Glad I stood up for myself...

Nurses General Nursing

Published

This is somewhat a vent. I am a new grad (May 2011), and started working on a SNF in a hospital I've been at for a little over 5 years. I've heard all of the horror stories of being placed on your own so quickly in a SNF, LTAC, LTC, etc. Well, my first day was May 31st, and I was placed on days "to get off orientation quicker". At first I was like ummmm ok, but didn't think it would be 4 weeks! And honestly? It wouldn't have been a problem if my coach (what our preceptor/person that's training us is called at this hospital) was helpful or actually taught me a few things such as protocol, and unit policies. Well, first night on my own (which was June 28th), and I was made charge nurse!!! I was the only RN, the other 2 nurses were LPN's and I had to take care of my pt load AND whatever the LPN's couldn't do to their pt load. So I asked, why don't I just do the assignment over and I get all the pt's with PICC, central lines, etc...anything the LPN's aren't allowed to do. You should have saw the look of disgust on their faces! People were very helpful the first couple of days. After that? They started to avoid me and hated to help me. It seemed as though I was getting on their nerves. That's when I realized how awful of an orientation I had and stood up for myself. I went to my supervisor. And I'm somewhat back on orientation now.....after being on my own for 2 months! However, I'm enjoying it and learning many things. Any my first "coach"? She got a nice little write-up and a lecture and I don't think she's allowed to train anyone for right now. Thank God! She wasn't the best candidate anyway. She had only been a nurse for 10 months and still learning herself...and when did I find this out? Yesterday! Lol. Ok, got that off my chest. I feel better now!

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Specializes in Cardiac.

That's ridiculous. Why would the LPNs care if you assigned yourself the pts who needed RN intervention? What's it to them?

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Specializes in Home Health.

Good for you!

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Specializes in Peds Medical Floor.

No offense I feel kind bad for your coach for having been there for so little time. Then she had to teach someone when she was still new and then got a write up and lecture for not doing a good job. Unless I'm off base that is.

Anyhow glad you are finally getting your orientation. Welcome to the wonderful world of nursing where if you don't stand up for yourself no one else will. :rolleyes:

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From orientation one day to charge nurse the next. :eek: I guess you can just be glad they didn't make you the ADON.

I'm glad you spoke up and got what you needed. And that your supervisor listened to what you were saying. It doesn't always go so well.

Hopefully, you'll feel more confident and capable with this extra training and you'll be ready for whatever comes your way. :up:

Maybe you should mark your calendar for next March when you'll be the preceptor. :D

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Specializes in Med-Surg/Neuro/Oncology floor nursing..

Good for you for standing up for yourself. Perhaps if they didn't yank you out of orientation so soon, so wouldn't have gotten hated on so soon...also I'm glad your supervisor put you back in orientation. Ridiculous going from orientation to Charge nurse in such a short amount of time.

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No offense I feel kind bad for your coach for having been there for so little time. Then she had to teach someone when she was still new and then got a write up and lecture for not doing a good job. Unless I'm off base that is.

Anyhow glad you are finally getting your orientation. Welcome to the wonderful world of nursing where if you don't stand up for yourself no one else will. :rolleyes:

I guess I should clarify. She wasn't forced to train me. At my hospital you can only train someone if you've been through a coach/preceptor class. It's voluntary. You don't ever have to take it if you don't want to. So this is something she wanted to do.

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