Re-entry frustration

[lmhgn]

I am confused and frustrated. I left nursing 10 years ago, I have very little hospital nursing and 2 years ago decided to follow the pull towards nursing that plaqued me since I left. At the time I found older nurses to not be helpful and in some cases downright bullies to new graduates (except those who had family/friend ties-a small community setting). I was not alone in my experiences and several like myself left. Whenever I'd get pulled in the nursing direction I'd lay down and let the feelings pass until it got too strong and here I am batting my head against the wall again. My clinical experience as part of my re-entry has gotten off to a negative start with a preceptor who exploded on my second day. (she did not get sleep after a TD and was in to her 2nd TD) My first morning felt like I was parachuted in from a different planet but at the same time like I'd come home. I had decided to follow the clinical advisment of taking a couple of days and familiarize myself with unit routines and pace and the important things like Policy & Procedures, Fire Needs, Equip, Alarms and codes etc. Generally I followed her around. She had been given the goals of clinicals, expectations etc in an earlier and clearly had not read them. The unit was busy with her being in charge of 40 pts and sometimes 60 if needed for the unlocked unit as well.TCU. As I write this out I become aware that my frustration started before I even Hit the unit. I am now second guessing my decision to start this insanity all over again as it cost me in time, energy and money of all I have exceeded and I seem to be getting nothing in return except the thanks from my patients who valued my help, those I will charish and allow to carry me over rough times, in debt to my eyeballs, and a bad case of re-entry frustration. Can any one share with me their experience and lend me some encouragement and maybe some hope that I've done the right thing by coming back or warning to run 100mph in the opposite direction. I get a lot of mileage from a little hope. I do not want to be negative but so far my experience has only the positives of my patients.

[markjrn]

I can relate to what you're saying. I recently moved back to Canada, took a new position, and I feel like I'm in a foreign country. WHat really adds to that burden is that several of the nurses I work with are what DW calls "toxic" - they're negative, they don't want to teach, dislike new people, etc. Unfortunately, this seems prevalent in other units as well. I'm just sucking it up, nose to the grindstone, doing my work and being as helpful as possible.

In your situation, I think it's obvious that you need a good clinical experience, and this doesn't sound like such a good fit. If you're already unhappy, can you speak with whoever is in charge of placing you? Or speak with your preceptor about your feelings? You are trained and intelligent, plus put out, I'm guessing, some extra time and money to do this, so make it what it should be. Don't get eaten up by the negativity, instead stand up and make your needs heard!

Best of luck to you. Hang in there!

[fergus51]

Either learn to ignore it or seek another placement. My hospital experience in the US involves several run ins like you and Mark describe and our unit has a reputation for having those kinds of nurses. I generally am able to blow them off and focus on the many great coworkers I have (they are usually hidden among the difficult ones for a while).