New Nurse, what did I get myself into...

daisy2155 · Sep 20, 2014

Nurses should not tell you to suck it up. Actually in general that should not be part of first day on the job of any place. But I have done management and training and all that. Nursing school is nothing like being a nurse. Let me repeat that: NURSING SCHOOL IS NOTHING LIKE BEING A NURSE. You are babied, followed, and the experiences you get are limited. I have said over and over that nursing programs should restructure their last semesters. It doesn't make sense for a person to go from having 2 to 3 patients to a job with a full load. Nursing schools need to make nurses that hospitals want to hire. And hospitals should have an intensive program for new grads that doesn't last a few weeks. I have seen awesome programs for new hires that last months and only at the end of that time do you commit to a floor. You rotate through all areas. How do you know if you love ICU if you haven't had the full experience. I thought I wanted to be a L&D nurse till I assisted in delivering twins. Never wanted to do that again. I have had many similar situations like you have described. I had my first preceptor call me lazy because she did not think I asked enough questions. WHAT??? I'm new on the job and a brand spanking new nurse. My head is spinning and I have so many questions and I don't know where to start. How is belittling someone going to open the lines of communication up and make an effective nurse. It's going to make a person scared to ask a question!! I was like you brand new to work in general. First real job and all. So my advice to you is: it's ok to feel the way you do! People learn differently and face it some people just suck at teaching. I can tell you right now I could not preceptor. I know what I am doing but for it to come out of my head and into something that is understandable is doubtful. Don't give up.... Nurses eat their young because most nurses around here are b's. (And please grow some thicker if that offends anyone.... Lol I am totally speaking about my experiences in my area) Yep I said and I will say it again. They try to underhand your work, talk behind your back, stab you in the back while offering a hug. At least this has been my experience. And it's sad. I want to leave nursing now just because of all this. Grow a thicker skin?? OK but that just doesn't work for some people. It hasn't for me yet. But I just can't understand how a nurse can show compassion to a patient but not to a new grad? What?! Because it was done to you? That's nonsense. But I digress. Now back to the advice. If the next preceptor is not a good fit then go to your DON. Have a talk and lay out on the table what the deal is. Now for the ugly.... These nurses especially seasoned ones know when a new hire will work out pretty fast. They have seen enough come and go. And you may have hit the nail on the head when you said maybe you should have went to med Surg first. I'm a firm believer that new grads should have a year or 2 of MS. But you also sound determined. That could be your drive. You will have to decide how bad you want that spot and you will have to work for it. Like I tell my kids anything in life worth having you have I work for. Don't get discouraged! And really use this time to find your niche. Like me I have had too many bad experiences. Haven't stuck with a specialty. And now I'm kind of burned out because of the bad stuff. I love the patients (especially the geriatric population). Bu. It's just not fun like it used to be. Work through the hard stuff don't run from if. You will grow and you will become better. You are not suppose to be Florence freakin nightingale on your first day. Lol a

daisy2155 · Sep 20, 2014

Man all those typos. That is what I get for using my iPhone. :) and good luck to you.

ColorfulStethoscope · Sep 20, 2014

Thanks so much for your kind words, and encouragement. I knew it wasn't going to be easy, and I was prepared for that. But I do think the hospital should have had a few classes teaching us correct policies and protocols along with correct chain of command when needing to call someone. We should have also had a class on how to use the equipment properly and where to find it... I feel like I am constantly searching for things, which granted, with time I will learn where everything is.

The first year is the hardest... and it will get better... Have to keep a positive attitude! =)

ColorfulStethoscope · Sep 20, 2014

I don't mean to sound like a cry baby, or like I am whining because that is not what I am doing, I guess I am just feeling like I am at a disadvantage and like I was thrown to the wolves without proper training.

I agree nursing schools need to change the way they do things because they are setting new grads up for failure. Yes nursing school was hard, but it is nothing like the real world and being out on the floor.

