Had a great day on my shift.. or so I thought

[HopeToBeDivine]

Hello my fellow nurses, I am writing this blog because I have to express myself, and would really like some feedback and advice.

I started working recently at a clinic in the GTA as a new grad. I came from fertility experience during pre-grad, and my preceptor and all the doctors thought I did an amazing job and wanted to bring me aboard, however they did not have any job openings at the time, but I still keep in touch with them until something opens up there.

Recently I got a new job at a Women's health clinic in the GTA area, there was no training, just 1 day of orientation and today was my 3rd shift. Everything was going great (I work in the recovery room), and the patients came out of the O.R smoothly, returned back to their normal selves, vitals were monitored, patient teaching was given and the patients were on there way home. I'd say almost all the patients would compliment me saying how amazing of a nurse I was, and a girl today even said "Please become a physician, i'd make you my family doctor, you're such a great nurse". I was so proud that I thought my day was going to be fantastic. Well, throughout the day I would see the nurse manager (lady who hired me) walking into the recovery room maybe twice throughout the whole shift (not more than that), and would walk back out. No biggie, right? I mean all nurse managers want to see how things are going with the patients. At the end of the day, the nurse manager talks to me and I thought she was gonna say how amazing of a job I did.

Well, no, she blurts out and says "well, I don't think you are doing a very good job, i don't trust you with the patients alone or to keep you in the recovery room alone all day". (It had been my 4th shift, and I was alone all day with 30 patients in and out in a quick pace environment with no issues whatsoever, so I have no idea where this came from). Just last week she said she was very happy with my performance, and decided to hire me permanently (My habits have only gotten better from that last week). Not only this, but my 2nd day on the job, the clinic got 2 "five star" reviews on google talking about how great the nurse was in the recovery room, making them feel relaxed during a difficult time".

I was in shock, and I asked her what i could do better and she said "organization". When I asked her to elaborate she said she wants the charts to be opened a specific way on a desk, but then said "its ok though, all nurses work a different way and get the job done right". When i asked for further details she stated that "when a patient got up from their seat, there was crumbs left on the chair" (Note: We give patients cookies after their procedures, and I cami-wipe down all the chairs afterwards, sometimes the rooms get so hectic that there isnt time, but I do get it done). Also, she said that she "never heard me ask nurses questions" - I did not have questions at that time since things were going smoothly, and didn't think it was necessary to ask a question when I did not have one. Either way, she only walked in twice, so how can she evaluate?.

I told the nurse manager that I feel I am doing a really good job, and the patients have been very happy and pleased. She said "You think you are doing a good job? Thats interesting and cute" - I really have no idea what happened and she is making me feel like i'm the worst nurse possible. I just graduated and honestly this whole thing is making me regret being a nurse, even though I know I want to remain one forever. I was honestly in shock, my performance from last week and this week were so much better and I literally do not know what to improve on, and asking her for advice didnt seem to go anywhere. All the other nurses there said that "she is nice the first day she meets you, and the nurses are always happy when she doesnt come to the clinic".

So any ideas on what I can do? She said if she doesn't see improvement, shes gonna "interview new nurses". I'm feeling awful and cried in my car for around 2 hours. I honest do god do not know what to improve on, I feel my skills are pretty good and I can see that when I put a smile on all my patients faces and get the job done properly. I feel I have been doing an excellent job and so have the other nurses. As for not trusting me in the recovery room alone... I was there alone all day, so I don't know what she is talking about. Everything is a mind boggle right now and I'm hoping this was just a terrible dream .

Help!

[Fiona59]

Is this the same clinic that you posted about last month?

[dishes, BSN, RN]

I would be checking online job sites to see if my job was already posted, I think unfortunately, this job is not going to turn out to be a good fit for you.

[MPKH, BSN, RN]

Maybe you should try for something else other than fertility clinics for the time being. It sounds like they want nurses with more experience than you do.

[dishes, BSN, RN]

I don't think there is anything you can do you change your manager's mind, it seems she is looking to find fault with you, try to get another job as soon as possible.

[sissiesmama, ASN, RN]

I would be checking online job sites to see if my job was already posted, I think unfortunately, this job is not going to turn out to be a good fit for you.

My thought too- I would definetly start looking for something else. Sounds like the writing's on the wall - I would be scared to work for her after that, worried I would slip up and make some little error and be out on my ear.

Anne, RNC

[Novo]

Don't take it personally we've all had our share of bipolar and micromanaging unit managers. Just look for a new job asap and you can leave this one off your resume as you weren't there for very long anyway.

[nurse1990]

Looks like she didnt like your confidence. I had the exact same thing happen to my friend. She was honestly really smart and picked things up quickly. I'm naturally "unsure" as a person, so I would ask questions all the time. Guess who her fav was lol. She didn't like that my friend thought she knew everything. She always talked about how she was gonna mess up one day blah blah.

Keep kissing up if you can!