Should I stay?

P_RN, ADN, RN · Sep 7, 2001

Well here is a reversal of what I usually say:

If it's not DONE don't WRITE it.

You must NEVER sign that you did something that another person did/failed to do.

I'm afraid that I agree you should have been counselled, but verbally not written. You have a right to place YOUR version of the events on record. I encourage you to do that.

I also feel that you should speak with the manager about what you experienced. Not in an angry way, not accusatory, just a simple explanation. Do NOT get into personalities. You don't have to LIKE someone to work with them. You just have to TRUST them. You have a right to not trust this not so good buddy.

And no, don't leave just yet.

Just my opinion :)

CEN35 · Sep 7, 2001

to P_RN she is right!!!

:)

**canoehead, BSN, RN** · Sep 7, 2001

Don't sign for something someone else did, ever.

I would also mention to the buddy that means you were assigned together it is really not OK for them to leave before all the assigned duties are completed. Especially since you as a new person are counting on their support and back up.

Also mention that you were written up for things you assumed they did- maybe they could explain, and of course they will be signing off their own treatments from now on, (to facilitate communication)

You are in a tough spot with an incompetent preceptor. So long as YOU are confident in your skills you should be able to get through, and then you will only be responsible for yourself. But try not to piss anyone off or you will be voted off the island.

fiestynurse · Sep 7, 2001

Let me get this straight: It's your first week in orientation, you are a new grad, working night shifts AND the day shift nurse takes it upon herself to write a letter to the manager regarding all the things you didn't do. I am appalled!! What kind of way is this to welcome and support a new nurse. Why is your "buddy" or preceptor not being held accountable. The manager should have sat you both down and discussed your orientation process. What are her expectations of you? What are her expectations of the "buddy." Things really need to be clarified right from the start.

I do also agree, that you shouldn't sign your name to anything that you haven't actually done.

There are many facilities out there that have great new grad programs. You should have a trained Preceptor, with written orientation guidelines and goals. Your first year out of school is hard and you need a supportive environment. I would seriously consider finding another place to work.

mustangsheba · Sep 7, 2001

It's not clear to me why you signed off things that you didn't do yourself. And if it's because your helper has a subordinate position that you are responsible for, you still need to eyeball everything you sign for. I didn't need to tell you that, did I? I would hang in a little longer, but don't stay if you're constantly having to fight a losing battle.

burger914 · Sep 8, 2001

I'm sorry...I should have clarified when I said "buddy", my buddy is my preceptor and she is an RN. I know, I know ...I should never have signed my name, my fault for that.

lisarn01 · Sep 8, 2001

NEVER sign for someone elses work!

ALWAYS cover your butt!

Stick up and fight for the respect you deserve!

As I was taught in school.......Nurses tend to eat their young!!!!

Don't let that happen to you!

Lisa

JillR · Sep 8, 2001

You buddy does not sound like much of a buddy and a crappy preceptor. I think a gentle don't forget to sign for the duties you did" at the end of the night will nip this in the bud. If she outright refuses, and the day shift asks about it, do not sign for her, just tell them that you reminded here but she must have still forgot. no matter howw much anyone tries to get you to sign for someone else.....don't do it. Call me paranoid, but it could be a set up.

Jill:(

grnvillechick · Sep 8, 2001

First of all...Take Heart....your first 6 months of Nursing will be full of valuable lessons and you just had one!!! I always say if you don't cry or wonder whether you made a mistake in the first 6 months of your career...you are a robot and not human :)

It is true...don't sign until AFTER the fact....As A preceptor myself, I would say she is a poor choice for the job...and at least you are not paired with her for 6 weeks !!! Your manager did the right thing though...she has to ensure SAFETY and COMPLIANCE...and she knows being new , there are pitfalls all around you...do not stay upset or beat yourself up over the write up...consider it a exercise...a nurse care plan for the nurse...it is a way to teach...not to condemn...

you are in a molding period right now...what you do and how you do it will determine the type of nurse you turn out to be....

