I have a few weeks till the end of my orientation. I am a freshly graduated nurse who is working on the ICU. I really like my unit and finds the staff really helpful and really to help me learn new things. The past few weeks have been pretty bad especially last week. It was the busiest week for me and the unit in general especially with everything picking back up. I had a few transfers and keep getting new admissions. I made some mistakes or did not catch on to certain things, so my preceptor had to correct me. I learn from them and know better now. My confidence was slowly being built and I thought I was doing okay. I do forget to do certain things, but I am honest about it when my preceptor ask. I knew that I had things to work on, but didn't know it was that bad.
I had my first meeting in regards to my orientation and it went really bad. They were saying that they felt I might not be the best fit for the unit and I really need to prove myself. They said that I seem unsure when I am talking to doctors and seem like I don't know anything about my patients. I have horrible time with rounds and talking to doctors in general. I am a pretty shy person who, which as my username implies, lacks confidence in general with myself due to years of just being talked down to all my life by everyone even my loved ones. When I am questioned, I blank out even when I know my material. I am trying to improve myself as best as I can and trying to review my material. They say I lack critical thinking and don't understand why the other new orienteers are doing better and why I am struggling. (the other orienteers have experience either as a nurse or a PCT on the unit). I have a heavy accent as well as English is not my first language. I was told to learn how to talk especially with my pronunciation with the drugs.
I am trying really hard now to review and to somehow build more confidence in myself in the next few days that I am off. I am writing different words down, looking up their pronunciation and repeating them to myself. I plan to come even earlier than I have been to look up patients' charts. However, I would admit the meeting really made me lost the little confidence that was slowly being built. I feel so overwhelmed and don't want to lose my job. I really love nursing and the patients in general, so I want to be able to improve myself as best as I can to show that I really do want to be here and be able to perform at the level they want me to. I could really use some advice on what I can do to improve myself and tips. Thank you.
I am so sorry that you are struggling. Never let them take your confidence away! I had a similar experience. I was hired in my dream hospital & had a bad performance review partly due to my preceptor being a "bully." I never had the option of transferring to a different unit and was terminated. I had the union involved and they tried to save my position, but the hospital was adamant in letting me go. It was a bit of a blessing in disguise. I was able to get on unemployment & I spent time working on my confidence & whatever I felt I was lacking as a nurse. It was also sort of an "extended vacation." Two months later, I was offered another new grad position in a different hospital. On top of that, I had a choice of choosing which shift, and I chose day shift! I am currently in my third week of orientation. I feel more much at ease and the nurses I work with are much nicer and helpful.
My advice for now is start talking to your union rep. Maybe your union rep can talk to the department in helping you transfer, if that is what you would like to do. I was struggling with the other nursing job, realizing their unit was not a good fit for me. I feel like I am thriving in this current department. Maybe I got lucky in finding a job that fast. Do your best. I agree that counseling will help. Family is not always helpful. I never told my family members that I was fired from my last nursing job. I don't plan to tell them. I will tell them that I found a day shift position elsewhere because I was tired of working night shift. But I am waiting until I pass probation first. Unless they are helping you out financially, it's one of their business!
I wish you a lot of luck. There are plenty of nursing jobs out there. Even for new grads. Some places say less than 6 months experience is still considered a new grad. After 1 year experience, you are golden! Please keep us updated!
So I don’t know the entire situation but here is my perception:
1. It sounds like you had kind of a lousy orientation period. You should be getting weekly or every other week progress reports or talks with your preceptors.
2. If there were issues with your job performance, they should have talked with you much sooner then later. It’s not fair to you to give you this information so late.
3. It’s OK to be YOU. Confidence can be built but that takes time and the support of your team and family and friends. I was always a different nurse then many other ER nurses - I was quiet and somewhat shy but eventually became much more extroverted and didn’t back down from advocating from my patients as I became comfortable with my team. Again, confidence can be built but you don’t have to change you or your personality.
4. I think you can succeed in an ICU. But you can only do it if your team is willing to support you and help you along the way. If not, don’t blame yourself. It’s OK to leave a department and go somewhere where people accept you for who you are.
I am so sorry that you are struggling. Never let them take your confidence away! I had a similar experience. I was hired in my dream hospital & had a bad performance review partly due to my preceptor being a "bully." I never had the option of transferring to a different unit and was terminated. I had the union involved and they tried to save my position, but the hospital was adamant in letting me go. It was a bit of a blessing in disguise. I was able to get on unemployment & I spent time working on my confidence & whatever I felt I was lacking as a nurse. It was also sort of an "extended vacation." Two months later, I was offered another new grad position in a different hospital. On top of that, I had a choice of choosing which shift, and I chose day shift! I am currently in my third week of orientation. I feel more much at ease and the nurses I work with are much nicer and helpful.
