working less than one year and not learning anything

Tait, MSN, RN · Dec 24, 2007

I guess I am not sure what area you feel you are not being educated in.

Are you lacking education in:

On unit orientation?

Patient cares for your specific unit/care setting?

Computer/equipment training?

Additional educational opportunities such as EKG/ACLS/etc?

Plus what kind of unit are you on, hours you work (days vs nights)?

A little more info and there might be suggestions for you, but at the moment this post is a little too vague for me to really try and offer anything helpful :)

Taitter

caliotter3 · Dec 24, 2007

I take responsibility for my own learning as there has never been a formal preceptor assigned to me on any job. I spend some of my off time and any chance while at work to look things up that pertain to what I am working with at the time and am pursuing higher nursing education on my own time. If I waited for anyone at work to take an interest in me learning anything, I never would have even been able to become a CNA. I'm not saying this to be funny or sarcastic, just stating the truth. For the most part, none of my supervisors have cared one iota whether or not I was learning anything or growing in my professional abilities.

jam2007 · Dec 24, 2007

Sorry to be vague..here's the details:

I am on a cardiopulmonary floor, days. When asked for training for EKG' s I was told to buy a book. I was also told I should be in the position for at least a year before getting ACLS training. I did buy a book and have taken it upon myself to learn as much as I can.

We do have various patients and we do treat wounds..we have no wound nurse and each MD/nurse has different thoughts on how to treat (dressings, topicals, etc.) I can't even get clear rationales as to treatment options, and have tried to do some on-line searches without much luck.

We don't hang blood often, so I get thr protocol so I make sure I'm following procedure. I have my preceptor expaining about the tubing and how it doesn't matter if the resevoir is filled, and I have another nurse telling me it certainly does. Very frustrating.

Just a few examples, hopefully it is more clear.

I am self motivated, but throw me a bone!

Tait, MSN, RN · Dec 24, 2007

I work on a mostly cardiac floor, so I would say if you have ANYONE on telemetry you should be in an EKG class. We take over 16 hours of EKG at our facility, 8 hours of that before we can sign off on our tele strips for each shift.

As far as ohter learning, ie dressings, etc I would really start searching for a support person. Anyone who you can really connect with, and say "hey, I am new here and I would love if you could give me a few suggestions" if the things they say chime strong to you, then trust it and stick with despite other suggestions.

As far as the blood tubing goes, I learned a lot of tricks from a very self-proclaimed "OCD" nurse. She was very protocol particular and was a fantastic, safe nurse. She was never afraid to pick up a book, call a doc or consult another department...and we worked nights! I was trained to fill the chamber, over the filter otherwise the blood cells have a chance to break as they fall and hit the filter, but remember to leave room to see the drip. I was also trained to NEVER run blood into the same line as any fluid OTHER than NORMAL SALINE. D5 and LR and other fluids can harm the blood as it goes in. When in doubt start a seperate IV line for the blood.

Another suggestion, purchase books, take them to work, use them, love them, break thier spines and highlight in them. It is never a bad idea to keep researching. Also I find, and I am actually going to trya nd implement a program at my Atlanta Hospital, to have nurses shadow other departments. Counting these experiences for education credits and towards earning levels I think would be a great opportunity for nurses to see what happens in surgery, dialysis, wound care etc. So in essence just ask if you can take some time in another department, maybe an hour after work and see how things work there. Remember everything you learn isn't just for your job, but to continue to increase the safety and level of care for our main priority, our patients.

RNperdiem, RN · Dec 26, 2007

You may be learning more than you think.

Do you do head to toe assessments of your patients?

Pass various meds (that you need to know why you are giving and when not to give)?

Have you gained skills in solving common problems such as respiratory distress,and pain management?

Are you developing the people skills to navigate the various relationships with patients, family, doctors, nurses, CNS's, dietary, pharmacy and PT?

You might not realize it, but you are developing judgement. When a nurse looks at at patient and thinks "I think something is wrong", that is learned from experience.

Experience is one of the most valuable skill a nurse can have.

Books read at home are a good idea. When you have settled in, contact the nursing education department and see what else they can offer.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Dec 26, 2007

I was told during the interview there would be education and opportunities for growth. Unfortunately, this isn't the case.

Desperate hiring managers will say and do anything to get enough warm-bodied nurses hired, so that the facility's staffing needs will be filled at that point in time. They will emphasize the vaguely good aspects of working at their potential place of employment by using motivational words with positive connotations such as 'education,' 'support,' 'opportunities,' 'growth,' and 'mentoring.'

The hiring manager's job is to get you hired and sold on the place, and these people will frequently employ dishonest tactics to meet their objectives of getting enough warm bodies to fill the shifts. Next time, please ask for clarification when a hiring manager says that a potential workplace has opportunities for growth and education. Ask, "What do you mean by growth? Exactly what types of educational opportunities does this company offer?" If they provide unclear answers, it's time to run.

jam2007 · Dec 26, 2007

Hindsight is 20/20 as they say...as a new grad I was just happy to have a job...next time I will definitely be more thorough.

And yes I am learning things on my own, but it would be nice to have a "go-to" person when I do have questions and unfortunately there are no strong nurses that I work with.

Thank you all for your input..God willing I can find myself a job that offers more in the way of education and support.

pagandeva2000, LPN · Dec 26, 2007

Sorry to be vague..here's the details:
I am on a cardiopulmonary floor, days. When asked for training for EKG' s I was told to buy a book. I was also told I should be in the position for at least a year before getting ACLS training. I did buy a book and have taken it upon myself to learn as much as I can.
We do have various patients and we do treat wounds..we have no wound nurse and each MD/nurse has different thoughts on how to treat (dressings, topicals, etc.) I can't even get clear rationales as to treatment options, and have tried to do some on-line searches without much luck.
We don't hang blood often, so I get thr protocol so I make sure I'm following procedure. I have my preceptor expaining about the tubing and how it doesn't matter if the resevoir is filled, and I have another nurse telling me it certainly does. Very frustrating.
Just a few examples, hopefully it is more clear.
I am self motivated, but throw me a bone!

I would inquire about continuing education classes for nursing in your area. I took a few classes in EKG, wound care, diabetes, and 12 lead EKG interpetation. I also had an orientation that basically sucked, but, I had to supplement my education, so to speak by doing things like this. If their answers were vague, I would make sure that the continuing ed course that I took was current, and would compare that data to what the job is using. Also, the books do have CD ROMs now, to practice with. There are wound care books you can purchase as well; even Incredibly Easy has a wound care book that is not too expensive. Good luck!