first feedback from managers...

[adpiRN]

And it wasn't great.... It's only my 4th day on the floor and I've had 3 different preceptors which has made it all seem very disjointed. They said they heard I seemed distracted when preceptors were trying to explain something. I guess that's true. It's not something I notice myself, until my preceptor would said "pay attention" or "this is important". (the preceptor I had yesterday was a little abrupt and rough around the edges...) There's just so much activity around the nurses station and new people and new equipment to look at and try and figure out, so I do feel distracted.

The other thing they mentioned (that I think ties into the first) is that I seem preoccupied with when we're taking lunch break. I think this stems from the fact that most of the day I'm starving! Today I didn't eat from 6am-3pm and I cannot function that way. So it probably makes me a lot more distracted if all I can think about is when I can sneak off and eat my sandwich! I just feel awkward saying to preceptor "I need to take 5 minutes to eat, I'll be right back". When I'm on my own and it's my own patients and own schedule I think that will come easier.

My managers were understanding and I didn't feel like I was in trouble, but it still just made me feel awful since I really want to succeed at this job and have everyone like me and I feel like I've given a bad impression right off the bat. They told me to make sure I take time to eat, bring snacks, take 5 min breaks in the late morning etc.

I start with a new preceptor next week, who will be my primary preceptor for the next few weeks and I'm wondering what I can do right from the start to give her a good impression of me. She seems more patient and personable than some of my others, so that's good.

I found it hard to keep it pulled together today for my last hour of work since I was so distracted and upset by that meeting and all I wanted to do was go home and cry (which I did as soon as my shift was over).

I hope it gets easier....

[86toronado, BSN, RN]

I know how you feel. I've been having sit downs with my nurse manager and nurse educator for my floor weekly since starting orientation in July. I really thought this would be the big week for me... off of orientation finally. But no, they said at least one more week. It's very frustrating. I know they are trying to take it easy on me, and not go too fast, but I feel ready!

But just try to take the feedback and use it. There is a lot of activity around the nurse's station, and that can be distracting, so try and come up with something to help you focus on the task at hand, such as taking notes on what your preceptor is explaining. Another thing that helps me is to repeat things back after they say them. That way they know you're listening, and it helps solidify it in your memory.

As far as the eating thing... I try to have little snacks that I can carry in my pocket, like a baggy of almonds. That way if you're starving, you can just sneak in a couple, without having to go anywhere! I know on days it's hard sometimes to even get a bathroom break, much less actually sit down and eat!