ColorfulStethoscope · Sep 20, 2014

Nurses should not tell you to suck it up. Actually in general that should not be part of first day on the job of any place. But I have done management and training and all that. Nursing school is nothing like being a nurse. Let me repeat that: NURSING SCHOOL IS NOTHING LIKE BEING A NURSE. You are babied, followed, and the experiences you get are limited. I have said over and over that nursing programs should restructure their last semesters. It doesn't make sense for a person to go from having 2 to 3 patients to a job with a full load. Nursing schools need to make nurses that hospitals want to hire. And hospitals should have an intensive program for new grads that doesn't last a few weeks. I have seen awesome programs for new hires that last months and only at the end of that time do you commit to a floor. You rotate through all areas. How do you know if you love ICU if you haven't had the full experience. I thought I wanted to be a L&D nurse till I assisted in delivering twins. Never wanted to do that again. I have had many similar situations like you have described. I had my first preceptor call me lazy because she did not think I asked enough questions. WHAT??? I'm new on the job and a brand spanking new nurse. My head is spinning and I have so many questions and I don't know where to start. How is belittling someone going to open the lines of communication up and make an effective nurse. It's going to make a person scared to ask a question!! I was like you brand new to work in general. First real job and all. So my advice to you is: it's ok to feel the way you do! People learn differently and face it some people just suck at teaching. I can tell you right now I could not preceptor. I know what I am doing but for it to come out of my head and into something that is understandable is doubtful. Don't give up.... Nurses eat their young because most nurses around here are b's. (And please grow some thicker if that offends anyone.... Lol I am totally speaking about my experiences in my area) Yep I said and I will say it again. They try to underhand your work, talk behind your back, stab you in the back while offering a hug. At least this has been my experience. And it's sad. I want to leave nursing now just because of all this. Grow a thicker skin?? OK but that just doesn't work for some people. It hasn't for me yet. But I just can't understand how a nurse can show compassion to a patient but not to a new grad? What?! Because it was done to you? That's nonsense. But I digress. Now back to the advice. If the next preceptor is not a good fit then go to your DON. Have a talk and lay out on the table what the deal is. Now for the ugly.... These nurses especially seasoned ones know when a new hire will work out pretty fast. They have seen enough come and go. And you may have hit the nail on the head when you said maybe you should have went to med Surg first. I'm a firm believer that new grads should have a year or 2 of MS. But you also sound determined. That could be your drive. You will have to decide how bad you want that spot and you will have to work for it. Like I tell my kids anything in life worth having you have I work for. Don't get discouraged! And really use this time to find your niche. Like me I have had too many bad experiences. Haven't stuck with a specialty. And now I'm kind of burned out because of the bad stuff. I love the patients (especially the geriatric population). Bu. It's just not fun like it used to be. Work through the hard stuff don't run from if. You will grow and you will become better. You are not suppose to be Florence freakin nightingale on your first day. Lol a

Thank you so much, reading your reply made me feel like I actually had a right to feel lost and overwhelmed... I was beginning to think that maybe I was just being a baby and needed to suck it up and power through it... which I probably should get some thicker skin, but I really think some nurses just shouldn't be preceptors, and if they are doing it just for the extra money then it is not fair at all to the new grads who are scared beyond belief to go out on the floor in the first place.

I just have to keep telling myself that no one is born a nurse, and it takes years to actually learn how to be a nurse.

It will get better, it will get better! HAHA

Thanks again for the kind words, I appreciate them a lot!

firstinfamily, RN · Sep 20, 2014

Like Esme12, I was also wondering where is the nurse educator for your area?? I have never been in a hospital where the equipment was not taught in a separate class, usually the manufacturer booklets are no longer with the machines, so you really need down time to learn all the equipment. I also do not understand why your first preceptor would expect you to know what to do, you are learning!! Nursing school only teaches an exposure to all the nursing environments, not really how they are run in an institution. You are experiencing "Reality Shock" it is very common especially with new nursing grads. Don't rake yourself over the coals so hard!!! It takes time to really get a handle on things, your first preceptor has been a nurse how long??? I don't think telling someone to "suck it up" is very supportive. She should have asked you what areas you were having problems in?? You have to find a way to get organized for your day. I still use a paper sheet "brain" to keep myself organized, I list my patient's names, their rooms, the MD and their diagnosis, place for O2, times of meds and any notes that I needed, like if there were tests being done. Day shift is extremely busy and sometimes there is so much going on it is hard to get a handle on things. I agree that you should have been able to take one patient entirely, but that does not mean you should not ask questions. Did you get a computer class explaining how to do the documentation??? The preceptor, no matter how good they are, is usually also getting a harder assignment just because she has a orientee, although that should not be so. I am glad you got a new preceptor, be honest with them and tell them what you need extra help with. Take time to look things up, get a hold of the nursing policy and procedure book (it will be the thickest one there and should be on every unit) take a drug book with you for a reference. If you do not understand why you are doing something, ask. Remind others that you are learning. AS far as the "talk" on the unit, just be honest, you did not ask for the new preceptor, but the co-workers apparently witnessed enough to request it for you, so it must have been apparent to them. Don't get wrapped up in it all. There will be many times when there is chatter on a unit, and you just need to rise above it. Try to stay positive, it was hard at first for all of us too!!!

paging_nurserae · Sep 20, 2014

Well, Let me begin by saying OP, you are not alone. I just graduated in July, took boards in August and began orientation on September 8th. Nursing school is NOTHING like the real world. While I do get to be with my preceptor (who happens to be amazing) for a total of 3 months, I felt like a fish out of water trying to learn SIMPLE things the entire first week. Which, JUST ended. General orientation was a week long, plus a extra day to complete the 30+ educational videos and quizzes that serve as proof that we were "educated" on a topic when JCO comes around. What were we doing during the rest of the time? Not learning what would've been beneficial...the lady over the nursing portion of general orientation spent hours rambling... then squeezed the important things (charting system, med system, accu check, etc) in where she could fit them. It was a complete waste. Considering I didn't step foot in this hospital for clinical, this was a complete 360. I had to ASK if we could take a tour of the hospital to learn our way around. She took us to the cafe and back -__- I guess orientations aren't what they used to be. I'm blessed to have a great preceptor that understands. I truly believe that that is what makes a new grad.

