Help!

Nitengale326 · Apr 18, 2004

Hi... I am new to acute care after spending forever in long term care and it is different. I was also to be night shift and then after one week of gen'l orientation put on the floor with a preceptor for days. That did not suit me at all. I spoke with my mgr and she was able to place me on 3/11. I was with my preceptor for almost 5 weeks. Our floor is both med/surg (even though we are post surgical). I was then put on nights with no orientation but my "co-workers" were aware of my newbie status and my team leaders did a wonderful job of ensuring I was ok. I'll admit, I was nervous as h!@## and had constant brain farts over simple stuff. I guess the fight or flight deal for me ... was my brain took off. That was January and into February. It is now the middle of April and I am starting to get more comfortable but there is still so much I don't know. Let your coworkers and managers know how you feel but YOU have to cut the apron strings. Nights is not that different from days and it sounds like you had a decent orientation period with a preceptor. Your med load will be less, your admissions will be fewer. You will not have as many runs to Xray CT etc. Just let them know you are nervous and find someone to buddy with. Ask the other nurses who is a reliable resource for you. You should do just fine. Good luck and its ok to be scared. That will keep you on your toes.

HealinghandsRN · Apr 29, 2004

so...i just graduated from nursing school in january. i started working at a hospital on march 1. general orientation lasted about 2 weeks, then i was on the floor with a preceptor. i was originally hired for the night shift, but i was told that i would be on orientation on days for a few weeks then i would switch to nights for the last few weeks of orientation. well...about two weeks into orientation, my floor closed. i ended up floating with my preceptor for about a week before i got put on another floor to finish orientation. i was there for about a week, then i got switched to nights. i started nights this past week and had only 3 days of orientation. only 3 days of orientation. monday, i start working as a regular staff nurse. i'm still not comfortable with that since i only had 3 days of orientation on nights, but they can't extend my orientation. plus, i might end up floating to other units, since that is what all of the other nurses on my unit are doing. i don't know what to do...should i look for a different hospital? please someone give me advice...i don't know what to do. i'm dreading going to work on monday.

hello, sounds like a cmc employee?? if its not that would be typical of cmc. however, i do not understand why u cannot get more orientation?? i would schedule an appointment with my manager and also, "put it in writing" that u are uncomfortable with your current situation and requesting more orientation. u are obligated to state when u do not feel qualified and i am almost positive u can maturely refuse being pulled to a floor that u do not feel "qualified" for. they should appreciate your honesty and honor your request. but once again....put your request in writing along with a verbal meeting. i would also request in your letter for them to reply in writing......(if they don't, make sure u document dates & outcomes to your letter) and god forbid something was to happen, if request not in writing then "request was never made" and will all fall on you. document, document, document...... hope this info helps. keep me updated:p

lee1 · Apr 30, 2004

So...I just graduated from nursing school in January. I started working at a hospital on March 1. General orientation lasted about 2 weeks, then I was on the floor with a preceptor. I was originally hired for the night shift, but I was told that I would be on orientation on days for a few weeks then I would switch to nights for the last few weeks of orientation. Well...about two weeks into orientation, my floor closed. I ended up floating with my preceptor for about a week before I got put on another floor to finish orientation. I was there for about a week, then I got switched to nights. I started nights this past week and had only 3 days of orientation. Only 3 days of orientation. Monday, I start working as a regular staff nurse. I'm still not comfortable with that since I only had 3 days of orientation on nights, but they can't extend my orientation. Plus, I might end up floating to other units, since that is what all of the other nurses on my unit are doing. I don't know what to do...should I look for a different hospital? Please someone give me advice...I don't know what to do. I'm dreading going to work on Monday.

If this is RWJ please email me privately. You need to contact the union rep immediately.

nursebonkers · Apr 30, 2004

So...I just graduated from nursing school in January. I started working at a hospital on March 1. General orientation lasted about 2 weeks, then I was on the floor with a preceptor. I was originally hired for the night shift, but I was told that I would be on orientation on days for a few weeks then I would switch to nights for the last few weeks of orientation. Well...about two weeks into orientation, my floor closed. I ended up floating with my preceptor for about a week before I got put on another floor to finish orientation. I was there for about a week, then I got switched to nights. I started nights this past week and had only 3 days of orientation. Only 3 days of orientation. Monday, I start working as a regular staff nurse. I'm still not comfortable with that since I only had 3 days of orientation on nights, but they can't extend my orientation. Plus, I might end up floating to other units, since that is what all of the other nurses on my unit are doing. I don't know what to do...should I look for a different hospital? Please someone give me advice...I don't know what to do. I'm dreading going to work on Monday.

Contact your union rep immediately if you havent already done so!!!!!!!!!!

chellevrn · May 18, 2004

thank you for all the advice!