Wow, did I step in it at the new job

[algebra_demystified]

Early on at this place (early on is your first week to two weeks) I was doing meds while another nurse worked the floor. What I'm used to is the med nurse does the meds, the floor nurse works the floor. When I'm on the floor I don't pay much attention to the med nurse, they don't pay much attention to me. I think it works because we recognize each others' autonomy. When I'm doing meds I don't want anybody touching my stuff, passing anything, taking off orders, fetching PRNs... I'm on top of it (or I'm not, it happens).

My partner nurse was working the floor that particular shift, and approached me while I was using the hospital's checklist to assess a patient's mood. She motioned to pull me aside and said not to use the checklist in front of the patients. "It might make them more paranoid if they think we're constantly watching them" among other things. I told her this wasn't my first rodeo. I can assess a patient's mood without making him more paranoid. Show me where the paperwork is, if you know the extension for the pharmacy I could use that, but I don't need you to explain how to assess a patient's mood (this is a psych hospital). I guess that tweaked her nose pretty good, because tonight we were on the same unit again. She made a list of everything I did wrong that shift, saved it for the end of the night, and pulled me aside.

There she went down the list and said that the following are all med errors. X, Y, Z, and A, B, C. One of the things on the list was genuine, and I acknowledge that. One was partially true, and the rest was a bunch of garbage. She was just making it clear to me that she runs things here and will be watching me. "You know you could lose your license over this. Most nurses would just write you up for this, but it's a lot of paperwork and I have something to do tonight, or I would. I figured I would just talk to you this time."

Great. Thanks.

[Liddle Noodnik]

Ohh boy. Is she assigned to "orient you"? Then you should be orienting with her and have an extra nurse. But it is good to have another nurse willing to put the time in to "help." Guess the way she delivered was not too hot and you will have to choose how to receive it (or not). I usually try to grin (literally) and bear it and learn as much as I can. She won't ALways feel she has to be on top of you. And she may have things of value to teach you. Try to tell her how you feel about her delivery, try to figure out how you (both) can communicate better. If she continues the power trip, you may need a mediator.

[GitanoRN, BSN, MSN, RN]

my advise to you is learn from the experience and what she has to offer and move on, the more you dwell on it the more power she will have over you remember.... and i quote "no one can make you feel inferior without your permission" eleanor roosevelt. wishing you the very best in all of your future endeavors....aloha~

[Karen]

You actually said to her "this isn't my first rodeo"? If so you owe her an apology, that's rude and condescending to someone responsible for your work as it is your first day on the job. And you are working in a psych facility with those kind of communication skills? Her concern was the patients--not making the paraniods more paranoid, whether for their sake or just the sake to have a drama free shift. Your response sounds like you were embarrassed.

[Asystole RN]

If you do not want to be treated like a child then do not act like one. Take her constructive criticism for what it is. Acknowledge her statements professionally and after a self assessment continue to practice as you see fit.

An old mentor of mine gave me some very valuable advice. Starting a new job is like a naval battle. You do not want to be the almighty battleship that steams ahead blindly firing broadsides at everything that floats, you will isolate yourself, be surrounded, and eventually sunk. Battleships make nice big targets. Instead you want to be a quiet submarine that lays low, watches the other ships, sizes them up, and then picks the battles against targets of opportunity that can be won with the minimum of risk.

You just fired a broadside against a carrier on the horizon. If the carrier does not sink you herself then her support will.

[nursel56]

Here I am in the Men's area . . .the way I see it is you are two people who did a little mutual toe-stepping on, and the motives, while interesting, not worth pursuing. I suspect the two of you can move past this little introductory glitch and be just fine from now on.