Forever an Intern?

[simplenerd]

Hi Folks,

I am a brand new nurse and I just recently finished my hospital internship in the med-surg floor. I was struggling at first because the day shifts in the floor is so hectic that I barely had time to think at all. New orders were firing all at once, sugar checks, patients in and out of procedures, post-op patients, and so much more. I felt like I was drowning and there were times that I wonder if I can make it for 2 years in my floor. Then they suddenly extended my internship for 2 more weeks, which I believe was a good thing. I was still having a hard time with time management and some safety concerns. For example, I was giving blood and some of it backed up in the saline bag because I left the saline clamp open. So, I talked to the nurse educator and floor manager about my preceptor's concerns and my concerns as well because I was so scared that I am going to hurt my patients and lose my license. So, they moved me at night with a new preceptor. Again my internship was extended for two more weeks for the night shifts. It was great at night because I was able to think better and less chaotic plus my preceptor is so sweet and taught me nursing skills that my day preceptor could not because it's so crazy in the day. However, I was told by the floor manager that I am going back to days because there are too many nurses at night and not enough during the day. I said I was ok with it and my night preceptor actually did a day shift with me because she wanted me to utilize her as much as possible. Again very kind of her to do that. Now I was suppose to start a shift on my own in a few days, but again I received a phone call from my floor manager and he decided to have a meeting with me and my preceptor before starting on my own. I feel discouraged that I am still not own compared to the other interns who started on their own a month ago. I feel like I am forever interning, however I do appreciate that my hospital is supportive to ensure that I can truly take care of patients. It's just that I feel like I am never going to be on my own and I feel incompetent.

Let me know what you guys think about my situation!

[Sour Lemon]

Hi Folks,

I am a brand new nurse and I just recently finished my hospital internship in the med-surg floor. I was struggling at first because the day shifts in the floor is so hectic that I barely had time to think at all. New orders were firing all at once, sugar checks, patients in and out of procedures, post-op patients, and so much more. I felt like I was drowning and there were times that I wonder if I can make it for 2 years in my floor. Then they suddenly extended my internship for 2 more weeks, which I believe was a good thing. I was still having a hard time with time management and some safety concerns. For example, I was giving blood and some of it backed up in the saline bag because I left the saline clamp open. So, I talked to the nurse educator and floor manager about my preceptor's concerns and my concerns as well because I was so scared that I am going to hurt my patients and lose my license. So, they moved me at night with a new preceptor. Again my internship was extended for two more weeks for the night shifts. It was great at night because I was able to think better and less chaotic plus my preceptor is so sweet and taught me nursing skills that my day preceptor could not because it's so crazy in the day. However, I was told by the floor manager that I am going back to days because there are too many nurses at night and not enough during the day. I said I was ok with it and my night preceptor actually did a day shift with me because she wanted me to utilize her as much as possible. Again very kind of her to do that. Now I was suppose to start a shift on my own in a few days, but again I received a phone call from my floor manager and he decided to have a meeting with me and my preceptor before starting on my own. I feel discouraged that I am still not own compared to the other interns who started on their own a month ago. I feel like I am forever interning, however I do appreciate that my hospital is supportive to ensure that I can truly take care of patients. It's just that I feel like I am never going to be on my own and I feel incompetent.

Let me know what you guys think about my situation!

It sounds like they've been very supportive, but I would be wary of pushing things too far. They won't keep you as an intern forever ...you'll either become more capable or they'll let you go.

I would be aggressive and confident in the upcoming meeting. If you go in with the attitude that you're incompetent and feel like you'll never succeed, I fear things won't go well for you. In fact, I think you should expect a stern talking to and perhaps some sort of ultimatum. Hopefully, it hasn't come to that ...but be expecting it so that you're not caught off guard if it does happen.

You must let them know all of the ways that you've improved and your personal plan to ensure that you will continue to improve at a rapid pace.

[simplenerd]

Hello,

Thank you for replying! I am definitely more confident compared to when I started. And I will rely that to my floor manager. My concern is their response if they don't see it that way. When I was told that I was going back to day shifts I felt disappointed because I felt like nights would better for me. So on the upcoming meeting I will tell them if there is any openings at night at all I would take it. And just like you said I hope they won't let me go because I want this to work so badly!!!

Again thank you for the comment!