Ready to be freaked out!

Town & Country · Nov 10, 2003

I was called into the Unit Managers office and told that this nurse felt uncomfortable with me because I put her on the spot too many times with all these questions.

I'm not clear on what was going on ~ why were you asking HER questions?

Or was SHE doing the asking? There's nothing WRONG with an orientee, regardless or their age/experience, asking questions ~ if you don't know something, ASK. That's why God gave people mouths.

But, if I was an orientee and my preceptor started inundating me with questions, like they were giving me a "pop quiz," I wouldn't feel comfortable, either.[

Like I said....I can't tell from your post exactly what went on, but it doesn't sound like a supportive situation.

RNonsense · Nov 10, 2003

:uhoh21: :uhoh21: :uhoh21:

Erin RN · Nov 12, 2003

Wow ..I can almost hear you chewing her up and spitting her out :eek:

SnowymtnRN · Nov 12, 2003

I'm not clear with what happened. Why did you feel the need to grill a CCRN? What was the purpose? Not being sarcastic, i'm genuinely curious as to your inten! :)

New2CVICU · Nov 12, 2003

I started the day by asking the nurse what her comfort level was with different aspects of recovery. I asked her if she would be open to suggetion and taking direction in those areas. She said she would be. I used gentle reminders and was met with resistence. I later found out three things. One: the Unit Manager told me that hemodynamics weren't the main focus at this point in orientation. Two: her primary preceptor has been doing a large part of her work for her out of impatience thereby taking away her learning experiences. Three: this nurse felt resentful towards me because I knew more about something than she did.

itsme · Nov 12, 2003

Not to insult you or anyone, but how do you know she felt resentful because you knew more? Did she come right out and say that?? I think maybe she could have been feeling overwhelmed. Perhaps there is a slight ego problem here- the "I know more therefore I am better" ego thing?? Let the flames begin, its just my 2 cents worth.

New2CVICU · Nov 12, 2003

Actually, yes we all had a nice sit down and that's when those three points came out that I mentioned. How else would I know?

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Nov 12, 2003

Originally posted by New2CVICU
Three: this nurse felt resentful towards me because I knew more about something than she did.

I'd probably be pretty resentful too if i were put on the spot and grilled like a hot dog.

New2CVICU · Nov 12, 2003

I guess it's all in perception.

Although I am suprised to see that these responses have been less than supportive I am suprised to see how harsh some of them have been. You all have an opinion on how or how not the situation should have been handled. I totally respect that. Should I be resentful that you are not telling me what I want to hear? No. You all are giving me your perspectives which I am open to. For me to be resentful shows that I am not open to suggestion or that I think I know more than you. That's where the real ego lies.

Erin RN · Nov 12, 2003

I just don't think that everyone is cut out to precept..I am not a good preceptor since I am impatient..I thank god for those that are effective teachers otherwise I would not be where I am now. I precepted a couple of times and I hated it..not becasue I knew more than the orientee, which of course I did since I had been working there but becasue I would just as soon do it all myself...makes for a frustrating night for both of us.

I think it is incredibly difficult to precept in nursing esp if the orientee does have past experience..rather than "test" the orientee maybe approaching it from a discussion standpoint would be better..." I don't know what your policy was in the last place you work but here we blah blah blah..." Then if the person is unsure of something it is actually taught but not in a way that makes the orientee feel inadequate...the thing is you are her peer not her boss so you have to tread rather gently when directing questions at her. If she does have her CCRN then she is no dummy...however, people do not learn well under diuress and if you were intimidating or making her feel inadequate I will bet most of the thoughts in her head were centered around how she was feeling and she probably learned very little from you.

Again, I am not trashing you here..not all of us are meant to be teachers (Me included)..I can do a quick training on IV technique or lavage but give me an orientee for an entire shift and we would both be running for the door...Erin

New2CVICU · Nov 12, 2003

Why do you all insist that she was learning under duress or that she was being lambasted with questions? Part of the problem was that she felt I was taking too long with our discussions on ways to treat the patient. Thereby taking her away from patient care. See the original post. I suspect her primary preceptor just took over the patient because she was hitting a brick wall too. How else could you explain not knowing how to shoot outputs halfway through orientation?