New Nurse Needing Advice....again!!

[lisa41rn]

I'm on one of the best floors in the hospital, but the preceptor I'm with makes me concerned. She's always so quick to medicate patients. Before she's even assessed for pain, she's pulling the pain meds out to give them. She did this to an elderly patient one day and the poor man's respirations were all over the place. A school instructor on the floor at the time, made it clear to her student's it was not right to medicate elderly patients as she had done. My preceptor can be very supportive, but I view her as being very lazy even though she's always talking about everyone else being lazy. She has everyone believing she's great. She spent an hour +on the phone with her boyfriend one night I worked when mgmt wasn't around. Her favorite word is f---!! Today she commented on a nurse being so f---in' stupid!! I hate that. It makes me wonder how people are talking about me. I try to be positive as I know other floors are very miserable and part of this is just life. I'm not sure where I stand. I feel like I'm doing okay. For instance I'm either out on time or 15 minutes late. Today I had five patients with one leaving at lunch. My preceptor rarely does much, yet probably does enough to keep my head above water at times. Because she seems lazy I think she credits herself with doing more for me than she does and possibly resents me for haing to leave her seat. I see other new grads staying even an hour late with easier patients. I've been at this hospital since 7/1 but didn't start on the floors until mid-July. How much should I expect of myself and how should I deal wwth this preceptor?? Thanks!!

[UM Review RN, ASN, RN]

It does sound like you're having issues with this preceptor, doesn't it?

Would it be possible to discreetly talk to your Manager about changing preceptors? The reason is that I think you and your preceptor have wildly different workstyles and you're just not meshing the way you could. Point out some of the more positive areas in which you've learned because her style is different than yours, but that you'd feel more comfortable with someone who takes a little more time to explain assessments and thought processes to you.

[pie123]

...

[rn/writer, RN]

I'm in orientation on a postpartum floor right now. Before I started, I asked if I could have more than one preceptor so I could observe different approaches, techniques and styles. Our nurse educator said that shouldn't be a problem and it hasn't been. In fact, it's been a real blessing. I've worked with four different nurses so far and have gotten something from each of them.

When you work with a number of people, you don't get so locked into doing things one exact way (unless there IS only one exact way). You develop your own rhythm and sense of style and realize that everyone puts their own spin on things. You can also learn a few things that you DON'T want to add to your practice.

One advantage I have is that, while I'm new to postpartum, I'm not a new nurse. I have enough personal confidence that making a mistake doesn't crush me and I can deal with people who think their way is the only way without getting too bent out of shape.

I have also been blessed with the noc shift staff on my unit. They are a great bunch who seem to look out for each other and have accepted me into the fold.

Speak to your manager ASAP. Without ratting out your preceptor (the NM probably already has a clue about her anyway), express a desire to work with a range of people so you can broaden your knowledge base and see different perspectives in action. Focus on what you DO want (new experiences, a variety of approaches, the chance to get to know other nurses) rather than what you're trying to get away from and you'll minimize the chance of anyone taking offense.

I wish you well.

Miranda

[SmilingBluEyes]

I'm in orientation on a postpartum floor right now. Before I started, I asked if I could have more than one preceptor so I could observe different approaches, techniques and styles. Our nurse educator said that shouldn't be a problem and it hasn't been. In fact, it's been a real blessing. I've worked with four different nurses so far and have gotten something from each of them.

When you work with a number of people, you don't get so locked into doing things one exact way (unless there IS only one exact way). You develop your own rhythm and sense of style and realize that everyone puts their own spin on things. You can also learn a few things that you DON'T want to add to your practice.

One advantage I have is that, while I'm new to postpartum, I'm not a new nurse. I have enough personal confidence that making a mistake doesn't crush me and I can deal with people who think their way is the only way without getting too bent out of shape.

I have also been blessed with the noc shift staff on my unit. They are a great bunch who seem to look out for each other and have accepted me into the fold.

Speak to your manager ASAP. Without ratting out your preceptor (the NM probably already has a clue about her anyway), express a desire to work with a range of people so you can broaden your knowledge base and see different perspectives in action. Focus on what you DO want (new experiences, a variety of approaches, the chance to get to know other nurses) rather than what you're trying to get away from and you'll minimize the chance of anyone taking offense.

I wish you well.

Miranda

something to seriously consider!!!!