need advice

[Ms.RN]

I was hired to work in the new subacute unit in the hospital and since the unit not open yet I"v been orientating in a med-surg unit with a preceptor for 3 weeks. This my first time working in the hospital and I've never worked in med-surg unit before. Nurse manager called me told me that unit is not going to be open until next month and she told me that she's going to put me on the med-surg unit until the unit is open. I dont feel comfortable being by myself in med surg unit but at the same I dont want to sound incapable either. I'm suppose to talk to a nurse manager about my scheudle. If I make mistakes Im going to be responsible and I might lose my license and that is my concern. I still feel like 3 weeks of orientation is not enough for me to be by myself. What should I do? help!

[Nurse_Jaydee]

Voice your concerns to the Nurse Manager. 3 weeks of orientation isn't long enough for a new grad. Protect your license because no one else will.

[Lucky0220]

When the manager told you this, did she specifically say that you would be on your own? It's great that she will let you work on the M/S unit until the other unit opens; just clarify if you will be on your own or if you will still have a preceptor. I doubt that any decent manager would expect new nurse to practice safely with only 3 weeks of orientation. Good luck.

[SexyNursey]

I agree! We were taught in nursing school that we are not required, by law mind you, to work in an environment that we are not comfortable with. Protect your license! Admitting to the nursing manager that you are not comfortable with it will show strength because she'll know that you know what you're comfortable with and you are not one to be pushed around. If she gives you grief, then maybe this isn't the job for you.

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

otoh, perhaps your nm realizes that you can learn a lot in 3 weeks about the facility-- the nuts and bolts of paperwork, the phone system, the institutional culture, how the supply system works-- it's not all wasted time. let's not get all fluffed up about "they taught me in nursing school never to work in an unfamiliar area," because by that standard you'd never work anywhere.

look at it this way-- you're getting three weeks paid internship to learn a bunch of new stuff that just might come in handy. they could have told you not to come in for three weeks; they could have said, "you've never worked in a hospital? we don't want you in our subacute unit." show your nm (who will be speaking to the nm of the subacute unit) that you are a gamer and a good team member, and willing to learn. (show yourself that, too:yeah:)