My advice for now is start talking to your union rep. Maybe your union rep can talk to the department in helping you transfer, if that is what you would like to do. I was struggling with the other nursing job, realizing their unit was not a good fit for me. I feel like I am thriving in this current department. Maybe I got lucky in finding a job that fast. Do your best. I agree that counseling will help. Family is not always helpful. I never told my family members that I was fired from my last nursing job. I don't plan to tell them. I will tell them that I found a day shift position elsewhere because I was tired of working night shift. But I am waiting until I pass probation first. Unless they are helping you out financially, it's one of their business!
I wish you a lot of luck. There are plenty of nursing jobs out there. Even for new grads. Some places say less than 6 months experience is still considered a new grad. After 1 year experience, you are golden! Please keep us updated!
I am scared of that happening, but you are right. Things happen for a reason. If it doesn’t work out here, then maybe a different unit or hospital is best. I will still try to give my next two/three weeks my best and prove them wrong. Thank you for your kind words and I wish you luck as well on your orientation! I just want the experience at least if I do go to a different place!
So I don’t know the entire situation but here is my perception:
1. It sounds like you had kind of a lousy orientation period. You should be getting weekly or every other week progress reports or talks with your preceptors.
2. If there were issues with your job performance, they should have talked with you much sooner then later. It’s not fair to you to give you this information so late.
3. It’s OK to be YOU. Confidence can be built but that takes time and the support of your team and family and friends. I was always a different nurse then many other ER nurses - I was quiet and somewhat shy but eventually became much more extroverted and didn’t back down from advocating from my patients as I became comfortable with my team. Again, confidence can be built but you don’t have to change you or your personality.
4. I think you can succeed in an ICU. But you can only do it if your team is willing to support you and help you along the way. If not, don’t blame yourself. It’s OK to leave a department and go somewhere where people accept you for who you are.
Hi! That’s what my friends are saying as well. I been with 7 different preceptors this past 9-10 weeks. I am often forgotten when I come in and they are surprised that I am there. Sometimes, my main one gets canceled and on call a few times and I get toss to someone as soon as they noticed I am in. Even when it is known my own preceptor is off, I have to keep asking the educator or someone else whose schedule I have to be with for the next time. My preceptor do give me talks on what to improve on such as trying to talk to doctors more and being more aware. I take them and try to do my best, but I never thought it was that bad as management as put it. I knew there was things to work on, but didn’t think I was that bad. Thank you for your encouragement! I’m going to try to be a better ICU nurse. They say that if I need something I can ask them, but I don’t even know what I need so it’s like okayy.
I, too, never received any progress reports or a plan of some sort on orientation, (like you, I have a few weeks left before being on my own). When I addressed this with the educator I was told there was no time for that... I am very disappointed as I feel unprepared for being on my own, and they are short-staffed and are having to frequently take care of more patients than they should... I am really apprehensive as I know if I have to look after 7 patients, many of them being High acuity, things will be missed... ?
I am scared of that happening, but you are right. Things happen for a reason. If it doesn’t work out here, then maybe a different unit or hospital is best. I will still try to give my next two/three weeks my best and prove them wrong. Thank you for your kind words and I wish you luck as well on your orientation! I just want the experience at least if I do go to a different place!
Just do your best. That is all you can do. It is very unfair that you received negative feedback so late into the orientation and having so many inconsistent preceptors. I can see why that is so confusing. Make sure you write down a list of events happening and how they have treated you. Best of luck! Don't let anyone tell you what kind of nurse you are. You know yourself and what you are capable of!
I am so sorry that you are struggling. Never let them take your confidence away! I had a similar experience. I was hired in my dream hospital & had a bad performance review partly due to my preceptor being a "bully." I never had the option of transferring to a different unit and was terminated. I had the union involved and they tried to save my position, but the hospital was adamant in letting me go. It was a bit of a blessing in disguise. I was able to get on unemployment & I spent time working on my confidence & whatever I felt I was lacking as a nurse. It was also sort of an "extended vacation." Two months later, I was offered another new grad position in a different hospital. On top of that, I had a choice of choosing which shift, and I chose day shift! I am currently in my third week of orientation. I feel more much at ease and the nurses I work with are much nicer and helpful.
