jrsRN07

I am aware that people are fired for other reasons than performance. My question is if this is something common in nursing. This is true that neither side probably told the whole truth. But the nurses who know all the juicy tidbits of gossip didn't have anything bad to say about her other than being too quiet. In my opinion, that is not a good reason to fire someone.

I worked with a nurse whom was new to my unit (Critical Care) and she was doing very well. When she had her midpoint evaluation, she stated that she was told that her preceptors said great things about her and that the only things she had to work on were time management and organization which is a given since she is new to the unit and specialty. A month later, I saw this same nurse clocking out early on a 12 hour shift. When I asked her what happen, she told me that management told her that she was not grasping basic concepts and they were terminating her position. Huhn? When I talked to her preceptors (nosey, I know. lol), they said she was great and eager to learn without many mistakes. *****!?! I also talked to other co-workers and they stated the same but she was a little too quiet. Does this sort of thing happen often? Please do enlighten me because this situation doesn't sound right to me.

You are certainly welcome. I guess you are right. Maybe I am being to hard on myself. Thanks so much for the encouragement and putting things in better perspective for me.

Thank you for your input. I have chosen to be private and come to work to do what I need to do. In my experience, it is best because I have had female nurses try to "play me out of position" and through me under the bus. I have had a problem with being too friendly because I like meeting new people and getting along and it has caused me pain and trouble on the job. So no! I do not get to know colleagues. lol. I come, say hello to everyone whether they speak back or not, take care of my 4 to 6 patients, give report and go home. I have a hard time remembering names even with higher ups. But on a positive note, it was best that I didn't know anyone because that is when the bullsh!t started. smh. Do I believe everyone is a troublemaker? Of course not. But I find it is best not to do trial and error in finding out who is and who isn't. Thanks again for your positive input.

I just started in the ICU about 3 months ago on orientation. In about 4 weeks I will be getting off of orientation. Before starting in the ICU, I had about 4 years experience in telemetry. But of course I knew this is definitely WAY different than telemetry and I will be a new grad again. My issues are that I am having a hard time understanding what is going on with the patients I get with my preceptors. And yes! I ask a million and one questions and let it be known if I don't know or don't remember something I learned and reviewed throughout my critical care classes. But I also noticed that in some ways my preceptors withhold information My evaluation shows that my preceptors find me pleasant to work with, eager to learn and I am doing a good job BUT I need to work on retention of information. I was honest and made it clear that all the information is running together for me and can't always remember. I also let it be known that I am having problems with time management and organization big time and I asked them to tell me ways to get it all organized. I didn't receive much help with that other than maybe doing a list and that "it will come with time". After the meeting, one the higher ups told me "You are way too uptight about this. You are doing fine." So when I finally got a typical ICU patient, I was even more lost. I asked a lot of questions as usual. My preceptor was passively-aggressive rude and condescending mixed with niceness and praise. He told me I did a good job even though I told him I did not realize I missed a lot of info in report from the nurse in the OR. So of course the oncoming nurse ripped me apart in report and I still stood my ground and did not allow her to intimidate me. Towards the end, she was nicer and gave me some advice. And my preceptor said I did a good job. Hunh? I am trying my hardest to see where I am doing a good job. With keeping the patient alive? documentation? giving medications safely? I am having a hard time with getting my report to be ICU perfect, keeping up with the documentation while handling all the orders and issues that arise with the one or two patients. I constantly feel overwhelmed and stressed. Many nights I don't even make it to my bed because I come in the door exhausted with sore feet and fall asleep in the fall. I am feeling like the ICU may not be for me even though everyone has such positive things to say about me. So seasoned, fellow ICU nurses, am I being to hard on myself? Is this the case of beginner's blues? Or am I just not cut-out for the ICU rigamarow? lol.

I go to work to take care of my patients, not make friends. However I am cordial and helpful to my colleagues. I don't consider being professional as being socially lacking.

Thank you for your positive input. This industry is extremely competitive and can be quite vicious. I have learned to keep my co-workers as simply that- co-worker! I have seen situations in which other nurses tried to find out as much info as they could about other nurses and used it against her. Crazy but true. I have also had my own experiences when I was too friendly and it bit me in the butt. Most of the posters stated I was being paranoid but I feel as though I am being cautious. We don't go to work to make friends but I do not have a problem with being cordial and helping out.

That's find if I came up. But why the need to come back to me to let me know that, in my opinion, she verified my story. Ok...AND?!?! What was the point? I just looked at her like she was crazy. Find better things to do with your time, please.

