Have I made a mistake?

Specialties Ob/Gyn

Published

I'll try to make this as short as possible, but there's really no way to condense it.

When I went into nursing, I knew from the start that I wanted to specialize in an area that I could really try to excell in. I didn't know what area until I graduated (last May), but I finally settled on L&D.

To make a long story short, I love what I do. I love deliveries, the babies, my co-workers are absolutely wonderful ... BUT!!! When I started, cross training was the big thing in our area ( which I think is great ). I started out in nursery - spent about two and a half months there, then I went to post-partum - only spent a week there, then to surgery - where I witnessed all of THREE c-sections. I finally made it to L&D in September.

I had been in orientation for about three weeks when my partner for the shift called in. I was left on the floor alone by my manager who had told me that she would be around if I needed her. I had two deliveries back to back and was never able to find her! Keep in mind I am a new grad who had only been in L&D for about three weeks.

When I was started, I was promised at LEAST 8 weeks with a preceptor - I worked with her a total of about six days in my first month and a half - then I was taken off orientation! I was told that I was doing wonderfully and that I was ready. I DIDN'T FEEL READY! The next month (November) I went to the night shift WORKING ALONE!

My problem is that now here I am, in March, still feeling very scared and alone. Like I said, I love my job, but because I am alone so much of the time and still feel so new and like I missed out on so much, I feel myself dreading coming back in before I even start my days off.

I said that I saw a whopping 3 c-sections while I was in surgery - after that I was expected to scrub the d--- things! I was like - "Who the h--- are Bonnie and Alice??!!!!!!!" (teasing of course). Anyways, I think you get the picture.

Now I am starting to feel as though I made a mistake in going into nursing at all. I have tried telling my head nurse and the manager that I am scared, but all I ever get is a pat on the head, "You're doing great!"

I can't begin to tell you the times that I have been literally thrown into things - last week I had to work nursery alone and I was scared to death. It was my first time and my training in there was back in June of last year. I walked in that night and, of course, there was a c-section about to take place. I told my head nurse that I really needed some support because I had only caught the baby in a section a couple of times and that had been a year ago. Her answer? "You'll have Dr. with you, you'll be fine!"

My question is, Have I messed up? Am I being treaded unreasonably or am I just not cut out for nursing? I feel like I have the potential to be an excellent nurse, but why am I feeling like I just don't want to go on?

Thanks!

Your first 'clue' that this was not a healthy place to work at is the fact that they segment birthing care. Women and families should be cared for in birthing suites, not in three seperate places: L/D, Nursery, and Post Partum. Get out and find a progressive hospital where you can grow and enjoy your nursing skills and abilities. I've been an RN for over 31 yrs, and in the 1980's hospitals began to change the way care to pg. women was provided based upon all the literature and research about bonding and attachment and such. The archaic way women and families have been seperated since the 40's does nothing to promote a healthy birth experience. Find a place where you can care for the entire family. This just makes my blood boil to know that in the 2000's we are still seperating the care we provide to pregnant women. All the best to you!

I'll try to make this as short as possible, but there's really no way to condense it.

When I went into nursing, I knew from the start that I wanted to specialize in an area that I could really try to excell in. I didn't know what area until I graduated (last May), but I finally settled on L&D.

To make a long story short, I love what I do. I love deliveries, the babies, my co-workers are absolutely wonderful ... BUT!!! When I started, cross training was the big thing in our area ( which I think is great ). I started out in nursery - spent about two and a half months there, then I went to post-partum - only spent a week there, then to surgery - where I witnessed all of THREE c-sections. I finally made it to L&D in September.

I had been in orientation for about three weeks when my partner for the shift called in. I was left on the floor alone by my manager who had told me that she would be around if I needed her. I had two deliveries back to back and was never able to find her! Keep in mind I am a new grad who had only been in L&D for about three weeks.

When I was started, I was promised at LEAST 8 weeks with a preceptor - I worked with her a total of about six days in my first month and a half - then I was taken off orientation! I was told that I was doing wonderfully and that I was ready. I DIDN'T FEEL READY! The next month (November) I went to the night shift WORKING ALONE!

My problem is that now here I am, in March, still feeling very scared and alone. Like I said, I love my job, but because I am alone so much of the time and still feel so new and like I missed out on so much, I feel myself dreading coming back in before I even start my days off.

