Just finished with orientation please give me a little advice...

[mizzou_ivy]

I graduated May 12th, 2007. I have just finished up orientation where I work on the Med-Surg floor. I sat down with my DON and preceptor to go over my review and was floored. When I started I was told that I would have 1 of 2 preceptors that were on the floor throughout the whole orientation time in order to "get used to things." That didn't hold true for very long I was passed around due to staffing issues. Now on my last week I got two bad reviews, 1.) a CNA stating I refused to help with a bath (I had 8 patients with 15 meds each) at 0900 and 2.) a preceptor who states I delegated to her as a superior.

Now tell me if I am drowning with my patient load and need help is that delegating? I asked her for help and did not receive it. She could only tell me what I was doing wrong. Also I didn't refuse to help just stated I couldn't help at that time. She tattled to the DON an untruth about the situation.

I generally like what I do I just am upset because neither one of those people discussed with me what they perceived as wrong. They automatically went to my boss.

You veterans, please, tell me how to handle this type of behavior. Thanks.

[MrsWampthang, BSN, RN]

How did the DON and the preceptor react to the bad reviews and did they listen to your side of both situations? If they didn't give you the benefit of the doubt as to the validity of your side of the story, then I think I would be looking for another job while I worked there. You don't need to work with a bunch of backstabbers and suck ups, you worked too hard to get where you are. Just my opinion though.

Pam

[jamonit]

if you want to stay at that job i would suggest you speak with the parties involved and ask the preceptors you are working with to go to you before they go to the DON. it's so simple and saves them the effort of talking to the head honchos. i would respectfully say, "[susan] in the future, if you see that i am doing something that you don't agree with or if i am doing something wrong, please come to me first. i understand it's not easy to precept someone, but i could really use the tips and think it would be better for both of us if you came to speak with me first."

i wouldn't quit yet, but i would definitely make sure i got that message out to the people involved. after addressing that issue, react as if the slate is clean and just do your best to move forward. if you continue to have this issue and management doesn't seem to support you, that's when i would decide to transfer to another unit or put my resume out there at other local hospitals. to me it sounds like more than anything they are 'ganging' up on the new kid. once you tactfully and assertively tell the preceptors the way it's gonna be, if they continue to go behind your backs, that's a sign you should think about your escape route.

good luck!

(been in your shoes before)

[pagandeva2000, LPN]

Nurses sometimes bully people in a passive/aggresive way, and this is one of them. I am curious to know how the DON actually reacted to this news. Was she accusing you of not being a teamplayer or seeming as though she took their sides without asking you? If that is the case, then, I smell trouble brewing. If she seemed to be impartial, I would let her know that you are quite disturbed by the behavior of your co-workers and that it was miscommunicated.

I totally understand how you feel; this happens in nursing more than you think. It should not deter you, nor do I want you to think that it is everywhere, but if you keep reading other posts, you will see more things like this happening.

[llg, PhD, RN]

I agree with the above responses. What counts most is how your supervisors responded to the information. Were they interested in your side of the story? Do they seem willing to work with you and treat you fairly? If they don, then don't throw away an otherwise good job just because 2 of your coworkers did something you didn't like. Don't give them that much power over you.

There will always be a few people in your environment that don't behave the way you would like them to. That's the real world -- in any profession. What counts is how your supervisors react to it and whether or not it is treated like a "big deal" or not. If they don't treat it as a big deal, don't you turn it into a big deal. Let it roll off your back and get on with your life. Ask the people involved to let you know directly if they have a problem with your behavior so that you have a chance to address it on the spot in the future. Ask them to give you a chance to clear up any misunderstandings before they become major conflicts, etc. Let them know that you will speak up and defend yourself, and they will probably back off.