I just started a new position at another hospital. My preceptor introduced me to another nurse whom asked me what hospital I came from and I told her. She asked me if I knew a nurse and gave me her name but I wasn't sure who she was because 1) I am not good with names and 2) I DO NOT get very chummy with co-workers (I've learned the hard way about this). I told her that I might know her and asked her how she looked and she described her. I told her that the description sounded familiar. Now yesterday, this same nurse told me she talked to that nurse whom told her that I did work there. Really!?! So not only is she a nurse but she is also a private investigator. lol. What do you think about this? Has this ever happened to you?

Yup! The more I deal with people, the more I love cats and dogs. smdh.

Thank you for your positive, objective response. I have been an RN for almost 6 years now but in healthcare for 10 years. I have dealt with a lot of interesting people. lol. So, I know that the behavior for the most part does not have to do with me. Besides, she has shared some personal matters with me which let me know that she is having some difficulties. But I still needed to ask her just to make sure that I did not do anything to offend or rub her the wrong way. After all, whether I have a long orientation or not, I realize I still have to deal with her in the future and want to make sure that we can be as cordial with each other as possible. You are right that I must maximize my formal and informal learning. I have books including labs and critical care nursing since in the ED, there are a lot of patients whom are critical. It is funny that you spoke of redirecting and approach since after the first week we had our conference which was suppose to be us two some of co-workers were present to listen. lol. She told me after the second day that she wants to get me off orientation as soon as possible because the only way you are going to get better is by being on your own. So I was trying to hit the ground running with my learning so I won't be on orientation for 3-4 months since I am experienced in the basics of nursing and cardiac care. In addition, I explained to her my concerns about feeling like I am all over the place and having difficulty with managing and she agreed with me. I also told her that I feel I should go back to having 1 patient at a time versus 2. At first she agreed, but then she stated that I will have 2 patients next time around and that she will be more hands on. lol. smdh. I don't see how that is possible being that she has a total of 4 patients and the patients keep changing which causes her to fall behind. But the nonetheless, I will try the 2 patients and discuss anymore concerns if I am falling behind. You stated I should advocate for myself. In addition to what I am already doing, what else do you think will be effective in advocating for myself? Thanks for being my cheerleader.

Before I decided to work in the ED, I was informed a long time ago that the ED attracts nurses of certain personality types. lol. Now that I am there, I see what they are talking about. My preceptor switches up a lot, is quite abrasive, intermittently rude and obnoxious. I was thinking that it may be cultural (she is from Brooklyn, NYC and we are working in a hospital in Va). I understand that the ED is very chaotic so sometimes she does not give me all the info I need for my questions and/or matter which causes me to ask her for clarification and additional info. When I do ask, she will get snippy and even attitudal. I have mentioned to her on a few occasions about the fact that certain info I did not get from her and/or that I am restating what I am asking which has prompted her to say, "Oh I made that harder than what it was." I have also asked her if I was irritating her with my questions and she responded in the negative. At times she will say to me "It's not u! It is just one of those mornings." But the behavior starts in the evening. On another note she can be comical and approachable. smh. lol. I must be honest, I have made some mistakes with documentation and care (not life threatening) on my first week with my assigned 1-2 patients that changed 3 or 4 times that night which made me feel overwhelmed. And yes, she had a fit about it. But at times that night, she was incognito and the other nurses were very busy. So I had to do the best I could until she got back. I know it is most likely isnt personal. But I do feel like she may not want to precept anymore. I know it can be difficult to orientate someone whom has no ED experience. So, I plan to hustle in learning as much as I can so I can get off orientation ASAP. lol. Has anyone had this experience?

Hello fellow nurses. I have 6 years of nursing experience in telemetry. I just started working in the ED and I must admit I feel like a new grad again. My 4th day on the floor I had 2 patients and felt overwhelmed. I feel as though I need some extra help to help bring me up to par. So I have been reading different articles on ED nursing and some of my books from nursing school to revamp my knowledge. But I still feel that there are some things missing. Do any of you know of any good ER Nursing books I can get to help me? Thanks much.

I need to upgrade my stethoscope before I start working in the ED. I would like to know what do you believe is the best stethoscope for the ED. Thanks, fellow nurses!

So I have an interview for the CCU on Thursday. In the email I was told by the recruiter to be prepared to answer basic clinical questions? This sounds simple but I have been out of practice with interviews and not quite sure what to expect. Do any of you remember what you were asked? Can you give me any questions that I can start working on? Thanks!