Horrible unit culture ..lost and confused!!

Specialties Ob/Gyn

Published

Specializes in Coronary Care.

I started as a new grad in a CCU in 2015. It was my 2nd pick to labor/delivery (my dream job). I recently started a new job in labor/delivery About a month ago. And for about 6 weeks before that I did my initial training in mother/baby. I was in the 2nd semester of a CNM/WHNP program and deferred this current fall semester because of many things I had going on and because of starting this new job at a new hospital. To make a long story short, I haven't had a pleasant orientation in labor/delivery thus far. My preceptor has been leaving me alone and essentially been making me do all the work a few weeks in...not ok! Then we were in my 2nd c-section, and after the baby was taken out we were cleaning down the infant warmer. So I picked up the bleach wipes and the container was sitting in the warmer as I cleaned it. My preceptor, in front of 2 surg techs, the surgeon, and the CRNA, says " I've got to teach you something about infection control you sat that down in there after cleaning it", And made big bug eyes at the CRNA. so I said I'm sorry I wasn't even thinking about it that way and she goes well you're in labor and delivery!. So pretty much from there I was floundering around like an idiot because I was so embarrassed. I recovered both of my first 2 c sections by myself! After that incident I asked if she noticed stuff like that could she tell me between us because it makes me feel stupid and I get flustered. She apologized saying she didn't realize the OR team heard her, which I don't believe. Then a few days later, without saying anything to me, went to our manager and told her about the wipe incident and asked if I could precept with someone else. It's been disappointments like this one after another. And I'm so torn because I love L&D but this hospital and unit is ruining it for me, so much that I'm close to going back to my old hospital CCU job where the unit culture is phenomenal! And when my manager told me I would be precepting with someone else her tone was almost as if she was defending my old preceptor. I guess I'm just looking for words of advice or encouragement! I was so lucky with my initial orientation for CCU because everyone was so helpful and kind.

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OMG ruuuuuuuun! Sounds like you just got a job in Hell. Unless you enjoy working with obnoxious brats, RUN back to your previous job!

The bleach wipes...Jesus! How bout your ex preceptor just roll on the floor and cry about the damn things? Buh-bye!

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Specializes in Coronary Care.
9252144[/url]]OMG ruuuuuuuun! Sounds like you just got a job in Hell. Unless you enjoy working with obnoxious brats, RUN back to your previous job!

The bleach wipes...Jesus! How bout your ex preceptor just roll on the floor and cry about the damn things? Buh-bye!

im glad someone else sees this as childish and ridiculous! Another thing that's bothersome ...preceptors are included in on call rotation so I'll show up to work not even knowing if my assigned preceptor is there or not ...crazy! There's that part of me that says stick it out with the new preceptor for a bit and see if it gets better, but regardless I can't change management!!

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Nah, don't bother...it sounds like the little stinker has it out for you for some reason (seems to think L&D is only for "special" people who don't make mistakes...like herself?). That type of person will either get you fired or make life hell until you leave. It's better to quit and go back to your old job than be fired and not have a job to goback to.

I should add that I could be wrong...but I doubt it, haha. I've seen this play out in workplaces before where the higher-up gets a bee in their bonnet and makes a mission out of finding anything possible wrong with a new hire until they fire them or the new hire leaves. It's kind of weird. That bleach wipe story just reeks of your preceptor making a real effort to manufacture some drama for whatever reason. I wonder if the nurse you replaced left for a similar reason, eh?

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Specializes in Coronary Care.

Certainly could explain why there's 3-5 travel nurses in the unit ....

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Oh, yeah. The funny thing is, I bet they wonder why they have so much trouble with staff retention :wacky:

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Specializes in Coronary Care.

So after working the past 2 nights at my old job, I have decided to go back! All of my coworkers even want me back full time, so that speaks volumes in the difference in unit culture.

The past 2 shifts with my new preceptor at new job have been better, I can tell she's interested in helping me learn, asking ME what areas I feel I need to focus on, etc. But one day she was charge and focused more on those duties and I was mostly alone. Then another day she was baby nurse and I was caring for 2 induction patients on pitocin by myself for the greater majority of the day. And she was aware she was doing it because she kept apologizing for it! I haven't even had a single EFM class and here I am titrating pitocin based on 4-6 weeks of orientation??

With that said, how should I go about resigning? I'm going to offer to work a notice for professionalism but I don't see why they would want me to work 2 weeks of orientation knowing I'm going to leave.

Thanks!

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Specializes in Med-Surg,Pediatrics, women services.

I can feel your frustration. I was a postpartum and medical surgical nurse prior to transitioning to labor and delivery. My first L&D job was horrible. My preceptor would loud talk me in front of other staff including doctors and residents. She was going behind my back to the manager because she felt I wasn't listening because I would nod and smile when she told me things. Her words were, "You are not listening because you won't repeat it back to me." When asked did I demonstrate I was listening by tasks, she replied "yes." Long story short, I left that job and went to work with another hospital in L&D and I love it!! With that being said, if L&D is were you want to be don't let one bad experience deter you. Sometimes it takes changing work places to make the situation better.

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You are making the right choice!!! Give them 2 weeks but they'd be stupid to keep you in orientation that long. Then again they haven't proven themselves to be smart:***:

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Specializes in Coronary Care.

I would love to work L&D at my old hospital but unfortunately I can't get into that right now. Maybe later down the road. But I would rather be in CCU at my old hospital than stay at this one!

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How has it been since you went back? Have you tried going to another L&D unit? I am in the same exact boat right now. But the only reason that holds me back is that I am so embarrassed to go back.

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Specializes in Coronary Care.

It has been wonderful since I returned! My co-workers were more than thrilled to have me back, and I think leaving for a while opened my eyes! The unit I work on has awesome teamwork. I have no plans to transfer to another department anytime soon. Do not regret my decision at ALL!

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