I said that I saw a whopping 3 c-sections while I was in surgery - after that I was expected to scrub the d--- things! I was like - "Who the h--- are Bonnie and Alice??!!!!!!!" (teasing of course). Anyways, I think you get the picture.

Now I am starting to feel as though I made a mistake in going into nursing at all. I have tried telling my head nurse and the manager that I am scared, but all I ever get is a pat on the head, "You're doing great!"

I can't begin to tell you the times that I have been literally thrown into things - last week I had to work nursery alone and I was scared to death. It was my first time and my training in there was back in June of last year. I walked in that night and, of course, there was a c-section about to take place. I told my head nurse that I really needed some support because I had only caught the baby in a section a couple of times and that had been a year ago. Her answer? "You'll have Dr. with you, you'll be fine!"

My question is, Have I messed up? Am I being treaded unreasonably or am I just not cut out for nursing? I feel like I have the potential to be an excellent nurse, but why am I feeling like I just don't want to go on?

Thanks!

Your first 'clue' that this was not a healthy place to work at is the fact that they segment birthing care. Women and families should be cared for in birthing suites, not in three seperate places: L/D, Nursery, and Post Partum. Get out and find a progressive hospital where you can grow and enjoy your nursing skills and abilities. I've been an RN for over 31 yrs, and in the 1980's hospitals began to change the way care to pg. women was provided based upon all the literature and research about bonding and attachment and such. The archaic way women and families have been seperated since the 40's does nothing to promote a healthy birth experience. Find a place where you can care for the entire family. This just makes my blood boil to know that in the 2000's we are still seperating the care we provide to pregnant women. All the best to you!

BRAVO!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And what is so scary and sad is that these women think they are in the safest possible environment to have their babies. Oy ....

I have to admit, it still makes me nuts to watch babies separated from their mothers so often in the name of hospital policy and not medical necessity. Mom gets a token 10 minutes of "bonding time" before the kid is whisked away to the french fry warmer to be evaluated, when it could all be done right there on the mom most times. I saw this practice continued recently, even in "progressive" San Francisco.

Alison

BRAVO!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And what is so scary and sad is that these women think they are in the safest possible environment to have their babies. Oy ....

I have to admit, it still makes me nuts to watch babies separated from their mothers so often in the name of hospital policy and not medical necessity. Mom gets a token 10 minutes of "bonding time" before the kid is whisked away to the french fry warmer to be evaluated, when it could all be done right there on the mom most times. I saw this practice continued recently, even in "progressive" San Francisco.

Alison

I think you are really jumping the gun here, FrumDoula. There are plenty of places that do not grab the baby away from the mother after 10 minutes to sit under a "french fry warmer" as you call it! Do I think all hospitals do a good job keeping mother and baby together? No, I do not. However, I think those really old fashioned places are more the exception now than the rule. Sure, they exist, but they are in the minority.

Now, I am blessed to be able to work in one of those facilities that is an LDRP and we never separate mother and baby unless there is a medical need. I know in my heart that this is the right way to do things. However, we are lucky to be a smaller place and can afford to do so, haveing an ENTIRE staff that is completely crosstrained.

That being said, I know that in larger facilities, doing this kind of nursing just is NOT feasible. Volume does not always allow this type of care and in reality most places do NOT have nurses that care to be crosstrained in this regard. Even when we become full, we still have to move mothers to non-birthing rooms to make room for those coming who are laboring. Despite our effort to keep them together, sometimes mother doen NOT want to have the baby withher 24/7. Do I like that? No, but no matter how much you teach and how much evidence there is to support this couplet concept, there will always be those who do not go by the book.

Many factors go into this: many of them totally out of nurses' control. So, please don't always jump to blame the establishment (although they are usually at fault).

Your doula philosophy is wonderful and in a perfect world, all mothers and babies would be together 24/7 and they would want to be, but sadly, that is not the case. When you graduate and become a staff nurse (even in a successful LDRP), you may see the other side of the coin a bit.

We ALL want to (and do) give safe care. I resent your comments lumping all of us together. Safe care can be given in many settings. Just because mothers and babies move to a PP unit after birth, does NOT mean that their environment is any less safe or effective. Once you personally have actually cleaned an LDRP room after a birth and seen what goes into its upkeep, you may understand better. As nurse, you'll more than likely have to push that mop around a bit. Maybe then your perspective will grow and develop a bit.

