Ilovenursing3

I asked them if I could resign and they said it was understandable. I really loved working there, but it was so toxic. I start a new job and it seems like a really nice place with a lot of good people. But, you're right it's not good to be randomly quiting. Thank you for you're input. Much appreciated :)

I am a hands on learner. I can't watch and then do it perfectly. She guide me by showing me, but I think it would have been helpful it I was able to do stuff. Well, I got the insulin down,but she still was annoyed I checked it like three times. She did say I need to have more confidence, which maybe I do. If you don't mind me asking, I believe I asked in my previous post-I would like to know what it's like to have a preceptor that trains differently. I know it sounds like common sense, but I'm starting a new job, and I want to communicate what I feel would be best.

Thank you for you're response. Just please don't take my story and think you will ever expiernce anything like this. I have to learn to take a breath and find something to research/learn instead of getting frustrated with someone who is not being very kind to me. I'm not always the most professional, believe me. I resigned and moved on. It was a learning expierience. I was excited and chipper to be at work-she hates her job. Maybe she is tired of it all, but it wasn't necessary to take it out on everyone else. You sound like you're going to be a great RN :)

Yes, I apologize I didn't want to come across as it was my preceptors fault at all. I was shocked because it was my first time caring for this patient and I would never forgive myself for giving a med to a patient who didn't know what it was. So even if the patient gets the same meds everyday, I still open it at the beside and say what I am giving. I'm sure it annoys the heck out of the patients.

No, she didn't say anything. Just that (my preceptor and the aide) didn't need to get up as they figured I had it under control. Well, I guess I didn't. You sound like a nursing aide that I would love to work with. I can tell you really care about the patients you care for.

No, it's not worth it at all for a patient to fall. I have always said that if I patient falls in my watch, then I failed. God I would be so angry if a patient fell on my shift. It's a lot of paperwork, which obviously I wouldn't mind doing that, but most importantly my preceptor told me don't ever document your name as who is at fault. I think she's right about that. Knowing me, I would put my name as the nurse on the floor at the time, but I'm not sure to even put anything. Again, I'm new so what she says is more than likely correct. This is exactly what happened. My preceptor and the aide were closer to the patient than I was. The alarm went off, I left the med keys on the med cart and ran as fast as I could. I really would think herself and the aide would have helped, but it's my fault I left the keys on the cart. I was scolded about that, which I understand completly. (The med room is at the nursing station so patients don't have access to the nursing station unless someone isn't watching it) I learned next time, grab the keys quickly and book it. Yes, my preceptor DEF favors the aide that apparently thinks since she has been there for a very long time is invincible.

