I think I made the wrong choice..

Nurses General Nursing

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Specializes in Peds, Psych.

I just graduated nursing school last august (06). I took my boards in Michigan, then about a week later flew to California, where my fiance is.

I started a new job, in a new area. (I actually interviewed with them in September and they oftered me a position quickly) I got relocation money and all that jazz. At the start, I was really excited for the new opportunity.

I have been a rough time with my orientation, mainly i feel I am not "meshing" well with my preceptor. My orientation is almost complete, and I am scared that I am going to be behind on all my work, all the time. I am trying so hard to remember everything and do it all right.

I have been thinking that I should have not accepted this job and maybe should have waited and started at a different hospital/area. I think I should have checked out other places to see what they have to offer. I just feel now I am stuck at this hospital, and this area for at least 2 years, due to the money I got for relocating. I just feel I have no one to talk to about this. I don't want to disappoint anyone, and I feel if I give up, I will disappoint everyone I know.

I am lost. I don't know what to do.. THanks for reading..

Specializes in MICU, ER, SICU, Home Health, Corrections.

You might consider speaking with your hospital's employee assistance folks.

Your hospital has an employee assistance/help line for things like this.

Also, you should immediately take this to your nurse manager and that individual should be able to help you and alleviate your fears. If not, then I would indeed locate that person's manager and continue up the rank as a concerned individual seeking assistance. You're not screwed, but you do have a small problem, *but* that's probably all! Take a breath, collect your thoughts into a plan of repair and just see about fixing it.

You have no reason to panic, all is well. You *should* be nervous, you're a new nurse! [Congrats on that, btw!]

However; fear should not be in your list of issues. Support is what you need, and your manager should be able to fill that role. Help is there, ya just have to figure out where it is and set it in motion.

Good luck and enjoy your new career!

rb

PS: No one is perfect, EVERYONE makes mistakes, and you will be no exception..... and..... It's OK!

sorry, never mind

Yes it's probably a good idea to talk to the nurse manager. Maybe you can get a different preceptor... or they can extend your orientation time a little more. They made an investment in you and they'd probably rather shell out a few more bucks so that you're more comfortable, rather than have you quit and spend a lot of money trying to get their money back!

Hope it works out for you!

Specializes in rehab, geriatric.

Give it some time. When I started as a nurse I was a nervous wreck and that was after being an aide for 10 years. Don,t let it overwelm you. Those feeling are normal & a sign that you are a caring nurse.

I also accepted a new assignment in California after working 10 years at a hospital in Wisconsin. I have found that alot of things they do out here are different from our "Midwest" ways. When I started I too had a preceptor type who seemed to go out of her way to try to make me feel incompetent and did nothing supportive. I finally had to go to my supervisor and tell her I was having a hard time working like that. I did not have to work with her after that so it paid off to talk to someone. Then I found out who the supportive nurses were and went to them with my questions. Later I found out that the person who was my preceptor was a bully to alot of the new hires. But it still really shook my confidence.I do know from this and past experience that learning to get things done on time takes time. It is also very hard to do when you have a preceptor because you are doing things her way. You will do just fine when you get on your own and develope a pattern but,don't be discouraged because it takes a while. I'm sure you have heard the saying that nurses "eat their young"--- that is what you are experiencing.Safety should always come before speed and as a new nurse of course you are concerned about safety. Don't let it get to you when anyone gives you a hard time about being slow. They were there too once, they just don't remember.Sometimes it helps to ask them how they learned to be so organized. When you compliment and ask for advice it usually softens people up. Good luck.:nurse:

Specializes in Oncology, and Gerentology.

That sucks... I escaped California, you got sucked in! :chair:

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