Do you think some people just "dont have what it takes"

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I am in the process of orienting/precepting a nurse to our surgical floor. This nurse has been a nurse for 10 years, has a masters degree in nursing administration. The first day of orientation he makes the comment, he believes he will be an asset to the nurse manager on our floor because of his management experience. To make a long story short we are 5 1/2 weeks into this orientation process and I feel like I am beating my head against a wall. He continually neglects basic tasks such as noting orders, will NOT independantly review protocols I have printed for him and I believe he has no desire or ability to be a good staff nurse. His background is long term care and management, he has worked in multiple facilities and says he has worked some med-surg as an agency nurse. I have relayed my concerns to the nurse manager but because of his impeccable resume I dont think she is willing to see the problems. We are in the process of switching his preceptor but I personally dont think he has it in him. Do you agree, some people just dont have what it takes?

Well, the preceptor I worked with sugar coated everything with me.

A person should not even BE a preceptor unless they can communicate directly IMHO.

If they cannot give adequate and honest feedback, they need to step aside and give that new person to "loud-mouth Louise" or whoever will tell it like it is.

Indirect communication and "hinting" is POISON to precepting......

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Unfortunately, I have to agree that some RN's "don't have what it takes." I agree with coldfusion that we need to honestly say what's going on as long as we have the facts to support this.

Have people forgotten that RN's are caring for human lives?? There is minimal room for error. We all make them, however, I pray that I don't screw up in a big way.

I have recently precepted an RN to our ED...her third job 1 year post graduation. Why, I wonder? (previous 2 jobs icu and ed)

She would tell me one thing, then do another. Lied frequently. After 6 weeks I was convinced she didn't have what it takes, much less the integrity to admit she doesn't know anything. There were several instances where she jeopardized the care of our patients. Despite review sessions with me, guidance, resources to study, and lots of hand-holding I, too, felt that I was beating my head against a wall. Plus, she didn't take the initiative to improve. One day I was drawing diagrams, teaching pathophysiology and the difference between CHF and COPD. How in the world did she graduate and pass boards????

She got a new preceptor and convinced our previous manager to keep her...orientation was extended twice.

Now we have an ED RN who can't care for more than 2 patients and is not safe with a critical. 2 weeks ago she triaged a pale, juandiced 32 yo to a treatment room...took over 20minutes to get a history and the MD, didn't have a large bore IV in, despite 2 attempts. She finally got another RN to help. He put in a 14G, got labs and MD and pt went to trauma bay...esophageal varices with liver failure. I went into the room and asked her if she realized how sick this patient was...sbp 79 with hr 140-150's. She just said sure and declined the need for assist. Thankfully, pt got to the ICU.

All of my coworkers feel she doesn't have what it takes in the ED. We are constantly checking her charts and her pt's to make sure things are getting done. A warm body is not sufficient.

Our new manager is starting over with the concerns d/t her probation having ended. She is scary and doesn't belong in the ED! This nurse has refused to go to med/surg because she feels she's "above" that. Too much ego and not enough knowledge!

Very frustrating Nursenatalie, however, I'm sure he'll continue to be a thorn in your side.

If we nurses at the bedside don't have high expectations, why should our managers or anyone else?

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I think that having somebody not know what they are doing is not a problem specific to nursing. But when lives are at stake and a wrong decision can be hurtful for a patients health then it is definetely time to take off the kid gloves and address the problem head on. Sugarcoating won't help. And while I do think that everybody should have the chance to redeem themselves, and be given the oppurtunity to show that they do have it in them, sometimes, this just isn't feasible or even practical.

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I myself have a very long (and I would like to think impecable) background in long-term care and management (23 years). But even in the field of geriatrics, I don't think that I know everything and I would gratefully accept advice and assistance from someone who knew the facility, etc better than I did. It sounds to me like he has a bit of an attitude problem.

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Specializes in Emergency Department, Urgent Care.

Hmmm with all that education one has to wonder why he has decided to be a staff nurse.

I have known plenty of nurses who didn't have what it takes, it is very scary.

Just because he has been a nurse for 10 years doesn't mean he was successful. How many positions has he held? How long had he been at a facility?

Anyone can make a resume look good.

Kim

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

I do indeed believe some do not have "what it takes". I also believe these ones who don't, probably are gifted in other areas and should find what suits them better. I am not gonna be all PC and say everyone belongs in nursing. It's not true. Fortunately, nursing is a BIG field and if this person does not belong in this particular staff nurse position, to the point of being disruptive and even troublesome, he or she deserves to know the facts and be given the opportunity to either get it together or move on to a place where his/her skills are better- used.

