Struggling On My New Job

[Lovethenurse2b25, ASN, BSN, CNA, LPN, RN]

I started nursing in a long term care facility and rehabilitation hospital working PRN. And recently went onto a oncology/tele/med surg unit in a local hospital. It is a big learning curve for me because I had no experience with chemo, IV drips, picc, blood transfusions, central lines etc. My LTC facility didn’t accept patients with complex care. And the rehabilitation hospital gave me minimal IV skills. We aren’t allow to access ports or give anything through a central line etc. While I love both of my PRN jobs both facilities have been suffering tremendously with staffing issue. The LTC facility is nice but I have to worry about being mandated to stay at work because we have no nurses. At the rehabilitation hospital I'm averaging about 10-12 patients with lots of heavy lifting. 

In Dec I started a local hospital. I thought I like the job until 3 days into my orientation my supervisor told me she didn’t think I was a good fit because I was quiet.

I started on nights and I currently have a hard time sleeping. I don’t get any sleep before a night shift so by the time I work I'm up for 24 hours at a time. And after my shift I get about 4 hours of sleep. The ratio is 1:3 with adequate staffing but because I am the newbie last week I received 6 patients while the other two nurses I worked with  had one patient each. We also did not have a tech on that night. My supervisor felt that it would help me think critically by giving me a heavier assignment. She also stated it would prepare me for short staffing. 

Since working for the past 3 months I have also received complaints about not answering the call bells fast enough etc. However my supervisor stated I was really good at time management as far as documenting and giving meds on time. She went on to say that the other nursing feel I need a lot of “prompting”. I feel like I am trying my best and work at my own pace. I'm running around all night without eating, drinking or even taking a break. While my co-workers are all lounging behind the desk watching Netflix. I am not one to just give up or jump shift but I don’t know if hospital nursing is for me. 

Can anyone share other areas of nursing outside of hospital work? I currently have a BSN. 

I also have home health experience but it doesn’t pay well.  

[Hannahbanana, BSN, MSN]

Hospital nursing might be for you but I wouldn't stay in a place that treats you that poorly. If there's another hospital in reasonable distance for you, look into it if these people won't give you normal sleeping hours and a better orientation. They knew when they hired you what your experience was, and chose the sink-or-swim method-- not useful.

And that throwaway line about "...prepare you for short staffing"? Red flag. Don't feel bad about ditching this position, because it's showing you its true colors.

[Lovethenurse2b25, ASN, BSN, CNA, LPN, RN]

1 hour ago, Hannahbanana said:

Hospital nursing might be for you but I wouldn't stay in a place that treats you that poorly. If there's another hospital in reasonable distance for you, look into it if these people won't give you normal sleeping hours and a better orientation. They knew when they hired you what your experience was, and chose the sink-or-swim method-- not useful.

And that throwaway line about "...prepare you for short staffing"? Red flag. Don't feel bad about ditching this position, because it's showing you its true colors.

Yes I do have a hospital about 5 mins away from my home. But with all of the covid madness I wasn’t sure if it was a good idea to start another job so soon. Also if I would be marketable after working at a hospital for only 3 months. 

[Hannahbanana, BSN, MSN]

Pretty much everybody needs staff now. You lose nothing by asking. And pretty much every HR department understands, "It just wasn't a good fit." That's all you have to say-- because it's the truth.

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

"I am the newbie last week I received 6 patients while the other two nurses I worked with had one patient each."   Im running around all night without eating, drinking or even taking a break. While my co-workers are all lounging behind the desk watching netflix."
You know this is not right. You are getting used and abused . Time to move on. Start searching NOW.

Get outta Dodge.

[SmilingBluEyes]

Get out now!

[londonflo]

9 hours ago, Lovethenurse2b25 said:

The ratio is 1:3 with adequate staffing but because I am the newbie last week I received 6 patients while the other two nurses I worked with had one patient each. We also did not have a tech on that night.

What an odd way to make assignments, and is not fair/justified/safe in any hospital universe that I know of. Did the other nurses help you at all?

Look for another position, even talk to HR about this 'psycho' manager's plan to indoctrinate you for future poor staffing. 

[TheMoonisMyLantern, ADN, LPN, RN]

Is this "supervisor" a charge nurse, preceptor, floor nurse, assistant manager? Does she actually have any type of managerial position? If not, then I would not hesitate to stand your ground when they try to dump on you and make you take a heavier assignment. I worked on a floor that did that to new hires, and sadly it was tolerated by management. A baptism by fire may be beneficial for some people, but for most I think it's a poor way to acclimate new people to a unit.

Don't let these people roll over you either cut your losses or if you really want to stay, stick up for yourself.

[Lovethenurse2b25, ASN, BSN, CNA, LPN, RN]

5 hours ago, TheMoonisMyLantern said:

Is this "supervisor" a charge nurse, preceptor, floor nurse, assistant manager? Does she actually have any type of managerial position? If not, then I would not hesitate to stand your ground when they try to dump on you and make you take a heavier assignment. I worked on a floor that did that to new hires, and sadly it was tolerated by management. A baptism by fire may be beneficial for some people, but for most I think it's a poor way to acclimate new people to a unit.

Don't let these people roll over you either cut your losses or if you really want to stay, stick up for yourself.

Yes the Director of the unit. It seems to be tolerated by management here also. I did not expect this from a teaching hospital.

[Lovethenurse2b25, ASN, BSN, CNA, LPN, RN]

12 hours ago, londonflo said:

What an odd way to make assignments, and is not fair/justified/safe in any hospital universe that I know of. Did the other nurses help you at all?

Look for another position, even talk to HR about this 'psycho' manager's plan to indoctrinate you for future poor staffing. 

No, the supervisor instructed them not to help me. She stated it would help me be more “independent”. The other nurses sat back and watched Netflix all night.

[Wuzzie]

Run!

[LibraNurse27, BSN, RN]

That is so messed up. Your coworkers show no regard for you or for the patients! get out of there for sure. I've heard covid has been opening up jobs for nurses, not sure about in your area but I hope you will find something much better!