Yes, you are correct. Its 100% to know what someone is doing wrong in nursing. I would always ask "Did I do everything okay or was there anything that could have been done better?" "What am I doing wrong and what are strengths?" I think a lot of it was my own perception. However, getting frustrated with me and saying things like "this is a very easy unit, you should be able to do all of it by now" My perception of someone getting frustrated because I ask a question, is essentially seeing my work as useless. I think I should have been more clear in my original post. I don't think she was bullying me personally. It was little things like getting a nursing intervention done on our patients and then not documenting on it and telling me I'm doing everything late. Everyone on here can think I have a bad attitude for saying things like that, but I would never blame an order being late on someone else because I didn't document on it. If she has stated she is going to document it, then maybe she should have. Or maybe, I should have followed up. I was used to working with the first aide-(the one that is friends with my preceptor was on vacation). The patients were bathed, fed and given anything they needed during the day by 9:30am. The first shift I worked with my preceptors friend the aide, (well, and this was my last shift) I came out of a patient's room who was dry in the morning when I checked her. When it came around to her 1200 meds, she must started to scoot down, so she needed a pull up and to be changed. I asked my preceptor to help with a pull up. She got frustrated I asked and then proceeded to tell me, it's my job to tell her when the patient needs to be changed. Of course it is, but I thought nursing aides change briefs(if needed) in the morning and gets vitals? If an aide hasn't been in a room for 4 hours because they are sitting down doing nothing, I mean is it my job to bathe patients when it's protocol on the unit for the nursing aides to get vitals and help with bathed and stuff? I was up running around, helping the patients do laundry, feeding them, meds, assessments, by 12pm. I don't mind doing everything, but just stuff like that if people are sitting around, it's so helpful if someone can help patient get tolietries so I can get things done faster. Or maybe I should be able to do everything and complaining. Anytime an aide warms up a patient's water, I say thank you so much. Little things help. Sounds petty? Probably, but it was constantly happening. I do think my preceptor was being disrespectful to the aide I originally met(the one that is so helpful) and that's what I meant by my original post. Maybe not bullying as that is thrown around a lot.(I know, I know I'm going to get ALOT of hate for my last few sentences about not being able to get things done on my own) I worked hard for my nursing license and I'm going to find another job. I resigned as it wasn't healthy for me to be there. I want to practice my skills as maybe I'm not that good of a nurse as of right now-being able to have 8 patients and do it all in two weeks was to much for me personally. It wasn't safe. But, at the end of the day, I think everything happens for a reason. Yes, my attitude sucked and I could have done things differently, but the other employees who receive the nasty behavior from this nurse, finally had someone to stick up for them. (They thanked me for standing up to her) In conclusion, it's very hard to know what someone is trying to convey through the internet. Kind of like texting, people sometimes can't tell the other persons tone. So I hope I didn't come off to mean or anything. I know I wrote this long message lol, but I think I have a lot to learn, but I would come in early in the morning to see if the night shift nurse and nursing aide needed any help to finish up the shift, always let my patients know to please let me know if they need anything even if its something small.I'm pointing that out because I got the vibe some people on this message board felt I have this crappy attitude and not a good RN. I also wanted to get it all out as I probably will try and close this post soon. People are sick of my whining I'm sure. Thank you for your reply :). I just wanted to point some things out if you wanted to give advice back. I isolate myself so sometimes it's nice to hear from people even if it's on the internet :)

Thank you much appreciated :). She is knowledgeable, but my personal preference is to do my best to be happy :)

Thank you for your input. Much appreciated :)

I never said she is inadequate. I fully admitted my communication and attitude towards the situation could have been better. I think it's safe to say it's possible you're assuming I'm a know it all and didn't respect her. Human have emotions and I got to a point it became to much.

Yes, you are very correct. The aide at the nursing station is my preceptors best friend. They both say there and did nothing. I'm not a know it all and think I'm better than anyone, but come on, there is no reason not to say "hey stay in the med room, I'll get the patient". Or maybe I'm just expecting to much.

Thank you for you're reply. I guess I did over react. I did freak out on the inside, but he was educated and we moved on. I was told to document patients refusal, but not about calling the doctor. I would always call a doctor about a patient refusing medications. Thanks again for your input :)

Thank you all SO much for taking the time to reply and give advice/input. I think we all have established I need to learn from it and move on. I am not sure if I would have to start a new thread or if I can even ask this kind of question, but I would really like to know what my fellow nurses would do in this situation Okay, so I like to open my medications at the bedside. I like to open them one by one and tell them what it is. I was giving medications to one of my patients.(it was my first time taking care of this patient) The last medication I told him, he said verbatim "I didn't know I was taking that medication". I was shocked. I told him I'm not going to give him a medication he didn't feel comfortable taking. My preceptor told him the Prozac was for his stroke to help the healing process. I thought it was great she educated him, and I learned from that. BUT, I told her I was upset he didn't know what medications he was getting. It wasn't an attack on her. She said he has a brain injury so he probably didn't remember. Well, now that I typed that out it doesn't sound so bad. What would you all have done in that situation?

You're definitely not overbearing. At first, you put me in my place and I thought about it. It was constructive cristism that helped. My posts are all over the place, so I appreciate the feedback. It is a lot to process, but looking back my response to what happened was not therapeutic.

I remember in nursing school we had an instructor everyone was terrified of. She was fierce, but so knowledgeable. Myself and a couple of other students butted heads with her because we were so frustrated. We kept our composure. As I was assessing a patient I heard abnormal lung sounds. The patient had Stridor and she was so greatful I came and got her vs. thinking I was a know it all-and just overlooked it. She doesn't hand out recommendation letters easily, but she saw something in me to write me one. The nurse you're describing sounds like a preceptor that allows someone to learn. I can't just watch someone do a procedure and then do it perfectly next. I want a trainer that will accept questions and not get irritated. I often wonder if preceptors get paid more or if they do it out of the kindness of their hearts. It doesn't matter either way, but if my preceptor got paid extra at least it would help her family. I would watch YouTube videos or read my books so I didn't have to ask to many questions to my trainer. I have asked many nurses how they felt with their first year and you described it. I cried on my way home from work because I felt like I failed-in life again. I was expected to be able to run a unit within a two week period. I couldn't do it. It was a learning expierience and I have to try somewhere else. You sound like an excellent nurse by the way.