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I work in long term care, WE worked with a lpn who did the regents program, we were glad to see her go because she was a do nothing lpn. we were flabergasted when she became our DON. I tolerated one year, waiting for this RN to evolve into a DON. Of course, that never happened. So I left the facility on a full time basis and only worked every other week end. She recently turned a blind eye and deaf ear to patient abuse I reported to her. She just does not have what it takes to be a RN or a DON.I feel ver sad for any patients for whom she is responsible. And by the way, when she did nothing to adress the abuse of the patient I followed the chain of command all the way up to the owner, still, nothing has been done.

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Specializes in Nursing assistant.
I don't know, Marie. A few years ago I would have agreed with you 100%. But now, having worked for two FANTASTIC facilities (both contract jobs) I have seen the difference between a fantastic facility and your average run of the mill facility. It's like... once you have tasted Chocolate, fake Chocolate just doesn't do the trick. You have to have the real thing. Honestly, working for Mayo ruined me for hospital nursing. I have now seen true nursing and what it is all about. Having less is no longer good enough. I now know what real Chocolate really tastes like.

Ahhh! Mayo! sort of nursey heaven? You lucky dog you!

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... Do you agree, some people just dont have what it takes?

Yes!

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no flaming here - lol - i have always been quite umm verbal - even goingto state about the place i USED to work at hahah - guess ya can see why i no longer owrk there lol. i do believe there are folks who just do NOT belong in nursing - i have worked with them. they may be quiite book smart but when it comes to common sense and actually doing something they can not think for themselves and are there only for them oney and have admitted it, its even sadder that they survive in our field because we are already so short staffed that inspite of their inadequacies they are a body to count on the statistics. there have been some i absolutely refuse to have work with me cause its MY license when they screwup as being charge the charge is ultimately the one that gets it the hardest. offend someone? LOL dont fret - if you love your job and do well at it and really advocate for your patients you are bound to step on someones toes eventually lol.

What the heck is wrong with people these days? We can't say what is really on our minds for fear we might "offend" someone. So we disguise our true thoughts in insincere-politically-correct-warm-and-fuzzy-management-double-speak. Personally, I'd rather my preceptor come right out and say,"lady, you are just not cutting it here. You don't listen to directions. You neglect basic skills. Any first year nursing student knows you don't stay with a patient receiving a blood transfusion for 1 hour and 20 minutes. New grads are easier to orient than you." If I had a problem with this statement, it is MY responsibility to clarify i.e. "can you give me some examples?" Or I could say, "uh, sorry but I disagree, and this is why..." What ever happened to personal accountability?

Yes, I believe it is possible for someone not to "have what it takes" for a particular job. This does not mean he's a bad guy. If every one in the unit thinks his job skills are lacking, chances are this is the case. And chances are he is going to have a hard time and should look for another job. On the other hand if the preceptor is the the only one who feels this way, it could be the preceptors problem. Perhaps she is not a good teacher.

I like the motto, "If it happens to you, it is your fault."

Nursenatalie: From what you've described, I think this guy worked in our unit for about 5 weeks before getting the boot.

PS My tendency toward bluntless is why I hardly ever post at this site. I don't fit here. I accept this, and don't blame others and am not offended by the flaming I am about to recieve.

PSS smiles and cheers.

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the only trouble with thattheory is that someone is above him that will sink too - are you willing to be that person?

When I first became a nurse I really questioned if I had whatever that "thing" is that it takes to do the job well. I have a weird sense of humor and I laugh when I become nervous, sometimes I would forget important details. I ended up being the best and most compassionate nurse I know. It doesn't always SHOW, but I really am. If I was in a critical situation I would want someone like me there.

Point being, first impressions (and even following impressions) can be deceiving. Give the guy a chance in the real world. The true test is sink or swim. When he is left to his own and he doesn't have anyone to depend on he WILL either sink or swim. Some folks just need to be on their own fully and completely before you know what they are all about.

I've had nurses that I woulda bet my next 4 paychecks they would not cut it and they did beautifully.

Sink or swim, the real test.

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well dont bother going to the state as i have learned first hand - people who protray to stand behind you will not for fear of loosing their job and the facility can sugarcoat anything to make them look good cause state tells em when they are coming and what for - they make it look all good and you look like a liar and get fired in the process for tyour troubles.

I work in long term care, WE worked with a lpn who did the regents program, we were glad to see her go because she was a do nothing lpn. we were flabergasted when she became our DON. I tolerated one year, waiting for this RN to evolve into a DON. Of course, that never happened. So I left the facility on a full time basis and only worked every other week end. She recently turned a blind eye and deaf ear to patient abuse I reported to her. She just does not have what it takes to be a RN or a DON.I feel ver sad for any patients for whom she is responsible. And by the way, when she did nothing to adress the abuse of the patient I followed the chain of command all the way up to the owner, still, nothing has been done.
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