I am a nurse with 3 years of med/surg experience behind me and I started in the ED a little over 3 months ago.
I am officially off orientation and I feel so unprepared and dumb. On top of that there are a few ED docs who prey on my more quiet, non-confrontational behavior and make me feel so so dumb. It seems like they do it on purpose. Yesterday I missed an IV while one of the doctors was watching (on a really hard stick) and after we left the room she proceeded to tell me that I am too timid when I tell the patient I am going to stick them and that if I don't seem confident then the patient will be more anxious and it will e harder for them to endure the IV stick. Um...OK?? I felt so terrible afterwards because this isn't the first time she hasn't been very nice.
I dont know if I'm in the wrong profession or if these feelings are normal. Did anyone else experience bullying or these feelings when they started in the ED?
Thank you everyone for your responses. I guess maybe I took it a little too personally. I am still not quite sure why she would be correcting me on a primarily nursing thing but maybe her intentions were good. And like someone said maybe my self doubt overshadowed this experience. I know I need to toughen up, hopefully with time :).
As far as feeling like you don't know anything...you know far more than you think. You will get used to the pace and don't be afraid to rely on your knowledge and don't be afraid to ask questions. You have a vast ocean of medical knowledge compared to the average joe-- trust it. Experience breeds confidence, it will come.
We don't know the tone the physician used with you but one thing I do know is that people love to talk out of their asses and think they know best. Maybe that's why that doctor (your coworker) took it upon herself to "help" you. Don't take it personally even if she was coming down on you, eventually you guys will get to know each other and rely on and trust each other. Seriously some people are difficult pokes. I'd like to see that doctor strut in there with 100% confidence and get the IV while someone is hawking over their shoulder. I think I've seen one doctor start an IV in my lifetime as an ER nurse and she was an experienced army medic prior to working in the ER. When someone feels the need to offer advice, I usually thank them and try to consider it without taking it personally.
ER nursing is stressful and amazingly rewarding, stick with it and you won't regret it. We've all been in your shoes. Just be the best nurse you can be, keep your patient your top priority, and the rest will fall into place.
pugmom79
186 Posts
She gave you constructive criticism outside the patients room. Don't see the problem....