Feeling Frustrated with New RN Job

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Specializes in Pediatric/Adolescent, Med-Surg.

Hi, I'm an experienced nurse that recently got a new job (peds acute care). I had previously done peds acute care elsewhere. Well, all orientation so far, has really done for me is so me how much I don't like my new job. My new co-workers are much more laid back than what I'm used too, with very long breakfast, lunch, and afternoon breaks. I am eager to learn how things are done at this new facility, but at the same time trying to remain somewhat independent. My preceptor doesn't seem to be a good teacher at all, anytime I ask questions (especially if it's a procedure that is being done differently than I was taught in the past), she sees my questions as me being "difficult" and "not wanting to learn." Yet her answers to my questions when I ask nicely why we do something a certain way, or even what the rationale would be, is "you do it this way because this is how we've always done it." Other newly hired experienced nurses are also noting the floor's culture seems to discourage questions. I'm frustrated and feel completely out of place. I can transfer to a new floor in 6 months, and I honestly am considering it.

Any advice on how to make the best of a bad situation? :crying2:

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Specializes in M/S, MICU, CVICU, SICU, ER, Trauma, NICU.

Do the best you can with what you have.

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, adult med/surg, peds BMT.

I have oriented to countless jobs in countless states so I speak from experience: bite your tongue. Observe how they do it and even if you feel you know a better way now us not the time to bring it up. Orientation is the time for you to learn how they do it. After orientation you can do it the way you feel best as long as it doesn't interfere with safe patient care. Orienting to a new job is hard. One of my favorite sayings is "Where others see obstacles, I choose to see opportunities". You can't create change if you are viewed as a know it all who is not receptive to the accepted way of doing things. You can try changing things after you have been there awhile but for now pick your battles get your job done and put a smile on your face even when you don't want to. IMHO.

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Specializes in Psych, LTC, Acute Care.

I am not an experience nurse yet(11 months as a RN) but I have worked in healthcare for a long time. I understand that you want to know about policies and procedure but I recommend going with the flow and just observe and take notes. You preceptor might not know all the answers to your question. Write important questions down and ask the nurse manager. I also don't recommend refering to the way your old job did things. This can become very annoying. I think you should lighten up just a tad. I take an extended lunch break every once and a while. When you get off orientation, then you can do things your way in regards to developing a rountine. You may not be there to make friends but you definetly don't want to develop the reputation of being uptight and unlikable. You know we as women will put people in a catagory quick. Remember you don't get a second chance to make a first impression. That can go both ways. You don't know these nurses and they don't know you so try not to prejudge. Good Luck and I hope things work out.

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Specializes in Pediatric/Adolescent, Med-Surg.
I have oriented to countless jobs in countless states so I speak from experience: bite your tongue. Observe how they do it and even if you feel you know a better way now us not the time to bring it up. Orientation is the time for you to learn how they do it. After orientation you can do it the way you feel best as long as it doesn't interfere with safe patient care. Orienting to a new job is hard. One of my favorite sayings is "Where others see obstacles, I choose to see opportunities". You can't create change if you are viewed as a know it all who is not receptive to the accepted way of doing things. You can try changing things after you have been there awhile but for now pick your battles get your job done and put a smile on your face even when you don't want to. IMHO.

Vanloo, you may be right, but I don't want to come on this unit and shake things up or anything. It just like if me and my preceptor are doing something and I say something like "I used to do this x way, what is your reasoning for doing it y way?" to which she's like "we just always do." I have no problem adjusting my nursing practice to fit their protocol, but it's a big pet peeve of mine not knowing/understanding why I'm doing what I'm doing. "just cause" isn't an evidence based answer.

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Specializes in Pediatric/Adolescent, Med-Surg.
I am not an experience nurse yet(11 months as a RN) but I have worked in healthcare for a long time. I understand that you want to know about policies and procedure but I recommend going with the flow and just observe and take notes. You preceptor might not know all the answers to your question. Write important questions down and ask the nurse manager. I also don't recommend refering to the way your old job did things. This can become very annoying. I think you should lighten up just a tad. I take an extended lunch break every once and a while. When you get off orientation, then you can do things your way in regards to developing a rountine. You may not be there to make friends but you definetly don't want to develop the reputation of being uptight and unlikable. You know we as women will put people in a catagory quick. Remember you don't get a second chance to make a first impression. That can go both ways. You don't know these nurses and they don't know you so try not to prejudge. Good Luck and I hope things work out.

NC Girl, Your post had some good pointers in it. I am trying to ask less questions, but at the same time, I seem to be realizing that some of the other staff seems to be more receptive to explaining than my preceptor. I honestly wonder if she's just a bad fit for me. The way I'm looking at it is that I"m an experienced nurse, so I know what information I need to learn in order to do my job well off orientation, and that's what I tend to ask questions on (ie charting, policies, etc).

