First week of of new grad orientation

[imnewrn]

This is my first week of new grad orientation and I'm already questioning my choice of job acceptance.

Here's the scoop-

When I accepted the new grad position, the nurse manager that I interviewed with, offered me the position and said that orientation would be during day shift. If I accepted the position she said that she would call me back regarding the name of the preceptor and details of the start date.She stressed that the start date could be flexible to meet my needs. I accepted the position and informed the nurse manager that I could start the monday following taking my boards, 07/09. I did not receive a phone call or e-mail prior to Monday after taking boards telling of my start date and name of preceptor. So I called the nurse manager, the monday after taking boards to get details about this. She informed me that I would start on 7/23 at 0800 but that I should call M in nursing office who was handling the new grad orientation. So I called and left a message for M to call me back regarding details of start date. M did not call back on 07/09 or 07/10. So I called on 07/11 and was able to speak to her. SM informed me that I would start on the 07/23 at 0800. So marked that down on my calendar. And had week to enjoy summer festivities and celebrate passing the NCLEX exam.

So I arrive on 07/23 at 0800 as instructed by M and nurse manager. When I arrive I am informed that I was not expected to be here until 1500.How is that possible? Z from a different nursing office informs me that i am supposed to be orienting on PMs 'cause there's not enough staff on days to pull someone to precept. I responded that I woke up at 0500 to get here. So the head nurse for that shift sets me up with a preceptor dujour on a different unit. I am angry :angryfire and confused:uhoh3:. Who is my contact person and my real preceptor?. On tuesday I found who my real preceptor was and got a schedule of new grad classes. By coming in on the evening shift I missed a personal enrichment class that I set up during week of 07/10 based on the information that I would be orienting on days. So I also feel some resentment. I don't want to encounter this level of miscommunication again.

Should I stay or should I go?

[ann945n, RN]

I would listen to your gut on this one. If it seems like an unfriendly work environment I would walk away. I am just starting my first nursing job as well and the staff is 120 percent supportive of me. There is no way I would have made it through my frist few weeks without them. Like i said listen to your gut, then make your choice. Better to leave a bad job early then have to give 2 weeks notice a few months down the road when your confidence is shot and you are so nervous you cant function.

[VenaKavaRN]

Unfortunately, while it sounds like the actual staff nurses working there are very helpful and willing to accommodate you to the best of their ability, the administrative powers that be are acting incompetently and like they don't give a crap. Especially when two of them tell you the same thing and what happens in reality is completely different. Massive miscommunication there somewhere - and that should be sending up red flags for the facility as a whole.

I had a similar experience as a CNA at my first job - the DON was 30mins late for my interview, the person in charge of training, after being surprised to see me when I showed up on the day the DON gave me to come in for orientation, gave me two 30-minute videos to watch and then proceeded to leave for 2 hours to "pick up her kid" at 10am... general questionable practices and lack of respect similar to what you're experiencing. I stayed on, as I was 17 at the time and didn't know much better. Turns out the facility was in a lot of trouble with the state about their practices and such, and no one who worked there was anyone I could look up to and learn from.

Since you're a new grad, a positive first experience will be important in establishing your enjoyment and experience with nursing. I would discuss this problem with the nurse manager who actually hired you and let her know this isn't going to fly, and see if she can help you. If she can't help to your satisfaction, apply elsewhere.

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

In the crazy world of hospitals and emails, missed emails, deleted emails and craziness these things unfortunately happen. We once had a nurse pack up and move from Tenn. and show up at our doors ready to work....the nurse recruiter was like "who are you? I never hired you?".

I wouldn't use it as a reason to quit. I would just give it some time and see if it's an isolated incident or a culture that you can't live with. You've got your preceptor, your schedule and perhaps you should move forward rather than start over.

Congratualtions and good luck with whatever you do!

[brissie]

I would stick it out for a while just to see. You are going to have a lot worse days in your nursing career.