I am a newish nurse. I have been working on my unit since last summer and on my own since the fall. I pretty much get along with most of my co-workers. I love my unit and the teamwork atmosphere. It is a busy L and D unit.
I work nights. Nights are different than days because most of our admits are in active labor unlike the scheduled inductions for the day. We generally work as a team when someone comes in. One nurse starts the IV, one gets consents signed, one gets the medications for delivery and so on. This way if the patient delivers soon (and they generally do) we are ready to go.
There is one charge nurse in particular who I am having trouble with. Her method of teaching is letting you figure it out on your own. She doesn't jump in and help unless it is a true emergency with new nurses. The other night, I got an admission and I proceeded to do what is normally done. Another nurse stepped in to help me with the admission as well. I was told later by this charge nurse that I am to not accept help from anyone until I can quickly and accurately do the process by myself. I understand that I need to know all the steps in admitting a person (including the stuff our techs do). I was actually delayed in getting all the minute details done because she delivered a short time later and I had to stay late catching up on all my charting and inputting of orders.
I personally dont think its right to not accept help from other nurses. I truly believe in the team approach. The other charge nurses I work with understand that I am new but am trying to get my feet under me including time management. They dont coddle me but teach while they are helping me (or we are helping others).
This charge nurse is very condescending when speaking to me and feels the need to lecture me about how I am being taught wrong by other nurses. I dont say anything because I consider her my supervisor and I just put my head down and work. But it is getting to the point that I try to avoid working with her at all costs.
I just had an annual review and it was a glowing report from my other peers. The nurse manager is aware of my issues with this charge nurse and has offered to step in. I am hesitant because of fear of repercussions. I just want to tell her in a firm way to stop but still respecting the fact she is my supervisor. Help!
