Am I cut out for nursing?

Chrislynn2003 · Nov 12, 2003

I am so sorry. It just doesn't seem fair; I mean you have only been a nurse for 5 months; you need time to grow and learn. are there any other new grads working there or are they just specifically targeting you? I wish I could offer you advice on critical thinking. I mean you must know how to prioritize your patients (of course everyone knows that from NCLEX), which I'm sure you do. Good organizational skills come with time. I don't know what else to tell you. Do you know of any other hospitals that you could work at, maybe smaller ones. Best of luck!

christine

wendellchef-rn · Nov 12, 2003

No offense, but there must be more to it.

I am in the 4th semester of school and I am not the top in the class when it comes to grades, but I do witness that those that are - well, some of them are still lacking in clinical/personal skills.

Are you shy? Do you exude confidence when you work? What is your self esteem like at work? If you have a demeanor of non-confidence, your co-workers will pick up on it in a heart beat. When they said you lack critical thinking skills, what exactly did they mean? Did you ask them to explain what they meant? Just stating that you lack critical thinking skills is a broad statement, one that needs further investigation.

I am sorry for this happening to you. If I were you, I would ask, in detail what exactly they mean. Therefore, if there are legitimate weaknesses you can work on, it will benefit you in your next position of employment.

Good luck!

dsczephyr · Nov 12, 2003

Actually, there isn't much more to it. I went to my preceptor and asked for specifics, I was told that I was "just fine." I asked the clinical floor manager and the nurse manager for specifics. I was given the example of not taking a verbal order for a med (haldol) and taking it out of pyxis under override. I was told I should be able to carry out verbal orders for meds and go through override to do so. I was also told that I asked too many questions and that I was expected to reason things out for myself.

Afterwards, I went home and looked up everything I could on critical thinking, both what I had at home (I am a book and journal person) and what I could find on the internet under critical thinking and nursing. As I read through it all, my reaction was that I was engaging in critical thinking. I tell my patients what we are addressing (from the nursing diagnosis standpoint) and ask what has worked for them in the past and is there anything else that's bothering them. I get a lot of feedback. I make suggestions to MD's and find that many of my suggestions are carried out through their orders. I learn every day about so many things. The other day I had a pt who had a BKA and was having a terrible time with phantom pain. IV morphine was not being particularly effective. I spotted PT in the hallway and since they deal with such things all the time, I asked if they had any suggestions on pain control. They suggested Neurontin. I knew it was good for neuralgia, but had not thought of it for phantom pain. I suggested it to the MD, who was delighted. It was something effective for the pt and was also something the pt could go home on. I was thanked for thinking of it.

To me: that's critical thinking.

At this point, it's simply going to take some time for me to pick myself up. As for confidence, it's hard to be confident under those type of circumstances, but I was an EMT for 10 years - and respected by my peers. I would not think confidence to be a problem - until now.

Thanks for the replies though - it does help. dsczephyr

psychomachia · Nov 12, 2003

"Am I cut out for nursing?"

Only if you can shine it on and continue your career somewhere else...

One more thought:

If you're going through hell, keep going - Winston Churchill.

LisaRN2B · Nov 12, 2003

Originally posted by psychomachia
"Am I cut out for nursing?"

Only if you can shine it on and continue your career somewhere else...

One more thought: quote:If you're going through hell, keep going - Winston Churchill.

Very well said. Don't hang it up. I don't know who said this, but they are words to live by:

"Don't let the bastards win!"

Tinker · Nov 15, 2003

Personally, I think it is pretty crappy that they told you that, and did not help you to overcome whatever barrier you were having. They should be encouraging you to ask questions. I have only been working for 5 months. There were times that I thought I was never going to make it. I couldn't prioritize. I would run from task to task with no rhyme or reason. Everyone on my floor encouraged me and said I would find my rhythm. They are tolerating my relentless questions. It sounds like you need to move on to somewhere else more supportive.

dsczephyr · Nov 15, 2003

Actually Tinker, I am already in talks with another local hospital. They are aware of what happened and had some pretty serious questions about the way things were handled. I talked with some of the nurse educators who have been in a position to evaluate me. I learned that critical thinking was not considered an issue for me prior to working on this floor. Additionally, it was noted that my preceptor's opinion was overlooked, there was no plan with weekly objectives and evaluations in place to address the issue, nor was there any evidence of an actual problem. It was a matter of a manager (who had never watched me on the floor, and in fact, was rarely on the floor during my shift) basing an opinion on second and third hand information (not from my preceptor, who told me that I was 'just fine'). I never knew who told her what. It was also noted that nothing was said to me about a problem with critical thinking prior to being threatened with the loss of my job. That raised some serious concerns - not about me, but rather about the management on my floor.

Yet, these same managers admitted that I had been "very good" in nursing rounds - where I had to review all the nursing diagnoses of all of my patients, the interventions, where those interventions stood, and what else needed to be done. They gave me credit for being good at that.

As for me, I am taking the rest of the month off to regroup. It seems that I have a number of nurse educators and clinical instructors in my corner - and I can already feel my confidence coming back. I am also doing a study of critical thinking - there's quite a few definitions out there, and also quite a bit written on the importance of it - but not much in the way of strategies for developing critical thinking skills. So, I am doing a project on developing strategies for critical thinking.

How's that for taking a lemon and turning it into lemonade?

Thanks to everyone who responded - it helps to know there are others out there who care enough to respond.

dsczephyr

sharann, BSN, RN · Nov 16, 2003

As soon as I read your username I liked your mind! I suggest you just relax and stop studying critical thinking so much...you obviously know how to do this as evidenced by the phantom pain--neurontin example you gave. I had a very similar experience in my 1st job as an RN(except they terminated me for being too "anxious"). I worked somewhere else in Tele for a year then moved to recovery room. I can tell you that "anxious" has never been used in any of my evaluations since the 1st one. You also were correct to be up front with the new employers. I was as well and I STILL got the job (maybe because of it, who knows).

Focus on continuing to hone your assessment and physical nursing skills. Organization is the key (as well as prayer at times!)

Bye

Rapheal · Nov 16, 2003

I am so sorry this is happened to you. If there was such a problem then why weren't you informed before- and re-oriented? Why did they wait so long to address the supposed problems? Doesn't make sense to me. Such a waste of talent. I am glad that you are able to see that this is unfair, and not put all the blame on yourself. You seem to be very intelligent and you have also spent time evaluating your performance as a nurse. You also seem like a very caring nurse. It is a good thing you are leaving a toxic environment. Good luck in your future (better) job.