Advice for well, not a brand new nurse... but

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I graduated in 2011. It was a tough year to find a job. I worked 2 RN gigs and finally work on a cardiac tele unit. We are the only tele unit next to CCU, so we are strait up cardiac and get the open hearts out of the unit. Once we prove our selves we can move into the CCU. I started after 2 brand new RNs fresh from nursing school. The problem is they are more prepared for the Critical Care class and I feel overwhelmed a month into this. We are all supposed to start independently on night shift in Sept. The new nurses started in May, so they have been following a preceptor much longer. My preceptor is holding me back for a few reasons. One is that we haven't covered everything. However, its a power struggle with her and my Nsg Manager. I have not been lucky when it comes to IVs. When I have an opportunity, my preceptor takes the easy ones and I know its part of her plan. She appears sweet face to face but I have seen her in action when she feels threatened. She tells me how she thinks I did well. Then, I over hear how her chatting about how much she hates her job ect... She didn't want to be a preceptor, but the nsg manager didn't have a choice. Anyway, any ideas how to win over both my preceptor, nsg manager, learn to take excellent care of my patients while building up a competent reputation so I can get my CCU spot? I am studying for my CCRN, it helps with refreshing concepts. I plan on joining three committees at the hospital. What else can I do?

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Switch preceptors. Talk to your manager, charge nurses, educators, anyone you can to get a new preceptor. This is your career and your job opportunity, you deserve the best!

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Specializes in none.

You definitely need to speak up and try to work out the problems with the preceptor. Just try and be honest with your manager about how the preceptor does not even want to do their job and how it is hurting you. If you can't get the training you need, how are you going to be competent with your patients? Consider the fact that their safety is more important than making a manager, preceptor, or someone else upset for telling them that you are not getting what you need.

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Specializes in MICU, SICU, CICU.

Volunteer to go to ICU when they are short. They will be sizing you up. We are always looking for people who have it, whatever it is. If a person from another unit helps us out I will send an email to a manager singing their praises. Make friends with the ICU nurses and you're in.

In the meantime attend every single educational offering related to Cardiac and Critical care.

The preceptor is not worth worrying over and I have had some doozies. You don't want to be known as difficult. You will learn a lot on the nightshift and that is just a couple of weeks away.

Get your skills list signed off and get on with your life.

Smile, don't complain or share, focus on where you want to be this time next year.

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Today was the end of 2 twelve hour days per week over 4 weeks. Im not ready. Not entirely my fault. I asked her a question and she said I don't know must be a nurse trying to sound smart.

I looked it up, she was just being a B****. I probably will need to spend more time with a preceptor hopefully on nights so its with someone else.

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Specializes in MICU, SICU, CICU.

More likely a preceptor afraid of sounding dumb.

Trust me it will be better on nights. Chin up.

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Well, I had my weekly critical care class today and after I checked in with my manager I inquired about my schedule. I will attend my dysrhythmia classes next week. The following week I will start on nights with my night shift preceptor!!! Yay me!!! She offered 3 shifts instead of just two. I think EVERYONE is aware of my situation and possibly impressed with my tolerance and ability to stick it out! Well, at least I'm impressed with myself! Thanks for all your support!

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Specializes in Quality, Cardiac Stepdown, MICU.

Nights is the best way to learn. I'm getting along well with my preceptor but I will have a total of 4 before my internship is over, so I hope it's this good of a fit with everyone. :-/ Also be friendly and helpful to the other nurses. They are your coworkers too. And many of them might be willing to teach, even if they aren't officially your preceptor. If they have a pt on a paralytic, ask to see train of four. Volunteer to help with postmortem care. Check pulses while they pull a line. Anything to learn, and also, frankly, to ingratiate yourself. ;-)

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