New grad finding it tough

[wjma]

Hi All,

I'm a mature aged student and I've just started my first rotation part time in an aged acute mental health unit.

I've had 7 shifts and seriously questioning if I've made the right decision.

I've not had my preceptor there since I started (she was on leave when I started??? then off sick for 2 days, so I haven't really been oriented), there's no clinical educator (she resigned and hasn't as yet been replaced) and I've been left pretty much to do my own thing and find a lot out for myself. Most of the staff are helpful but they are all so busy managing their patients and fulfilling their duties. The shift leaders are okay, but once again very flat out. The truth is some shifts are understaffed and patients are wandering around the ward and garden area unsupervised.

It's a very busy ward - lots of dementia patients ( nowhere else for them to go) who can become quite aggressive and require a lot of input, which puts everyone under stress I guess.

I was thrown into giving out meds on my 2nd shift and was only partly supervised - I have to perform 5 supervised med rounds to attain med safety - and felt quite out of my depth, and Very rushed. This is difficult when I'm still getting used to all those meds!!

So, thanks for 'listening' - just needed to do some venting. There are some positive things too I might add, but as a new grad it has been an overwhelming experience!

[mentalhealthRN]

Sounds pretty unsafe and I'm not sure how you are all allowed to even be there without a preceptor. I would go to someone at the school in charge and let them know of your concerns. You are paying a lot to get an education and you are not getting what you deserve. Make the school step up to the plate and give all their students what they deserve and are entitled to.

[mentalhealthRN]

hang on here.....I just posted and realized.......your title states you are a new grad but your post says you are a student on a psych rotation. CONFUSED!!!! Are you a student or a new grad??????????

[wjma]

Hi, thanks for your responses. Ooops,.... mental moment? Should read mature age person; I was a mature age student but now I'm a registered nurse!!! and presumably still mature aged...

My apologies for the confusion.

Yes, it is unsafe and I feel unsafe a lot of the time. My preceptor returns this week so hopefully things will settle...they'd better! I can't quite work out how a preceptor is matched to a new grad and then you're told when you arrive, Oh she's on leave!?

[Debbie Anne]

Hang in there. Being a new grad is quite overwhelming at times. Of course your situation is even more stressful. You have the right to refuse to do something you don't feel safe doing since you weren't precepted/trained how to do. I would insist on a proper training.

[wjma]

Thanks for your reply. Yes, I have said that a couple of times. One in particular was taking bloods. Said I hadn't done that for quite a while ( finished my course end of 2009 so I've had a break) and would observe for a couple of times. Everything is so rushed and that's when things happen. But I'm assertive enough to stand my ground. Don't know whether they like it or not. I came into this program with certain expectations based on the speel the facility offered the new grad - 3 days supernumerary (not that long eh), working with a preceptor from the start who would be rostered with me for the first 2 weeks. Ain't happened. I am feeling rather disappointed but I will hang in there for a bit longer....if I'm not enjoying it it's back to teaching those lovely secondary students and doing agency work.