Having a rough start... help

[revere308]

I have been working the last 4 months in a postpartum unit. I was hired for L&D, but I was told they wanted me to have 6 months in PP before moving there. I had 5 weeks of orientation and felt pretty confident coming off orientation. My preceptor seemed to feel the same way, at least if she didnt she didnt say anything. 4 weeks after I had my 90 days in I had my first evaluation. I felt ok with everything and felt like it was slowly getting better, but apparently it wasn't. They wrote me up and extended my probationary period for another 30 days. The reasons were 2 patient complaints, late medications, and missing documentation. I hadnt had any real feedback between orientation and evaluation, and even the feedback on orientation wasnt that much. I was put back on orientation for another week, and now I have been back on my own for 3 weeks. I just feel so self concious about everything now... I'm not sure about anything! I felt confident before, and now I feel like I need to walk on eggshells. I am so paranoid about making a mistake or anything being late its not even funny!

So I guess my questions are.. #1 how do you prioritize your day and manage your time.. what are some things you learned or some tools you use to help you accomplish everything that needs to be done? How do I learn to hold my head up high again... how do I live this down? Thanks!

[JessiekRN]

Hi! I start my 1st job myself on Monday.. so I wouldn't be helpful at all in the advice department.. just wanted to say I am feeling for you and I'm sorry things have been so rough. :icon_hug: You sound really motivated..don't let this get you down.. you will be great once you figure it out- just hang in there :)

[DreamingTree]

Sorry to hear about your experience! It's actually making me wonder if I'll be written up soon -- being late has become a way of life. On days when I have 5 or 6 patients, I have to hussle to get all meds passed on time. If the stars align, I can get everyone assessed, charted, & meds done on time. Of course, we're dealing with sick people, so crap happens.

I guess my rambling about being late isn't the most helpful approach. My best advice is to stop walking on eggshells -- you don't want to appear weak. Even if you are worried on the inside, your face & posture need to show confidence. In addition, I think you should go talk to your nurse manager and ask for real feedback. You should have a clear idea of what their expectations are.

How do you keep yourself organized? Do you have a brain sheet? I wouldn't survive without mine. I keep a list of med times on one side, and then keep track of everything I need to chart and report. If you want to see mine, let me know.

Finally, greet every patient with a smile and have a sense of humor. If you know what the patient complaints were, then you can adapt to prevent future problems. Some are more difficult than others -- and some days are harder than others.

Good luck!

[bluekermode]

Hi revere308

I'm probably not so much help as I have just completed 1 month on my first job, my head is spinning and I have the notorious startup stress, and what am I doing attacks. As dreamingtree noted then I will be written up too as I have definitely been late with meds.

It would have been good if they gave you input during orientation. Maybe they have some policy about orientation. Either way keep on doing your best, hold your head high, don't let this crush you. At this point perhaps you could ask your NM for feedback especially if they didn't give it before?

For tips go to the sticky -tips for new grads - in first year nursing - I found it very helpful and like I was not going through things alone. Your not alone in this. You will continue and do well.

[emetcal1]

This reminds me of my Practicum my senior year. I felt like I really got along with her the first day and of course didn't know everything on the level that a nurse would, so she ended up telling my teacher and I had to meet with her every week for 3 weeks after my 7p-7a. It was so obnoxious and I was so upset that only after one day, my preceptor could think that I was so incompetent that I had to discuss my days with my teacher for so many weeks. I've learned through nursing school that besides just learning to become a nurse yourself, you have to battle through other co-workers and preceptors personalities. Some are very empathetic in knowing that they have been in your position before and some are very strict as if they think you should know what you are doing by now...foolish if you ask me. Everyone learns at a different pace and if they wanted to hire you at their facility, they should be trained themselves to understand the uniqueness of every nurse and every new grad. I hope that cheers you up! I am fighting for you all the way because I know what it is like to feel that way.