Hi everyone, new to the site and the nursing world.
Story in a nutshell: Graduated in May 2009 with a BSN and finally got a job in Florida as a new grad in a critical care program that rotates you through the different units. Basically, the first few months are mostly classroom doing the AANA ECCO program, and you build up to your 3 12 hour shifts per week. My first "rotation" is six months long, so I came of orientation at the end of May and worked through the 4th of July solo, got good reviews from my preceptor and coworkers, etc.
After that I was rotated to the Cardiac/Thoracic Intensive Care unit, given 8 shifts, and then "facilitated"-basically being tested to see if you can handle the patient load alone. The managements main complaint was that i did not have the concentrations and max dosing levels of some vasoactive drugs memorized, and that I take longer on some tasks. They said that they thought it would take another 4 weeks for me to be able to work alone (bringing my orientation on this unit to 8 weeks) Therefore, the unit did not want me, and I have just had a meeting with my rotation director where they are questioning whether I'm fit for critical care or not.
My question is, does 8 shifts seem a little short to anyone else? Granted, i was oriented in the neuro unit, but shouldnt there be a bit more leeway coming into the new unit, especially as a new graduate having not experienced 90 percent of what goes on there? I was told that since other rotators are able to pass, i should too, and that they dont have the budget for someone who needs a longer orientation. Am I truly not fit for critical care nursing? Thanks for any advice
