New Grad- Job not going well

[Rn052015]

I am a new grad RN-BSN who began working my first RN position at the beginning of October. I am in a surgical department, and before accepting this job, had never seen or been in a surgery before. To say the least, the transition has been extremely difficult.

One of the reasons I wanted to get into this facility/position is because they have an "extended orientation" program for new nurses. However, after getting into the position, most of this "extended orientation" consists of going to classes that are not relevant to my department/are very floor-focused. Because of this, I have only actually been in the surgical department about half the time since I have been hired. It has been very difficult to get into a routine in my department because it has been so inconsistent. On top of this, the days when I am in my department are with a different preceptor each day, so again consistency with learning is lacking. I have also been told that I will be getting training on certain things (charting, instruments, etc) since I was hired, and have never gotten trained on them. At this point I am just learning and hoping I am doing things right without the official training I was told I would receive.

I am now just over 3 months in, and am not "where I should be" according to my coworkers and supervisor. Regarding this, I am also the first new grad/person in the orientation program to enter this department. I feel that I am seen as having worked there for over 3 months, when really I have only been in the department about 6-8 weeks. I am just beginning to feel comfortable being on my own with more basic procedures, and do still sometimes forget small things that I later remember. I feel like every little mistake I make is highly held against me, taken to my manager, and I am in general seen in a very negative light.

I do like the work I am doing, and want to continue to work in this department, but at this point I am starting to get worried I will be fired for not knowing everything and feeling comfortable quickly enough. I don't feel that my orientation experience has been very adequate, and not what I was expecting when I was hired, but at this point I am also beginning to doubt myself and my abilities.

Anyone else that works in the surgical field, or even just in a specialized department they had never worked in before, had a similar experience?

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

Welcome to Allnurses.com! You may wish to check out our Operating Room Nursing forum for content that is more pertinent to your situation:

https://allnurses.com/operating-room-nursing/

[AnnieOaklyRN, BSN, RN, EMT-P]

I would consider sitting down with your preceptor or preceptors, as well as you manager and explain why you feel you have been not doing so well. Tell them what you are telling us on hear and maybe they may get a better grasp of how to continue your orientation, without setting you up for failure! Good luck!

Annie

[roser13, ASN, RN]

Our surgery nurse orientation is 9 months long. I'm not sure how you're considered to be behind when your orientation isn't even complete.

I agree that you should take the initiative to request a meeting to discuss expectations (yours and theirs) and the roadblocks you've experienced thus far.

[Rn052015]

I have had a few sit down meetings with my manager in which we have discussed the fact that the classes are hindering me from being in the department, and therefore slowing my progress. In the beginning, he was very understanding of this, but seems to be less understanding now. I have asked about the training I was told I was going to receive, and am told it will happen, but then it doesn't get brought up until I ask again and am given the same response.

I do also usually have a talk with my preceptors at the end of each day about how the day went and what I could improve on, and though they do let me know what I have done wrong, they usually seem understanding and positive, just telling me what I need to improve on the next time; however, I am later told that they have given negative feedback to my manager, so this is also frustrating.

I believe when I was hired, I was told orientation was usually around 6 months, and would be longer because of the program I am in. I don't think I am expected to be off of orientation at this point, but it seems that they are saying I am not "as far as I should be", although I am never specifically told (even when I have asked) exact goals/expectations for exact time periods, or what I can do/change to meet the expectations. I am just told "you need to keep working at it to progress" and "the goal is for you to circulate independently".

Thank you for your responses!