Sigh... I am sure we have all had one of those days where everything goes wrong. I am currently working as an ESN (Employed Student Nurse) in a local hospital on a surgical unit. I love it... most of the time.
I AM SORRY...
I am sorry that I am still a student, and I need you to co-sign for my narcs
I am sorry that I need your help when starting a heparin drip... i have never done it before
I am sorry that I have had so many first times on the unit, and that you wish i just knew it all so i could leave you alone
I am sorry that I ask so many questions throughout the day, I am still learning
I am sorry that I do not feel comfortable taking out staples when clearly there is no order for their removal
I am sorry that I need you to refill the running epidural bag since I am not allowed to handle them as a student
I am sorry that I do not have all of your patient's bed's changed and made, as well as toileted while you are on break, I went from 2 patients as a student to 8 as an ESN (I AM DROWNING)... i wish you would attempt to try and understand, or think back.
I am sorry that I cannot override the pyxis for a neb...
I am sorry that I need to pee more than once every 8 hours
I am sorry that I need a second person to help boost up a heavy patient
I am sorry that I charted my stuff before you got around to doing your charting, ending with your charting having a bunch of "late entries"
I am sorry that I needed you when my patient's BP shot up, became extremely sweaty and was complaining about severe chest pains
I am sorry that I am "annoying" and a "good for nothing student" as you tell your co-workers under your breath
I am sorry that I stayed in the room with my patient as she discovered her unexpected colostomy, as you left and told me she will get over it
I am sorry that you are so over worked... i wish i could make it better for you, I try my best to hold my own workload
Most of all...
I am sorry that you dont think I have what it takes, or that i did something to make you dislike me... or that you think I am a good for nothing student,... apparently you are wrong, because I was offered a job today on that unit as soon as I finish school :)
congratulations on landing the job!! From reading all your "I'm sorries", sounds like you're doing a great job!! Hopefully, you won't get the same RN as your preceptor . . . if you do, request someone else . . . just tell the nurse manager that you'd like to experience other nursing styles.
Do not say you are sorry for those things you mentioned above.. If you have to then so do I... I guess I am a "no good RN" too.. I have asked those same questions as many of us have. Point being we all go through this as we learn the ropes of pt care and being/becoming a nurse.. You are doing the right thing and never stop asking questions when you are unsure or need help.. That one thing can and does save your pts lives :)
Sarah, how can you be offered a job if you haven't finished school? Seems like a false promise. Sorry, just curious.
Many of my classmates landed jobs before finishing school.. The job was held for them pending graduation and passing boards. Many hospitals also paid for their education.. Just saying, it does happen..
Wow. Shades of my preceptor-lol. Not really funny but sooo sad. You keep on caring for the patient and stay in the room. Dont every become that cold hard nurse who is precepting you.
She sounds like the worse that the nursing profession has to offer and for that I am sorry-sorry for you and sorry for the patients.
Why are nurses like this allowed to keep their jobs?
I have a student with me now-it has been several years but I have never one time forgotten what it is like to be new, and unsure, and scared, and stressed, and overwhelmed. I must admit though I am still insecure sometimes in my job and still get stressed I do take pride in the fact that I am always nice, and always empathetic, and always caring of the students under me.
And I always make sure my student gets lunch and breaks. My preceptor would NEVER let me take a break. I lost 10 pounds under her "guidance" and I started at 120 pds.
Hang in there girl, it doesn't feel like it, but it will get easier (and hopefully better as well). It's hard being new and inexperienced when lives are on the line as opposed to cheeseburgers on the grill and fries in the fryer. You're heart and mind are in the right place, your body is unfortunately attached to a bad preceptor.
It WILL come together and I hope you get a better preceptor next time. Nobody deserves to be treated shabbily. One day you will be the preceptor and you'll remember what it felt like and your compassion and experience we make it easier for another new baby nurse to get her sealegs a lot faster and easier.
Nursing does NOT have to be this way... We experienced nurses need to stop accepting this bowel movement!!!! I always make sure my students get break and lunch even if I don't. And I'm cognizant of what time they leave so I can make sure they get the allotted breaks and the first thing I do is a little tour showing them the BR.. Stop accepting that nursing is this way.. It needs to change!! From the bedside to graduate schools it needs to stop!!! Congratulations to you for perservering I wish I were your preceptor!!
Specializes in Med Surge, Tele, Oncology, Wound Care.
I wish I worked with you! I would treat you better for sure :) Good luck. I know this experience will serve you well in the future, just remember that!
Sarah I am glad you got offered that job I think what might be a good read an article on here called nurses eat their young, I am a failry new nurse bout 6 months now and it is already getting better and just know you are not :aln: and we are here to talk to also
skimpstah
90 Posts
You go girl..congrats
:dancgrp: