emotional breakdown!

bellehill, RN · Oct 30, 2003

chestahchetah,

What a terrible orientation...no one should be floated until they are oriented to one floor. No wonder you feel lost and overwhelmed. Talk to your manager and tell her how you feel, if she is a good manager she will help you and listen to you.

We do need to stand up for ourselves but I think it is hard as nurses to do that (maybe I am just speaking for myself). We see patients who need to be taken care of and so what if it means a terrible night for us. Sometimes being "caring" can be a curse and we do need to be assertive. Put your foot down, it doesn't hurt!

fr33shot · Oct 30, 2003

Originally posted by Cqc_Cqb
chestahcheetah

You get what you deserve. If you arent professional enough to stand up for yourself, then I dont see any reason that anyone else should either. People like you are the reason that nurses and nursing in general gets the bad rap that is does. You let them use you any way they want with out saying a word. Man I wished you worked with me. Those would be the good days, give you all the admissions and diffucult patients. Guess I will have to do with the nursing students that come into my hospital. By the way I hope your entire nursing careeer goes the way it has if you dont have the intestinal fortitude to stand up anad make yourself be counted for who and what you are.

Welp, I'm blunt and I have no tact so .. to you "Cqc_Cqb" I'll say what everyone else probably THOUGHT when they read this post.

"Wow, you're an asshole." Thanks. Not trying to start a flame war but hey .. you need the truth so I'm stating it. Somebody remind me to never work for this heartless person. I'm not even CLOSE to being an RN yet (though I'll get there soon!! ) but, for cryin' out LOUD!! I'm GLAD I don't work for you! I hope I don't get placed under somebody with your jarheaded mentality when I finish with my schooling and get ready for practice ..

*Michael.

itsme · Oct 30, 2003

Michael, you took the words right out of my mouth!! And many more of us probably feel that way too!

Hooligan · Oct 30, 2003

Thanks Michael...if you hadn't of posted it I would have! The ignorance and insensitivity of others still astounds me!

~Bean

Teshiee · Oct 30, 2003

Lecia,

You don't have to be new to know when you are being abused. As I mention earlier I had many jobs before I became a nurse and I never was the type to tolerate abuse. The problem with some people they mistake my kindness for a weakness because I give everyone their respect and treat them the way I wouldlike to be treated. When I find an individual who is not being reciprocal I have no qualms letting them know. It is a matter of tact. I understand some people aren't confrontational and it can be a problem. I am just one of those individuals who don't care about what title you hold respect is a 2 way street at least in my book.

fr33shot · Oct 30, 2003

Amen.

KaroSnowQueen, RN · Oct 30, 2003

On the unit where I am working, the new nurses get 6 weeks orientation with the same preceptor. By the sixth week they have five patients. These nurses are going to second or third shift, so they orientate the six weeks on days with the same person, THEN the preceptor goes to the new shift WITH them for a week to help them out as they adjust to the new shift and take up to seven patients on regular med surg.

mattsmom81 · Oct 30, 2003

Cheetah, on this BB just like in real life...take what is helpful and ignore the rest.

Please consider a heart to heart with your preceptor and the unit director and asess your strengths and weaknesses. This will give you the opportunity to ask for what YOU need. Orientation is the time for YOU to get acclimated to your role. If it isn't happening you must share this with TPTB so something can change in yur favor. If you say nothing you will be thrown to the wolves, believe me.

You are expected to be in learning mode now and most directors will listen and respond to your needs if you present them matter of factly with a plan to remedy it. Give some thought to what you would like from your bosses, and then ask for it.

Best wishes...I still remember how it felt to be a new grad...ain't easy for sure. :kiss

chestahcheetah · Oct 30, 2003

Thanks Michael & to all the other nurses that gave tips & advice, I truly appreciate it. And to you "Cqc_Cqb", you want me to speak up then I will. You are an "asshole"! As a new nurse, I'm tryin all I can to learn & to be a good nurse & I believe that a good orientation is valuable in this process. Who the hell are you to call me "unprofessional"! You do not know me & the type of person that I am. You just seem like a cranky nurse that don't like new nurses or student nurses. It's amazing how quickly some nurses forget that they were once students or new nurses. The experienced nurses are the ones that should foster a good learning environment by welcoming those that are new & to teach, not criticize & look down at the newer nurses. So now am I "professional" for speaking up? Again, thank you to all those that showed support, I will be a good nurse no matter what!

itsme · Oct 30, 2003

Chestacheetah, good joob for telling him like it is!! I bet you allready are a good nurse! You seem to truly care about your patients. Good luck, and welcome to our nursing family!

SmilingBluEyes · Oct 30, 2003

(((((((((((cheatahcheetah))))))))))))

only one more suggestion .....(you seem more than capable to me)

assertivness books/classes can be unbelievably helpful for all nurses, not just new ones. There are terrific books I can recommend on the subject. WHEN we LEARN not only when to say "no" but HOW, it is liberating .......really.

I wish the best. You just hang in there.. ....Your instincts are TERRIFIC and you know when things are wrong. Don't change that.