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 :/
Sorry to hear about your bad experience. Stay strong and always remember you worked hard to get where you. It is a lesson we all learn as new nurses that often we have to be the 'squeaky wheel' to protect our patients and our licenses, and ignore gossip/criticism as painful as it is. Sounds like you have an exit plan and they will loose a good nurse. Hang in there :)
There are several things that come to mind after reading your rant....
First, welcome to the real world! Learning to deal with adversity and change is something nurses do on a regular basis. Not every co-worker is kind and not every shift is as you find in school. Not every job will hand hold you. The "Sink or Swim" nursing model can test your fortitude and allow you to shine.
Second, why are you in ER? While it appears you have some skills to recognize problems, it takes a while to gain the self confidence and the respect from others that you know what you are doing. In my opinion, new grads need to start on a Med/Surg unit where you can gain the respect of your co-workers and feel competent regardless of what is thrown at you. Floor work tends to establish your routine and working nights is usually slower paced to do that. A good Med/Surg nurse with 1-2 years experience can work anywhere, build on a solid base, and knows their strengths/weaknesses. You also learn how to deal with coworkers who may be less than welcoming. I'm sure there is more to the story on the person you describe.
Lastly, it sounds like you have potential to be a great nurse. You might want to reflect on your reason for being a nurse.
It really isn't about the shifts, the coworkers, the location but the patients. Yes, sometimes we are pushed to our limits only to find out that our limit was not a limit at all. We push ourselves sometimes by choice and are pushed sometimes by circumstance. We learn to take risks for knowledge and experience. Yes it makes us uncomfortable, sometimes questioning our actions, and eventually coming to terms with the outcomes. Ultimately we learn more, help more, save more, grow into our role as nurse.
The nurse's passion should be to care for and improve the lives of those we come into contact with. I'm sure your time spent on the obese lady you describe meant something to her. Just as every person you encountered on your shift may have needed your skill and remembered the touch, the kind word of explanation or reassurance.
Nursing is a process of growth, self testing, reflection, change and acceptance on those things you can change and what you can't. It is an adventure that you decide. Stay on one unit for 25 years or learn as much as you can and move on to the next opportunity, it is up to you. With a solid base, the world is your oyster....eat up!
Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
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 :/
((HUGS)) I am so sorry that you felt overwhelmed. Your first year (or two) is tough as a nurse. I remember feeling so overwhelmed and crying all the way home and/or all the way into work.....Welcome to nursing.
I am not saying that I don't empathize with how you felt but the reality is....nursing isn't for the faint of heart. It a tough, back breaking roller coaster with highs and lows that rival any amusement park ride.
You received your orientation and did well enough to be placed on your own. Orientation to another shift wouldn't be as long as your original orientation as it would just show you the routine of the other shift ie: vitals, labs and CBG. They are they same patients as on days....it is just dark outside. Yes...historically there is less staff (we all know that patients get magically better at night and peacefully sleep....insert eye roll) but they are the same patients as on days.
It sounds like you had a couple of really bad nights with some really sick patients but I don't think it was unusually out of line. I think floating a new grad to the ED was a crappy move and I don't blame you for being upset. I would have called the supervisor to let them know that you didn't feel safe....and shame on the night shift for trying to pull one over on you.
Sadly, Floating is a necessary evil. As much as I HATED floating....when I was a supervisor sometimes you have NO choice. The same with canceling people. If the census doesn't support the staff...people have to go home.
All in all I think it sounds like you did well....even though you feel like you are jumping off a cliff...you stuck the landing. ((HUGS))
Good luck. It will get better I'm sure. Keep your head up. As for the CNA being a trouble maker I believe it. When I was working as one (on days) the CNAs on nights had some of the worst attitudes. I absolutely hated giving report to some of them. Some were nice but we had some real winners. I heard that nights were good for studying but I guess not much but that because I got a lot of messes from them. Lol I don't need to hear the other shift is "easy" then get a bunch of trash and stuff to deal with when I come in.
Im still a CNA in the certification dept but I don't currently work in health care (long story) but that takes me back! (2 years lol
It sounds like your hospital could use a nurse resident program to support new graduates. Do some research--suggest it to leadership. Nurse resident programs support new graduates, provide monthly meetings and education and do a capstone project. The program usually last 1 year. They have found that it decreases nurse turnover and makes new grads more successful.
It sounds like your hospital could use a nurse resident program to support new graduates. Do some research--suggest it to leadership. Nurse resident programs support new graduates, provide monthly meetings and education and do a capstone project. The program usually last 1 year. They have found that it decreases nurse turnover and makes new grads more successful.
And yet why can't nursing schools properly prepare new grads to start working with a minimal unit specific orientation? It seems like, and maybe because I'm older than dirt, the nursing education portion becomes less and less comprehensive with every year.
Why would it fall on employrs to offer an entire year of support? I truly don't understand how these schools are getting away with this shoddy preparation especially with the amount of tuition they charge and now the big push for undergrads to stay in school and not work as a RN at all prior getting an advanced degree and they are are able to diagnose and prescribe medications as a NP. Brilliant racket, imo, just unbelievable. Glass of Kool Aid, anyone?
mreavey
1 Post
Sorry to hear about your bad experience. Stay strong and always remember you worked hard to get where you. It is a lesson we all learn as new nurses that often we have to be the 'squeaky wheel' to protect our patients and our licenses, and ignore gossip/criticism as painful as it is. Sounds like you have an exit plan and they will loose a good nurse. Hang in there :)