I wish you the best. Experience will be a good teacher for you.

I started out in L and D 9 years ago. Can be very overwhelming for anyone, especially a new nurse. You probably are doing great! Don't be hard on yourself. A few weeks does not make a labor and delivery nurse and you're getting the short end of the stick. Basically, you're getting taken advantage of and your supervisor knows it. I love the doctors and staff and babies too, but L and D is one of those areas with a fine line..When thing are good, they are very good....when things are bad, they can be very bad in a very serious life threatening way.

Abruptions, prolapsed cords, preeclamsia, eclampsia, shoulder dystocia!! The list goes on!

I worked in a situation a lot like yours in a small hospital several years ago. I learned a lot, and loved that job!! But looking back, I was living a charmed life! If not for a truly wonderful Doc, who himself was blessed and other staff throuhout the hospital that lended me support whenever I was in a fix, I could have really gotten in trouble.

I eventually moved on to a larger area of the state...Looking back I sometimes get goosebumps. I was so clueless!! The things I have seen now and the thought of what if!!

You deserve to be the very best you can be and to have the backing you deserve instead of a pat on the back!! Part of being the excellant nurse you want to be is to have a back bone. Start now by not letting yourself get taken advantage of....Good luck!

Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.
I think you are really jumping the gun here, FrumDoula. There are plenty of places that do not grab the baby away from the mother after 10 minutes to sit under a "french fry warmer" as you call it! Do I think all hospitals do a good job keeping mother and baby together? No, I do not. However, I think those really old fashioned places are more the exception now than the rule. Sure, they exist, but they are in the minority.

Now, I am blessed to be able to work in one of those facilities that is an LDRP and we never separate mother and baby unless there is a medical need. I know in my heart that this is the right way to do things. However, we are lucky to be a smaller place and can afford to do so, haveing an ENTIRE staff that is completely crosstrained.

That being said, I know that in larger facilities, doing this kind of nursing just is NOT feasible. Volume does not always allow this type of care and in reality most places do NOT have nurses that care to be crosstrained in this regard. Even when we become full, we still have to move mothers to non-birthing rooms to make room for those coming who are laboring. Despite our effort to keep them together, sometimes mother doen NOT want to have the baby withher 24/7. Do I like that? No, but no matter how much you teach and how much evidence there is to support this couplet concept, there will always be those who do not go by the book.

Many factors go into this: many of them totally out of nurses' control. So, please don't always jump to blame the establishment (although they are usually at fault).

Your doula philosophy is wonderful and in a perfect world, all mothers and babies would be together 24/7 and they would want to be, but sadly, that is not the case. When you graduate and become a staff nurse (even in a successful LDRP), you may see the other side of the coin a bit.

We ALL want to (and do) give safe care. I resent your comments lumping all of us together. Safe care can be given in many settings. Just because mothers and babies move to a PP unit after birth, does NOT mean that their environment is any less safe or effective. Once you personally have actually cleaned an LDRP room after a birth and seen what goes into its upkeep, you may understand better. As nurse, you'll more than likely have to push that mop around a bit. Maybe then your perspective will grow and develop a bit.

I wish you the best. Experience will be a good teacher for you.

AMEN, Betsy.

I work at a small hospital also 450/yr and our orientation is 6months long for L/D, 3 mos for PP and 3 mos for nursery. We have 2 nurses on even if we are totally empty in addition to the registration clerk. The situation you are describing is archaic at best! You have received some excellent advice. How do your OB docs feel about their patients being at risk like this?

I'll try to make this as short as possible, but there's really no way to condense it.

When I went into nursing, I knew from the start that I wanted to specialize in an area that I could really try to excell in. I didn't know what area until I graduated (last May), but I finally settled on L&D.

To make a long story short, I love what I do. I love deliveries, the babies, my co-workers are absolutely wonderful ... BUT!!! When I started, cross training was the big thing in our area ( which I think is great ). I started out in nursery - spent about two and a half months there, then I went to post-partum - only spent a week there, then to surgery - where I witnessed all of THREE c-sections. I finally made it to L&D in September.

I had been in orientation for about three weeks when my partner for the shift called in. I was left on the floor alone by my manager who had told me that she would be around if I needed her. I had two deliveries back to back and was never able to find her! Keep in mind I am a new grad who had only been in L&D for about three weeks.

