First of all I would like to say that I feel terrible complaining about my job when so many nurses (especially new graduates) are having a horrible time finding a job and a three weeks ago I was right there with them, praying for ANY job to come along.
I started working for a GI clinic about three weeks ago and I started questioning the facility when the doctor (who owns the clinic) wanted me to be on my own after ONE WEEK! Even if I hadn't been a new grad, a one week orientation seems crazy. So, the first day I was on my own I had a patient who needed reversal meds, fluids hung, and oxygen. I guess I should add here that this doctor oversedates (a lot) and being a new graduate I don't have the respect from him to have input in making the calls on how much sedation a patient should get nor do I feel comfortable doing that either. Anyways, I PANICKED! I called for another nurse to come in and pretty much stood in the corner in terror. The doctor then sent an email to the nurse I had followed the week prior to basically let her know she had done a terrible job training me and wanted her to be in the procedure room with me for a couple more days. So now, every time the doctor is around me, he makes comments about how they have "babied me too much" and that I have been on orientation too long. I never feel comfortable at work and constantly worry that I am going to hurt a patient because I haven't been properly trained. I have expressed this to other nurses, my nurse manager, and the doctor. Because the doctor owns the facility, he is the boss and ultimately makes the decisions. I try to ignore his remarks about being babied because to me my patient's safety and my license are the two most important things to me. But, like I said before, he is my boss.
I took this job because I needed a job. At the very least I wanted great experience for the job I want, a paycheck and to have something to put on my resume. I come home every day mentally and emotionally exhausted. I can't call my mom without crying in frustration. I have not once said that I had a "good day" or that I like my job.
Am I being a drama queen? Have they babied me? Should I just suck it up, or should I look for a different job?
The job sounds ideal to me. That same doc, most likely, would respect autonomy from nursing......as long as you make the right decision for the patient he'll likely have your back. I think that's the hard part for a new grad. How do you know that you're doing right by your patient? Don't give up on nursing, you just landed in a place that is not a good fit for a new grad. Tough it out, and probably kill someone, or find a new job. Leave gracefully, cuz when you've had some experience, you'd probably love to return.
This is why many consider procedural areas to be inappropriate for new grads.
OP, you're in a tough spot. In this setting, the MD may well be a part-owner of the clinic or be directly in the administrative chain of command and so may well be a "supervisor" to you ... whereas in a hospital setting there are separate nursing and medical administrative hierarchies and chains of command.
You are not the first and will not be the last new nurse (or new physician, mid-level, RT, or EMS provider for that matter ...) who becomes frozen by fear during your first real emergency. Review how that scenario played out so that the next time, you can meaningfully contribute to the patient's outcome.
Is there a nurse manager with whom you can speak frankly to evaluate your skills and your progress so far?
Specializes in Oncology; medical specialty website.
This is the problem with new grads taking jobs in departments like this. These patients can go bad, and it can happen quickly. It was not uncommon to hear "Code Blue" being paged to the endo suite. The nurses who worked back there were all experienced and many had critical care under their belt.
Yes, a M-F, 8-5 job has its perks, but you need to be able to react when things go wrong. I don't think an MD should be running our orientation, but if it's a free-standing clinic, that may be how it is there. Try to pick the brains of nurses who have been there a while and know what can go wrong.
Just my two cents, but are you looking for another job right now? I ask only because it seems to be written on the wall: they may let you go. You've told everyone who will listen that you don't feel comfortable, the owner / doc of the facility comments negatively on your performance, and a thorough orientation looks like it's out of the picture...
the news may be forthcoming, and you might not have to figure anything out.
Now, if you want to keep this job, you need to work double time. Do some homework about procedures, recovery agents, rescue, and definitely get ACLS if you do not have it. Make a list of questions and procedures you would like to work through with the other nurse. Try to do everything at least once yourself and have the others give you feedback afterward. This job really requires a self-starter and you have a lot to make up for being new; unfortunately, no one running a stand-alone facility seems to care about that (BTDT, sorry OP.)
Clinic/outpatient work can be rewarding however, it's really not for the noobs. As an office nurse you are required to have a lot of autonomy. Those who've not worked in an office environment often assume it's a cake walk - it's not.
The doc sounds like a real jerk and that can be the issue in many outpatient environments - if you get a good one it can be a great job, if you get an a$$hole it can be a nightmare. One weeks orientation is not satisfactory especially if you are required to assist and perform procedures you are unfamiliar with.
Only you can decide if you want to stick it out, it sound like you can learn alot. I would suggest having a sit down with the managing Dr. to discuss the issues or managing nurse if there is one. I would outline the skills you need to learn and set some goals and enlist someone to assist you with them.
The first job for any new grad is going to be scary, there are tons of threads about this very thing.
3. Are easy to blame for anything that the practice needs to blame someone for, and they might if need be. Remember the docs know you have a license and it's yours not theirs.
5. Will do stuff that the MD may or may not know is not within your scope. So you will probably screw yourself and not even know that you have.
You might not be getting much from the existing RNs because they might be very aware that they may not be doing things safely, and don't want to be the one you say told you "how", especially if they began as NGs there as well. Remember all the experienced mentorship folks there used to be for nurses are not around much anymore. Those who learned in a "learning" atmosphere years and years ago are the people I'm talking about. So many new people orienting new people. However, in the end, that doesn't matter. You have your own license.
I'd leave and yesterday, job or not.
To some of the very experienced nurses who have advised "stay". You guys come from a different time and space. LIke I said, some of you came up when the "blame first" mentality was not so strong.
Wow. The entire scenario sounds scary. I'd try to get a job in a hospital that will allow you to train with an experienced preceptor for several weeks. Mine was 12 weeks at the large teaching hospital I'm still at 4 years later. I cannot imagine being in the situation you are as a new grad. It's unsafe.
I worked at a GI clinic in Perth, & in the morning, the psychotic NM said I would be trained for one day only (which I didn't know prior to going in that morning). When I expressed concern, I was sen a txt (I think) from her saying she suddenly didn't think I was suitable for the job & that she would let me go. I didn't get paid either (another long story). It was like an assembly line, & the NM obviously didn't like anyone challenging her. I was a bit upset, but got other work soon after. My license is also more important to me. I just feel sorry for the RN she took on with one days training. I value my sanity & professionalism more than to take any job. And in those private clinics, the head Dr & head nurse have a say over how everything is done - some of it not quite ethical or legal, I've learned.
You may have to look around for something else. And why on EARTH r u giving reversal meds to a patient? In Oz only a senior anaesthetic nurse or anaesthetist would be doing that. In fact, I'd be questioning as to why the doctor is not doing this. This is so bad and IMO illegal too.
I'd be running away w/out looking back & brushing up the CV. I wouldn't put this job on there, but if you do & ur asked why you left, just say some of the practices were not in keeping with ur high standards.
Good luck, it sounds just like what I went thru. These private clinic b*****ds get away with treating people how they like.
Woodenpug, BSN
734 Posts
The job sounds ideal to me. That same doc, most likely, would respect autonomy from nursing......as long as you make the right decision for the patient he'll likely have your back. I think that's the hard part for a new grad. How do you know that you're doing right by your patient? Don't give up on nursing, you just landed in a place that is not a good fit for a new grad. Tough it out, and probably kill someone, or find a new job. Leave gracefully, cuz when you've had some experience, you'd probably love to return.