5th day off orientation, and I feel stupid

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Hello all!!

I recently got off orientation after 8 weeks. I got my license in march of this year. And started working in april in a huge hospital. My problem is that since i got off orientation it's been crazy. I feel like I don't know anything, i feel incompetent. Plus there is this nurse in the day shift that i sometimes have to give report to (I work nights) that makes me feel so dumb. She looks at me like I have 20000 heads coming out of me. I try to be prepared to give her report and have all my t's crossed and I's dotted but she is one that thinks she knows everything, that is the smartest person alive. Don't get me wrong, she is smart, but there is no reason why she has to be so rude. Plus she's also orienting this other new nurse, that is the newest version of her and both of them gang up on me, they both know I'm brand new and still make me feel like I'm so stupid. Sometimes is not so much what they say, but how they look at me or make snotty noises when i'm giving report and question my intelligence. For example, this pt was on a amiodorone drip and the drip dose had to be lowered from 33.3 to 16.6. and she said No it should be 16.7. I said no, if you read the orders its 16.6. She said I thought it was 16.7. I mean come on!! then i didnt write down in my notes the last time i gave one my patients pain' meds, but i did put it in the computer and I said, let me look it up, and her orientee said it's not there, i didnt see it" so i said it's there b/c i charted it and she went and look through it again and she said it's not there, i said look harder b/c i know i charted it. The orientee was looking at the wrong date. I'm sorry to vent, but it's so annoying. Haven't they been in my place before? I'm trying to be a good nurse, but I don't know it all. How do you deal with people like this. ?? :sniff: I feel like telling them off, i know I can't.:chuckle. Sorry it's so long, i just need advice and to vent Lol.

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Specializes in Pediatric/Adolescent, Med-Surg.

I think we have some of the same co-workers :D

People like that do get annoying, espcially if they have the same level of experience you do. If it's someone more experienced, I try not to get too upset, and think that maybe they know more than me. When I have a newbie trying to act superior and tell me she knows more, when she's really wrong, I will, politely but firmly, stand up and tell her she's wrong.

Try not to let it get to you, it's not worth it!

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Specializes in Med Surg, Ortho.

I have the same problem. So I try to look at the positive. It's making me better at giving report because I try to have my game on when I know I have to give report to a _______ nurse! People like this are miserable people, just rememeber that in your mind, okay! These type of people....the only way they feel good about their self is to make other's feel bad. So in your mind, try to have pity for this _______nurse! Okay, that's what I do.

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Specializes in Urgent Care, Research, Care Coordination.

I'm worried about coming off of orientation as well. I've been orienting for almost 12 weeks and I still don't feel too sure. I was told by a veteran nurse that it gets better and by your third month on your own it will feel much better. By your 6th month you will feel much more confident. So I just keep reminding myself and try not to focus on myself and my feelings and more on learning and caring for the patients.

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Specializes in oncology, telemetry, urology.

This is a good place to vent. Don't give that nurse the satisfaction of getting upset or losing your cool during shift change. Sounds like you're doing just fine. Unfortunately, some nurses like to act like they're better by putting others down. Give report and move on. Don't let this make you crazy. You made it through school and passed your boards. You're doing great! Hang in there! You will gain the respect of your co-workers if you act cool and professional.:nurse:

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Thank you all for the responses. I just don't like to be put down, when I just started on my own. I could care less about the orientee, but it's the nurse that has been there for about 3 years that gets on my nerves. I act professional and I expect the same in return, but she just loves to put people down, to make herself look good. And it's like someone said previously she has self-esteem issues, and she has to make her self feel good so she puts others down. There are a lot of people that do not like this RN, and they had warned me about it, but still doesn't make it any easier. I try to do my best, but she has to put me down. I try to not let it get to me, but it's a times very hard.

Thanks all of you for your words of encouragement

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I have worked in another field before getting into nursing and I have to say I've never worked in such a tough social environment as nursing. I've had difficult co-workers prior to my nursing career, but nothing like this. I've found this to be true mostly in hospital nursing. What is up with that anyway? Supportive teamwork -- wouldn't that improve retention of nurses? Duh...

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Hi everyone,

I can totally understand the issuse being discussed here. I am a new nurse also and although I am still in oreintation I can see that in the very near future I will face situations that will cause me even further conflict than I already face. I encourage you to continue to do the best you possible can and remember that all you are going through now is making you a stronger, better nurse. Oh yeah, that nurse that you spoke of once a new nurse herself once upon a time and she should try remebering that.

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