Need some advice for a new grad (long)

Nurses General Nursing

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Ok, so here's the deal, I apologize in advance for the length. I am a new grad and just started in the ED a month ago, have worked probably 6 days total on the unit. When I was hired, I was told I would have an extensive preceptorship, classroom training, etc etc. ACLS, etc. I asked how long my orientation would take and was told, as long as it takes. However, they just let someone go because they weren't "getting it" after 1-1/2 months. I have been there a month. I have had a week of classroom which was mostly a rehash of school, and a week of hospital/nursing orientation which was fine.

Now here is the problem. I have a different preceptor just about every time I work. I get handed charts and told to go do things I have never done before. When I tell my preceptor of the day about it, I get told to go try it and come get them if I run into a problem. Also my main preceptor and I are usually the only ones scheduled to work in our area, so the preceptor runs around trying to get all the pts. taken care of while I am left running around trying to pick up whatever work I can and am able to do. We (preceptor and I) went to our manager and asked to have more time with an additional person scheduled during orientation so we could get some actual training done. Instead the solution was for me to be assigned pts on my own so I could learn how to take care of them from start to finish, I would be responsible for all of their care. I don't have a license yet, so legally I can't start IV's or pass meds, except they expect me to start IV's even though I have not been checked off on this skill by the hospital. I don't expect to have my hand held, nor do I want it to be, but I would like at least a little direction when it comes to policies, procedures and tasks I have never done before.

Also after we went to mgmt, the educator suddenly wanted to write my evaluation. Which is supposed to be completed by my preceptor at the end of my orientation. My preceptor refused to sign it saying that she had not worked with me enough to evaluate me. So the educator, who I have also not worked with wrote up my evaluation. It was a mixed bag of evals too. She signed it and then made me sign it. THe rest of the day, the educator and mgr kept calling in my preceptor to the office and no one talked to me the rest of the day. I now feel like my job is in danger

I don't know what to do, I am not getting the training I was promised, and am being counted as a body there, even though they say I'm not. I know that going straight to the ED right out of school was a great oppty. but at the same time if I am not properly trained how can I take care of my pts? I want to quit but am not sure how this would look on a resume? Also is this standard training practice for new grads?:madface: :eek:

Any advice is appreciated.

Thanks for the advice everyone. I resigned and feel ok. It is still very disappointing to give the job up but I have to remind myself it is for the best and that hopefully I'll get a great new job!

Okay, first thing is you need to protect yourself and your pts, which means you have to leave that ER. They are not keeping their end of the bargain, even though your preceptor is trying to. By continuing to work there under these circumstances, you are putting your license and pts' safety in jeopardy.

As for your resume, I don't think you have to worry at all. If asked why you left after such a short time, be honest. Any prospective employer who would hold that against you is not worth working for.

Expecting a new grad to operate like this (especially in an ED) is totally negligent and unacceptable. I'm talking in regard to patient safety. No doubt this hospital advertises having the most caring EXPERIENCED and professional staff....well they are guilty of false advertising. ED is literally the difference between life and death in many cases and the administrators should be thrown in jail for this unethical, greedy behavior (but I realize there is nothing new under the sun) of putting brand new people on the floor. This is why I do not believe new grads should be put in a place like the ED under any circumstance. This is not slamming new grads but you can't play around in a place like the ED. Many times there is no room for error.

Specializes in OB, lactation.
Thanks for the advice everyone. I resigned and feel ok. It is still very disappointing to give the job up but I have to remind myself it is for the best and that hopefully I'll get a great new job!

I hope you find a great new position and look back and remember that quitting was the best thing you have done! Best wishes!

Its a surgical step-down critical care floor. Not quite sick enough for ICU but to acute for a med-surge floor. So far from what I am hearing from other new grads, I feel blessed.

Hi all,

I am also a new grad that has passed the NCLEX and am having a horrible orientation. At first I blamed myself for not asking enough questions during the interviewing process, but sometimes when you are inexperienced the right questions don't come out. I was hired for "Day Surgery" and did not realize that ALL scheduled surgeries begin in this unit, whether it's major heart surgery or simple dental surgeries. I was told I would have a 3 month orientation with one preceptor but on the 3rd day, I was sent to take care of patients all my self - and by the way, it is a very unorganized system here at this hospital. I also found out that the shift I will be working on after orientation, I will be by myself with a nursing assistant. Needless to say, I am feeling way overwhelmed and find myself crying like a big ol' baby when I get home at night. I have talked to my charge nurse about all this and she was sympathetic but said I should have been told all this in the interview and knew what to expect. I am wanting to resign but feel it will be impossible to find another job if I do....Any suggestions??

I would write your experiences as you have now to keep them fresh in your mind. If they are having you do duties that are outside of your scope of practice it could be bad for them. i wouldn't have signed the eval. but that is just me. Did they put in writin how much orientation. Is there a pt. safety concern because they can't count you in the staffing mix. One RN in the ER are where you work?? interesting.

I would quit but I also would send that letter to DON or human resources.....maybe then they can figure out why they can't keep nurses...........

ckraider---

i resigned my position, and felt great about it. it took me all of a whopping 3 days to find a new job and it was the only one i applied for. i don't know about how your state is, but where i am at it was not a problem for me to resign and find another job quickly (turned out to be a better job too). when i was asked by the hr recruiter why i left i was polite but honest about the working conditions at the other location. i was not asked about specifics and was not asked about it at all by the nurse manager i interviewed with. i have a friend who is also a new grad on the same unit i will be working on and they have a full 3 month long intensive orientation for new grads, classes they send you to etc. so i know this time around what i am told is what i will get. trust me, if you are working in these conditions it is not worth your license or your sanity. quitting that horrible position was the best decision i could have made.

Specializes in Trauma ICU, MICU/SICU.

Yeah, what everyone else said...

RUN! Do not walk from this place. SCARY!!!

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