asking for help

[kathompson3207]

Hi all,

I have a few years of nursing experience (home care/inpatient) and starting a new job as a school nurse and I still have lots to learn. I suffer from the "I think I should know everything" syndrome :)  I had a really bad experience in my first nursing job inpatient when I asked questions during orientation if I did not know how to do something so I am hesitant at times. 

Does anyone have some great phrases to say to your boss, colleagues, preceptor how to ask for help when you do not know something or how to do something (regardless of if you really should or not)?  for example the other day I needed to take a temp on a young child and I had never done it on this age before, I could not quite get the probe of the tympanic thermometer in the child's ear.  I felt stupid - I did get it eventually but I was worried about putting it in too deep.

ex "maybe I should know how to do this, but I have never had an opportunity to practice this before, would you mind showing me how you do this?".....  

thanks!!

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

Hope AN's School Nursing forum can offer advice as so often school RN's don't get much of an orientation and often left to fend for themselves --not all tasks done under supervision.