As a new nurse only 7 mos off orientation . . .

PICNICRN, BSN, RN · Feb 12, 2009

Just keep asking!! I ask for help and I ask questions every day and I have been in my specialty for 13 years! There are just some skills or meds or whatever that you simply do not encounter but every once in a while and it is ALWAYS better to have another set of hands helping you through for the safety of the patient! You CANNOT be expected to be proficient on your area after 7 months... in my area, you would be just out of orientation.

BTW the idea of a new grad 7 months out of the gates precepting is JUST WRONG in sooooo many ways!!

Anyway, keep asking questions and make sure you are actively seeking out opportunities to learn new skills and seek out more complex patients. I'm not saying that the "look at me like I'm an idiot" thing is all in your head- we all know those types are out there- but remember, we are all always harder on ourselves and maybe you are letting your insecurities get the best of you? Just a thought.

Good luck!

Virgo_RN, BSN, RN · Feb 12, 2009

Cultivate your resources. If there are two or three particular nurses that are supportive of you and willing to help, make sure that at the beginning of every shift, you know where their patient assignment is and get their phone number.

Second, make sure you're asking questions in such a way that shows you are thinking about it, and actively problem solving, not just looking for a quick answer. If, for example, you've never done a procedure before, don't ask anyone about it until after you've looked up the P&P, have gathered all of your supplies, and have thought the process through. If it's about a patient situation and you're not sure what to do, think it through and have your options already formulated before asking your question. If none of this applies, and it's just a quick question about a policy, procedure, or med, I'll just say something like "Okay, I know this is a dumb question, but...." or "Time for the stupid question of the day...", just to lighten things up a bit.

Basically, always try to solve the problem for yourself and have the answers you came up with readily at hand before you go to someone else with the question.

RN-LOGIC · Feb 12, 2009

I think its a big mistake having you as a preceptor with only 7 months of experience. Definitely not safe....... I wish you the best of luck.

RN-LOGIC · Feb 12, 2009

very helpful :clphnds:.

RN-LOGIC · Feb 12, 2009

''Cultivate your resources. If there are two or three particular nurses that are supportive of you and willing to help, make sure that at the beginning of every shift, you know where their patient assignment is and get their phone number.

Second, make sure you're asking questions in such a way that shows you are thinking about it, and actively problem solving, not just looking for a quick answer. If, for example, you've never done a procedure before, don't ask anyone about it until after you've looked up the P&P, have gathered all of your supplies, and have thought the process through. If it's about a patient situation and you're not sure what to do, think it through and have your options already formulated before asking your question. If none of this applies, and it's just a quick question about a policy, procedure, or med, I'll just say something like "Okay, I know this is a dumb question, but...." or "Time for the stupid question of the day...", just to lighten things up a bit.

Basically, always try to solve the problem for yourself and have the answers you came up with readily at hand before you go to someone else with the question.''

very helpful :clphnds:.

Galore · Feb 12, 2009

Wow, I really don't think it's fair to you or your orientee to have you precepting after only 7 months. Granted, my preceptor during my practicum had only been out of nursing school a year and was excellent, but I think she was the exception to the rule and that's still almost twice as much experience.

I've also only been on my unit about 7 months and there is no way I'd be ready to precept. I feel comfortable with my patient assignments, but I still ask tons of questions and get second opinions.

As for your other issue, we have a few of those types of disdainful nurses who act like you should come out of nursing school knowing everything like they apparently did, they are everywhere. I agree with the above posters, try to figure out who the more helpful nurses are and go to them first, and make sure you've done some quick research in case there's an obvious answer.

Above all, remember it's always better to ask for clarification or help if you're unsure, for patient safety and protection of your license. Ask the charge nurse involved if your coworkers are unhelpful, become familiar with policies and procedures, and politely remind them that you're still relatively new.

emilysmom,RN · Feb 12, 2009

I am not a preceptor yet but I am almost at my 6month mark. I am always finding myself asking quesions and I get the look of I should know it. In fact one of my questions I had was about forms and I got 2opposite answers. So I just used the form anyway. I guess instead of asking I could have just filled out the form and left it on the chart. IF I was wrong no big deal. I am always secound guessing myself, I have to have more confidence in my decisions. But I always feel safer to ask rather than just doing.

Hang in there

inthesky · Feb 13, 2009

Perhaps you are asking people who are also not completely sure. I managed to make some experienced nurses feel 'threatened and challenged' with questions they could not answer or were not sure about. I enjoy asking questions, even when I do know what I'm doing. How do you continue learning if you do the everything the same way continuously? It is probably a mix of variables, but this one came to mind.