New nurse with bad preceptor in the CCU

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Hello everyone,

I am a new nurse having just graduated a few months ago and my first job is in the CCU. During the time that I am there, my preceptor is always charge nurse. This leaves me most of the time with many questions that I want to ask but my preceptor is most of the time busy with other nurses' patients or paperwork that she is assigned. I spend my days in a panic almost because I feel very much 'thrown to the wolves'. As much as I try to get the most I can out of this experience, I feel that my preceptor is not able to have the time to teach me and do all the other work that comes with being a charge nurse. This leaves me to ask questions to other nurses who happen to be not busy at the time and I feel like I am getting in their way. My question is, being a new nurse and in critical care of all areas, shouldn't my preceptor be with me most often until I become comfortable doing things myself? I have told my director that I think I need a different perspective and if at all possible, I would like to have a different preceptor-which he promised me anyway when I was hired! He hasn't done anything about my complaint.

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Update: The day after I told him I would like another preceptor, he called my preceptor and I in for a meeting and told me he has to release me from orientation because I am not progressing as I should have been. I am now without a job and without any hope of one because I was apparently deemed somehow slow because I was forced to do and find out for myself everything instead of having the needed guidance.

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I'm so sorry to hear that.

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I'm really sorry to hear that, that is outrageous and extremely unfair. Can you go to a union or anything? I hope in your next job you are much better supported! Don't give up!

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Specializes in critical care, PACU.

I am sorry, but hey at least you are out of that awful place that was bad for your license, bad for the patients, and bad for your health.

Sounded like a terrible orientation

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Specializes in ER/ICU/STICU.

Although it sucks now, I think one day you will look back on this as a blessing.

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Specializes in CT-ICU.

I'd try to get into a larger teaching hospital that has some sort of formal orientation program. Most of these programs incorporate scheduled classes, clinical orientation with dedicated preceptors, and some sort of new grad/new orientee class that helps with alleviating problems and issues common to burnout during the first year. Not gonna lie, usually the pay is less than most of the smaller hospitals in the area, but you can't put a price on knowledge and training.

Alternately, you could also try working on a stepdown or tele unit to get the basic nursing skills... there's still plenty of sick patients and challenging scenarios, and there's a fair share of vasoactive meds and critical thinking but usually isn't as overwhelming as an ICU. Honestly, I'm surprised they didn't try to get you into a stepdown and just let you go... we usually have 1 or 2 orientees who aren't quite able to keep up, but we always end up offering them a job on the stepdown.

Good luck though, sorry to hear about that.

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Specializes in Intensive Care, Trauma, Faculty.

Good advice from all the others above...

It's a blessing in disguise right now. Trust us. You are better off somewhere more supportive.

:hug:

Good luck to you, and don't be discouraged.

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What a kick to the groin! I agree with the other posters, you are better off out of that job. It almost sounds like you were set up to fail, how is your preceptor supposed to know that you aren't progressing if they are never there to watch you? Also, is it just a coincidence that the second you ask for a different preceptor they let you go? hmm...

I wouldn't let it get you down, you probably weren't the only one to receive a similar treatment. Look for another ICU job and keep at it.

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Specializes in ICU.

Agreed. You were set up for failure and it's a good thing you're out of there. Look elsewhere and try again!

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I am a new RN also in ICU does anyone have a list od IV meds that should never be turned off? The IV pole was alarming the (infusion was complete)so I turned it off and went to get the patients nurse. I found out that heprin should never be turned off if running IV.....HELP does anyone have a list which drugs should not be turned off?

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Specializes in Cardiothoracic ICU.

You shouldn't need a list; just think about the medication. Medications that alter blood pressure should definitely not be turned off especially when they are being given in high doses. Levophed, Dopamine, Epinephrine, Tridil to name a few. I don't see an issue with heparin being off for a short period of time.

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