Overwhelmed and lost

strive2Bbetter · May 15, 2015

Why not?
The way you express yourself is very off putting.
I am starting to question your honesty. Initially you referred to your preceptor as "she" and now it is "he".
You are not a very brand new new nurse. According to your post history you graduated two years ago.

sorry my English isn't very good. I graduated two years ago, but wasn't able to get my license until fall of last year. so now that I got job I'm rusty on my skills. hence me asking my preceptor to follow up and check on me when I feel uncomfortable with something I haven't done in a while or haven't done at all. I can't be put with any staff nurse because of scheduling.

strive2Bbetter · May 15, 2015

Lol I am just asking for suggestions/ advice/ tips from more experience out there. Maybe I wasnt clear enough about being overwhelmed on my first week, rather first few days of precepting. I know I still have a long way to go. And just like how people doubt my honesty here, people will always have something to say. thank you for those giving me positive encouragement and advices. and thank you for those giving me criticism and doubt... because i can I drill it to my mind that I have to prove them wrong ðŸ˜

suanna · May 15, 2015

I didn't mean to get you defensive. I just feel most new grads have the skills to do the job- only they just spent 5 years being slapped down while training at every opportunity, so it's hard to step up and believe in yourself. There is always going to be a certain amount of "fake it until you make it" when starting a new job in nursing. I was a terrible nurse- no organization skills, always asking others what I should do, call, give.... Then everyone else on my shift/unit left. I was the "experienced" nurse with 3mos under my belt and 4 new grads looking to me to be thier mentor. What I discovered was I did know what I was doing, I just didn't believe in myself until others were looking to me for leadership.

Tenebrae, BSN, RN · May 16, 2015

Why not?
The way you express yourself is very off putting.
I am starting to question your honesty. Initially you referred to your preceptor as "she" and now it is "he".
You are not a very brand new new nurse. According to your post history you graduated two years ago.

We have alot of staff who have english as a second language and the one thing that can get muddled are a personal prefixes eg he, she.

I once read in a patients notes "he climbed into her bed" turned out they were refering to the same person..... :yes:

nanananurse · May 18, 2015

I would make a quick to-do list: When to give meds, get vitals, provide food, send pt for tests in the first few mins of being assigned to the pt (if possible- often, it's not).

If you are feeling overwhelmed, take a few deep breaths and re-focus.

Strive to do the best you can!

Good luck!

dream'n, BSN, RN · May 19, 2015

Talk with your preceptor. I'm sure he wants you to succeed on the floor.

When I first started as a new grad RN, I followed my preceptor alot at first. Watched how she started her day; took report, looked up patient's for a few minutes, then started med pass. I followed into the rooms and watched her give the medication, assess and educate the patient. I watched her bundle her tasks and prioritize. When she charted, I made a list of all the forms/flow sheets that needed completed on each patient. I also made lists of certain issues that came up but weren't done everyday so I could reference them if needed; things like how to set up TPN or the protocol of Amphoteracin administration or Cathflo. I wrote down the lab top colors, what they were for, and the order of draw.

Everyday I picked up more patients and provided the patient care (we went together until she developed trust in my skill), until I was basically running the show on my own. Don't feel stupid asking questions, but run them through your critical thinking first so you can have a conversation about it with your preceptor, not just look at him/her to provide the answer.

My recommendation for you is that you start the day with your preceptor and get report with her on all the patients. He/She will act as the primary nurse at first, that way you'll see how his/her whole day goes. Ask questions, step in and help at this stage. Before the next shift take 3 minutes to tell your preceptor what you feel strong or weak with. Take a couple patient's and have her observe you with them, at the same time help her with her other patient's so she will have the time to devote to you.

strive2Bbetter · May 19, 2015

Talk with your preceptor. I'm sure he wants you to succeed on the floor.
When I first started as a new grad RN, I followed my preceptor alot at first. Watched how she started her day; took report, looked up patient's for a few minutes, then started med pass. I followed into the rooms and watched her give the medication, assess and educate the patient. I watched her bundle her tasks and prioritize. When she charted, I made a list of all the forms/flow sheets that needed completed on each patient. I also made lists of certain issues that came up but weren't done everyday so I could reference them if needed; things like how to set up TPN or the protocol of Amphoteracin administration or Cathflo. I wrote down the lab top colors, what they were for, and the order of draw.
Everyday I picked up more patients and provided the patient care (we went together until she developed trust in my skill), until I was basically running the show on my own. Don't feel stupid asking questions, but run them through your critical thinking first so you can have a conversation about it with your preceptor, not just look at him/her to provide the answer.
My recommendation for you is that you start the day with your preceptor and get report with her on all the patients. He/She will act as the primary nurse at first, that way you'll see how his/her whole day goes. Ask questions, step in and help at this stage. Before the next shift take 3 minutes to tell your preceptor what you feel strong or weak with. Take a couple patient's and have her observe you with them, at the same time help her with her other patient's so she will have the time to devote to you.

I talked to my first preceptor. Asked questions. Made it clear when I was uncomfortable. Asked my preceptor to check up on me, or go with me when I wanted to be sure that I was doing something correct. My first preceptor did not do anything on my half to help me succeed. i was frustrated at the fact that I searched all over for my preceptor when I needed help. Of course I asked help from other nurses when my preceptor wasn't around. but my first preceptor could not give me adequate guidance that a new nurse with no experience needs. I learned that the preceptor I was with had an orientee prior to me who asked to switch preceptors because that orientee had the same problem I was encountering.

fortunately, after expressing my concerns and frustrations, I was told that they noticed the actions of my preceptor. but at that point there was nothing they could do. I was at a disadvantage. I was well aware that my nurse was a very "old" nurse and was comfortable with their way. unfortunately my preceptor did not have a routine and as I noticed was very disorganized.