Not sure if I’m cut out for this

[Rosie_RN2k22, ASN]

Hi all.  I recently began my first job as a new bedside RN at a large teaching hospital 6 weeks ago, and could use some feedback/advice. I was recently told that it takes me too long to give medications and I need to improve my time management.   My preceptor micromanages every thing I do, and often makes comments telling me I’m slow and need to speed things up.  It is stressful to be watched constantly, and makes it harder for me to focus.  All of the rights of med administration are barely glanced at, and I’m expected to just pull everything, give it, and document it perfectly very rapidly.  Drawing up medications never seems to get easier, no matter how many times I do it.  I am struggling with the coordination of that, often getting air in the syringe, sometimes pulling the needle out too far and some of the medication leaks out that I needed and I have to start over with a new bottle.  I make sure I carefully check any IV bags I hang, and was told I am checking it too many times.  Things that seem to come easier to the other new nurses are not coming easy to me.  On top of that, my memory isn’t great, so I write everything down and make lists.  However, my supervisor or someone else will randomly ask me details about one of my patient’s medications, or some other details.  If I don't have my notes with me, sometimes I just cant remember which thing I did for which patient, or what meds are hanging right now, and I’m expected to know this all I guess, on demand.  

I’m wondering if I am not cut out for this. I am working my hardest, and it still isn’t cutting it.  I need to be shown, and practice, things multiple times in order to remember how to do them.  I’m not comfortable giving meds without having been able to read over the MAR and make sure I’m giving them correctly, but I am expected to do them much, much faster.  

I went into nursing to help people, and the one good thing is that the patients really like me.  I try to make them as comfortable as possible and take good care of them.  
 

I’m not sure if I should just stick this out, and be stressed and put down every work day, or move onto something else not in a hospital setting.  As a new grad nurse, not sure what else I would qualify for.  Also, I did really well in school, but my confidence is completely shaken.  

 

 

[Queen Tiye, RN]

I’m surprised no one has commented yet as this is a common experience for many new nurses.  Even for some experienced nurses who are training in a new specialty.  Spending 12 to 13 hours three times a week with a preceptor you don’t mesh well with can be very challenging.  Ideally, a preceptor should nurture your confidence and skill and be empowering.  In the best situations they want to know how you learn best and will adjust the way they communicate with you.  In the best circumstance, you feel safe expressing yourself.  

Do you think you’d feel more at ease with another preceptor?  Never allow yourself to be rushed by anyone when giving meds.  The goal is to be in the room for med pass and assessment no more than 5-10 minutes.  It will take time to accomplish this and other time management skills.

Do you have weekly check-ins with your unit manager?  Can you request it?

[SuperSassySally]

In the same boat as original poster... My preceptor has taken to shouting out directions to me that room 10 needs ____ and room 8 needs ____ .    I am not learning to read the cerner and pick up the incoming Dr. orders myself..... then when I do have a second to look at cerner - I am only catching up on charting and not planning and being proactive in my tasks.... NOT  A   FAN !!   Plus - not eating till 5pm (the 10th+ hour into the shift) does not help my memory ! 

[Rosie_RN2k22, ASN]

On 11/7/2022 at 6:46 AM, Queen Tiye said:

I’m surprised no one has commented yet as this is a common experience for many new nurses.  Even for some experienced nurses who are training in a new specialty.  Spending 12 to 13 hours three times a week with a preceptor you don’t mesh well with can be very challenging.  Ideally, a preceptor should nurture your confidence and skill and be empowering.  In the best situations they want to know how you learn best and will adjust the way they communicate with you.  In the best circumstance, you feel safe expressing yourself.  

Do you think you’d feel more at ease with another preceptor?  Never allow yourself to be rushed by anyone when giving meds.  The goal is to be in the room for med pass and assessment no more than 5-10 minutes.  It will take time to accomplish this and other time management skills.

Do you have weekly check-ins with your unit manager?  Can you request it?

Thanks for responding.  I did end up asking my manager for a new preceptor.  I’ve been working with her for about a week, and she is wonderful.  However, the first preceptor has now been trying to sabotage me, making things up that she says I did wrong while I was working with her that never happened.  I feel demoralized about how I’ve been treated and very turned off about nursing in general.  

[kocurek]

How things are going for you?

I am at the end of the three month orientation on med-surg/telemetry. It is difficult to manage on average six patients. I rather go slower, but safely with medications. On occasion, I had to stay after the shift hours to finish charting. It's a high learning curve. My preceptor told me that she was frequently crying for six months when she started her career. Beginnings seem to be extremely stressful. My hope is that after another three months it will be an intense but not nerve wracking work.

I am very proud of being a nurse. Despite hurdles, I believe that helping people in crisis is a nobble venue.

[londonflo]

On 11/2/2022 at 8:26 PM, Rosie_RN2k22 said:

 Drawing up medications never seems to get easier, no matter how many times I do it.  I am struggling with the coordination of that, often getting air in the syringe, sometimes pulling the needle out too far and some of the medication leaks out that I needed and I have to start over with a new bottle.

Have you contacted your nursing school to ask if you can go in there to practice? They would have vials, syringes and would be happy to either leave you alone or work with your technique. 

[acceleratednurse]

I feel you. I've been off orientation for a month and I'm starting to be decent with time management and keeping up with my patients. I'm glad you changed preceptors. I keep hearing, stick it out for 6 months to a year. I know it sounds hard, but try your best until then and reevaluate. I'm struggling with the same right now. You are not alone. But DO NOT let anyone rush you. Take the time you need to take to be safe. Practice will come with time. I always tell myself slow is smooth, smooth is fast (someone famous said it) because when I try to rush I make a mistake and have to do it again. You are doing good. It sounds very typical of a new grad to me. Best of luck!