When I was started, I was promised at LEAST 8 weeks with a preceptor - I worked with her a total of about six days in my first month and a half - then I was taken off orientation! I was told that I was doing wonderfully and that I was ready. I DIDN'T FEEL READY! The next month (November) I went to the night shift WORKING ALONE!

My problem is that now here I am, in March, still feeling very scared and alone. Like I said, I love my job, but because I am alone so much of the time and still feel so new and like I missed out on so much, I feel myself dreading coming back in before I even start my days off.

I said that I saw a whopping 3 c-sections while I was in surgery - after that I was expected to scrub the d--- things! I was like - "Who the h--- are Bonnie and Alice??!!!!!!!" (teasing of course). Anyways, I think you get the picture.

Now I am starting to feel as though I made a mistake in going into nursing at all. I have tried telling my head nurse and the manager that I am scared, but all I ever get is a pat on the head, "You're doing great!"

I can't begin to tell you the times that I have been literally thrown into things - last week I had to work nursery alone and I was scared to death. It was my first time and my training in there was back in June of last year. I walked in that night and, of course, there was a c-section about to take place. I told my head nurse that I really needed some support because I had only caught the baby in a section a couple of times and that had been a year ago. Her answer? "You'll have Dr. with you, you'll be fine!"

My question is, Have I messed up? Am I being treaded unreasonably or am I just not cut out for nursing? I feel like I have the potential to be an excellent nurse, but why am I feeling like I just don't want to go on?

Thanks!

I just wanted you to know that I've been a nurse for almost 7 years. I just recently switched from a postpartum nurse (mother/baby) to doing L&D. (We don't do LDRP's at my hospital they are separate). Any how, I had 13 weeks of orientation. Even with some basic knowledge, like finding a fundus, breastfeeding and newborn assessments already under my belt as a postpartum nurse, I completely felt like an idiot when making the transition to an L&D nurse. I just want you to know that it's not just because you are a new grad. L&D is overwhelming...there's a lot to learn. Everyone I work with told me to give it a year to a year and a half to start to feel comfortable. It's been 6 months and I'm starting to feel better. I definetly agree with everyone else that said....find another job. You deserve better. You deserve at least 12 weeks of orientation. And you can't evaluate being a nurse on the last however long. It was unfair and unsafe of them not to give you a proper orientation. But definetly give it a chance when you find a new place to work.

Good Luck!

-Cyber

I just wanted you to know that I've been a nurse for almost 7 years. I just recently switched from a postpartum nurse (mother/baby) to doing L&D. (We don't do LDRP's at my hospital they are separate). Any how, I had 13 weeks of orientation. Even with some basic knowledge, like finding a fundus, breastfeeding and newborn assessments already under my belt as a postpartum nurse, I completely felt like an idiot when making the transition to an L&D nurse. I just want you to know that it's not just because you are a new grad. L&D is overwhelming...there's a lot to learn. Everyone I work with told me to give it a year to a year and a half to start to feel comfortable. It's been 6 months and I'm starting to feel better. I definetly agree with everyone else that said....find another job. You deserve better. You deserve at least 12 weeks of orientation. And you can't evaluate being a nurse on the last however long. It was unfair and unsafe of them not to give you a proper orientation. But definetly give it a chance when you find a new place to work.

Good Luck!

-Cyber

I can't stress how important it is to realize that even after one of these good, thorough orientations, it will definitely take you well over a year to even BEGIN to feel at all comfortable. There is so much to learn and labor and fetal monitoring is an ongoing learning process all the time. One can never become complacent about this. Those who do do NOT make it or they have their you-know-what hauled into court. OB is a highly litigious sub-specialty. It is highly rewarding (I hope to never leave L&D) and well worth the stress.

remember, even us seasoned L&D nurses never let our guard down. You just can's.

I'll try to make this as short as possible, but there's really no way to condense it.

When I went into nursing, I knew from the start that I wanted to specialize in an area that I could really try to excell in. I didn't know what area until I graduated (last May), but I finally settled on L&D.

To make a long story short, I love what I do. I love deliveries, the babies, my co-workers are absolutely wonderful ... BUT!!! When I started, cross training was the big thing in our area ( which I think is great ). I started out in nursery - spent about two and a half months there, then I went to post-partum - only spent a week there, then to surgery - where I witnessed all of THREE c-sections. I finally made it to L&D in September.

