stories or words of encouragement for 3 month @ the job

caliotter3 · Jan 20, 2011

A lot of your problems would get better over time if you would work on getting enough sleep, good food, and relaxation when you are off duty.

llltapp · Jan 20, 2011

when you are in high anxiety, you don't retain information. While being nervous is normal, take some deep breaths and TRY to relax. They are not going to let you kill someone :) as long as you keep asking questions and being a pain in their orifice. As for the nurse that was huffing and puffing, stop giving report, smile at her, and ask her how she would prefer that she receive report....... as if huffing and puffing are going to make matters better lol

Keep on showing up, things WILL get better. And eat, sleep, and do SOMETHING to take your mind off work when you are off. Know that we have all been there. You are not alone.

NocturneNrse · Jan 20, 2011

Oh hon.. I have to first offer you support and a hug :hug:

I can totally relate.. well two yrs ago I could, but I remember it VERY clearly.

(Hey, I thought we were supposed to suppress traumatic events.. )

You HAVE to nip this in the bud! Whether you choose to confront this nurse (in private would show the most professionalism and strength on your part), or go straight to your manager or someone who has been "assigned" to new orientees.. you have to address it.

I know it's VERY intimidating. You're new!! You're getting the feel for things. It's very disheartening that this kind of behavior is permitted in a field where caring is supposed to be at the forefront... we NEED to work as a team, but some people just aren't capable of that, or don't want to be.

Okay.. I agree with llltap, that you need to take care of yourself, allow yourself to question things, once, twice, THREE times.. treat yourself good too, it is very stressful being new, and having to deal with this.

Not to make you paranoid or anything.. but, may I add, that you should document EVERYTHING that occurs w/this nurse. I failed to do so in the past, and it hurt my chances to save my butt.

Hang in there!! I'm sorry you have to go through this.. it's horrible!

WildcatFanRN, BSN, RN · Jan 20, 2011

If I were I preceptor, I'd rather have someone keep asking things instead of not asking. The way I learn is I have to keep asking multiple times before I get it. Is it a pain in the orifice for the preceptor, probably. Does it make me look like an idiot, probably. But some things I don't get on the second explanation, especially something I've never done before. So guess what, I'm going to ask you AGAIN. Once I get it, I get it just sometimes it takes me longer than what some would consider normal.

Breathe, try to relax, and keep asking your questions. Things will get better once your more comfortable with yourself and your skills. And I agree with previous posters, nip this in bud now. No way should you be disrespected while giving report. You could always ask her if she would like you to give a VERY detailed report that would take forever, and I mean DETAILED as in every teeny, tiny, little thing that happened to your patients :devil:

izziebi · Jan 20, 2011

Nurses eat their young. However, not in all places.

When you are being attacked you can't work. It's not you, it's them. You need support and encouragement. No one learns through negative reinforcement.

This is a toxic environment for you.

Get out of there as soon as you find another place to work.

Being a nurse can be very rewarding and wonderful! Don't let the burn- outs spoil it for you.

lactamase · Jan 20, 2011

Review the things you learned after work or during day offs. I often do that. When there's something new to me, I read it up before I sleep. Make sure you're always improving. Hope this helps. *hug*

INLPN93 · Jan 20, 2011

Now its your turn to head to the boss's office and state your side of the story.

Rudeness, public humiliation and intimidation are grounds for complaint.

Don't put up with this treatment.

Let them know that even though you're new you won't be treated that way.

If the preceptor is just going through the shift and not orientating/teaching let them know.

It the next shift doesn't allow you to get through report without being rude, let them know.

Don't carry this load of you know what around with you.

Stand up to this or it won't stop.

caliotter3 · Jan 20, 2011

Review the things you learned after work or during day offs. I often do that. When there's something new to me, I read it up before I sleep. Make sure you're always improving. Hope this helps. *hug*

This is what I would do. Start a notebook. Write down what you learned that day and notes that you get from your research on the internet, etc. You will be surprised what this activity will do for you in the long run. It does not have to be much, a half hour of homework at night builds up your knowledge base and confidence over time. For a good security blanket, bring the notebook to work with you in your book bag and you will have your personal reference during the shift.

nursegreenbean · Jan 20, 2011

I am also a new nurse of about 3 months. I am also miserable. I come home from every shift feeling dumber than when I went in and like I know less than the last time I worked. I keep telling my husband I don't want to go back but he thinks I should give it a while longer and that with time and experience it will get better which I know but I have to survive it first. He also said there will come a day when I will be the one answering questions for the new nurse. Anyways I had had some work related questions that had been bothering me so I decided the next time I worked I would ask the other nurses who had always been willing to help. I work 11p-7a so it is slower and more relaxed. We tend to talk and help each other. I had worked with this nurse several times b/f, she is an RN and has been at the facility for awhile, we had always gotten along in the past. Sometimes she made me feel dumb like when I asked for help giving an enema b/c I had never even seen one but I thought oh well I can't help my inexperience. Anyways over about a 2 hour period I think I had asked her 3 questions when she told me to back off that i could give her a list of my questions when she wasn't so busy shed look at them. She sounded pretty nasty when she said it but if she was that busy I understood. Problem was that she then called a family member on her phone and was laughing and playing with the aides. Then i had a real problem that i needed her help with and in front of all the aides she turned around and said look i already told you once to back off, you need to leave me alone and give me some space. Completely took me off guard and totally embarrassed me. Next thing I know I'm in the bathroom crying. It was a miserable night. Well the next morning I was so ready to get out of there and wouldn't you know it there was a brand new nurse on her 1st day taking over for me and do you know what there were things I was explaining to her just like my husband said. They were minor things mind you but it was a start and I know i'm scared when I go to work or when the phone rings for that matter b/c i am prn but i don't have that total look of fear like she did so I guess I am learning and getting better. Just so you know I am slower than dirt, I have to ask the same questions over and over, most the time I have to physically be shown how 2 do something 2-3x b/f I remember so you are not the only one. But you know what we are slow b/c we are new we've never done this b/f i couldn't walk in to McDonalds, get behind the desk and fix someone lunch either. I think it feels worse b/c we are talking about live people and it is fast paced.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Jan 20, 2011

It's very normal to feel like you're feeling.

Take a deep breath and an honest look at yourself and your surroundings.

Often when we are feeling bad about ourselves, we project that other people are feeling bad about us too. Are Senior nurses really just going about their business or are they truly looking at you like you're the worst nurse every to graduate and they are huffing and puffing mistreating you. If this is the case, then perhaps you need to advocate for yourself and confront them.

Take another look at yourself...are you giving report properly? Is there anything you can improve, any way someone you trust can help you get organized and get things done?

It does get better. We all feel like we're dopes and we feel that everyone thinks we're dopes too.

Hang in there. Take care of yourself. Advocate on your own behalf because your manager or anyone else isn't going to do it. Learn to be assertive "you seem to huff and puff throughout my entire report, and it's intimidating, can we talk about this..." instead of becoming, in your own words "emotionally unstable".

We've all been there, and we've all survived, and you will too. You're a good nurse.

General E. Speaking, RN, RN · Jan 20, 2011

I hate that any nurse is made to feel "dumb" while giving report. This oncoming nurse sounds like a horrible person. Maybe she enjoys the intimidation because she has no self esteem herself.

I wish I could give THAT nurse report... I would love to set her straight (in a totally professional way, of course).