Frustrated ...Thinking what am I doing.

Cruz.Cookie, BSN, RN · Feb 4, 2015

Wow ok no response ...

WookieeRN, BSN, MSN, RN · Feb 4, 2015

First, you barely posted this an hour ago. Calm down.

Second, from what you've posted it looks like you didn't take any initiative. You "did everything she asked" but did she have to prompt you do do everything? That would be an issue. Taking initiative means that you don't need to be instructed to do something and just go an do it. You need to be confident in your skills and just hit the floor running.

Jenngirl34RN · Feb 4, 2015

You should be able to do things like take vitals, do your assessment, do ADLs, check blood sugars, do your charting, and prep your meds (even if you can't administer them solo) by yourself without anyone telling you what to do. I like to make myself a schedule for each day and then report in with the nurse I am working with. Be flexible, but you should know what needs to be done.

HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD · Feb 4, 2015

Agree with the insights expressed by PPs. OP, you've refer to "all my semesters of nursing school" which lead me to believe that you should have already mastered the basics of routine patient care. Your preceptor should not have to prompt you do do this. You should also be able to anticipate some needs and act accordingly.

For instance, you should be capable of doing the hourly rounds & attending to mobility needs, toileting, ADL, etc. That's probably what they're talking about by "not taking the initiative'. Each time you wait to be asked/told what to do, you move from pro-active to re-active. You won't ever be capable of independent patient care if you need to be told what to do.

windsurfer8, BSN, RN · Feb 4, 2015

Stay calm. Be professional. In the nursing world you will have things that don't go exactly as you want it. You have to learn to deal with it in a professional and calm manner. No matter how great a nurse is occasionally a doc will have a problem with something you do. Sometimes a patient may not like you. The key is be quantifiable with your explanation. If a nurse says "you are not trying"..ask for specific quantifiable examples. Hey..maybe they are true? I have been a nurse for 8 years and sometimes a nurse will tell me something I can do better. Saying "I am a hard worker" means nothing really. What matters is "This is what I accomplished today: 1....2... etc" Good luck

Cruz.Cookie, BSN, RN · Feb 5, 2015

Thank you so much for the feedback. I know that I am capable to be independent ... I have always placed myself in the codependent role. And this is why I'm in trouble for failing. It's up to me to show my worth the best I know how. I will definitely write out a plan ..be organized ..and make the hourly rounds.

nurseprnRN, BSN, RN · Feb 5, 2015

Your faculty and that nurse have done you a great favor. In the morning, tell the nurse you're with what your plan of the day is, what your assessment and treatment priorities are, and ask for feedback. This should take no more than three minutes. Do this right after you've made your first rounds after report, and do not wait for someone to tell you what to do before you act.

SopranoKris, MSN, RN, NP · Feb 5, 2015

Part of being a nurse is effective time management. I'm in my last semester of nursing school. We're now responsible for total patient care on a minimum of 2 patients at a time, plus we have to help out with other patients if we have down-time. Each day, I do the following:

1. Get report from the night shift

2. Go see my patients to do a quick once over/vitals

3. Look in the MAR and plan out my med passes/review labs/history, etc.

4. Determine my patient goals for the day

5. Fill out my hourly grid so I know exactly what I need to do each hour

6. Go forth about my day

By using grid, it keeps me organized. I always stay ahead of schedule when I can see, at a glance, what I need to do (hourly rounding, shift assessment, med passes, re-assessment, vitals, etc.). I make notes on it, make changes to it as things arise, but it keeps me from forgetting anything important. When I stay ahead of schedule, it frees up my time to help out the other nurses/techs on the floor.

As I make my plan for the day, I think to myself "my patient has X going on. I anticipate we might need to do X, Y and/or Z. I'll need to make sure I do 1, 2, 3 during my shift". Does that make sense? Put your critical thinking skills to use and be pro-active. When you get to a point where you aren't sure what you need to do, going to your instructor and saying "this is what I think I need to do, I want to run this by you to make sure" and then reviewing your plan of care will go a long way to show her you're "getting it". For example: my patient is 2 days post-ileostomy. I anticipate I'll need to do the following today: manage pain, ambulate, incentive spirometry, continue ostomy education, etc. I then fill out my grid with all the things that need to get accomplished between med passes.

I really feel like you get out of clinicals what you put in to it. Take charge of yourself & your learning experience and you'll find that you have a much better time and your clinical instructor will see the effort. Good luck :)

caliotter3 · Feb 5, 2015

One would think that if there were another instance, even if only one, of you being criticized for lack of initiative, that there might be some fuel for that fire. Two strangers made the comment, so something about how you present yourself is giving someâ€‹ people that idea.

pixiestudent2 · Feb 5, 2015

I was failed in clinical at the end of my program for this. I go back next month. And I have come up with a plan for clinicals.

I also plan on doing an hour by hour map of what I plan to do.

I will complete this before clinicals start.

I also saw a psychiatrist for my motivational and confidence issues....

I'm determined to make this work, and I really hope you don't have to learn the hard way like me.

You really have to get in there, you aren't assisting the nurse... You are the nurse! Remember that!

I really hope it works out for you!

Good luck

Cruz.Cookie, BSN, RN · Feb 5, 2015

I was failed in clinical at the end of my program for this. I go back next month. And I have come up with a plan for clinicals.
I also plan on doing an hour by hour map of what I plan to do.
I will complete this before clinicals start.
I also saw a psychiatrist for my motivational and confidence issues....
I'm determined to make this work, and I really hope you don't have to learn the hard way like me.
You really have to get in there, you aren't assisting the nurse... You are the nurse! Remember that!
I really hope it works out for you!
Good luck

Hi sali, I have had comments from preceptors alike saying I would make a great nurse. Just like you sometimes my confidence and motivation gets in the way. Thank you everyone for the continued feedback. I was angry at first at the situation and felt like it was unfair. However, I feel like this was meant to be before dire consequences could have happened in preceptorship. I am in my last semester and I'm fully capable to do all that I'm required...it's just my shyness, confidence, and initiative is what I need to work on. I plan to make an organized grid and show the preceptor that I really am trying and want this. I have never done this before so I hope all goes well. Thanks everyone !