I am excited to announce that I am beginning a new job almost 1 year exactly after a terrible experience at my first "new grad" nurse job in a city hospital on a med-surg unit. I dealt with many putdowns and even had a nurse get in my face and ask me "If I ever went to nursing school!: Nurses talked about me behind my back, if I asked for help they would tell me flat out NO to my face. I dealt with numerous eye rolls from season nurses who were suppose to mentor me. When I asked a question, they would all stare at me as if I had 2 heads. After 4 weeks of my 16 week "trial" period...they let me go, telling me that I had refused to do certain skills, which was completely UNTRUE. I had told my preceptor that if I wasnt sure how to do something I would like to watch first and then do it...so I could be refreshed and also not harm a patient. They told me that I was "not a good nurse there" and it would be better if I found someplace else to go be a nurse. I remember leaving that morning after being stripped of my badge in front of other nurses, in tears. I use to go to work in tears, I even had chest pain from anxiety. I would leave in tears....that is how my first job as a new grad resulted.
2 weeks ago....I applied at our county Health Department for a job and a miraculously was called back for an interview. This was for their Women's Services Public Health nurse I position. I found out Wednesday that I GOT THE JOB! I am so excited and relieved, but also very anxious. I do not want a repeat of what happened the first time, and it keeps replaying in my mind. I am terrified of looking like an idiot again. Is there anything I can do to help relieve my nerves and anxiousness? I am SO grateful for this opportunity as I loved Public Health clinical rotation in school I just feel nerves starting to creep up on me.
Any advice? I want to be the best nurse possible and hopefully try to put the past behind me.
I agree with the others. This is a whole new experience. Learn what you can and make the most of it. Just keep smiling and be eager to help. You'll do great.
I think this is another reason new grads are having a tough time finding jobs. It isn't your fault that some people don't remember what it was like to be a new grad. So they force you out. Then complain that it's your fault but it's not. Unfortunately once your gone you can't defend yourself and all that they talk about is that the new grads can't cut it. They don't admit it was their failure to be good co-workers. After a few have come and gone they decide not to hire new grads.
One of my theories is that new grads make them look bad...we aren't lax in our skills nor have we developed bad habits. We do our best to give the best care we can to our patients and help others when we can. Not all nurses can say that. Sure we all have a bad day, so I certainly wouldn't judge someone because they had an off day but I've seen more than a few that are seriously burned out and so resentful that they treat everyone, patients and coworkers alike...very poorly.
Disclaimer: I don't mean all nurses are like this but we've all run across more than one whether it be in clinical or in a new job. It would be great if we could all work together for the good of our patient and our facility.
Nurses talked about me behind my back, if I asked for help they would tell me flat out NO to my face. I dealt with numerous eye rolls from season nurses who were suppose to mentor me. When I asked a question, they would all stare at me as if I had 2 heads. After 4 weeks of my 16 week "trial" period...they let me go, telling me that I had refused to do certain skills, which was completely UNTRUE. I had told my preceptor that if I wasnt sure how to do something I would like to watch first and then do it...so I could be refreshed and also not harm a patient. They told me that I was "not a good nurse there" and it would be better if I found someplace else to go be a nurse. I remember leaving that morning after being stripped of my badge in front of other nurses, in tears. I use to go to work in tears, I even had chest pain from anxiety. I would leave in tears....that is how my first job as a new grad resulted.
I am so excited and relieved, but also very anxious. I do not want a repeat of what happened the first time, and it keeps replaying in my mind. I am terrified of looking like an idiot again. Is there anything I can do to help relieve my nerves and anxiousness? I am SO grateful for this opportunity as I loved Public Health clinical rotation in school
Lifeofanurse
198 Posts
I agree with the others. This is a whole new experience. Learn what you can and make the most of it. Just keep smiling and be eager to help. You'll do great.
I think this is another reason new grads are having a tough time finding jobs. It isn't your fault that some people don't remember what it was like to be a new grad. So they force you out. Then complain that it's your fault but it's not. Unfortunately once your gone you can't defend yourself and all that they talk about is that the new grads can't cut it. They don't admit it was their failure to be good co-workers. After a few have come and gone they decide not to hire new grads.
One of my theories is that new grads make them look bad...we aren't lax in our skills nor have we developed bad habits. We do our best to give the best care we can to our patients and help others when we can. Not all nurses can say that. Sure we all have a bad day, so I certainly wouldn't judge someone because they had an off day but I've seen more than a few that are seriously burned out and so resentful that they treat everyone, patients and coworkers alike...very poorly.
Disclaimer: I don't mean all nurses are like this but we've all run across more than one whether it be in clinical or in a new job. It would be great if we could all work together for the good of our patient and our facility.