Heads up experienced nurses...What drives you nuts about GN's?....be brutally honest!

Tweety, BSN, RN · May 11, 2006

Well since you asked.....:)

I'm bothered by GNs who don't allow themselves to be GNs, who focus on one bad aspect of their and let it ruin their day, who don't give themselves time to learn, who beat themselves up because they are late charting, or because they aren't perfect supernurse.

However, I'd much rather work with the above, than the know-it-all doesn't ask any questions GN.

LaVonneRN · May 11, 2006

Hello to everyone in this forum! I passed my NCLEX three weeks ago. I am so excited to start my first thread in the "First year of nursing" insted of the "nursing student" forum!
I just finished my third day of work and I just wanted to ask all of you experienced nurses what you think I should do or not do during my orientation.
I also want to know what things a GN could do/or have done that drove you nuts! I am asking this because I think that I am annoying my preceptor a bit.:uhoh21: I want her to like me so bad because I am with her everyday for 2 months. Any advise, short or long would be MOST appreciated!
Please be honest, I promise I won't be offended!
Jamie

:welcome:

I'm only one year out and I still have lots to learn. Here is my :twocents: . ASK those questions even if you think you are annoying your preceptor. You will never know unless you ask. Most likely you are not annoying her, you just think you are because there is so much to learn. However, if this is the case seek out some of the more approachable nurses and ask them your questions.

Good luck,

LaVonne

**canoehead, BSN, RN** · May 11, 2006

The new grad that says he/she will not be doing this grunt work for long, they intend to head/open their own health center after they get a few years experience. Meanwhile, they can barely handle one patient on their own, or problem solve their way out of a paper bag.

llg, PhD, RN · May 11, 2006

I wrote a long response to this thread last night ... but don't see it here. Maybe there was a glitch in the posting or maybe there is another almost identical thread. If this is a duplication of something you've already read, I'm apologize.

I'd like to add the advice to remember that "It's not all about you." Some new grads act as if they believe the whole hospital and all the staff exists to meet their needs and wants. Their conversation is all about what they want, what they need, what helps them learn best, etc. Yes, we all have needs and desires -- and it's OK to express them sometimes. But when too much of your focus is on yourself and you expect everyone else to focus on your needs and wants, then you are not being a productive member of the team.

Find the right times and places to express your needs and wants ... but most of the time ... you should be seen by your new colleagues as trying to help the patients and helping your colleagues/unit meet the needs of the patients.

While internally, we are all a little self-absorbed, it's not a good idea to emphasize that part of yourself at work very much.

Good luck,

llg

lovingtheunloved, ASN, RN · May 11, 2006

Maybe this will be helpful, maybe not since I'm just a CNA, but I prefer working with new grads because they are more likely than the "seasoned" nurses I work with to actually touch a patient.

UM Review RN, ASN, RN · May 11, 2006

I'm not apt to get along with the new grad who is constantly questioning my nursing skills or my logic when problem-solving.

In other words, I don't need a critic. I'm not getting paid any extra to help you learn what I've learned.

I want someone who's willing to learn, not someone who's out to prove she's a "better" nurse than I am. They equate "fast" with "best."

Wrong.

Those types always fail to see any point of view but their own, jump to conclusions, fail to dig deeper for answers, never admit mistakes, and are so overconfident I don't want to be anywhere near them when they crash.

UM Review RN, ASN, RN · May 11, 2006

Although this is about "what drives me nuts" about GNs, my post might seem like I'm an old meanie, so let me tell you what I like--

I like the GN who will work with me, whether it's changing a patient or listening to Report. We're nurses, we work together, we have the same goal--get the patients well. (Or improve their state of being for that shift in some way.) I'm happy to use your input as long as it's a collaborative process, rather than a critique, if you get what I mean.

When you go off on your own more, I want you to feel free to take the time to ask a thousand questions, rather than make that med error once. It's so much easier to correct before it happens.

I should add that I would probably enjoy working with you because you asked what you did.

Hope your orientation goes nice and smooth, jamielyn. Please know that we're happy to help you through this process.

jamielyn_1981 · May 11, 2006

Thank you all so much for your responses!! I will use these in the next couple months. You are all so great on here!

Jamie

RNLisa · Jul 24, 2006

This was a good thread, but I was hoping I could get more opinions on here since it's been awhile since anyone posted on this.

I am a new grad, just passed NCLEX and will be starting next week on a Med/Surg. floor.

I am scared to death of the unknown. I mean, I am ready to learn new things, gain skills, and help the patients get well. But, I think what scares me most is "What if I get there and no one likes GNs?"

I have 6 weeks of orientation, which I think seems short, but what is the ONE thing I should do those 6 weeks? I just don't feel confident in myself right now. I mean, I did well in clinicals all through school, but I had an instructor there to help out. What is the best way to make the most of the 6 weeks??

gwenith, BSN, RN · Jul 24, 2006

Heads up experienced nurses...What drives you nuts about GN's?....be brutally honest!

What drives me nuts - those who do not LISTEN!!! I work critical care do NOT tell me after only 1 month in the unit that you are "bored" and there is "nothing to learn". Do NOT tell me that CCU is "just about giving out pills" do NOT tell me that you know more than I do about weaning a patient after you have only seen it done once.