I'm not expecting for it to be easy, and giving up isn't anywhere near my mind. I just wanted to say that I understand where OP is coming from. Nursing school was NOTHING compared to this. STAY POSITIVE! WE CAN DO IT!!

Linnie11 · Sep 20, 2014

I am also a brand new nurse. And when i say brand new, i literally mean brand new. still putting together a resume brand new. so i may not have experience of orientation on a new job, but the last 5 weeks of my nursing school career i had to follow a nurse. and boy was she tough! nothing i ever did seemed good enough for her. she would constantly chew me out for taking too long to get my meds out for my patients but when i tried to hurry to please her, i would get flustered and confused and she would yell at me for that too! i felt like no matter what i did or how well i did it, it would never be good enough. she actually sat me down one day and said if she didnt make me cry at least 3 times by the end of the 5 weeks, then she isnt being hard enough. i understand that a preceptor needs to be tough. we are taking care of peoples lives and the littlest mistake can make a life or death consequence. but there is a way to do that without belittling someone. i do not think you should find a new job. show you are a tough person and this is something you really want to do and nothing is going to stop you. but if your old preceptor approaches you about you getting a new one, then i would very nicely explain that it wasnt your doing. when this happened to me i didnt have the option to switch. i was unfortunately pushed into a corner and had no other option than to sit down and talk to with her. i dont always recommend doing that (because you never know if it will go good or bad). in my case it went well because she told me she finally "saw my balls" and that she knew i always had them. from there on it was a little better but not amazing. i did learn a lot from her, she was a nurse for many many years. remember that you have to work with her so try and tread lightly. but please remember that YOU passed nursing school, YOU passed your boards, and YOU will make an amazing nurse! your employer saw something in you, maybe you need to find that. congrats on getting your first nursing job and hope it all works out for you!

brandy1017, ASN, RN · Sep 21, 2014

Ask for another preceptor. I'm surprised they would have her precept if the last new grad quit over her treatment. Also I would think they would have given you an inservice on the computer charting and IV pumps separate from expecting you to learn on the go with patients. You should have had a review class to go over computer charting and IV pumps. At least they should have some reference material they can give you to cue re charting. It is slower and tedious both with time someone gets used to it. It just takes time and use!

Sounds like your preceptor is a perfectionist. You could ask for another preceptor so you get used to different nurses on your floor and different learning styles as a diplomatic way to ask for another preceptor.

flyersfan88 · Sep 21, 2014

I find it absolutely insane that you were never shown equipment or ANYTHING for that matter before you were thrownn on to the floor. I'm feeling spoiled with my residency program. Good luck and keep your head up. ... I'm sure things will come in time for you. Your head is in the right place.

scaredsilly, BSN, RN · Sep 21, 2014

I am also a new nurse. The facility I work at had a hospital orientation that lasted a week in which we learned about the computer system, charting, policies, took critical thinking and med calc tests, and learned about our benefits. All newly hired nurses had to go to these classes, not just the new grads. We also had self study at home online and had to do a HIPAA course, a couple of courses on wound care, an OSHA course, and several other online courses. We were required to take them and pass the tests before we reported to the floor.

There is no formal new grad program unfortunately, but I get 3 months with a preceptor on the floor. My preceptor is truly a gift from God. She is there to answer any questions, and when I have a patient on my own, she is just a few steps away. I feel comfortable asking questions of both her and the other nurses, and I vowed to myself not to ask the same question twice, so I have a thick notebook loaded with answers. Even on my own, I am not alone. They aren't leaving me out here without a lifejacket!

All that said, it is still scary and overwhelming! The OP is right about it being very different than clinical experiences. I walked in the door the first day feeling foolishly confidant, and realized within the first 30 minutes that I didn't know diddly. Nursing schools do not prepare you for this, and without the amazing preceptor that I have, I would have drowned by now easily. All the nursing schools can teach is concept and content. Nursing has got to be a hands on learning experience, and I was top of my cohort in every clinical, but those experiences just do not prepare us! Patient safety is at risk, and therefore students simply cannot do everything that we need to do in order to learn everything we need to know.

To the OP-stay there! Be happy you have a new preceptor, take notes everytime you are taught something, and ask questions every time you need to ask-patient safety depends on that!

ej524rn · Sep 21, 2014

Don't get discouraged. You're lucky to have been assigned a new preceptor. I'm not sure why some commenters expect that you will have the skills and knowledge of a seasoned nurse so early on. It doesn't matter that it's only one patient. Guidance is crucial. We continue to learn new things on the job each day. To be guided by someone with compassion (willing to share their knowledge) in the early stages of our careers is invaluable.

Source: 5 years in, also had a **** preceptor.