People think I am stupid

Published

I am a new nurse who just got off orientation a few weeks ago. I have worked at the hospital where I am for more than a year and was hired from a tech position to a nurse once I passed my boards. I thought everything would go smoothly once I got off orientation, but I've been wrong so far.

During orientation, I managed to make a lot of really stupid mistakes that I should have known better than to make, had numerous personality clashes with a couple of my preceptors, and got on my nurse educator's bad side. I know that people at work talk about me.

I have heard it first hand and get the sense that people do not like me. Although some of it is unwarranted bullying, I realize that some of it is my fault as well. I take the blame because my problems with coworkers seem to follow me wherever I go. I have never had an easy time making friends at work and have always gotten the reputation for being stupid, lazy, etc... I guess what I am asking for is help.

I realize that I can control how I present to other people. I am tired of being "that person." I need some tips on how to better my reputation and gain friends at work. I also need some words of encouragement. There is a girl at work who I know has spoke poorly about me to various people and I feel like as a result, these people now have a very negative opinion of me. I can tell by the knowing looks, sideways glances, and hushed whispers in the hall.

I realize that I cannot control what other adults do, but these things have really put a beating on my self esteem. Any advice on how to not **** other nurses off, how not to look stupid, and how to overcome a bad reputation? Thanks!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

What kind of mistakes are you making and what are the personality clashes about? It's really difficult to give advice without more information.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

A couple times, there was an antibiotic running at only 12.5 ml/hour. Instead of running the normal saline concurrently so the patient would stay hydrated, I ran the antibiotic piggyback. Both times, my preceptor caught on and fixed it. I felt stupid, but will never make that mistake again. I also failed a test during orientation, which made me feel extra stupid. Once I forgot to put a sticker on the outside of the chart to list the patient's allergies. These are just some of the examples.

The first personality clash ended up working out fine. My preceptor ended up being a nice person, but didn't have that "warm and fuzzy" personality that for some reason I expected. She ended up teaching me a lot. The second personality clash was with a preceptor who has a bad attitude and gives criticism in what I think is a destructive manner. I heard her gossiping about me twice, saying things like "she doesn't know what she is doing" and "she is clueless."

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Oncology.

I've piggybacked all of my antibiotics for the last 5 years.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

First off, and this is JUST MY OPINION (per TOS not medical advice) there is not a reason in the world that an antibiotic HAS to run concurrently with fluids. Unless the MD orders them that way. They are mixed with fluid, therefore, patient is "staying hydrated". Most orders will read IV piggyback. And as a complete practice issue, IV piggyback of antibiotics is a correct way to give them. AGAIN NOT medical advice, and ALWAYS follow your MD order. And things like stickers on charts is important, but once you get to a place where when you, in your practice, sticker when you put together the chart, it will come automatically the more you do it. And if someone else puts together your chart while you are assessing the patient, then just double check it is complete. These are practice issues, NOT that you are somehow stupid. And I am still hung up on your preceptor changing your antibiotic to concurrent. That floors me, and I am curious as to if you asked her why.

We all fail tests at one point or another. No one is perfect. That you are off orientation and still have a job speaks volumes, as they must believe you to be a competent nurse. Work on your own practice, and so be it if people don't "like" you. Know your orders, know where to find information if you need to double check something, ALWAYS review your rights of medication administration. Stay focused. All the whispering in the hallway is really very "high school musical" but you need to be responsible for your practice, your patients, not that RN Suzy has her knickers in a bunch over foolishness.

You got this girl. You are far from stupid. Make sure when you get your orders, clarify them if you have to. Piggy back or concurrent on the IV antibiotic--get what the MD wants, not what another nurse seems to think is wanted.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Focusing on your comment that certain problems follow you. Every had a psych consult? Something like ADHD maybe?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I have never, ever heard of antibiotics being given any other way besides piggyback. I was taught to piggyback them and in my almost 7 years of practicing as an RN I have always piggybacked them.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in 4.

IMO you are being too critical of yourself & you are allowing others to control you. You can't care if others choose to listen to other people, rather than using their own eyes & ears. It doesn't matter where you work or what profession you are in, these negative people are everywhere. Did you have any medical office experience outside of nursing school? I'm asking cause when I started out as a MA, I made a lot of silly mistakes as I was new to the profession. I even wrote my name as the patients name on an MRI requisition. LOL....I was young, NEW & I was busy, so I was preoccupied. Don't be so hard on yourself & learn as much as you can. IMO just being here & being honest, shows your dedication to being a good nurse & I think you will do great!! As far as the PP asking about having a psych eval? Seriously? Maybe she's just nervous? Don't jump so quickly to the negative.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I have never, ever heard of antibiotics being given any other way besides piggyback. I was taught to piggyback them and in my almost 7 years of practicing as an RN I have always piggybacked them.

I hang antibiotics often not "piggyback." If the pt has no fluids running, we direct line the antibiotics and administer them that way. To me piggyback means via IV, not necessarily with another fluid. The same with other meds, they are either IV push or piggyback. I guess I don't get what you mean by your comment.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

To the OP, I would quit. I would not jeopardize my license in this situation, especially with the narc counts being off consistently.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

I want to respond to the OP's comment that the preceptor was not "warm and fuzzy" - LOL. As a nurse educator, I train preceptors to be effective, not to make friends. Their responsibility is to ensure that you receive the right training, not to make you feel good. Hopefully, they can do both - but training is priority. They have to be comfortable providing corrective feedback rather than stifling it because they're afraid of hurting your feelings.

I also agree with PP's recommendation for you to follow up on your concern about your social skills & overall self esteem. Suggest you consider working with a therapist/counselor to explore these issues & learn how to make them better. Nursing is a 'social' profession - so improvement in this area will pay off in the long run for you.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency.

The only time I could see the 12.5cc/hr running as a piggyback being an issue is if the pt is NPO and/or dehydrated and has maintenance fluids running pretty quick (150+) and the abx would take a while to run in.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion