Da1uLuv_RN

I just received orders and will commission this week. I leave in Aug. I am trying to get mentally and physically prepared. lol

Anyone leaving in AUG?

Congratulations to all that have been picked up and thank you to those of you who are so encouraging. I have been picked up and will speak with the detailer tomorrow! I am excited and nervous at the same time. lol

Yes, what textlak said. We are considered professionally qualified by Navy standards, however, did not make board. Instead, we are placed as alternates. If the original pool of people they chose do not or cannot make the commitment, then move up into their slot. I was kind of bummed about it, however, things happen for a reason. It is better than being disqualified completely. Keep me posted!

Hello All. I applied back in Feb and just found out that I was an alternate. I have to wait at this point. I am trying to go in as med surg. Anyone else hear anything new on their package?

Just a little update... I failed orientation and I was transferred to a medical surgical floor. It was a "hard pill to swallow" however I feel it was for the best. I am still on orientation on the new unit however the environment (for obvious reasons and not so obvious) is so much more different and better.

Thank you for the insight Been There. Honestly, I don't know who to trust. We do have weekly progress reports now along with weekly meetings that started at week 9. Unfortunately, I don't believe I am competent enough to be on my own, even if I am able to pass orientation at 12 weeks (which I have been extended 2 weeks after this week, which is week 11). I feel I am too far behind and still need some basic knowledge. I believe taking a step back and going to a lesser acute floor will be best for all involved, especially the patients! As much as I want to fight it, I must be true with myself. Could I have been ready if I had proper training from week 1? Possibly. However, that opportunity is gone and I must face the facts as they present now. My confidence is a little shaky right now, however, I know I can be a great critical care nurse. However, this is just not my time to do so. I spoke with my manager about the situation and we are looking to transfer units.

The culture is very cliquish. I made the mistake of asking for a new preceptor. I didn't realize the mistake I made until it was too late. I am way behind the learning curve and my new preceptor is trying to work with me. The weekly meetings are not good. I am not able to catch up from the time I lost. I feel as tho, if I started with my second preceptor I would have been further along. However, this is a learning lesson and I will count my losses. I am currently looking for new employment. I'm also going to ask if they can transfer me to another unit. The last thing I want to do is burn any bridges. I still remain cordial and friendly to everyone. I know my days are numbered and I am just concerned. Thanks for you reply!

I've been at my job for several weeks and am worried that I am going to get fired. Orientation was not going well and the preceptor seemed burnt out and impatient. Several weeks passed by and I finally asked her if I should get a new preceptor to "help" her (she just finished NP school and was studying for her boards plus I'm her fourth orientee in a row with no break). There were other issues that were going on in her life and I felt I was a distraction when all she wanted to do was "come to work and just do her job." Those were her words. When I approached her she became highly offended and told me that she wanted to train me and to not take things personal. I could tell she was burnt out, however, I felt she was a good nurse that I could learn from. So I stayed with her but the problems persisted. I eventually asked for a new preceptor. I kept her abreast of everything and she even went to the manager to tell her how she couldn't train me. Naively, I thought everything was cool. I started with a new preceptor and she is great. I am progressing well, however, I am really behind the curve and may not be ready to be off orientation when the time comes. I go home and study. My new preceptor is getting to know me and is working with me. However, I noticed that my old preceptor and her clique would give me a hard time or flat out ignore me. If I have a question I get this look from them of annoyance or they are short with their response. Therefore I don't ask much if they are around and look up things as much as possible or talk with the doctors (if my preceptor is not immediately available). The doctors are extremely approachable and are more than willing to share their knowledge. I try not to let it affect me and keep pushing forward. However, there were several instances where I asked for help and it was reported to the manager that I am struggling with prioritization or time management. Some scenarios were embellished and I felt blindsided when sitting in front of the manager about these incidences. The nurses never spoke to me about any issues or seeing that I am in training, took the opportunity to teach me something. If this was coming from my preceptor than I would understand (which prioritization and time management are my issues). Now I have weekly meetings because they are concerned on how behind I am. I want to succeed, however, I feel really uncomfortable. I am scared to ask for help because I fear more negative things will be said. I already feel the chitter chatter behind my back and the looks as I walk by. I'm confused and don't know what to do. Time management and prioritization are extremely important and I am working on both diligently. However, I feel like I am being sabotaged. Why are other nurses, other than my preceptor, looking in on what I am doing? And if I am doing something concerning, why won't they stop me or talk to me about it? Why go directly to the manager? I feel like I can't trust anyone. The manager was a staff nurse that worked with a lot of the nurses on the floor, including my old preceptor and her clique. I don't know if I'm just being paranoid or taking things entirely too personal. I feel really uncomfortable when I come to work but really enjoy what I do. My current preceptor is good but I don't trust her neither and don't want to cause problems on the unit. Am I making sense? lol Maybe I just needed to vent. This is my 1st job and I'm clueless on how orientation works or the dynamics of the unit. I am learning now, however, a little too late I believe.

So did you leave?

That's a great idea Enigma. I'm going to check that out.

How awesome! I guess the market goes in waves. lol. I'm happy to hear that you are successful

Hey Hero. Did you have any luck finding a hospital gig?

I went with the day shift Mystic. Thank you again for your thoughtful response.

If you find any let me know. I'm in the same boat as you. What I have been doing is going on YouTube to learn the common drugs and machines used in ICU. It's a start. [emoji6]

That makes a lot of sense. I believe I know what to do now. I truly appreciate your input. I'm excited and nervous to be starting this new journey in my new nursing career. This site is awesome! Thank you so much.

Thank you Mystic for your response. It was very insightful. I did not take into account that resources will not be as readily available on nights as it would be on days. I assumed that working nights would be a slower pace (as slow as critical care can realistically be)where I would learn without being in the way, however, that does not seem like the case. When I say, learn with out being in the way, I mean not having too much of the hustle and bustle that the daytime brings allowing myself and my preceptor time to really hone in on some training. Is that an odd way of thinking in critical care? From what I gather, it is safer to train on days because of the fact I'm new and all that needs to be learned will be learned there. Once I get comfortable than switch to nights. How long did it take before you felt comfortable enough to join the dark side? lol

Hello AN! I am fortunate enough to have landed a job at a level 1 trauma center in the TMICU. Of course I am nervous about starting (as I would be in any unit) and am wondering if there is a difference between starting on nights or days. Would it be an easier transition being on nights vs days? Especially learning all the ins and outs of the units, equipment, patients, etc. Would it be best to start on nights as a new grad? Or would it be better to start on days? I will be orienting on days before switching to nights if I choose the night position. I'm just not sure if I will be missing out on learning opportunities.

No luck. A recruiter called me when I applied, however, I missed his call. When I called back, he did not remember why he called to begin with which was very frustrating. He gave me his email so I can email my resume to him. I did just that and followed up with him three days later. He was just as clueless as the last time I called. It was very frustrating.

It's frustrating how difficult it is. Everyone wants experience and no one is willing to allow you to gain the experience. I'm still in the hunt and am optimistic tho. It seems there are more opportunities in Norther NJ. Is that the area you are in?

This is discouraging. lol. I have no prior experience. I applied to several jobs but no call back. Let me know if they do call you.

Priya http://www.aacn.nche.edu/education-resources/NRPParticipants.pdf has a list of residency programs in NJ.

Great reads! Thanks

I took mine 5 weeks after graduation.

Thank you Bio. I will definitely start getting more creative. It is depressing tho. I'll keep at it.