As for the laid back attitude of the unit/my preceptor, I'm pretty laid back too, but some of it is too much for me. My preceptor keeps reminding me to chart my narcotics before I actually give them (I haven't said anything to her, but I refuse to chart meds before I administer them).

I know things will be better once I'm off orientation and on my own, I just home that comes soon.

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Specializes in Psych, LTC, Acute Care.
NC Girl, Your post had some good pointers in it. I am trying to ask less questions, but at the same time, I seem to be realizing that some of the other staff seems to be more receptive to explaining than my preceptor. I honestly wonder if she's just a bad fit for me. The way I'm looking at it is that I"m an experienced nurse, so I know what information I need to learn in order to do my job well off orientation, and that's what I tend to ask questions on (ie charting, policies, etc).

As for the laid back attitude of the unit/my preceptor, I'm pretty laid back too, but some of it is too much for me. My preceptor keeps reminding me to chart my narcotics before I actually give them (I haven't said anything to her, but I refuse to chart meds before I administer them).

I know things will be better once I'm off orientation and on my own, I just home that comes soon.

How long is your orientation? I suggest that you just go with the flow and get through orientation. I don't want you to come back on here in a few weeks posting that everyone hates you on your job. You sound like a good nurse but believe me when I tell you, those nurse will pick up on vibes that your giving. You are on orientation and you don't want the preceptor going back to you boss telling her you being difficult. I am 100% sure your boss will take her word over yours.I am not saying break rules but just get through it and move on.

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Specializes in Pediatric/Adolescent, Med-Surg.
How long is your orientation? I suggest that you just go with the flow and get through orientation. I don't want you to come back on here in a few weeks posting that everyone hates you on your job. You sound like a good nurse but believe me when I tell you, those nurse will pick up on vibes that your giving. You are on orientation and you don't want the preceptor going back to you boss telling her you being difficult. I am not saying break rules but just get through it and move on.

NC Girl, I'm trying to "go with the flow," sometimes it's just hard. I do wish my preceptor would be a tad more involved. Oh well, isn't venting one of the great benefits of allnurses? :rolleyes:

Ohh, orientation is 6 weeks.

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Specializes in Psych, LTC, Acute Care.
NC Girl, I'm trying to "go with the flow," sometimes it's just hard. I do wish my preceptor would be a tad more involved. Oh well, isn't venting one of the great benefits of allnurses? :rolleyes:

Ohh, orientation is 6 weeks.

My preceptor rode me like a rodeo horse during orientation. I couldn't wait to come off orientation. Now I am on my own and work is tolerable. The same will happen for you. Good Luck!

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Specializes in neuro/ortho med surge 4.

I think the hardest part of learning a new job is the culture of the unit you are on. These nurses will not look kindly on a new person trying to "upset" their applecart. I am not saying you are doing that but the nurses there may think that. Especially since they are able to take breaks and lunches. I for one would love to work on a unit that I could at least get a break never mind a lunch.

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Specializes in Pediatric/Adolescent, Med-Surg.

Thanks alot everyone for your advice. I was thinking alot last night, and remembered how stressful it was the last time I switched jobs. And you know what, after maybe a month or two, I was less overwhelmed and stressed, and everything worked out.

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Specializes in OB/GYN, Peds, School Nurse, DD.
Hi, I'm an experienced nurse that recently got a new job (peds acute care). I had previously done peds acute care elsewhere. Well, all orientation so far, has really done for me is so me how much I don't like my new job. My new co-workers are much more laid back than what I'm used too, with very long breakfast, lunch, and afternoon breaks. I am eager to learn how things are done at this new facility, but at the same time trying to remain somewhat independent. My preceptor doesn't seem to be a good teacher at all, anytime I ask questions (especially if it's a procedure that is being done differently than I was taught in the past), she sees my questions as me being "difficult" and "not wanting to learn." Yet her answers to my questions when I ask nicely why we do something a certain way, or even what the rationale would be, is "you do it this way because this is how we've always done it." Other newly hired experienced nurses are also noting the floor's culture seems to discourage questions. I'm frustrated and feel completely out of place. I can transfer to a new floor in 6 months, and I honestly am considering it.

Any advice on how to make the best of a bad situation? :crying2:

Ugh. I worked in a 40-bed NICU that was like this. 50% of the staff had gotten their ASNs at the same little podunk college in town and had never lived anywhere else, so they thought they were the last word in NICU care. The rest of us had transferred in with the Navy or husbands jobs. The native nurses ran the show. Any "why" question was answered with "THat's the way we do it and you have to do it too." No explanations, no discussions. This is it. BAM. And on top of that the hospital used the NICU as a float pool for their peds unit which was in a completely separate building. :uhoh3:

I lasted about six unhappy months and took the first job that would have me. It wasn't a great fit, but it was better than the NICU. Thankfully, DH got transferred after 15 months and I knocked the dust from my sandals and moved on.:nurse:

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