Hired As A Float Pool Full-Time
I was hired for the Float Pool Full-time Days 12 hrs/3 shifts and I was super excited about getting this acute care experience under my belt. Previously, I worked in adult foster care for 2 years which had no hands-on experience so I came in as basically a New Grad, (my manager knew) and that I was told I'd be on orientation for 12 weeks and extended if needed. The ratio is 1:5 sometimes 1:6. I was offered another position elsewhere the same time but declined because the orientation was 2 weeks.
Maybe This Wasn't The Right Fit?
I am on week 8 (my 4th day of Tele/MS) and I've been at 3 patients, eagerly trying to get to 4 patients. In a meeting, I was told my progression being too slow, time management and prioritization need work, relying too much on preceptor and so educator+manager basically asked me what I thought. Bringing up if I thought maybe this wasn't the right fit for me multiple times. We went over an improvement plan to get me to 5 PT earlier this month too.
I had one shift with 4 PT, already a a rough curb r/t COVID meeting,students = late start and I missed rounds. The next shift I was back on 3 PT. I feel ready to get to 4PT, and would yes need support at first but I thought being completely independent I will definitely learn. How can I learn working with 4PT if I don't have 4PT? But they discussed with me how they feel I wasn't ready and am at an impasse and want me to independently care for 5PT in 2 weeks, have everything done by 1500 in case I would float to another unit and then asked me to meet again tomorrow for my thoughts/decision.
Orientation Summary: A Rough Start
Week 1-2: Was a mix of keeping a single preceptor on MS unit A, so I spent it shadowing and learning the system/floor trying to have 1 pt. Preceptor #1 was cancelled so I had to be paired w/ someone different, another day I had to attend 2 class orientations, and then they were unavailable the 3rd week so I was transitioned to MS unit B after requesting for stability.
Week 3-6: I'm on MS unit B w/ Preceptor #2 and started again w/ 1PT and progressed to 3PT while learning this unit. Although in the middle my preceptor also got cancelled twice, floated (I wasn't allowed to go w/), at this point in total I've been under 6 different nurses.
Week 7: Preceptor #2 and I agreed to get me to 4 PT, which was the plan (my manager aware) as I was going to the next unit on Week 9... But the next shift, my manager transferred me to the Tele/MS ahead of time and now preceptor #3 still on 3 PT. The first day I was with someone else too so I've been with 8 nurses by Week 8.
TLDR: Float pool, 3 units, 3 official preceptors, but d/t cancellations and other events, I've been with 8 different nurses. Manager and educator were made aware- It was a rough start of orientation. A cancellation meant I came in finding out and then having to find someone to orient me. I discussed this but I felt they thought it was an excuse to my progression.
It sounds like I'm complaining, and I signed up for float so this shouldn't be a surprise, but I feel that having some stability in orientation would definitely help increasing my PT load and responsibilities and learn quicker. I really really tried and took what I could from each nurse and implemented it in my learning how to do time management, prioritization, documentation, clinical skills which I haven't done, use a new brain sheet, get there early to look up my possible PTs. I asked questions and I thought I was communicating with my preceptors of what I planned to do and just went to do them but now I wonder if it may have come off as seeking validation or relying too much on them? I feel like I took too much since each nurse had a different flow and my preceptors didn't like I was doing something different so I didn't reach their standards.
I feel with the 12 weeks just being on one unit I can definitely get to caring for 5 PT, I'm at 3PT! I'm almost there!! But I'm also discouraged... I feel like the educator wants to let me go. The manager I feel has been a little more supportive saying they're willing to extend the orientation, but then the educator says I have 2 weeks left and then the manager agrees.
Float pool is not the right fit for me.
I would benefit from the stability of having one unit, one cohort to provide support and learn better (faster? properly?). I'm going to let them know that it'd be more beneficial to them and I if I transitioned to a single unit and if possible to extend orientation to a full 12 weeks (I thought it was that way in the first place?). But I am fully expecting a NO and would then just put my 2 weeks notice of resignation. I doubt I'd work the next 2 weeks, but at least verbally resign and later email officially rather than get fired or terminated down the road to a rocky start.
I felt I could do it, I worked hard to finish task and my duties, I tried my best, took extra classes.. I feel so sad that I couldn't achieve what was expected of me.. ESPECIALLY at this time of crisis! I should be doing my part! But I'm trying not to get myself too down and pick myself and continue job searching. Thanks again if you've read this all!
