Bad orientation.. ready to quit.. help

Noney · Dec 15, 2003

If it were me, I would try to orient on a quieter shift. Perhaps if you went in at night the nurses would have time to show some of the stuff you're missing during the busy times. Usually between 3a to 5a things slow down. Maybe yopu could do a few nights then finish training on days.

Good luck. It sounds like you've got a good plan for yourself.

Noney

SmilingBluEyes · Dec 16, 2003

just where is "nightshift" quieter? Why does everyone assume this?????

it sure is not where I work....sometimes it is much worse cause we have very little to no ancillary support! not to mention, doctors are not across the street or down the hall to call...but sleeping at home.......

Really, it sounds as if no matter what shift, this OP's floor is busy....

sounds as you need more time to orient. Ask for it. If not, you may want to try another floor where you have the time to learn.

I wish you well. It's a rough go the first year. I feel for you!:kiss

Noney · Dec 16, 2003

Smiling Blue Eyes, I meant between 3 and 5. I work 12 hour night also. And yes I'm very busy at night, but there is a little slow down at times. I guess it depends on whaat kind of floor you work on. We have a house physician at night and can call him for most of our problems.

Yes you are right she does need more orientation, but I didn't suggest it because she mentioned that the NM was "budget concious" and was shorting staff the days she is there so I didn't think it was a possibility.

Sorry if I offended anyone with my earlier reply.

Noney

SmilingBluEyes · Dec 16, 2003

no offense taken. I just don't see orientation being a "nightshift" thing.....

not where I work. Too many things come up too quickly and too little backup, making us do jobs like draw labs or having a lack of pharmacy support, that makes it bad to orient then. We do a lot of things outside nursing, esp on nightshift. This is when we go down by at least one nurse, on top of that. We are spread thin enough without orienting people on top of it.

Just would not work where I am anyhow.

nekhismom · Dec 16, 2003

Yep, I am a new grad and I will be working 12 hour nights, but I will orient on days during most of my 6 month orientation. The NM feels that I will be able to get more comfortable there, learn some procedures, etc. and then I will be able to transition to night shift. I'm glad because if I went straight into nights, I don't think I would have much support. I did night shift clinicals and there were NO support people around except Lab techs, and only because the nurses were not allowed to draw blood. No Dr's, no NA's, no help.

Agnus · Dec 16, 2003

Originally posted by LuvbabiesRN
i know it will not change ,. since i wokred there previously i know that i manager only thinks of money and not safety of her patients and the stress level of ther staff.. and know that i am a nurse i dont want to work in this enviroment.. HELP

Sounds like you answered your own question. ((((HUG))))

barefootlady, ADN, RN · Dec 16, 2003

:eek:

Attempt to discuss these issues with the nurse manager. Ask for more time to orient, if after another week, things have not changed, go the the DON and ask for a change in units. But, IF you know you do not want to work in this environment, give a two week notice, cite personal reasons, keep your mouth closed for these 2 weeks, and walk out the door with a small smile. YOU made the decision to control your life/work stress level.

Keep us posted on your progress.

Keysnurse2008 · Dec 16, 2003

you need to consider liscensure issues also.so.......lets say this budget conscious manager doesnt ensure you are properly oriented.....you need to have it on record somewhere....somewhere like the Cheif nursing officers(don) office would be appropriate stating what you have and have NOT been oriented at,.... and that you feel uncomfortable preforming duties that are within the "have not" list...i bet your D. O. N. ensures that you will be oriented otherwise you are a liablility to them.....and to your own liscensure......you need to protect yourself and save the documentation of what you have and have not been oriented to and to WHOM you made your have NOT list made known to.otherwise your silence says "hey I know all and can preform this job competently':)

mattsmom81 · Dec 16, 2003

and I understand where you are coming from. I work with a very 'budget conscious' manager who likes to understaff us too. She WILL take cues from you and it is imperative you speak up. Orientation is generally negotiable. You need to speak up and be very clear what you need in order to stay here. Do you know the answer to that? This is what your manager will want to hear, if you wish to stay at all.

Your next few weeks will be make or break time with this manager and this unit, IMHO.

I know its not easy starting out in critical care and some units (mine included) are just not set up to give the kind of support a new critical care nurse needs. You may be learning this the hard way now unfortunately.

This is why I tend to recommend a big hospital with an established critical care internship program...these provide the best experience for a nurse new to ICU, IMO.

Best wishes and let us know how things turn out. If you decide this is not the place for you, you can always bow out gracefully by saying perhaps you bit off a bit more than you could chew...and thus not make an enemy. Your call though how you handle things.Do some soul searching and good luck whatever you decide. :cool: