my nurse educator....

[angelwingsamy]

i am a new grad on a tele unit. i am trying to make the best of my orientation and learn alot. i dont like my nurse educator at all. she she all over the place and is such a scattered mess. she can be within 10ft of me and i get really nervous. she is so high strung and i feel like i CANNOT go to her. what do i do?

what exactly is her power over me as an orientee? can she take my job? and what exactly is her purpose?

she gives out modules to do but other than that i dont know what she does. she also gave us an ECG class (told us it was her weakness by the way) and had no clue whatsoever what she was talking about. i had a book right in front of me and she was telling me the book was not right she was but could not explain to me how. i dont know if i can trust anything that comes out of her mouth. she always makes me feel like she is talking down to me and i DONT like that. we all have to start somewhere and she was in my shoes one day too. when im around her i feel like i dont know enough (and i still do have a lot to learn) but i feel like when im around her all my confidence goes straight out the window.

any advice?

[sandz1572]

have you talked to your manager about a new orientator. i have been a nurse for about 5 years now and there are still certain people who i see talking down to everyone. its not you, its her need to feel important and superior.

[mpccrn, BSN, RN]

in our hospital our ICU has a nurse educator who watches your orientation, gives ekg and med tests, makes sure you read hospital policy etc. then you have a preceptor who deals with your clinical experience. yes, they do talk, compare notes and speak with the manager about your progress. the educator has input on when your orientation is done. your preceptor's opinion is weighted more, much more heavily than the educators. yes, you will always have things to learn. the question is, can you handle yourself at the bedside? can you get your hands working in a crisis? can you be trusted to open your mouth when you are unsure of something? no one knows everything. don't think of your questions as a sign of weakness but as an assertion of confidence in wanting to do right for your patient. i'd MUCH prefer someone who is willing to learn, asks questions then someone who talks a good game but really doesn't know. i've been an icu nurse for 30 years...while i mostly am the person newbies look to for answers, i still ask questions of my collegues, run things by them on occassion. when the willingness to learn is gone, it's time for me to leave as well.

[Virgo_RN, BSN, RN]

Okay, first off: Nobody can "make" you feel inferior without your consent. Your own insecurities are at the basis of this. When you get nervous, remember to breathe.

Second, the purpose of the nurse educator is to be a resource for you. Do not be afraid to ask questions or to show that you don't know things. It's her job to help you learn what you need to know to be a nurse on your unit. It's your preceptor's job to help you develop the skills that you need in order to be a nurse on your unit. They are both well aware that as a new grad, you do not automatically know it all, and that it will take time for you to get your feet underneath you. Don't put too much pressure on yourself. You're already under a lot of pressure and don't need any more.