Really need some advice about orienting/vent

[kimmicoobug]

I am not sure if this is a vent or if it is asking for advice. But, I am frustrated with my job as a new RN. I am on week 3 of orienting. My first two weeks, I oriented on ortho neuro. My preceptor had me shadow for two days, then I took a patient and did total care, including the computer work, MAR, and various forms. The next day 2, the next day 3, the following 4. I felt that things went very smoothly, and I received so much positive reinforcement. It was great.

Then I was sent to med-surg. I was there as a student, but it is just a wee bit different as an employee. The first day, she gives me 4 patients (didn't really think this was a problem) but I didn't know where anything was, I didn't know how to use a lot of the stuff. We had a post-op and I didn't know the policy for a post-op. I felt as if I was getting chewed left and right. I had three nurses roll their eyes at me when asking where things were. One even got tight-lipped when I asked her how to transfer a call. My preceptor here just seems to want things only her way. I personally think she doesn't want to precept, and really, that is fine. Today, she assigned me as med-nurse. I had seven patients total. Now, this doesn't seem so bad, but there was just so much stuff going on with them. And I had four students that I had to give meds with and do procedures with. Everything was fine (boring) until it was time to pass 2100 meds at 2000. All the patients (and students) TPN and lipids, had IV pushes, abx, and dressing changes that needed to be done on their patients. All the meds were on time (by 2200), except for the dressing changes(about ten on one patient. Just seemed that crap hit the ceiling during those last few hours as far as time management goes.

So, after posting all of that, I think what I would like to ask some of the more experienced med-surg nurses that orient new employees or new nurses: How do you like to orient a new nurse? Any suggestions? I am a quick learner. But, I hate to be treated as if I am stupid (felt that way all night, and even one of the students commented on some of the comments the nurses were making about the "new" nurse.) I want to be a good nurse, I want to succeed. I am trying to remain positive. The bright side, only seven more days on this unit. Then I orient to OB.

[kimmicoobug]

Fab and Peacefull..

The thought did enter my mind a few times about the amount of time that a nurse would have to spend to orient me to the unit,and I don't think the preceptor and mentors get paid anything extra to work with us new grads.

I agree that I don't like this orienting thing anymore. They are trying to get us to have more med-surg skills before orienting to our specialties, but I keep having to re-orient. It is kind of stressful to say the least. In a week, I have to do this new orientation thing all over again. Well tomorrow is the start of a new day in med-surg. I plan on using all of the words of advice that I have gotten and using it.

[susanmary]

You've been offered good advice. You have a good attitude ... you are also learning a great deal -- especially about floor dynamics. Please DO NOT take students -- if they are assigned to you again in M/S, see the charge nurse and tell her that the students should be assigned to the seasoned nurses -- and that once you are more seasoned -- you'd be delighted to precept. You're being dumped on. It seems that there should be a more organized way of your introduction to med-surg -- but it doesn't seem as if that's going to happen to you. But do remember, when you accept a patient -- you are accepting responsibility that you are able to care for him/her within your scope of practice. You need to speak to your charge nurse/manager, etc. and find out exactly where the hospital's policies & protocals are -- and you need to follow them. I feel for you ... hang in there. Good luck in OB.

[AHarri66, BSN, RN]

Giving students to a new grad???? And not one, but FOUR???? You're learning yourself, how can they expect you to teach, too???

That's just ridiculous! "Hazing" sounds right to me, too.

At my facility, new Med/Surg nurses (whether new grads or not) spend at least 2 or 3 days with Staff Ed on the floors, then are assigned a preceptor. They shadow for a day or two, then their "assignments" are upped one patient every few days or so, depending on their experience and/or comfort level.

Students are ONLY assigned to experienced nurses, and on top of that, their instructor is somewhere on the floor.

I'm flummoxed.