My Preceptor Let Me Drown

[kbvn3210]

I have been training with her for one week. She made is clear that she didn't want to train me from the beginning. She decided to let me have the cart by myself while she sat in a patient's room and didn't do anything. I passed morning meds for four hours! As I began, she walked over and told me signing as I go will mess up my time. When I finally finished she told me to chart but failed to tell me I had to chart four different places on the same patients. I stayed with her an hour after work to finish charting. I get a call this morning from the DON saying she was very concerned about the feedback she was getting. Apparently the nurse told her I gave the wrong dose to a couple of patients. This really upset me because I know I checked the chart before I have each med three or four times. I told her about my experience and how my preceptor told me signing as I pass would mess up my time. She told me I was right and she would put me with another nurse. There are about 28 patients on that cart! She knew that load would be too much for me and allowed me to drown. I try not to take things personal but this nurse made a point to be nice to everyone but me in front of me! Whatever the case, I went home exhausted and discouraged every night. Is this a normal experience for first time nurses in LTC?

[BlackMagicGypsy]

I can't speak on whether it's normal but it sounds like a nightmare. I'm glad you're being reassigned.....she sounds like she *wants* you to fail.

[kbvn3210]

It's a complete nightmare. I second guess myself constantly. I'm starting to feel like I'll never be fast enough to get my work done on time.

[Sassafras6]

So sorry that happened to you. LTC's have a difficult time maintaining good staff & I would think she would be interested in you succeeding rather than driving you out the door. So many times the nurses are short staffed because they cannot find a nurse to come in when there's a call in or when census is high & staff supply low. If you find this to be a pattern at that facility, start looking elsewhere. I am sure there are other facilities that would welcome you & do their best to help you learn the ropes.

[kbvn3210]

I can see why this facility is constantly losing nurses. That nurse in particular sets a terrible example for her hall. She has an abrasive personality. Her favorite thing to say is "I know I'm mean." She cusses at residents and talks about them and their families when they walk away. Her favorite CNA likes to talk threateningly about staff. The good people working there don't even want to walk down that hall. I think she acts like that because she has the largest patient load and no one wants work her cart. If I were the DON I would have fired her long ago.

[oncivrn]

She needs to be reported to the board. Her behavior towards patients is abusive, at the very least.

[CapeCodMermaid, RN]

After reading the original post, I couldn't find anything the Board would consider abusive to residents. Sounds like she's just plain mean. Why complain about being short staffed if you beat up new hires? Go to the DON and ask her for another preceptor. I've got some excellent nurses who just don't have it in them to teach anyone, so I'm careful who mentors the newbies. LTC is hard enough without all the added drama of nurses being mean to each other. Take your time with the med pass. Once a day meds are once a day...it matters little if the med is given at 8am or 9am or 959am....

[purplegal]

I'm sorry you are having this experience as it is not normal. It sounds completely different from the experience I had when I started 5 months ago. My preceptors were not consistent, but each one made sure that I felt comfortable as I was going, told me all the information I needed to know, and always made themselves available whenever I needed help. I've been off orientation for a long time now, and still my coworkers are always willing to assist and answer questions. The preceptor you are talking about sounds like she not only has no business precepting, but also not being a nurse. Her bedside manner is not acceptable, and she is creating a hostile work environment. I also think she was wrong to tell you not to chart as you go. I think this is very effective because it forces me to concentrate on the patient at hand and saves time for charting later on. Time management is important but signing off really doesn't take up that much time. I am wondering though, that if she was not even with you throughout the day, how would she know that you gave the wrong dose to any patient? Others are right, these types of facilities are always short staffed so why she wouldn't want you to be successful baffles me. I am glad that you are going to be put with a different preceptor, but if you find that this lack of support and teamwork continues, you may want to consider working elsewhere. Working together is key in facilities like these, and creating a hostile environment only makes it more difficult for everyone.