So I'm a new grad, fresh off orientation. Part of this is a rant and part of it is asking for advice. So I work in a observation area of the ER. I was mostly oriented on day shift, but for whatever reason, my hospital wants all new grads working nights initially. I don't get it because literally, these are two separate worlds on my unit. Days they are rushing people to tests, discharging, ect while on nights its some tests but mostly holding people for their tests in the morning. So I got three days on night shift and then was turned loose.
My first night, I come in and the day shift charge nurse tells me that I'm being floated to the ER. I was already sick to my stomach about being on my own so I, no joke, just burst into tears. I mean what the heck, throwing a new grad into the deep end with the sharks right?! So one of the older nurses took pity on me and volunteered to go instead of me. So then I get a patient assisgnment and I get this lady who has pressures in the 80s/40s and is difficult to arouse so I have to call rapid response and we're getting ABGs and hanging fluids with pressure bags, and it was just a mess all night long.
The next day, I get this horribly obese woman who is also sick as crap and is bleeding everywhere and I spent 90% of my shift running my tail off and then tonight I find out that this CNA is spreading all kinds of gossip about me, about how I think we do nothing on night shift which makes me think that maybe my patient assignments and such were intentional or something. And then, we're overstaffed so I get flexed home and the charge nurse starts getting in my face about vitals not being done on the hour and this lady who didn't get her cbg checked until late and all kinds of other stuff because apparently the night CNAs don't check vitals or do cbgs - I honestly don't know what they do because the day shift CNAs were very good about doing stuff on time.
So I'm just feeling very discouraged and grateful that I won't have to be on night shift with these people for super long because I'm getting switched to day shift in a couple weeks. Day shift seemed nicer :/
From the OP: "So I work in a observation area of the ER."
I have worked in two ED'S that had "observation areas." Both were extensions of the ED, and as such often got acute patients with ongoing issues. In both of these ED's, staff were expected to float between them as needed.
Seen this as well.
It all depends on the expectation of the unit that OP is on.
It appears that she was not prepared or trained for ER.
Specializes in med/surg/tele/LTC/homecare/correctional/.
Honestly JulesA? The practice of floating should be completely voluntary for the nurse and never , ever, ever for a brand new nurse, even if she wanted to float. Floating is just another term for a hospital that refuses to properly staff and train and orient nurses...and to be honest, is the main reason why nursing has become so stressful. If a hospital wants to have "floaters" they should hire "floaters" and give them a full week of orientation on each unit they will be floating to. Fact is that this is just another ******** who could care less about its employees or its patients, not unlike most places today. Reading her rant struck a cord in me because it reminded me so vividly how hospitals set up new nurses to fail and burn out, with glee. When they have sucked every drop of blood from this new nurse and she begins to teeter totter on the brink of her own sanity they will can her, or force her out, and start the same process all over again with someone new. Been there, done that. This profession is such a joke.
Honestly JulesA? The practice of floating should be completely voluntary for the nurse and never , ever, ever for a brand new nurse, even if she wanted to float.
Reading her rant struck a cord in me because it reminded me so vividly how hospitals set up new nurses to fail and burn out, with glee. When they have sucked every drop of blood from this new nurse and she begins to teeter totter on the brink of her own sanity they will can her, or force her out, and start the same process all over again with someone new. Been there, done that. This profession is such a joke.
I'm doubtful that hospitals have a goal in place to undermine new grads in an effort to get rid of them and start all over again but we can agree to disagree on that. As for floating in my experience for the most part we worked wherever there was a need and it sounded to me the OP had what would have been considered sufficient orientation, apparently that is not a universal opinion. Yep and like I said the night was rough no doubt but I still wouldn't recommend being wound so tight you start sobbing at the mention of an assignment.
Specializes in med/surg/tele/LTC/homecare/correctional/.
I'm doubtful that hospitals have a goal in place to undermine new grads in an effort to get rid of them and start all over again but we can agree to disagree on that. As for floating in my experience for the most part we worked wherever there was a need and it sounded to me the OP had what would have been considered sufficient orientation, apparently that is not a universal opinion. Yep and like I said the night was rough no doubt but I still wouldn't recommend being wound so tight you start sobbing at the mention of an assignment.
JulesA,
The nursing profession has one of the highest turnover/ burn out rates when compared to other career choices. In my area alone, there are faciltiies that have a 100% turnover every 6 months, second only to fast food joints. Maybe its just me ...I have experienced this in NJ and PA alike. These hospitals are all the same around here, and based on many of the comments I have seen in here, this is an everywhere problem, not just in my neck of the woods. Nurses get forced out or fired on a regular basis all over the place, thanks only to the fake nursing shortage that caused people to flock to nursing schools in droves. We now have an over saturated market with many more nurses than jobs, and likewise, the hospitals licking their lips as they find the next sucker who will put up with a system that sets them up to fail. I have shed too many tears (maybe not directly on the job, but yes, on my way out the door) to not have a strong opinion on this thread about the way nurses are routinely used and abused like clockwork in hospitals, nursing homes, etc...it is quite frankly disgusting, and the more nurses put up with this treatment, the worse it gets for everyone. I for one have been hammered right out of a job for speaking up, refusing to take the BS, doing what is right, etc. The OP is a product of hospital abuse that never changes because nurses are a dime a dozen. And that is so sad.
