new nurse -advice- stressed out

allnurses Guide · Sep 9, 2004

If you've only been a grad 2 months, you should still be on orientation. Are they slamming you with a full assignment and no preceptor?

Have you talked to your director about what is going on? why you're so stressed? Do they have anyone in place to help?

If not, find a place that trains and treats new grads better. Be up front with the recruiter about why you would want to leave so soon. Way too many jobs out there to stay in a miserable one.

Good luck, and don't give up on nursing too soon. Lots of possibilities, lots of us who will give you a hand. :kiss

asnrse · Sep 9, 2004

Thanks for the encouragement. I am off orientation now, and the last week that I did have a preceptor she just sat there and told me I had to learn to handle it. She sat there and was nasty to me while I cried in the middle of a shift. I felt like such and idiot. there are supports, but something about this floor makes me stressed, the patients scream at you and I've already had a code with one of my patients. Its exhausting (mentally). I think taht I'm going to talk to my manager about transferring to a different floor. What do you think?

If you've only been a grad 2 months, you should still be on orientation. Are they slamming you with a full assignment and no preceptor?
Have you talked to your director about what is going on? why you're so stressed? Do they have anyone in place to help?
If not, find a place that trains and treats new grads better. Be up front with the recruiter about why you would want to leave so soon. Way too many jobs out there to stay in a miserable one.
Good luck, and don't give up on nursing too soon. Lots of possibilities, lots of us who will give you a hand. :kiss

Trauma Columnist · Sep 9, 2004

Oh my gosh - you had less than 8 weeks of orientation?? If that is the norm in this hospital - I'd say change hospitals! If you need/want to stay at this hospital - I would talk with your manager about a mentoring program - do they have one, do they want to start one, etc? I don't know if I would necessarily change floors this soon because I think you need to give it a chance, but only you know if this is possible. Is it just one nurse who is toxic or is it the culture of the entire unit? I wish you luck and I'm very sorry that I don't have any concrete help. Please feel free to vent here!

leslie :-D · Sep 9, 2004

being from boston, i am very familiar with boston hospitals.

and that's when i was out of work, i wouldn't even apply to them.

they are tremendously understaffed with poor support systems.

no matter what they advertise, they're lying.

i did apply to one and didn't get the job; in hindsight, i really thank God i didn't. to this day, this particular hospital, which promotes superior nursing care, i am finding out, is not so true.

so, to the op, you need to find a place with a good support system.

as a new grad, i'm truly sorry you're experiencing this.

you are likely to be overwhelmed at first, no matter where you go.

if you choose not to stay there, pm me, and i will give you a list of questions to ask for your next interview. can you speak with the nm about this?

and the nurse that told you to 'deal w/it?' she sucks.

leslie

allnurses Guide · Sep 10, 2004

Thanks for the encouragement. I am off orientation now, and the last week that I did have a preceptor she just sat there and told me I had to learn to handle it. She sat there and was nasty to me while I cried in the middle of a shift.
This is not a preceptor, this is a bully. Preceptors teach you how to handle it, but truly doing it takes time and experience. Are there any nurses on your floor you admire? Ask to go with them for a while. Changing floors may or may not help, depends on if the culture is the same there too. Always keep lines of communication open, when you are able to.
Talk to your director, but know ahead of time what you are going to say, make a list of your concerns (don't say problems), the difficulty you had with your preceptor (be specific), and that you want more time on orientation.
Honestly: you may get blown off, ignored, belittled, no sympathy. Resign. At 2 months you won't have enough power to challenge the situation very well. Remember, this is not you, it is the culture of the floor.
However, you may get kudos for honesty, help, encouragement, a chance at a decent preceptor. Dig in and go for it. Overcome the nasties, sounds like the patients there need someone like you around.
Better yet, come on out to New Mexico! clean air, mountains, skiing, and a union! :rotfl:
God bless and guide you,
Jo

asnrse · Sep 10, 2004

I would love to hear the questions that you ask for an interview. I think that I've come to the conclusion taht I can't stay on that floor. I hate it so much. I can't bear to think about going back. I talked to another manager on a different floor, so I definately need advice on what to ask her to get to the truth about the floor. Thanks!!!

being from boston, i am very familiar with boston hospitals.
and that's when i was out of work, i wouldn't even apply to them.
they are tremendously understaffed with poor support systems.
no matter what they advertise, they're lying.
i did apply to one and didn't get the job; in hindsight, i really thank God i didn't. to this day, this particular hospital, which promotes superior nursing care, i am finding out, is not so true.
so, to the op, you need to find a place with a good support system.
as a new grad, i'm truly sorry you're experiencing this.
you are likely to be overwhelmed at first, no matter where you go.
if you choose not to stay there, pm me, and i will give you a list of questions to ask for your next interview. can you speak with the nm about this?
and the nurse that told you to 'deal w/it?' she sucks.
leslie

MandyInMS · Sep 10, 2004

You really want to know what the floor is like? ask the nurses, not the manager...best wishes to youuuu (hugzzzz)

purplemania, BSN, RN · Sep 10, 2004

Such a sad example of unprofessional behavior between peers. The "preceptor" should have anticipated your lack of experience would lead to anxiety and stress, which is often relieved by tears. I would talk to the manager, talk to the nursing director or VP about efforts to make novice nurses more willing to stay in the facility. It costs a LOT to train someone. Would retention save them money? (YEP!) Yes, a transfer might be in order. Maybe your personality would fit better in a different type unit. Good luck.