Orientation As A Semi-Experienced Nurse is Aggravating

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I worked for almost a year at my first nursing job. I changed jobs and went to a new hospital after that. I started orientation three weeks ago, and I have to admit it's kind of frustrating. I'm used to taking my own patients and working on my own. I'm definitely not used to having another nurse follow me around and having to explain myself and what I'm doing. Plus, I have a preceptor that leaves like a few hours before shift change when they send someone home early and they make me switch to following another nurse with totally different patients. Anyone else experience with orientation beyond the one with your first job?

Specializes in Stepdown . Telemetry.

I am bewildered that some preceptors are so controlling. It's not my job to nitpick basic nursing skills. (unless u are doing it wrong or something). That would make me want to blow my brains out too as an orientee !

Now what I find extremely annoying when I am preceptor is when a nurse has to follow up everything I say reminding me they already know that. Its as if my tid bits are in some way insinuating they are dumb or don’t know, and “not knowing” is a flaw. With these people I literally have to become so careful not to “teach” anything slightly skill related because they will have to point out they already know that.

Then there are the ones that become so insecure that they talk up their knowledge of things they may be shaky in. For example when I am trying to talk about rhythms nurses can become so defensive in this area if I try to pass on my years of rhythm interpretation to them, then they will sit down and have trouble finding the p wave.

Its OK! U never worked on tele. Stop acting offended and embrace not knowing because learning is fun and is a journey (esp with heart rhythms!).

I am in no way saying the OP is like this, but I usually see this in the newish nurses who are still a little insecure with their level. Most nurses that are really experienced (5 years or so) no longer give AF if someone is “teaching” something they already know. This insecurity is something we have all gone through and is u just grow out of.

Its always good to self reflect on underlying insecurities and be mindful of how they may come out during orientation, as they impede growth and make it tough on the preceptor too.

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Specializes in Med Surg, Tele, PH, CM.

when I was working bedside, my husband was in the Air Force and we moved frequently. Every new hospital required a new employee orientation. It's about protocol and procedures, and getting an idea of what you can do. With a whole year of experience, would advise adopting a little humility. When you have been around 35+ years like me, you will still find there are things to learn every day.

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Specializes in Psychiatry, Community, Nurse Manager, hospice.
On 5/21/2020 at 2:08 AM, TriciaJ said:

I've had so many cut-short orientations and hit-and-miss orientations. Don't waste energy feeling insulted by anyone's hovering.

Savour every minute someone is willing to spend with you. Your job right now is to earn their trust and make them glad they hired you.

I agree. Getting babied is better than getting thrown to the wolves.

As an agency nurse, I have been handed the most ridiculous situations with no orientation whatsoever.

So just grin and bear the stuff you already know.

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Specializes in Psych, Corrections, Med-Surg, Ambulatory.
2 hours ago, FolksBtrippin said:

I agree. Getting babied is better than getting thrown to the wolves.

As an agency nurse, I have been handed the most ridiculous situations with no orientation whatsoever.

So just grin and bear the stuff you already know.

Oh gawd yes agency nursing. "Here are your keys. That's your hallway. Bye."

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