How to take constructive criticism?

[Convoy2022_TrumpSupporter]

Today was my first day at the Seniors home working alone, and I am slowly getting used to the system, and the only way for me to get better is to keep working even though I am only part time.

Anyways a staff another Nurse told me something I did wrong with the narcotic check by adding another signature, not sure what that meant, she said she does not want to be mean, but I have to do it right, otherwise the pharmacy will catch the oncoming shift not signing an extra signature, so I guess its somewhat my fault but no one really showed me.

Also, placing the inhalers in a certain area in the Med room, it was just slightly in a different spot before and the Nurse oncoming was giving me *** for it not sure why.

But stuff like this does get to me and it kind of embarrasses me in front of staff.

[Closed Account 12345]

Neither of the examples you provided are somebody criticizing you, constructively nor otherwise. Another nurse, who was aware that it was your first solo shift, was trying to help you by teaching you the procedures and practices of your facility.

She's right, too; you don't want pharmacy associating you with any kind of narcotic error or discrepancy. You need to follow your facility's narcotics policies exactly. Perhaps a second signature was needed for beginning/end of shift counts, or for a dose that you documented as wasted, or perhaps the facility you work at requires two nurses to sign for narcotics each time they're pulled. If you're unsure of how things are done, especially with something like narcotics that can land you in hot water, you need to ask instead of guessing. It sounds like she meant it nicely.

Medications and supplies need to be in their designated spaces so that all staff members can find them quickly and without searching. This requires everyone to know where things go. If a patient is in respiratory distress, it's essential that the nurse is able to find the patient's inhaler quickly instead of searching for wherever the previous nurse may have set it.

Neither of these corrections was a criticism about you. Both were teaching moments. Whether you are a new nurse in a facility or you've worked there for 20 years, you've got to be open to learning new things and feedback from peers. Thank them for teaching you the important things you need to learn, and implement the correct practices. If that is a struggle, remind yourself it isn't about you; it's about patient care and patient safety. Everyone is working towards the same goal.

The only other thing I would add is ask questions - so many questions! If it was your first shift alone in this job, you don't even know what you don't know yet. When you across new procedures, new equipment, new patient situations - ask.

[TriciaJ, RN]

Being new at anything is the pits. It's uncomfortable to feel stupid and to receive feedback that isn't glowing. I changed jobs and specialities a few times in my career and every time I had to go through the "stupid" period.

FacultyRN gave you excellent advice about asking questions. Don't be trying to guess where things need to go; find out where they do go. When you're up and running you'll be glad to be able to quickly grab what you need. If the previous person has misplaced something it will frost your butt.

The best way to handle criticism is to ask for more information. If the criticism is constructive you will learn from it. If it was meant to be malicious then the request for more info will stop the criticizer in his tracks.

When someone tells you you didn't do the narc count properly, ask that person to show you exactly what she means. Then you'll know how it's done. Do this in every instance of feedback; allow your new coworkers to pave the way for you by providing you with the information you need.

Congratulations on your new job and good luck!