3rd night and very discouraged

[imanurse4u]

I just got finished with my third night at my first job (new grad). I was hired on a busy med surg floor. I was the last of 8 new grads to get hired on this floor, so it was hard to finding me a preceptor...guess im just feeling down about nursing......I try to ask questions and my preceptor talks down to me like im stupid and tells me im too slow. im not even given a chance to look for things bc if I don't do it fast enough she snaps at me. I do really try...i wish I was faster and knew Everything but I don't...i didn't get an iv on the first try...so its you could only imagine what was said.... I left with my confidence low...hoping things get better.

[chevyv, BSN, RN]

Sounds like a poor preceptor. Back to the thread about nurses eating their young. I hate being a new nurse. I've had so many preceptors, whoevers on gets me! Sucks. Everyone does things differently. Good luck!

[juststartinout]

That sounds like a very poor preceptor. Stay encouraged, you made it through nursing school. Now it's time for a different type of learning. On top of that you found a job. It's going to be hard, awful, wonderful, and inspiring all at once. You'll experience absolute lows, and highest highs all within the same shift. So what if you didn't get an IV in the first try? I know your preceptor hasn't hit every IV in her life either. Take a deep breathe. It's only the 3rd night out of about 40 more years of working. You'll learn in time, and come into your own. Good luck, you can make it.

[Ace587RN, RN]

a poor preceptor. my first job was like that. I left after the first month

[imanurse4u]

I just wanted to say thanks everyone...at least I don't feel completely alone...i have to say the last shift wasn't any better (prob worse). From the admission that was thrown at me to do (never done one or seen one) alone....and then being snapped at bc it took an hour to complete....to constantly being talked about by none other (not going to let words bother me). I feel like she wants to overwhelm me...gets annoyed now if I ask a question. Tells me (literally) I need to do 20 things at once then gets mad when I haven't done EVERYTHING in a 5 minute span...im just overwhelmed now...dreading going back to be put thru 12 more hours of that. I like the floor and pts but the stress im under is very bad...idk...guess im an easy target...caring, soft spoken, and an optimist (not today tho, just feeling down)...i can tell she feeds off of that...but I just am not a mean person who draws that satisfaction

[GuatericanNurse]

Are you stuck with this ONE preceptor? Any chance you can get a different nurse to precept you? If I were you, I would definately talk to the other new grads and see if there is any chance you can work with someone else. Or even talk to your manager! This doesnt sound like a healthy environment for learning! You're a new grad for crying out loud! Of COURSE you dont know how to do an admission by yourself! Of COURSE you dont know where everything is located! Sheesh! This woman does not sound very supportive. I hope it gets better for you!

[Ross_rn]

I agree that you really need to talk to the charge nurse or unit manager. Being a new nurse is really tough and having a clinical coach that is making it tougher is a good way to burn out and demotivate new employees, which in the long run increases turnover and lowers morale for everybody. I have been a clinical coach/preceptor for many students and new employees and try really hard to be supportive, to help build on strengths and address weakness as tactfully as possible. It is the coach's job to help the new employee to succeed and that means supporting, not beating them down. Your preceptor is not doing that and the manager needs to know so that she does not continue to drag people down. Hang in there, it gets better, and when you are in the role of clinical coach/preceptor some day, remember how she made you feel and how unhelpful it is.