rushing through an exam and shots...help!

[2Sugars]

Hi all...a little background. I graduated with my RN and passed the boards two months ago. I accepted a job as an office RN at peds practice and started a little over a month ago. This is my first nursing job and so far, I'm loving it. I've learned a lot and I'm continuing to learn every day.

My issue is the nurse I'm orienting with. She's been a nurse (LPN--not that that matters, just fyi) for about 20 years and we have different methods of doing things. She flies through an assessment. She's in and out of the room in under two minutes. I'm quick too--I don't have to retake vitals, I get a good history and I ask and answer any questions efficiently. I know I was slow(er) in the beginning, but I've gotten a LOT quicker. I'm in and out in three minutes usually.

The problem is, she tells me I'm slow. ALL. THE. TIME. I had a patient recently whose mom asked a lot of questions. I was done with vitals, history, giving out immunization info and she was asking me questions--I was NOT going to run out on her. Her questions were concise and related to the care of her child--not like, "what's the weather going to be like today"? When I came out of the room to chart, I was immediately met with, "You're too slow. You really care too much about your patients. Don't talk to them so much. Or at all".

I was floored. I've been that parent who was rushed out on and made to feel like a number when I was at the doctor with my child and I had questions. Obviously, if the questions had been long and drawn-out, I would have had to direct her to the physician and excuse myself. Point is, they weren't. She was a new mom, she had concerns. I wasn't going to run out on her. This nurse is also rushing when drawing up immunizations and administering them--to the point where she nearly injected the wrong child with four shots a few weeks ago--then kind of laughed it off. But I'M the one who needs to rush.

Anyway, I just need a way to look at this, handle it, and come out of it alive. And honestly, please don't eat me up. I've had enough of that at work. I just need encouragement. Thanks!!

One other thing: the physician isn't exactly beating down the door to kick me out of the room. In fact, he's usually two rooms behind me when I'm taking a history and doing vitals. He's completely relaxed and easy-going.

[CoolKidsRN]

I think you are smart and doing an excellent job. Rushing through things? What's the point? You are more likely to commit mistakes and that could potentially jeopardize your license. Keep up the good work :) I'm interviewing at a peds practice soon and I'm a new grad as well. Wish me luck!

[Spidey's mom, ADN, BSN, RN]

I agree with aish13. You are doing the right thing. Keep it up. Your #1 priority is patient advocate. And if he doc is consistently two doors behind you, you are fine.