michaeljames

Thanks You, everything you said made alot of sense. I'll do better.

Hello all, this is a great site, learned alot here. This is my first post, hope to get some feedback. I'm 55yrs. old, a male, and recently got accepted at local Community College into nursing school. It's an ADN program and I'll start in March 2012. I saw the writing on the wall with my business a couple years ago. Terrible economy here in Michigan. So I went to the College and spoke to an advisor. She was very encouraging, told me she thought I could do it, so I started taking pre-reqs. I have absloutely no experience in a hospital setting and haven't worked for anyone but myself since 1978. I decided to try volunteering at a very large hospital here in Metro Detroit. It was quite a process but finally started training as a pt. care volunteer recently. They do allow some hands-on pt. contact at this hospital. You are expected to take this job very seriously which I expected, and accepted. They ask for a 6 month commintment and at least 4 hours/week. So far, I can honestly say my 2 training sessions have been an absolute disaster. I've been late both times which, of course, is on me. Inexcuseable! So, needless to say, I'm on no one's happy list. Fully expected to get fired, didn't happen. You're expected to present to patients with a happy, smiling face, make some small talk if appropriate, etc. Now, I'm really not an a very extroverted, outgoing guy, but I'm trying. I've been reprimanded/criticized by my trainer for the smallest gaffes. One example: when I concentrate while writing, whatever, I sub-consciously stick out my tongue. While concentrating on making a bed I did this. My trainer told me if the pt. was present they may have thought I was sticking my tongue out at them! I feel as though I've been picked apart. That is only one example. Nothing I do/say is APPROPRIATE. I am discouraged but I'm not a quitter. I know some of this is about being late 2 out of 2 times. Really, I find some of this stuff downright funny, but it's also a bit much. What say y'all. Any comments would be appreciated.