Oh wow-discharging a patient without shoes on and cuts on their feet? I wouldn't think someone would do that, let alone because they want to them to discharge quickly. Being professional is probably something I need to work on when someone isn't to fond of me. If they don't like me, then that's fine-most people probably don't, but taking it to the level she did I learned from. The patients thanked me and so did their family members. So, that's all that really mattered. Thank you for your reply :)

I'm glad you made the reply as that is exactly what my Mom told me. She's an RN and told me to fight it. But, I'm the new girl in town. There are several instances where it was myself and my preceptor in a room, so how would I be able to prove what actually happened versus what she would say. Is a hospital going to believe me versus an employee who has been there? Maybe, but maybe not. You are exactly correct-I allowed her to dictate my life, but I wouldn't want to give up my nursing career. I'm an not saying this is all on her, as I don't take constructive cristism well. But at the same time, I couldn't deal with the all extra stress. I was contacted by my boss and I basically said it's better for the unit if I move on. In my years I have worked in other places, I have never encountered such nonsense. It comes down to-I came to work happy and excited. There are other places that won't tolerate what happened. I apologize if I seem like a lot of drama, but I didn't know where to start with everything that happened. If you don't mind me asking,why wouldn't you want to comment again? Your replies have been very helpful.

Well, I am not exactly sure what to say to that as I would have absolutly no reason to make any of that up. I began to think it will just me that felt this, but the moment I had three other employees tell me to ignore this girl-it wasn't just me.

I think I should ask a question and it will clarify whether or not I am seeing things differently. I see the good in people, however are their nurses that are manipulative, backstabbing, selfish people who don't care about their patients? Maybe I am just oblivious to it all.

Oh I see. Thanks so much.

Hi all, When I comment back I try to reply to each poster. It looks like it's replying to the entire thread, so it's probably not making much sense. Sorry about that.

We wouldn't work on the same shift. Since it's an 8 patient bed unit, it's one nurse and one nursing aide. She's not my boss and I probably would never see her again at work. I'm sure most nurses could handle the unit, but not for me. I resigned, I could fight it and prove my case, but eventually someone will stick up to her. Life is way to short for this. If she's able to be on her phone while in the med room(which is not allowed), and get away with it-that's not a place for me. Thank you for your advice :)

They were sitting at the nurses station doing not a damn thing. This is my first nursing job. Am I overthinking it or is it possible people don't care and and don't want to do their job? They were closer to the patient than I was.

It is so much that happened I was more worried about patient safety. The last shift I worked my preceptor and her friend did threaten me, but that has nothing to do with what was important to me. I wanted to learn and do my job. I needed feedback about my skills, her last threat was about her attitude towards me. That's her problem. I could type and type everything, but I honestly don't think anyone would want to read all of the drama. I'm sure she's very knowledgeable and that's great, but I was making the point I had no idea how to deal with the childish actions. At then end of the day, I resigned and within a two and half week period I met my goal. No patients fell and no med errors. They remained safe. Did I make mistakes? I sure did and I need to work on them. Who knows, maybe nursing isn't for me. I resigned, but the patients and the other employees that stuck up for me I will always remember.

Well, I'm sorry you feel like I'm a "twenty something" who couldn't handle it. Could I handle someone constantly making up nonsense? You're right. I couldn't and my attitude sucked. I'm an adult and when I'm being physically threatened while I'm at work is not something I knew how to deal with. I wasn't going to run to my boss. On the street? Yes, myself and that person would have some words. When another employee comes to me and tells me there is one nurse and one aide acting like children threatening me-is when I called the supervisor and told her I can't take care of patients in an environment like this. It's a safety issue and something needs to be done. I'm always looking for advice. In that situation, I would like to hear what you would have done about it. I always check my meds. Insulin was scary for me, but yes now I'm a little more confident about it. But I always double check.