. I just finished the 3rd week of orientation and am feeling completely overwhelmed. My first 2 weeks were spent on days where I had 4 different preceptors (my assigned one was sick 1 week). Now I'm working my shift with another preceptor. During the past week I've been with 2 other people as well as her (now a total of 7). Many of these nurses are very good teachers, but I have been unable to establish a relationship with anyone. Most of the staff is friendly, but I felt unwanted by just about everyone this weekend. I am an extremely quick learner and feel I can accomplish many tasks in a timely manner with competence, but this experience has been draining and frustrating. I am feeling overwhelmed and unsure of my decision to go into L&D? Any advice?

I think I can relate I was in our shoes just one year ago. Take a deep breath; use some of that lama's breathing your teaching your patients. One thing that I do that has been highly successful in endearing the stressed out or overworked in the field of nursing is to celebrate them. That's right, make a point of celebrating those around you whether its bringing in your favorite dish, giving someone a thankyou card, if there is anything I've noticed about my co-workers they love flattery and food. It goes a long way to say to them that you respect who they are and what they know, and that you want to be around for the long haul. With turnover so high survival also comes from intense self-study. If I learned anything from nursing school it was to not wait for someone else to tell me something I could learn for myself. Granted you can not make up for the actual experience those around you have, but it does get your thinker going in the right direction so you can absorb information during orientation, rather than repel it. Try to see things from their point of view. They may have invested in many others, only to see them leave before during or after 6 months of service. In my first year 13 new hires and only 2 remain a year later. If this is you’re dream then its up to you to convince others around you. They expect you to be needy and asking questions, it is the only way they will know you know your safe level of practice.
Feel free to email me at familyonline1@juno.com if you want more survival tips or see my posting on this site
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