I had been in orientation for about three weeks when my partner for the shift called in. I was left on the floor alone by my manager who had told me that she would be around if I needed her. I had two deliveries back to back and was never able to find her! Keep in mind I am a new grad who had only been in L&D for about three weeks.

When I was started, I was promised at LEAST 8 weeks with a preceptor - I worked with her a total of about six days in my first month and a half - then I was taken off orientation! I was told that I was doing wonderfully and that I was ready. I DIDN'T FEEL READY! The next month (November) I went to the night shift WORKING ALONE!

My problem is that now here I am, in March, still feeling very scared and alone. Like I said, I love my job, but because I am alone so much of the time and still feel so new and like I missed out on so much, I feel myself dreading coming back in before I even start my days off.

I said that I saw a whopping 3 c-sections while I was in surgery - after that I was expected to scrub the d--- things! I was like - "Who the h--- are Bonnie and Alice??!!!!!!!" (teasing of course). Anyways, I think you get the picture.

Now I am starting to feel as though I made a mistake in going into nursing at all. I have tried telling my head nurse and the manager that I am scared, but all I ever get is a pat on the head, "You're doing great!"

I can't begin to tell you the times that I have been literally thrown into things - last week I had to work nursery alone and I was scared to death. It was my first time and my training in there was back in June of last year. I walked in that night and, of course, there was a c-section about to take place. I told my head nurse that I really needed some support because I had only caught the baby in a section a couple of times and that had been a year ago. Her answer? "You'll have Dr. with you, you'll be fine!"

My question is, Have I messed up? Am I being treaded unreasonably or am I just not cut out for nursing? I feel like I have the potential to be an excellent nurse, but why am I feeling like I just don't want to go on?

Thanks!

I too graduated last May and held off on the boards until January because I was in no hurry to go through what you have. I did not realize how bad it was out there (10-12 pt's per RN) until I was already in the thick of nursing school. I went on my 1st interview yesterday and the recruiter tried to shove med-surge at me and I politely refused; I was seeking a psych position instead. She knew this but still tried to convince me to do med-surge. I was told I wouldn't get a position in psych since I was a new grad. Then I was thinking of L&D. Now I am totally lost after reading your thread. I think I am going to end up in community MRDD where the RN's oversee. I totaly refuse to do the med-surge nightmare.

I too graduated last May and held off on the boards until January because I was in no hurry to go through what you have. I did not realize how bad it was out there (10-12 pt's per RN) until I was already in the thick of nursing school. I went on my 1st interview yesterday and the recruiter tried to shove med-surge at me and I politely refused; I was seeking a psych position instead. She knew this but still tried to convince me to do med-surge. I was told I wouldn't get a position in psych since I was a new grad. Then I was thinking of L&D. Now I am totally lost after reading your thread. I think I am going to end up in community MRDD where the RN's oversee. I totaly refuse to do the med-surge nightmare.

First of all, med-surg is not always a "nightmare" as you put it. Because of the acuity of patients nowadays, med-surg is as much a specialty as psych or L&D. At any rate, med-surg gives you a wonderful background on which you will always be able to draw.

L&D is also a "nightmare" if you are in the wrong place. You are far MORE likely to be sued in L&D than in psych or med-surg, I assure you. L&D takes a good year at LEAST to even get your feet wet and begin to feel comfortable.

You mention psych and then in the same breath, L&D. What exactly are you looking for? Easy, laid back? What? if you are thinking that all we do in OB is sit around and rock babies and eat bon bons (which is a common misconception) then you need to rethink it! L&D can go from good to completely bad in a matter of minutes.

You can find good (and bad) in all sub-specialties anywhere. You just have to look hard, talk to the nurses on the particular unit that you are considering and go with your gut feeling.

Pick your hospital(s) and go from there. If your only choice is med-surg, then do it for 6 months to a year and then move on. The general experience you get on a medical or surgical floor will never be a waste of your time. Not all hospitals give an RN 10-12 patients. You have to seek out the good, safe, hospitals.

No one is going to hand you your dream job immediately. You have to work for it, like every other nurse has had to do.

You are already behind the game by waiting to take your boards. I'm glad that you are done now. but now you are going to have to scurry a bit harder. Any recruiter is going to wonder why the wait (unless there were extenuating circumstances). Recruiters can tell a lot from your attitude: polite or not.