On one hand you shouldn't be expected to adapt to this condition (the field is now requiring this) but on the other hand you better toughen up if you plan on staying with this hospital (& nursing in general). As my dad would say, shat or get off the pot. It is unfair but it is what it is.
Wait... did you say ED OBS??? WOW, back then, a lot of nurses wanted to work in an ED OBS... All walkie-talkie patient's and rule-outs. You must have done something right to get hired at your current department!
Back to reality: These "Gossipers" or CNAs, may have been working in your unit for quite sometime now and sounds like they are burnt out. Thus, eating you alive or as the saying goes "eating their youngs." They will do that if you are lazy and incompetent and/or if they see and think you are! Are you? LOL
I had a similar experience when I started as a new RN, working in one of the busiest unit in our hospital and most of our RNs and CNAs have been there working there forever. But man they were great resource if you want to learn lifting/butt cleaning/rolling pt. techniques/knowledge dos and don'ts, S&S -- They are like Walking Encyclopedia and "These" RNs/CNAs are people you sure don't want to crosspath or mess with or else you will be on there ***** List for months!
So anyways, some of these CNAs will find your weak spot and will complain and say every single bad thing you make or do. Ignore them!
What I did though was, I didn't let them get to me and I actually became a better "new" RN at that time because of how brutal and mean they can really be. I learned their ways, their strengths, and their weaknesses, heck even the food they love. Prove to "yourself" that you can be as efficient as them and just as good as them. Next thing you know, they will respect you for that!
My whole point really is, I think I said quite a mouthful there when all I want to really say is "DO NOT BE LAZY"
P.s. Certain Hospitals WILL NOT FLOAT ANY NEW NURSES UNLESS THEY HAVE COMPLETED THEIR 90-DAY Employee Orientation.
Maybe I am just missing something. But three shifts of orientation?? Our hospital requires weeks of orientation, and probably more for ER. Our policy is also that you cannot float until you've been there for 6 months.
I know each hospital is different but three shifts just sounds like too little of an orientation, especially for a new grad.
Maybe I am just missing something. But three shifts of orientation?? Our hospital requires weeks of orientation, and probably more for ER. Our policy is also that you cannot float until you've been there for 6 months.
I know each hospital is different but three shifts just sounds like too little of an orientation, especially for a new grad.
The OP received an unspeified orientation on day shift, with three days orientation to night shift.
...I was mostly oriented on day shift, but for whatever reason, my hospital wants all new grads working nights initially. I don't get it because literally, these are two separate worlds on my unit. Days they are rushing people to tests, discharging, ect while on nights its some tests but mostly holding people for their tests in the morning. So I got three days on night shift and then was turned loose...
Specializes in Float Pool - A Little Bit of Everything.
The Obs Unit I worked in had you orient to their ER and then the Obs Unit itself. Working there was my first experience with charge nurse. In our Obs Unit all nurses had to carry ACLS and TNCC, we were a Trauma center. The system worked great and we were attached to the ER so when patients declined they were immediately transferred back to the ER. The ER PA or NP was the person over seeing their care and would stay with us exclusively in the Obs Unit. I enjoyed the flow, but at that point in my life I wanted out of ER and did not realize I would be floating there when census was low and I wasn't on charge shift. I know many hospitals have a different setup for their Obs units but I found that being an ER nurse helped me in that one. ER nursing is hard and I can't believe they would float you there without orienting you. Have you asked about being oriented there?
You have to learn to not care so much. For real. The hospitals do not care about you, so don't care about them. Care about your patients and your license. If you feel the assignment is unsafe, speak up. But, bursting into tears? That's a bit dramatic, to be honest.
Unfortunately, nursing is full of people willing to bend over backwards to sacrifice themselves for the "Greater good", which unbeknownst to them is their management's bank account. You are always told to work harder, with less, and to shut up and accept a keychain for "nurses week".
I'm sorry that you have had a rough start on your own. Like previous posters have said, it does get much easier with time. As you become confident in your abilities as a nurse, you won't be so frightened at assignments or floating. Sadly, it really can be "sink or swim" at times, but the charge nurse should be a resource that you can go to in times of doubt. I attribute a lot of the attitudes that can occur from coworkers from them being overworked or stressed out themselves. I would, in no way, take this personal (even though that can be hard at times). Do the best you can, and provide the most compassionate care you can, and I promise you that will not go unnoticed. I have been a nurse for about 5 years now, and there are STILL times that I feel flustered and overwhelmed. You will learn who you can go to on your unit with questions and concerns. If this particular area does not work out for you, go to your educator or manager and voice your concerns - the beauty of nursing is that you are not only limited to one area. Hang in there and find your niche. It gets better :)
Been there,done that, ASN, RN
7,241 Posts
Seen this as well.
It all depends on the expectation of the unit that OP is on.
It appears that she was not prepared or trained for ER.