It seems there are a reasonable number of posts from grads and beginner nurses who are told they aren't the right fit, too slow, and whatever else. I am one of those nurses. I'm 40, I owe $50k for school, and have no confidence left. Depression is an understatement. I'm working as fast as I safely can, but it's just not fast enough. I am trying to learn on my own time, but obviously it's not helping. Once there is a "concern" it seems it really means "the end". I was asked to resign twice, even though I didn't make glaring mistakes. Just that I'm not picking it up fast enough. Both were after four months, right when I started to feel almost comfortable. I take too long to draw up meds, pass pills, do assessments, discharge patients. I'm always too slow, but I'm working as fast as I feel I safely can.
Is it my training? I've heard from some people that preceptors are glued to your side, but that's never been the case for me. For example, I was shown how to hang an IV to gravity, and never watched again. I was previously a phlebotomist for years, so they told me I already knew how to stick. Which I did, but an IV is different. I felt like I needed more help in both jobs I had, but was afraid to speak up because I didn't want to look incompetent. Was this my mistake?
I'm not out to blame anyone, I'm just reaching out to those who have been in the business for years. Is it common for new nurses not to "fit"? Are preceptors usually glued to your side doing tasks together, or do you show them once or twice and then send them to try it alone? When do you decide that someone is just too slow, even though they are clearly working hard?
I just took a job as a nurse in a plasma center for very low pay. It's mainly assessments and taking histories. I'm just so scared that I will fail again.
My heart goes out to you. I graduated from nursing school at 53 yo. I started in HH because I felt I wouldn't be able to do med-surg. Liked it but got bored so went to an OR Nurse Fellowship where I had a horrible experience similar to what you described…though completed the 6 month program. Took a PRN job with a big hospital in community health and have now been a school nurse for about a year at a small private school which I absolutely LOVE and they say they LOVE me!!! I agree with many who said you have to "find your fit" in the nursing field…and feel you don't necessarily have to pay your dues in med-surg if you know you don't want to do that. Keep at it….you have much to bring to patients and nursing and will find your niche. I'm pulling for you!!!
Is it true that new nurses who are more introspective, analytical and more aware of possible poor outcomes as well as those who are more empathetic to their patients are both slower and more cautious/anxious. Some of the bubbly 19-year-olds I went to school with were so blissfully unaware of what could go wrong, of course they were full of confidence!
This statement bothers me in a couple of ways.
It's a shame that someone who really wants to be a nurse and to perform with excellence has few options these days but to get thrown into shorter staffed/higher acuity environments without the many extern and residencies that we used to get to choose from. As far as I'm concerned, it's a shame for anyone who wants those things to be run off solely on the basis of initial speed.
OTOH, it's prejudicial against those blessed with the ability to mentally and physically multi task at a higher level of performance while also aiming for excellence. There exists some sort of bell curve in our abilities and it just flat out comes easier and sooner for some than others.
This thread has been interesting and helpful for me. I'm a pre-nursing student who really wants to go into psych. I'm a "non-traditional" student (35 now, will be 38 when I graduate, if all goes well).
I have a few years experience in high-paced, stressful, multitasking jobs like retail and waiting tables, and I've been very successful in working circles around others. However those are not jobs where people's lives are at stake.
I also have a history of health anxiety (hypochondria) that I know will make nursing school difficult and has kept me from going for about 5 years. I didn't feel I was capable of doing it without anxiety getting the better of me. I firmly feel I am in a strong and healthy enough place now to push through and excel in school. I'm a good student, a hard worker, and when I'm committed to something I do it.
I do worry about being over-analytical and anxious on behalf of my patients but I know the only way to conquer this is to continue to manage my anxiety in a healthy way, ask lots of questions (something I have no problem doing), and accept that it will take time and effort to become comfortable with the complexity and gravity of an RN's responsibilities.
Thanks to all of you who have shared your opinion on this thread.
You passed your nsg boards just like the rest of them. Slow? A question to ask yourself maybe is .......why are the other nurses getting things done so fast? Hmmmm. Sometimes unfortunately your longevity on a job is based on irrelevant things associated with your skills. Popularity with the other nurses/mgrs, and if you Kiss u know what or not. Sorry but its the truth. It would be impossible to tell exactly whats going on from here....but it could be lots of other things too, if you step back and look at the whole picture, you just might see something you had not before. Pay attn to what/how the other (fast) nurses are doing. See if you can discover why they are able to get things done on time when you cant. Also, I just want to say to you-- do not get discouraged and keep on keeping on! You will find the right place to work for you.
On a job I once had, I was always getting off late, I never got a break or lunch. Other nurses got off on time and took all of their breaks. I really started wondering if I was really that much slower. Turned out a number of them weren't charting, never dealt with being put on hold forever by an after-hours exchange, never got orders for itching, cough, or other non-life-threatening conditions, didnt check the aides' charting of VS, wts, or I&O, while I did do all of the aforementioned.
I think it's often personality, too. Not necessarily right or wrong, just dfferent.
It's not the over 40 crowd or the young millennials; it's just sometimes a person just isn't cut out for it. It really is that simple. You have to have nerves of steel and a brain like a steel trap...leastwise with my experience.
thebodyshop
2 Posts
My heart goes out to you. I graduated from nursing school at 53 yo. I started in HH because I felt I wouldn't be able to do med-surg. Liked it but got bored so went to an OR Nurse Fellowship where I had a horrible experience similar to what you described…though completed the 6 month program. Took a PRN job with a big hospital in community health and have now been a school nurse for about a year at a small private school which I absolutely LOVE and they say they LOVE me!!! I agree with many who said you have to "find your fit" in the nursing field…and feel you don't necessarily have to pay your dues in med-surg if you know you don't want to do that. Keep at it….you have much to bring to patients and nursing and will find your niche. I'm pulling for you!!!