TIGERT

I am so sorry to hear that you are struggling with orientation schedules........every place is different. But here is my advice, for what it's worth: When i started nursing 7 years ago, we were given "whatever" we neded to feel safe and ready to go on our own, 12 weeks to start then reasses to see if we were ready or not. Some new nurses took 18 weeks. Others were ready at 12. but either way if you were honest about your feelings, you could sculpt and individualize your own orientation. Today, even acute care nurses are given 6 weeks and then they are expected to work on their own, with maybe a mentor in the same hall for quaestions. In correctional nursing, i have no idea what goes, i oriented until i felt i was ready and even then, that was ready, not a pro at it, knowing i could call anyone for help and the on call administrator 24/7. I think I oriented 6-8 shifts, as an experienced nurse a year ago. SO, Take advantage of being a new nurse and stick up for yourself. It is a rare gift that you get to say "I am new and unsure of how to do this, can you help me?" Anyone who doesn't help you is worthless. My friends/coworkers always joke about holw long you are a new nurse. We figure for the first 5 years you can say you are a "new nurse". I am sure that isn't the norm. Nursing is everchanging. You have a lot to take in right now. Do your 6 shifts, see how you feel. At that point, make a list of what you feel you need more experience with and what you feel good about doing on your own. Always show the good and bad: What you know and what you need to learn. Make goals, set time limits. The director of nursing will appreciate that. Let her know that you need a couple more shifts at the end and then re-evaluate after those shifts. Keep your list and goals handy so you can make notes and changes as you go. Be honest about your feelings and need for more time at the end of orientation or nearing the end, leave it alone now. AND being a great charge nurse isn't knowing all the answers, IT'S KNOWING WHERE TO FIND THEM. You can cross that bridge when you get to it. But embrace the opportunity to have a REAL reason for asking questions and not knowing. It is a gift. I used to work with a lady that had a been a nurse for 25 years but would ask me, as a new nurse, questions about what meds to hold or should she call the doctor for a BP of 74/20. It was so annoying, I wanted to scream "I don't know, you tell me." Have fun! You will learn so much.......AND read the book "Games criminals play and what you can benefit from knowing them" or something like that, do a search for "Games Criminals play", you medical dept should have several copies. If not, I borrowed mine from the local library. Have fun and take care of you first.

Actually, it really is not the managers job to be referee these type of problems. It is always best to try to solve the problem on your own first, only those that cannot be resolved should go to the manager. Now if you needed help figuring out how to go about this, she should be a great resource. The manager should have been a facilitator in the meeting and not the almighty. Bummer this turned out this way. If i were in your situation, i would do the research, like you have, ask the other party to meet with me, at a neutral, private place within your workplace (not the local Starbucks). I would first apologize for such unprofessional behavior, hoping she does the same. Then explain the research and how you would like to change the way things are done. I try to use the "I think, I feel, I want" method to communicating, it takes the "You did this" and "You should" out of it. You could even recommend she do the same if she struggles. SHE SHOULD, thank you for coming to her personally and apologize as well. Hopefully you can make a pact to start over and work on the relationship. If this doesn't happen, you will know that your manager spoiled what could have had a positive outcome. I am sorry to hear about this.