Frustrated after 5 weeks of nursing...

suzanne4, RN · Jul 29, 2005

Not every new nurse is able to take on a telemetry unit fight off the bat. And don't take that personally. It reuqires a very good and solid orientation. Not sure what exactly has been covered with you. Do you like the types of patients that you are caring for? Learning the new medications, etc? How amny patients will you have to care for per shift?

soon_to_be_RN · Jul 29, 2005

I am a new RN who graduated in May. I am working on a telemetry floor and have been in orientation for 5 weeks. I am frustrated because I am scheduled to be off orientation next week but I am not ready yet. Unlike school, which was very hard but at least organized, this orientation has been inconsistent. I have worked with lots of nurses with lots of habits (both good and bad) and I feel like that has made my transition more difficult. I am going to talk to my supervisor tommorrow about another week with the nurse that I fit with the best. I guess deep down I am afraid that I can't make it as a nurse on this unit. I do not like the feelings of fear and dread I have right now and cannot imagine how they can change that drastically in 6 months. Any advice would be appreciated!

I am in the same situation as you are.

I am on a telemetry/renal unit and the patients require alot of care. I will be expected to go it on my own with 5 patients by the end of 6 weeks orientation. I am on week 3 and now with 3 patients which already seems to be stretching me; 5 just seems like too many with this pt population.

Like you, I have had many nurse/preceptors and have lacked the consistancy of an ideal orientation.Talking with your supervisor seems like a good idea and I may do the same thing at week 5 if I still feel the way I do now.

pickledpepperRN · Jul 29, 2005

I think you are both doing the right thing.

Explain to your manager what you posted here.

If you are fortunate to have a nurse educator or clinical nurse specialist at your hospital you can talk with them too. Perhaps you can be assigned a resource for each shift. Is the charge nurse available as a resource?

Honesty is best. Bluffing is never OK in nursing. Good for you for speaking out!

icugirl33 · Jul 29, 2005

I am also a new grad who started in the Telemetry floor. By the 3rd day, I was so frustrated that I applied back to my school's MSN/ARNP program. I was in different classes for the past 2 weeks so I won't be back on the floor until next week.

Even though nursing is a really hard job, I think it will get better as time goes on. As for me, I realize that I probably can only do it for a couple years. So I start school again the fall and by Dec 06, I will hopefully be looking forward to my new role as either an ARNP or CNS (my school gives an MSN, ARNP, & CNS within one degree)..

Good luck to all the new grads out there

MissMaryRN · Jul 29, 2005

Hi everyone,

I too started working on a telemetry unit eight weeks ago and I still find it difficult to adjust. I'm not off orientation yet but I still feel unsure about being set free on my own. Although I work with one preceptor and a clinical educator, I still continue to feel like I'm not getting the hang of things. I still feel unorganized and disoriented to the floor and I still find myself asking so many questions. Yes I understand that its good to ask questions, even the stupid ones, but now I'm starting to underestimate what I really do know about being a nurse (nada). Its difficult for me to go to the supervisor or my clinical educator because I'm on a probational period where if things don't work out with a new employee, they can be terminated. How am I suppose to tell them that I'm still having trouble without making myself look bad? *sigh* this is so difficult and I just dont know what to do anymore :crying2: .

SaderNurse05, BSN, RN · Jul 30, 2005

Not every new nurse is able to take on a telemetry unit fight off the bat. And don't take that personally. It reuqires a very good and solid orientation. Not sure what exactly has been covered with you. Do you like the types of patients that you are caring for? Learning the new medications, etc? How amny patients will you have to care for per shift?

We work 12 hour shifts and start with 5 or 6 patients. One day my nurse-for-the day and myself had 10 patients due to admissions and discharges. It was crazy. Today I went in and first thing off the bat I find out I have 5 patients of my own, no preceptor, nada. Thank God the nurse who was charge today is one that I get along with and had asked for her opinion regarding more orientation. It was not her decision to put me out alone, she is new at charging and her supervisor made the assignment. I did pretty good for the most part except for the fact that I missed a med order b/c we have to check our charts for new orders and it was added after I checked this morning. I had to fill out an incident report on myself. I could blame the system, the clerk for not telling me or the fact it was not flagged (all viable options) but the fact is I am new and green, it is a busy unit and I am still learning to get my time management skills down. Thank GOD the patient was okay but I will probably get a butt chewing next week. Thank you so much for your emails :chuckle

ClaireMacl · Jul 30, 2005

My first job was rotation, I worked first on a GI Surgery ward. I didn't get an orientation, my first day, I was walked around and made to despense drugs I'd never heard of and explain them, I felt like the biggest fool ever. I made many mistakes in my first four months as a result of bad management and mentorship.

Do you have a mentor? If you do, approach them and see how receptive they are, if they aren't, approach someone higher. I was so out of depth, I ended up having to prove I was a good nurse in those four months to the head of nursing whilst tearfully explaining I had no experience of GI nursing. I nearly left nursing, feeling completely inadequate. I'd passed nursing college with great grades, but as soon as you are on the ward, you're on your own.

The good news is that if telemetry isn't for you, you might be like me! I moved to my next rotation on a respiratory ward, got excellent support and results, felt supported and safe, then moved to my desired speciality of the ED and haven't looked back in years!

Hold on through the first few months, don't let anyone tell you different, they are hell and you'll go home in tears regularly thinking you're the worst nurse who ever worked the planet

Best of luck,

Claire x

**RosesrReder, BSN, MSN, RN** · Jul 30, 2005

I am a new RN who graduated in May. I am working on a telemetry floor and have been in orientation for 5 weeks. I am frustrated because I am scheduled to be off orientation next week but I am not ready yet. Unlike school, which was very hard but at least organized, this orientation has been inconsistent. I have worked with lots of nurses with lots of habits (both good and bad) and I feel like that has made my transition more difficult. I am going to talk to my supervisor tommorrow about another week with the nurse that I fit with the best. I guess deep down I am afraid that I can't make it as a nurse on this unit. I do not like the feelings of fear and dread I have right now and cannot imagine how they can change that drastically in 6 months. Any advice would be appreciated!

Congratulations on getting your RN, I wish you the best of luck in your new job. I say give it a try and don't underestimate yourself. Hopefully with the practice you will feel more confident and ready. Take care and God Bless. :)

Tweety, BSN, RN · Jul 30, 2005

Sounds like a good plan. Tell your concerns to your supervisor and ask for what you need. I'm precepting someone and it's been six weeks and he isn't ready either. That's not a long orientation.

Also, understand that you're not going to be 100% when you're set off on your own, expect that. It take a long time before your organized and comfortable.

Good luck.

AtlantaRN, RN · Jul 30, 2005

I'm certain your manager will hear your concerns and what would be premium would be to have you precept with 1 nurse, that's what we do at my hospital...

atlantarn

hartford1042 · Aug 3, 2005

I have been a nurse for four years and I think that every new nurse has exactly the same feelings as orientation comes to an end and you are faced with being on "your own." I would recommend that you seek out a few nurses who you feel comfortable asking questions of and to be assigned a resource nurse every shift. I also think the transition from expert student to novice professional nurse is very difficult. You come out of nursing school with a solid foundation of knowledge and skills. You have mastered test taking, clinicals, and group assignments and then suddenly you are faced with real world nursing! Give yourself the credit you are due and take one day at a time. I would also recommend finding an outlet for your "good and bad days." I have friends who journal and attend group outings. I personally ask myself 3 questions on my car ride home after EVERY shift.......How did I make a difference today? What worked well today? What do I need to work on? This helps me to close my day and be present for my family when I arrive home!

Hang in there and seek out the resources you need!