My advice for now is start talking to your union rep. Maybe your union rep can talk to the department in helping you transfer, if that is what you would like to do. I was struggling with the other nursing job, realizing their unit was not a good fit for me. I feel like I am thriving in this current department. Maybe I got lucky in finding a job that fast. Do your best. I agree that counseling will help. Family is not always helpful. I never told my family members that I was fired from my last nursing job. I don't plan to tell them. I will tell them that I found a day shift position elsewhere because I was tired of working night shift. But I am waiting until I pass probation first. Unless they are helping you out financially, it's one of their business!
I wish you a lot of luck. There are plenty of nursing jobs out there. Even for new grads. Some places say less than 6 months experience is still considered a new grad. After 1 year experience, you are golden! Please keep us updated!
This may sound terrible but sometimes there are “blessings in disguise”. I know I recently went from a terrible job to a really great job. It makes us realize and appreciate a good situation and team after a bad situation.
This may sound terrible but sometimes there are “blessings in disguise”. I know I recently went from a terrible job to a really great job. It makes us realize and appreciate a good situation and team after a bad situation.
It does not sound terrible. It takes time to find "the right fit." Not everyone is lucky to land the ideal job first time around. And unfortunately, nurses do eat their young! We learn from every event. It is what we do with that lesson is what makes it count! Nurses should always support each other no matter what skill level we are at. It's a shame not everyone thinks that way. But, we must continue to lead by example as best we canA
I have been where you are—twice! And it is truly an uphill battle, whether it is the first job out of school or a job in a different practice area many years later.
Please make sure you take care of you—positive self-talk and realistic self-evaluation. Accents should not be figuring into the discussion whatsoever; let that stressor go.
If you decide you need a different starting place, maybe consider intermediate critical care. You will have fewer patients than a standard ward, but you will have more than in the unit; however, IMCU is a fantastic middle ground for learning about your practice habits and strengthening your critical thinking and practical skill set.
I know this about you already: You are dedicated; you are smart; you are concerned not just for yourself, but for your patients. What an amazing person you are! Don’t sell yourself short while you determine your next steps. And don’t be afraid to embrace something different if this is too much at the moment.
The beauty of nursing is we constantly learn and are always able to lateral into new areas of work. You will do great—just give yourself the time required to strengthen yourself at the front end of what will be a life-long professional journey. :)
It’s hard to be a new grad in ICU. I’m surprised they would hire a new grad because of that. There is not a lot of grace in the ICU because your patients are fragile. If you blank while talking to doctors and are stressed this late in orientation I would strongly consider transferring to a regular floor for a while. This is not the time to let hour pride in the way, the life of your patients literally rests on you. They are at their most vulnerable. It’s a rare rare new grad who can breeze into it.
Hi, just an update for all you guys for commented and showed me your kindness and support! The end of my orientation just came about and I was offered to stay in my position! My manager and educator met up with me today on my last day of orientation and told me that I really improved my game and really showed that I can handle being on the ICU. They told me though I did struggle, I really brought it to their attention that I can do this and it was not a mistake to bring me into the unit. I am scared of starting my first week by myself next week, but this really help me gain a tiny bit more confidence that they said all that. I thank you for all your support and comments and wanted to update you guys! Thank you!
clamchopz, ASN
32 Posts
I am so sorry that you are struggling. Never let them take your confidence away! I had a similar experience. I was hired in my dream hospital & had a bad performance review partly due to my preceptor being a "bully." I never had the option of transferring to a different unit and was terminated. I had the union involved and they tried to save my position, but the hospital was adamant in letting me go. It was a bit of a blessing in disguise. I was able to get on unemployment & I spent time working on my confidence & whatever I felt I was lacking as a nurse. It was also sort of an "extended vacation." Two months later, I was offered another new grad position in a different hospital. On top of that, I had a choice of choosing which shift, and I chose day shift! I am currently in my third week of orientation. I feel more much at ease and the nurses I work with are much nicer and helpful.
My advice for now is start talking to your union rep. Maybe your union rep can talk to the department in helping you transfer, if that is what you would like to do. I was struggling with the other nursing job, realizing their unit was not a good fit for me. I feel like I am thriving in this current department. Maybe I got lucky in finding a job that fast. Do your best. I agree that counseling will help. Family is not always helpful. I never told my family members that I was fired from my last nursing job. I don't plan to tell them. I will tell them that I found a day shift position elsewhere because I was tired of working night shift. But I am waiting until I pass probation first. Unless they are helping you out financially, it's one of their business!
I wish you a lot of luck. There are plenty of nursing jobs out there. Even for new grads. Some places say less than 6 months experience is still considered a new grad. After 1 year experience, you are golden! Please keep us updated!