Advice

[jfor1234]

I am a new grad (last summer) who began my career on a pedi hem/onc floor. The nurses are all very tough on my floor and on the unfriendly side, so I mainly just keep busy and do my job rather than socialize with them too much. However, I am running into some issues with them telling admin on our floor that I am not doing some things that I am(which I think if I could flip back thru chart I could easily defend-but I can't). So, I was brought into office (for second time) for a re-learning program, which is fine but I was so upset initially that I didn't really defend myself. So, my question is after MUCH heartache and extreme dwelling over these "issues," do I go back to explain myself so they don't think I am just "going thru the motions" of my job. They mentioned, "these are basic nursing skills/lack critical thinking/not asking enough questions"-which I feel like I am asking a TON of questions. The first time they brought me in was bc I told a nurse a sicklers lungs were clear and she thought they were coorifice, so amped up my lung sound training/spoke with resp ther etc. But this time I am having a hard time bc I feel like the issues are unfounded and that I am already doing what they want me to do....feeling lost, stupid, inadequate.... What would u do?

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

Take all the extra education they offer you.

Ask more questions.

Try to socialize a little bit more-- people are less likely to hack on someone they like.

Learn to explain and defend your positions on issues more effectively.

[EHNurse19]

If you feel like going to defend yourself would help your situation then I would definitely go back in. Also just try socializing with these nurses. I had a few nurses that were crabby when I first started on a new floor at the hospital but I would try to talk to them and develop relationships (only to be shot down numerous times) but now a year and a half later we all get along great. For some reason nurses have a way of "eating their young" when new people start. Why that is? I have no clue but I feel like all new nurses go through this. Just try to do the best most thorough job you can do and prove that you are the great nurse that you are. Asking questions is ALWAYS going to be part of your practice so find nurses that are willing to mentor you along the way and know who you can go to when needing help. And as far as the education goes...absolutely accept it and be grateful that they are taking the time to help you in areas that you may be lacking (new nurses can't know everything). Nursing is a constant learning process so stay positive

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

talk to the faciliyt Educator. Tell that person you need advice. Talk to the manager of your dept. Tell that person you need more support, not criticism

[jfor1234]

Thank you all for your suggestions. I would willingly accept the extra education, as I am a new nurse and any extra education is appreciated. My issue with it is that I feel like they think I am stupid and lack what it takes to become a good nurse based on these half-truths.

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

GAAAHHHHH! I just hate hearsay & ambiguity. It has no place in the world of performance evaluation. You should be provided with specific and clear examples of areas in which you need to improve... " j41234, I noticed that you did not move your stethescope far enough down to auscultate the lung bases, you need to make sure to listen to all lung fields each time" NOT "you didn't do a good job"..... sheesh.

Starting now:

When you receive corrective feedback, do not immediately jump into defensive mode ('did so!'). Instead, ask for clarification and information about what s/he would have considered acceptable. Make absolutely sure you understand what they are saying and the criteria that will be used to evaluate your performance. "I see, well I certainly want to make sure that I don't miss any lung problems - can you tell/show me what I should do to get better results?"

Then - do exactly what you have been told to do. Don't pay any attention to what anyone else is doing... do what you have been told to do (rinse, lather, repeat). This approach will also provide you with many opportunities to ask those questions that they expect from you.