So What Do You Guys Think?

Specialties MICU

Published

Specializes in Ortho and Tele med/surg.

Ok, I've been a nurse now for almost two years and I'm just about jaded with a lot of the things that goes on in the hospital. I recently transferred from med/surg ortho into critical care. First, I applied for a day shift position in the SICU. I did the interview, where I was basically grilled by three directors. So I was offered a position in the SICU on nights. I reluctantly took the position hoping that a night position would open up. So I started last week in the MICU. I was told that I was going orient for 2 weeks and then I was going to orient on SICU. So I did 3 days where I was with a different preceptor each day. The first day, the preceptor was nice, but kept sending me all over the place to do errands like a was doing her a favor. I didn't say anything because I knew she was not going be my preceptor. As I am there a GI bleed is admitted on the floor and one nurse wanted me to take the admission. My preceptor said absolutely not! Then, on the second day my second preceptor was like you are basically on your own. At first I was like what? The third day I got a great preceptor that was constantly pushing me. Then I show up to work on the fourth day and I have a new preceptor, which is totally different.

Then, today after I reminded the managers that they hired me, they told me that I was going be in MICU with the same nurse that wanted me to take the GI admission on my first day. Then, the manager didn't remember if she hired me for nights or days. So she asked me, and guess what I said? "Days." I really don't know. I have struggled to get a job in the ICU simply because I'm not a new grad or an experienced ICU nurse. Honestly, I'm not seeing how things are going to go with the confusing management. What gives me hope is that I have learned more in 4 days than I've learn in 9 months on ortho/ med/surg. Should I walk away or stick things out for a year?

Thanks in Advance for your reply.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, ER.

Stick it out. It's not uncommon for things to start out hectic in critical care. Sit down with your manager and your educator and create a plan. Give them your feedback about who you felt you developed a good rapport with as far as a preceptor. Talk about your transition to SICU and setting a schedule that is the same as your preceptor's. Outline what you need from them. Sometimes in teaching hospitals that are crazy busy you have to assert yourself and tell them exactly what you need. If they listen, things will get better. If they don't, then start to question your decision to remain employed. This is just a blip on your radar compared to the ICU mayhem that will ensue throughout your career. :)

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Specializes in SICU/CVICU.

Why are you only planning on spending a year in the SICU?

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Don't worry kid, 1 out of every 10 feels the same way when they start out in ICU for the first time. :dncgcpd:

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Specializes in ER/ICU/STICU.

Hang in there and try to get some consistency with preceptors.

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Specializes in Telemetry, ICU.

The key to a good orientation experience is a good preceptor. Try asking your supervisor if you can be paired up with one and only work with him or her for a few shifts. It is always hectic trying something new, and consistency helps makign the transition easier...

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Stick with it! It sounds that this hospital needs to formalize a model for primary preceptorship!

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Sounds like you're working in a Hospital with very slack management. But so are a lot of us and it's likely you'll be doing it a lot in your future. So as aggravated as you (justifiably) feel....get over it and do something on your own.

Here's what I'd tell my daughter (a newbie RN herself): find the 'good' preceptor. Ask that person to become your personal mentor. Promise them anything! You'll walk their dogs, cook their breakfast, do their laundry!! Then go to the person who makes out the schedule and announce 'So-and-So is my preceptor and I have to be scheduled on the same days she/he is working!" Insist upon this. If the nurse manager gets involved, remind them that they hired you contingent upon training....

I bet if you stand on your own hind legs (as we say in the South) you'll go far...

and good luck to ya. And remember -- the person who makes out the schedule is ALWAYS your friend!!! You'll make SURE of that.

PapawJohn

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