Getting organized and getting through the gauntlet

Nurses New Nurse

Published

Specializes in ICU, Telemetry, Med-Surg.

Hi,

I am just wrapping up my 6th week on a step-down unit. To say that I've got a steep learning curve ahead is an understatement. I thought things were going well and then in the past few weeks I've had my preceptor tell me that some of my co-workers have complained.

Some CNA's complained that I thought I was "too good" to empty foley bags, help a pt off the toliet, etc.. Then I've had some other nurses say that I didn't do this, I didn't record that, my report to them was crappy... I went to a good nursing school and graduated with a BSN and I've received some snide comments along the lines of "what was wrong with the local CC nursing program? Think you were too good?"

I know all of this is just getting into a new profession, with a new group of people, etc.. The unit I'm on seems very disorganized to say the least. So much of my time is trying to find this form or that form, where's the number for RT or the pager number for the doc. But it is frustrating to me that if people have an issue with my work I wish they'd take a moment and pull me aside and address it. This behind closed door complaining does not help me learn to become a better nurse! Show me so I can learn if I didn't document that assessment but don't bring it up a week later and expect that to be helpful. Maybe they don't want to be helpful to me I guess.

I'm just a newbie trying to figure things out. I wish more experienced nurses would remember what it was like for them when they first started out. I also wanted to ask for any advice on organizing, etc.. I searched the site and found a bit on that and I have been observing what other nurses I work with use but still looking for the magic system that's going to help me have the perfect shift!

Thanks for reading this rather long post. I am excited to finally be a nurse and working and I'm not surprised to be running into all of the above but sure doesn't help my shaky confidence to know that some of my fellow nurses think I'm totally inept.

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Specializes in Peds - playing with the kids.

hi there,

i remember those days well:uhoh21: . the other nurses there should remember that you are new and just learning your way around. report might be a little disorganized - so what. after you have been there for 10 years, there will always be someone that has a problem with the way you give report. there is always someone. a disorganized floor can be a nightmare too.

the old bsn delimma. be proud of it :yeah: (i don't have one& that is ok too). just because someone chooses a bsn route and another doesn't - doesn't mean anything. i think there could possibly be a little jelousy there:bugeyes: . you are also new (and younger?).i started at a hospital right out of nursing school...i was 21 and pregnant with my first son. i took a while to get the respect i deserved...but it did come.

hang in there, it will get better. don't let the others walk all over you. tell them that you are doing your best. if there is something minor that didn't get done during your shift, pass it on in report. that's why nursing is 24 hours.

the longer that you are there you will get more experience, more speed, and more familiar with your surroundings. don't worry.:icon_hug:

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Specializes in Med/Surge.

Sorry that you are having a hard time with the nurses and shame on them for their back biting!! Have you told them before that you are open to constructive criticism (sp) and would appreciate anything that would help them? No one is perfect and lots of times things get left out of report. Hopefully they are minor in nature but I have had some pretty important things not given to me in report and there have been times when I have left something off too. Doesn't mean that you are inept only human.

Organization and your own style will come in time. I am into this 10 mos and somedays, no matter how hard you try to be organized, it just doesn't happen and that's ok.............frustrating but ok.

I also don't understand the nit picking between the BSN, ADN RN, and the others. In the end, we are all a nurse so who cares how you got there as long as you are there. I would also agree that there is some jealousy.

Good luck and keep in touch...........we are all in this together!!

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