My director hired some NGs some 6-or-so months ago. They seem not to be catching on. First of all, they're just slow, in general. They can't keep up with the pace of ED (discharged, admitting, charting). Second, they seem not to get bigger ED concepts. I don't want to be too specific, but I discussed this with a co-worker (who started their as a NG), and she's noticed it also - along with several others.
I know being a NG is difficult, esp in a specialty, but things seem to be worse than I'd expect from average NGs. We're wondering what it could be:
- the nursing school from where they came (different from the 2-3 yr old crop of NGs)
- orientation not long enough (3 months)
- orientation not thorough enough (then the blame lies with the preceptors?)
- our director just lets it slide when we confront him
- they're just not cut out for ED
- a little of each
I didn't start in ED as a NG (did 1.5 yrs on 3 different med/surg-type units), so I realize this gives me a very different perspective & advantage as well. I worked days for a large part of my 1st year in ED. There's another nurse who's new to ED like me, did some time in med/surg first (6 months?), but he's slow like the NGs also.
I know I'm not super nurse, but this has become very frustrating for me - and other nurses! I'm thankful I don't have to work with them much anymore because I often find myself picking up their slack, since that seems to be what's accepted & expected. My director seems unreceptive to my concerns (and those of others), so I've just given up on that altogether. :grn:
I'm curious if anyone else is experiencing this? Any suggestions?
This whole topic can be summed up in one sentence "Nurse's eat their young." Hey, I would be ****** off too if I was in my 50's and a hot, young, 22 y.o. girl came waltzing into my ER aching for knowledge and experience. I suppose this really is threatening seeing how the economy sucks and old hags are getting laid off.
Specializes in med surg, peds, icu, ortho, geriatrics.
I just have to comment; i've been a nurse for 20 yrs, med surg, er, icu, nursing home, peds........just about everywhere! Lately i've been on a mixed med surg floor......I'm sick of everyone shunting new grads to med surg! Sure, you learn skills that you don't get anywhere else, but please think of the poor med surg nurses who spend all their time orienting new grads and bringing their skills up to speed only to see them off to specialty units! Show the love :)!
Shoot. There I go again, eating my young. Forgot anything other than an attitude of supportive helpfulness and understanding was the proper response to a mocking, insulting post from a new grad.
Do ya think it might have been her way of saying, "Don't feed the troll"?
Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.
Do ya think it might have been her way of saying, "Don't feed the troll"?
No, I don't think it was her way of saying "don't feed the troll". Why would someone take the time to reply to a post and use vague and indirect wording to say something as straightforward as "don't feed the troll". But I will remove the offending post and the old hag post can live a long and happy life.
This whole topic can be summed up in one sentence "Nurse's eat their young." Hey, I would be ****** off too if I was in my 50's and a hot, young, 22 y.o. girl came waltzing into my ER aching for knowledge and experience. I suppose this really is threatening seeing how the economy sucks and old hags are getting laid off.
Hmmm, I'm in my 50's and if the girl referred to comes "waltzing into my ER", I hope she is ready for the knowledge and experience she will gain, but she has to keep up with me to get it. Being "hot and young" doesn't threaten me a bit and it doesn't mean anything when it comes to learning. I will happily mentor anyone who wants to learn, but they will need to be ready to receive it or get left in the dust. This gorgeous grandma can set the pace for the rest.
Come to think of it, I know quite a few beautiful, "hot" old hags:D
JSlice., ASN, RN
42 Posts
This whole topic can be summed up in one sentence "Nurse's eat their young." Hey, I would be ****** off too if I was in my 50's and a hot, young, 22 y.o. girl came waltzing into my ER aching for knowledge and experience. I suppose this really is threatening seeing how the economy sucks and old hags are getting laid off.