I don't mean to sound unkind but there are so many nursing schools out there today that do NOT prepare their grads for the real world. So many think they are going to just sit around and be a manager. To be a good effective manager, you have to be a good, competant nurse. The only way you'll get there is to take a job and learn the hands-on as you go. How do you expect to "oversee" when you have no experience yourself? The world of nursing does not need more ineffective managers who have no clue. We have enough of those already! Your book learning will only take you so far. Then you have to stand on your own and the only way to be able to do that is to get experience. nursing is NOT a princess job!!

If you are not prepared to jump in, then change professions now before you waste your own time and that of a hospital. It costs a lot to train a new grad. How about a critical care internship?

I wouldsecond the advice to find another job quickly! The nurse manager shoud know better and should have been on the unit with you. No new grad with only a brief orientation would normally be expected to single handedly run the L&D unit.

I also, agree to never bad mouth the hospital. But be clear about your orientation needs. You also, per Nursing rules, I believe, do not have to accept the assignment so long as the shift has not started. You might want to clarfy the nursing board rules and regs for your state.

First of all, med-surg is not always a "nightmare" as you put it. Because of the acuity of patients nowadays, med-surg is as much a specialty as psych or L&D. At any rate, med-surg gives you a wonderful background on which you will always be able to draw.

L&D is also a "nightmare" if you are in the wrong place. You are far MORE likely to be sued in L&D than in psych or med-surg, I assure you. L&D takes a good year at LEAST to even get your feet wet and begin to feel comfortable.

You mention psych and then in the same breath, L&D. What exactly are you looking for? Easy, laid back? What? if you are thinking that all we do in OB is sit around and rock babies and eat bon bons (which is a common misconception) then you need to rethink it! L&D can go from good to completely bad in a matter of minutes.

You can find good (and bad) in all sub-specialties anywhere. You just have to look hard, talk to the nurses on the particular unit that you are considering and go with your gut feeling.

Pick your hospital(s) and go from there. If your only choice is med-surg, then do it for 6 months to a year and then move on. The general experience you get on a medical or surgical floor will never be a waste of your time. Not all hospitals give an RN 10-12 patients. You have to seek out the good, safe, hospitals.

No one is going to hand you your dream job immediately. You have to work for it, like every other nurse has had to do.

You are already behind the game by waiting to take your boards. I'm glad that you are done now. but now you are going to have to scurry a bit harder. Any recruiter is going to wonder why the wait (unless there were extenuating circumstances). Recruiters can tell a lot from your attitude: polite or not.

I don't mean to sound unkind but there are so many nursing schools out there today that do NOT prepare their grads for the real world. So many think they are going to just sit around and be a manager. To be a good effective manager, you have to be a good, competant nurse. The only way you'll get there is to take a job and learn the hands-on as you go. How do you expect to "oversee" when you have no experience yourself? The world of nursing does not need more ineffective managers who have no clue. We have enough of those already! Your book learning will only take you so far. Then you have to stand on your own and the only way to be able to do that is to get experience. nursing is NOT a princess job!!

If you are not prepared to jump in, then change professions now before you waste your own time and that of a hospital. It costs a lot to train a new grad. How about a critical care internship?

My original desire was and is psych nursing but I am being told that they don't take new grads. So how does one get started in psych. Even if I did med-surge 1st they will tell me that I have no experience in psych. My heart is in psych all the way if I could just be given the opportunity. And yes there were extenuating circumstances however not relevent to my ability to become a great nurse nor the time frame of which I waited to seek employment. My biggest concerns are not with and never have been having to work hard. If that were the case I would have never made the choice to start nursing when I could have just continued to stay home take care of my husband and go on many vacations per year. My decision to go into nursing was to be able to make a difference in patient care. But, as I saw while in nursing school and the nature of the lack of resources in our country and subsequent healthcare system my great intentions/desire is flawed by the lack opf sufficient staffing regardless of the location in our country. As a new grad we have so much to learn yet still care for the same amount of pt's that all of the experienced nurses have; and given that I have concerns over being able to give my pt's the spectrum of care that they need and should have regardless of our shortage in staff. As well, and please don't take this the wrong way but it was the experienced nurses that shared the horror stories about how new grads are treated by the RN's that have been there for a long time. As well, many of my peers did and continue to fly by the seat of their pants in that the experinced nurses on the units are not willing to teach. Often tellling the new grads " learn it the hard way like I had to" and everyone wonders why new grads hesitate.

+ Add a Comment