GGCC

I brought it up, not the preceptor or NM. So far, so good. I have several written weekly evals from the new preceptor that are all positive. It's hard to constantly watch everything I do and say, though. I'm trying to do the best job possible, and I just forget to be concerned about how I'm being perceived... I sometimes think out loud, and say things that I know come out differently than how I really meant them... I wish I had alternatives just in case, but there has been no interest in the other apps I put out. A few more weeks...

OK, so you had this pt yesterday, but didn't get them assigned to you today. Is it a violation to go by and see them just to say, hi, good luck, or whatever?

Had a "progress" meeting with the NM and new preceptor which was very open and honest and went well. I was totally assured that if I was headed for failure at the end of orientation, I would see it coming a mile off. So that made feel better, because I was afraid I would end up suddenly out of a job d/t "bad fit". (would give more details, but want to remain anon)

It seems like it is so hard for schools to find/keep clinical instructors that complaining about one will fall on completely deaf ears. The thing is that when this is over, you will feel like you can endure anything - it will make you stronger. Also, clinical instructors know and talk to each other - you don't want to get a reputation as a complainer. Put on your annonymous eval at the end of the term to get it off your chest.

I am really new, but I have to say that I have not been abused by pts or families HALF as much as I have been by other nurses. I have had several cases of my NA being abused by families, but then I go in and ask what the problem is and it seems to totally diffuse. So I wonder if the NA presents herself as abusable and I do not.

Unless I'm completely misreading the situation, it seems to continue to improve. The new preceptor has been very encouraging and has given more useful feedback. I've also applied other places, but had no "bites". I don't want to leave without another job - afraid of financial suicide.

I also have constant migraine. It just depends on how well you can control it and with what meds. Mine never goes away but abates with meds. The thing is, I can't take anything mind-altering at all, because you need all your "wits" to study and work. As someone above said, you have to be willing to work through the pain. Personally, I would rather do what I want to do than let the migraine win.

As I said earlier, all the pumps I have used must be programmed in mL/hr. I came up with the same answer of 3 mL/hr - just wasn't confident enough that it was right until someone else posted it. As an aside, I had these kinds of questions on my NCLEX exam - where I had to convert mcg to mg, etc.

All the infusion pumps I've used must be set in ml/hr.

My understanding is that this is a good way to do it as long as you're not dealing with a renal patient or any patient who is fluid restricted. The medline usually runs at 5 or 10 ml/hr. The big advantage is that you can prime your tubing with NS and you don't risk losing any antibiotic into the trash or floor (or where ever you aim the end) trying to get all your air bubbles out. Does that make sense?

"Fitting in" definitely seems to be as valued as skills. That's been a big problem for me because the job is so hard that I don't have time to try to fit in - and don't really want to. That may appear to others as "attitude".

Just an update: The manager came to me and offerred a new preceptor, with no explanation. Things are going much better now.

I went to a university that offerred this degree - as a direct entry RN. These students were in the same classes as the BSN students, but they were held to higher minimum passing grades and had to do additional papers and presentations. They got exactly the same lectures from exactly the same faculty. BUT they paid A LOT more for it. The CNL's I graduated with are working at the same type of job I am - RN. (Also the same as people who got ADN's from a community college.) Same pay for all of us. They may have more options open to them in their futures, but as entry level, BSN, ADN, CNL, all equal to RN. If you look at hospital job postings on their websites, the jobs for clinical leaders ALWAYS require clinical experience. Seldom is the master's degree required, it's just preferred. As an aside, my school no longer allows people who already have a bachelor's in another field to enter the BSN program. They are forced into the CNL program. I can't believe this is anything other than a money grab.

I would like to explain more, but want to remain anonymous. I'm dreading going back in feeling like the job itself is so hard - always learning something new (and often a different way, because I'll have a different preceptor) - to also have to constantly watch my back (for what, I don't really know) - it just makes me feel sick. If I go to the manager, I'm afraid I will say too much. I don't think it's a good idea to tell her about all the negativity and trash talk I hear because she basically thinks she has a cohesive unit. I don't think she'll be open to it. I don't think she'll like hearing any criticism of my main preceptor, either. (Which would be that I need a more positive attitude from her, with suggestions, not just criticisms). I'm looking elsewhere in the meantime, but all the posted jobs seem to want 1-2 years experience. I'm think that in the spring there may be more internships open. Very grateful for all the input...

But what should I say in a cover letter or application?