Arrrgh I'm convinved it's done purpose

[Nicky30, BSN, RN]

Hi all,

I am an Aussie grad, started in December and as I work in a country hospital we actually rotate to different specialties. I have been in acute care since July and my latest rotation is in medical.

My grad program is non existent. Our facilitator no longer has a job. We don't have preceptors and there is no orientation. It is basically sink or swim. It has caused many sleepless nights!

I routinely have 10+ patients with 2 EN (not sure of your equivalent) and I have even had 6 patients on my own but for a second year student (lets not go in to how wrong that is)!

The patient ratio however is not my issue. It just appears that some nurses go out of their way to make you feel incompetent! Like saying you can hand over my patient for me "nothing has happened with them" perhaps I am naieve and I definitely don't want to upset the apple cart by refusing to hand over. But when I get to hand over I am asked questions about the patient that I can't answer!! I feel like a fool at best, and as though I know nothing at all. I have been told to relax and all will come with time. That comment just doesn't cut it - I need to know stuff and I need to know it yesterday! I can't stand not knowing, it drives me insane (don't get me wrong I wont pretend if I don't know and I will ask) it's just the looks I get that say OMG I can't believe you don't know that. GRRRRR!

Taking a breath now, thanks for letting me vent.

Nicky.