Orienting with a preceptor and totally nervous to be on my own

Reeney78 · Sep 19, 2007

Amreen,

You are not alone!! I just started orientation as a graduate nurse on a floor I did one of my clinicals on. I can't imagine in a few weeks being on my own with multiple patients! My fellow nurses are also great, and they assure me that my nervousness is normal and expected.

Since I am not an experienced nurse I can't give you any great advice But, I have been told that it is important to be a little nervous- it keeps you on your toes and helps ensure that you will ask for help when you don't know how to do something or are unsure of something, rather then attempting a procedure (and doing it incorrectly) or making a judgement call that is incorrect.

I had trouble sleeping the first week of orientation because I was afraid I would sleep through my alarm, it wouldn't go off, etc. Now I set an alarm clock, as well as the alarm on my cell phone to ensure I am woken up by one of them. It helps me sleep better because I'm not constantly waking up in a panic!

big apple · Sep 19, 2007

I'm on the same boat as you too. I'm a new RN who started working for about 3 weeks now. My preceptor is great and i feel so secure with her shadowing me. When she's in charge, i have to work so-lo and i feel so insecure and behind. Eventually, we have to learn to function independently. I'm getting there, but i never hesitate to ask questions.

Chloe'sinNYNow · Sep 19, 2007

I'm on the same boat as you too. I'm a new RN who started working for about 3 weeks now. My preceptor is great and i feel so secure with her shadowing me. When she's in charge, i have to work so-lo and i feel so insecure and behind. Eventually, we have to learn to function independently. I'm getting there, but i never hesitate to ask questions.

Big A,

how are your questions received by your preceptor? I'm the question queen and it nearly ALWAYS lands me in hot water, b/c NS trained me to get very analytical and follow the disease process. Ya know, that whole critical thinking biz? ;>)

In other words I tend to ask very difficult or what may seem obscure questions until it makes sense why I am asking. Usually the receiver of my questions thinks I ask too many or (won't tell me, but it becomes obvious after observation) they just don't know themself and are afraid to say.

I've been told to save my questions for the end of shift, but that NEVER happens. I waste so much paper, or don't have the opp to write it down, forget it, or most often the preceptor (or whomever) rushes home and i don't get that debriefing.

Any suggestions?

AliRae · Sep 19, 2007

I remember that feeling like it was yesterday. It wasn't ... I came off orientation a year and a half ago, and have been doing just fine. (Also a fellow children's-hospital'er here! *wave!*)

Take a step back. Why is it that you feel you're so nervous to be on your own? From what I'm seeing, it's a general fear that you're not going to get everything done. You're already ahead of the game if you're writing lists. To-do lists are my best friend. I'm in ICU, so I only need 2 of them at most, but I find them invaluable. For days when I'm not sure I'll EVER get through the list because it's filled with complex tasks, I break the tasks down. It seems more manageable when I have smaller steps to work through.

Are you going to be working any of the same days as your preceptor once you come off orientation? My unit put me on her weekend and I followed her schedule fairly closely for the first month or so. If this is an option, you'll hopefully find that she can be an ongoing resource/mentor for you. I felt totally comfortable going to her with my questions even once I was on my own (I was kind of a habit, you know?)

No one out there wants to see you fail. Even less do they want to see you hurt a patient. So don't worry- if you're confused/unsure of anything, just ask the nurse next to you. It's really not hard to take a minute to explain or demonstrate something.

My own first day off orientation was less than wonderful. I got in a fight with the attending because he wanted to send my kid home. I felt the kid wasn't ready, and it got nasty. The kid stayed, spiked a temp later that night and went back on the vent for another 2 weeks (trach'ed little baby). I don't say that to scare you, but to encourage you. It was my first day off, and despite all the doubt I felt, I was able to stick up for my patient and do what needed to be done.

You'll do okay. Let us know how things pan out!

deeDawntee, RN · Sep 19, 2007

Remember a few things:

#1) You are never (totally) on your own. You ALWAYS have a ton of resources available to you if you are having questions or problems. I have been known to pick up the phone and dial a completely different unit if I had a question about, oh I don't know, Epilepsy...or GI bleeding or anything. Most nurses love to help other nurses out. Don't you? So when I come to work I view the whole hospital full of experts who can answer questions that I may have.

#2) Being on your own does not mean doing it alone. All of the VERY best nurses I know use all the resources available to them to the fullest extent possible. Recite these 3 words: "I need help". They will move you from novice to competence to mastery faster than anything. You may be intimidated by nurses who seem like they don't want to help you, but if you say to them directly "I need help", very few will refuse unless their own patient is in trouble. The other side of that is to make yourself available to help others as well, they will be much more willing to help you, if you do the same.

#3) You know A LOT more than you think. The true exhilaration of what you have accomplished will start to be realized after you have really survived and thrived doing it yourself with your very own patients. I remember going home and reliving every interaction and intervention with my patients it was sooo unbelievably cool to me that I was actually doing it!!

#4) Don't let your fear get the best of you. Visualize yourself succeeding and you will be successful. Imagine the best (rather than the worst). See yourself saving lives, relieving pain, educating, comforting, helping, caring, because that is certainly what you will do plus more.

#5) Don't let the turkeys get you down. This often comes from a coworker or two. Often from the nurse you are handing off your patient to will be mad because you didn't do something to her liking. Don't let THEM ruin your joy. Hang on to the great things that happened and forget the one or two bad apples that make it really hard to be a nurse somedays!! Often, report time can be a stressful joy-robbing experience...just be forewarned.

:yeah: :yeah: :yeah: you can do it!!