Should I tell my friend or not?

[DutchgirlRN]

I work in medical imaging and I really like my job. After years on Med/Surg it's a wonderful change. I have a good friend who still works on Med/Surg and is really getting burned out.

We had a PRN position open in the dept and I suggested that she transfer to medical imaging. She has orientated 4 days. My manager talked to me today and told me that he's not sure that she will work out. He feels like she's not agressive enough, seems timid, doesn't jump into things like I and the other nurses do. He said he got the same story from the CT and MRI department heads.

He felt really bad. He had a hard time even starting the conversation with me. I told him that I was not hurt or offended in any way. If they didn't feel she would work out, I would have no problem with them not using her. (and I truly feel that way).

My decision is should I tell her? She is working for me two days next week and then for 2 weeks while I'm on vacation. My boss said he's willing to let her work those days and see how it goes but he expects to have to replace her.

My instinct is to not say anything. Let it work itself out. I feel like if I tell her she'll be offended that she's thought of as being slow, not quite with the program. She's fine on Med/Surg and it's a very hard floor to work. She's been there about 6 years so she's had time to get her routine down and radiology is a whole different critter.

I just don't know what to do? Say something? Or just let it go?

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

I'm not trying to argue -- it's very possible that this position is simply not a good fit for your friend.

However I'm just asking - is 2 days really sufficient orientation? Is it reasonable to expect someone to be aggressive enough to "jump on" things after 2 days?

I agree . . . ...like I said, some folks are slow starters. 2 - 4 days just doesn't seem like much.

steph

[DeLana_RN, BSN, RN]

Agree with others, 2 days orientation is not much at all unless your have previous experience (often, even the experienced get more). Maybe you're just an unusually fast starter and your boss now thinks your friend should be the same way. Maybe they're holding her to unreasonable standards.

If she asks for advice, I would give it (not mentioning the boss); otherwise, she will undoubtedly become more unsure of herself knowing that the boss is concerned.

As for her med/surg job, I'm sure she can find something else that will suit her better even if this position doesn't work out.

DeLana

[PrincessAnnie]

I wouldn't say anything...and he shouldn't of told you that. Kind of unprofessional if you ask me.

[DutchgirlRN, ASN, RN]

he shouldn't of told you that. Kind of unprofessional if you ask me.

No, I don't agree. He's very professional yet cares about us as people. He felt very bad about bringing it up with me because he knows she and I are friends and he didn't want me to feel bad if they ended up not using her.

2 days orientation is very reasonable for a seasoned nurse, which we both are. I only had 1/2 day orientation. He let her have 4 days sensing that she's a little slower than I.

I am not going to say anything to her. When she realizes she's not being called for PRN work then I may tell her a former PRN employee has come back, which is really what is going to happen.

[Altra, BSN, RN]

2 days orientation is very reasonable for a seasoned nurse, which we both are. I only had 1/2 day orientation. He let her have 4 days sensing that she's a little slower than I.

Wow. Radiology is an area I have interest in, that I thought I might pursue if I ever desire to leave the ER. But I wouldn't go with a 1/2 day orientation, nosiree.

[EmmaG, RN]

I'm not trying to argue -- it's very possible that this position is simply not a good fit for your friend.

However I'm just asking - is 2 days really sufficient orientation? Is it reasonable to expect someone to be aggressive enough to "jump on" things after 2 days?

Sheesh, I was thinking the same thing. My God... from med/surg to imaging???

I'd be tempted to ask that director if he'd like to come to a unit that is completely alien to what he is used to working, get 2 days of orientation--- to learn where things are, the protocols, etc.... and let's see how quickly he "jumps in".

Some of the best nurses I've ever worked with start slow... they were deliberate and took their time to learn. Hell, I'd rather have a careful nurse who is determined to learn how to do things the right way than one who simply "jumps in".

Good grief.

(not meaning this as a slam at you, dutch)

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

It's a shame that they aren't giving her a chance, or offering some counseling to make her better rather than judge her so quickly. But that's their job and you should let them do it as they see fit and it doesn't have much to do with you. Strange though that someone can handle med-surg but not medical imaging.

[DutchgirlRN, ASN, RN]

Strange though that someone can handle med-surg but not medical imaging.

That's exactly what I thought, I told my manager if you can handle med/surg you can handle anything.

[DutchgirlRN, ASN, RN]

Wow. Radiology is an area I have interest in, that I thought I might pursue if I ever desire to leave the ER. But I wouldn't go with a 1/2 day orientation, nosiree.

I guess I should elaborate a little more. I work full-time, my hours area split between two areas of Radiology. The area I'm talking about is CT outpatient imaging. My job consists of bringing patients back. Filling out a very brief questionaire regarding contrast allergies, starting the IV, DC'ing the IV, that's it. I work there about 15 hours a week.

The rest of my hours I work in the main hospital in CT special procedures which is much more challenging and requires pushing 50mg of Lopressor IV (yes 50 mg), Conscious Sedation, assisting the interventional radiologist with drainage, biopsies, trauma, etc...Yes that takes alot more orientation time.

I like my two areas because it gives me a nice mix of clinical and very easy time.

[sharann, BSN, RN]

Well does your friend have to give conscious sedation and Lopressor 50mg at a time like you do? If so, then coming form Med Surg where there is no backup and the patient can die before someone can get to the call light to answer it I can understand her fears.

I push drug doses that my med surg pals would faint upon hearing. Its a different environment. If she is slow in filling our forms, then there is something wrong.

[Monica RN,BSN]

I wouldn't say anything to her, but I think that I would show her how to step up the pace a bit or ask your boss if she can orient with you for a day or two; not to be responsible for her, but to give it a fair shot. Many people are intimidated in new surroundings and feel a bit better if a familiar face is around them. I would say to the boss that you do not take it personal once more to assure him, and offer to assist her for a day or so. It is not your responsibility at all. I do understand how you feel, though.

That is EXCELLENT advice. I also agree that she should NOT say anything, or even remotely suggest or hint that she knows anything about her below average performance. Also, I do believe that if dutchgirl says anything to her, her boss may feel as if she stepped on his toes and may make him have less faith in her (lack of trust)for saying something that is not in her place to say. I believe that what a manager tells you should be guarded as private and confidential.

Dutchgirl: stay out of the line of fire (always)

and WOW WOW WOW ... congrats on the VERY VERY soon arrival of your G-Baby.

eI am getting a G-Baby in January :)

[DutchgirlRN, ASN, RN]

Well does your friend have to give conscious sedation and Lopressor 50mg at a time like you do? If so, then coming form Med Surg where there is no backup and the patient can die before someone can get to the call light to answer it I can understand her fears.

I push drug doses that my med surg pals would faint upon hearing. Its a different environment. If she is slow in filling our forms, then there is something wrong.

If you read my post you will see that "no" she is not doing Lopressor or Conscious Sedation, that takes a much longer orientation and yes, med/surg nurses cringe at the meds we push in Medical Imaging. ER is supposed to push 15mg of Lopressor for us when a CTA is ordered. They are scared to death. I go to get a patient and they're like "I gave 5mg of Lopressor because their HR was 76 to begin with" I feel like saying thanks for nothing because that's what it is, nothing, a spit in the bucket then they have the patient scared to death of the Lopressor to boot.

Yes, she is slow at filling out our forms but I think that will come in time. She is working for me next Friday and two days the following week and then for 2 weeks at the end of the month. My manager says

he's willing to give her a try but for me not to feel bad if it doesn't work out from their end. She will not be going to CT special procedures for me in the main hospital, they already have someone else to cover me for that.