Preceptor nightmare(vent but advice sought

Nurses New Nurse

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Not sure where to post this but hopefully it is the right place. I just got hired on a Ortho/Neuro unit. The job is not that bad, the preceptors are. I have 4 total and each one has a way of doing things, which now I am lost. One LVN does not bother to show me much because she wants to get out at 730 no later so she can concentrate on her RN so I am lost with the computer programs. She also tells me to push meds and then leaves the room. Really on my first day? Yes I know how to but I didn't work for nearly 5 years to get my RN license to have someone not want to stay with me and walk me through each time. Especially on day one! I am meeting with my unit director and I just cannot learn this way. Am I wrong to feel like I am being thrown to the wolves?

Specializes in none.
Well I guess it won't matter after Tuesday. Looks like I may be let go.

Never anticipate. you don't know what is going to happen or may not happen. But are you going to worry until Tuesday? Like the story with my Aunt Rose. One hot August day, the family found Aunt Rose in the living room. She was wearing fur line boots, wool socks, heavy wool skirt, overcoat,ear muffs, and wool hat. My father said," Aunt Rose what are you doing? It's Summer. It's not going to snow." She turned to my father and said,

"You never know." If I does happen remember in life One door closes and another door opens. The doors may be sticky at times, but another one will open.

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Specializes in Emergency, Telemetry, Transplant.
One LVN does not bother to show me much because she wants to get out at 730 no later so she can concentrate on her RN so I am lost with the computer programs. She also tells me to push meds and then leaves the room. Really on my first day? Yes I know how to but I didn't work for nearly 5 years to get my RN license to have someone not want to stay with me and walk me through each time.

This part confuses me a bit. In your state are LVNs (LPNs in my state) allowed to push meds? In mine they are not. If there is a question I would ask, I would want to know why, as an RN, am I being oriented by an LPN? Now, before people want to jump on me, I have know some great LPN. Some at the LTC where I worked as an aide who could run circles around some RNs there. However, I don't think it is appropriate that an LPN would orient and RN in duties an LPN cannot legally perform. What if you had to hang blood for the first time?

The other thing that strikes me as strange is why a new RN has 4 preceptors? Sometimes you have one on nights and one on days. Sometimes your preceptor calls off and you get placed with someone new for a day. That happens. But, to have 4 right off the bat? That just seems to be a recipe for a poor experience for you. I would speak to either the NM or whomever is coordinating your orientation about this.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Academics.

@psu...it's not unusual to have multiple preceptors in facilities without a formal new grad program. I can't remember how many preceptors I had, but it was at least seven. Yeah, it sucked.

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and I was let go...time to do some soul searching...then some job searching...

PSU she is in the process of getting her RN...

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Specializes in none.
and I was let go...time to do some soul searching...then some job searching...

PSU she is in the process of getting her RN...

In the process but does not have her license yet. She is still an LPN. Better you are away from that Job. Here in the NEW Jersey, She wouldn't orient you if she had to leave. They would have had to find someone else that could stay and answer any questions that you would have. I don't think that's a law here or there but in every job that I have had. They got a person on the shift that I was to precept me.

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Specializes in Emergency, Telemetry, Transplant.
and I was let go...time to do some soul searching...then some job searching...

PSU she is in the process of getting her RN...

I am sorry you were let go, and I hope everything works out for you.

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Specializes in LTC.

How can they let you go d/t a disability??? that's illegal....

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It is but they felt that patient safety and the unit where in jeopardy from the risk I would have a seizure. I have epilepsy which has been well controlled for almost 2 years with medication and my Neurologist. I mentioned it to the nurse educator as to why I decided to take the job in Neuro over NICU. Yes this was a Neuro /Ortho unit. The next thing I know I am in my directors office saying that she is worried about my health (yea right) and scheduled a meeting with HR. Instead of transferring me to another unit they let me go. I am seeing an attorney today.

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Specializes in Emergency, Telemetry, Transplant.
It is but they felt that patient safety and the unit where in jeopardy from the risk I would have a seizure. I have epilepsy which has been well controlled for almost 2 years with medication and my Neurologist. I mentioned it to the nurse educator as to why I decided to take the job in Neuro over NICU. Yes this was a Neuro /Ortho unit. The next thing I know I am in my directors office saying that she is worried about my health (yea right) and scheduled a meeting with HR. Instead of transferring me to another unit they let me go. I am seeing an attorney today.

Good idea (seeing the attorney that is). I am not a fan of people saying "see a lawyer" for everything, but what they did seems like a blatantly illegal act. (just my :twocents:, not an expert legal opinion)

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