Surround yourself with positive nurses..who know thier job and have good technique...avoid the negative energy at all costs..if someone says something horrible about nursing, or staffing,or pay or whatever...just think to yourself WHY you became a nurse...and know they felt the same way once upon a time..

The other thing I have a problem with is the nurse who did the write up....knowing you were new...it should have been slanted more against your preceptor and not you...which tells me she is not too swift either..she is willing to eat the young so to speak...she simply could have taken you aside..or addressed both of you..so she needs to learn how to be more nuturing I would say...see...it is not all you...

Do learn from this...DO take heed...and remember this site is always here to support you...never leave a postion for at least 6 months no matter how much you think you hate it...unless you feel your license is in jeopardy...the first 6 months are always the hardest...some of my most favorite jobs have been the very ones I was ready to bolt from after the first day!!!

good luck...we are glad to have you in our league!!!!!

Mijourney · Sep 8, 2001

Hi burger. I'm sorry this happened to you. But don't let your spirit be broken. This is just the beginning of your career, so just take this as one of the many learning-life experiences you'll get along the way.

I agree with the excellent advice and comments of the previous posters. As you're finding out, trust is not one of the main attributes that you can expect from people on a job. It's pretty much each person for him/herself.

I know I'll probably get "raked over the coals" for expressing my opinion about government facilities, but here goes. Even though politics is prevalent everywhere, I note in your post that you work in a facility run by the government. I've got friends and acquaintances that work or have worked in state or federal institutions and just listening to them makes me believe that working in one of these places is more political then say a religious or privately managed not for profit entity. I've also been given the impression that it's more difficult to get well-connected, mediocre workers then good workers fired in the government then say a for profit entity.

I hope that as you continue your career, that you will look at working in different settings so that you can compare the attitudes of the leadership and see the difference in the work climate and culture.

I would strongly encourage you to review your nurse practice act if you have not already and stay abreast of policies and procedures of where you work. As others have written, do not sign for anything not done, and if someone ask you to help them out, like say, give a med to one of their patient, check the orders first. There may not be anything you can do about your preceptor. As indicated on this board over and over, nurses frequently demonstrate protectionist attitudes towards one another. It's rather dumb to treat a new employee badly or unfairly when you consider the fact that they were probably complaining about the shortage of help before you arrived. Do what you can to find a nurse mentor outside of your employer for support. You don't deserve to be deceived, confused, or mistreated. You've worked hard to get where you're at. Best wishes.

Y2KRN · Sep 9, 2001

Hello Burger,

I am sorry to hear about this, but take it as a lesson learned. It is awful that your manager proceeded this way, doesn't sound very professional to have only one side of the story. If this buddy has quite a rep perhaps it was a way of making a sacraficial lamb for the other nurse, who wrote the letter. Trying to get at your buddy, but because you signed for doing flushes and feedings etc. she decided to be a jerk, maybe she was written up too who knows. In my opinion it was wrong for the nurse to even write the letter in the first place, she should have addressed this with you personally first. It is soo hard to be new and I know, I have not had the opportunity to stay in one place very long at all.

I am doing an ER orientation and although I love the ER, I find myself thinking, wow I want to run back to my old job because I fit in there. The nurses here are not as friendly, I see the codes come in and think I am never going to be able to function like the senior nurses do! IV starts and blood draws are new to me, and I have trouble getting blood. We were short last night I volunteered to go in thinking that I would be with my preceptor and I was on my own. I felt overwhelmed and scared. I am not going to give up just yet!! I hope that it will all click at some point, but the bottom line is that you should be treated fairly and talk to your supervisor, easier advice to give than to do I'll admit.

Try to hang in there a little longer but if you find this enviroment not conducive to you, then by all means find a new job there are many opportunities out there.

I wish you all the luck in the world, let us know how things progress, keep your chin up :) Don't let one experience define the rest of your orientation!! Remember your co-workers were new once too!! They had to learn from experience as well!! Even if they forget that. These are the things that make us new nurses angry and frustrated.

Denise