shouldnt precepting be teaching , not working?

[Venetian]

I am in my 9th week of being a new grad working in the ICU. I was being taught for the first 2 weeks but then they put me out there working and helping me if I have a questions, now Im not being taught at all and my preceptor is telling me Im not catching on fast enough.

Shouldnt my 12 week oriantation be me working next to her learning?

There is none of this, its me working and then she reviews my work and critisizes me that Im missing things.

Im very discouraged.

P.S. my ICU oriantation is only 3 months while most ICU oriantation 6 months, doesnt this sound fishy to you?

[pagandeva2000, LPN]

And, I want to say that jjjoy made some excellent points. School can mislead you and make you believe that you will get all of the support that you need. The real world shows differently, but it doesn't make it easier for the newbie. Because I have worked in nursing in other aspects for many, many years, this is not new to me. But for those that may not have been exposed to the real deal in patient care are usually in for the shock of their lives. Many times, I have wondered, even with my years of experience; to myself "Where is the checks and balances? Where will I be protected, or can we all protect ourselves...from the supervisors, preceptors, doctors, etc..???".

What I did do was link to the ones that seemed to be willing to teach me, and basically memorized their routines and adapted as I saw fit. I advocated for myself when I felt that I wasn't safe. I am not making these comments as a put down to the OP...far from that! I just know that the real world for all is really cruel to newbies.

[ncoli123]

..but her orientation isn't even technically over! If they are going to hire new grads on an ICU they need to give a thorough orientation

[pagandeva2000, LPN]

..but her orientation isn't even technically over! If they are going to hire new grads on an ICU they need to give a thorough orientation

I am in agreement that a new grad hired anywhere is deserving of a thorough orientation. This is why I believe that the supervisor is at least trying to hear what the OP has to say and is trying to accomodate her. This doesn't happen in every facility. What is right is and fair is usually not done.

[lpnflorida]

I happen to agree, orientation of new people is much less than desirable. The biggest problem as I see it is. Not that people do not want to teach new nurses, or be good mentors to them. It is that not enough emphasis is placed on the fact that if one is placed in the role of preceptor then their assignment should not be a full load assignment. As teaching in an of itself is an assignment therefore trying to carry full load of patients plus teach mentor becomes overwhelming for both parties. The nurse intern programs I feel has helped tremendously as the program is much longer than it is for simply new hires on the units.

Sounds like this supervisor wants to help this new nurse. Hopefully a resolution can be found.

[canoehead, BSN, RN]

ICU is an huge issue for a new grad, and even some supportive preceptors wouldn't want a newbie starting there. The OP has gotten a very short orientation- I would expect more than 9 weeks in an ICU and I've got experience. Then the preceptor has let her go out on her own. OK, I suck as a preceptor, but I wouldn't leave a new grad alone with an ICU level patient. I'd be in the room, and I'd be watching for anything out of the ordinary that an orientee might miss.