Can I refuse an assigment if .....?

[NurseLoveJoy88]

I'm currently on orientation on a busy, really busy subacute unit. There are two new grad RNs that told me that they will be training with me starting next week. :eek:

First of all I really haven't had a decent orientation and I'm still trying to figure out things as I go along. I find myself constantly overwhelmed and there is no way I am able to precept anyone, not even a fly !

I was also told that LPNs at this facility are not able to precept RNs.

My question is: Can I refuse an assignment if I'm forced to precept someone ? I know I can't deliver good quality care to my patients with the stress of TWO nurses I have to precept.

Thoughts? Advice.

[nrsang97, BSN, RN]

Are you done with orientation? If not you cannot precept. However If you are out of orientation I would talk with the unit manager and explain how you aren't comfortable precepting being so new yourself. Are they that hard up for preceptors that they would be asking someone just off orientation to precept?

[NurseLoveJoy88, ASN, RN]

Hey sweet girl! Nice to hear from you again.

I know from your posts that you are an intelligent and bubbly person-which is why I suspect your NM wanted you to train these two new nurses.

If you are already getting cold feet from this (very large) request, perhaps you can talk to your NM about having one or two less pts while you are precepting. This is a fair request on your part. Explain that you want to provide these new grads with an adequate orientation in order to hopefully retain them. If a new grad sees that you are working in a chaotic environment and can't give them the orientation that they need, you can bust out the crayolas and color them gone!

On the one hand, I consider it a compliment to you that your NM wants you to precept these new hires. On the other hand, I don't think that your NM understands the internal stress you are having. You are still trying to acclimate YOURSELF. I understand that. But I think that if you talk to your NM about wanting to deliver a solid foundation of learning for your preceptees, she will likely give you a lighter assignment. Please address this with her, and don't assume that she has already thought this through. You don't need to take on more stress unnecessarily. Talk to her, state your case and go from there.

I hope everything is going well with you, my friend.

Nice to hear from you too ! Thanks so much ! I will have a heart to heart. I guess I'm just so overwhelmed period and I don't want to show them the wrong way to do things.

[NurseLoveJoy88, ASN, RN]

I don't understand how someone in orientation can precept the new ones. Aren't you new yourself? That just doesn't make sense to me.

I am still new. Subacute is way different from LTC ! These patients are really ill and it requires much more skills.

[maryw1212]

it sounds to me like you know exactly what you are doing and know your limitations. good for you! in my 30 yrs of nursing i have never heard of a new nurse precepting another new nurse (or 2). unfortunetly, refusing an assignment for any reason is grounds for termination in most places. i would definetley heed chicodavids advice with one small change, write that memo and document EVERYTHING but do not copy her supervisor she may percieve this as retalitory. give her a copy and keep one for yourself. you may also get the new r.n.'s input as to being precepted by a new nurse and an lpn at that, they may think that is not right, not to say anything bad about lpns(i was one myself) as they are some of the best around, but a new rn grad may not think so. it may be going to far but maybe the new rns can add their input to the manager. best of luck to you and remember this to shall pass.