Ugh! Feeling a little frustrated today with some other newbie nurses (I am one myself). As part of orientation, we have several tasks that we have to complete and classes to attend. I find them very beneficial. However, it seems there are one or two immature individuals that insist on complaining, degrading, disregarding, and disrespecting every lecture, inservice and instructor/guest speaker that we have. It was easy to ignore at first, but now it seems it is spreading to other previously satisfied new grads who want to be part of this little group. Sometimes, I wish I could just speak my mind, but it would not be very professional...
- Yes, it is important that I know how to read EKGs forwards, backwards, and sideways in case my pt has a rhythm change and I need to intervene. :trout:
- Yes, I do need to know how to interpret ABGs even though we always have a respiratory therapist, because there are other assessment findings that I must take into consideration when providing treatment.
- Yes, I do want to learn how to read a 12 lead even though the diagnosis is generated at the top of the page...it is not always accurate.
- No, I don't want to have to move closer to hear the instructor/speaker because you want to gossip about how much you drank this weekend, your friend from highschool that got arrested, or which doctor you think is hot. I happen to think hemodynamics is an important aspect of critical care.
- No...I don't chart before I do something, I do follow the 'stupid' protocols, and I do take notes during these classes and read up on the newest recommendations outside of work. That's because I value my license.
- No...I don't know how you made it through nursing school either. :trout:
I guess I am just having a bad day. But being around this group for a few days reminds me of highschool too much. It's like watching an episode of the hills on MTV. :trout: It appalls me that some people lack such maturity and professionalism, yet choose an advanced area of practice. And then claim, they are going to apply for CRNA school after a year. Good luck with that when you don't even know the oral care protocol or why it's done.
It is nine oclock- shut up and hurry up in the pyxis!'
But I do say many things like "Thanks for helping me with my patient, thanks for covering for me while I took a break, thanks for your support' so the first remark may be counter productive- I just get stressed out when it looks like I will not get my meds out on time. We all have one hour- so sitting there gabbing about what happened last night when we have 20 mins left to get done does not work for me. Also according to JAcho (however you spell it) we are to get one persons meds- go administer, come back and get the next etc.- this talky coworker is always the one getting alll of her patients meds at once- so those of us who are doing it by the book are waiting waiting waiting. But- when that am med pass is over- I dont have that problem the rest of the day.
I wish I could tell them that talking about their sex lives and various instruments that they may use in the bedroom is best left in the bedroom.
It annoys me when people come to work only to visit with coworkers, talk on the phone, and discuss their sex lives. I guess I'm jealous because I don't have one. These people only contribute to my anger management problem.
bethin, I am with you. the last thing I want to hear about is what someone I work with does in the bedroom. (Come on, the visuals of a 300 lb woman with a 57 inch waist doing what she says she does with her bf that she met on line, I'm sorry, so unappetizing. BUT, don't be jealous. The whole sex thing is very highly overrated, and the people who talk the most are probably getting the worst anyway. I have been with it and without it, and quite frankly, I could live without a man for a long time.
If you are not given the opportunity to critique the orientation at the end, then I would suggest that you write two or three paragraphs stating what you found below par and send it to those responsible for the sessions. You do not have to name names, you can even remain anonymous, as in most critiques, but please let these people know what went on. I find it scary that these immature individuals are your new co-workers.
Specializes in Critical Care, Pediatrics, Geriatrics.
if you are a "fair bit older" then they are...muster up your mother/older sister persona...and explain to them how they are coming across....and the fact that they are impedng YOUR orientation......but gently, you dont want to offend those whom will "have your back" in the near future.....good luck
No, I am the youngest. These girls are mid to late twenties. I was waiting for one of the older interns to say something, because there are some women there who feel the same way as I do...but are much more outspoken (I guess that's the right word to use).
I am pretty much more laid back and can ignore certain things pretty easily, but it is really starting to work my nerves. I think I am going to have to say something to them eventually.
It really is a difficult situation to have to deal with so early on. These girls went to the same nursing school, knew each other in highschool, and stick together on everything...and I know they will not take my criticism in a constructive way whatsoever. I have nothing personal against them. I just want them to hush during class and keep their gossip to themselves, without impeding our working relationship. I don't think that's too much to ask, but I can imagine their reaction already. It will be right on par with their current level of maturity and professionalism.
So I guess I have to weigh the pros and cons out. Orientation (at least the classroom part) will be over soon, and these girls are being observed and evaluated by preceptors with high standards, so if they are practicing unsafely then it will surface. Thankfully, we work on oposite shifts once orientation is over.
This is slightly off topic but I noticed that you're working in the ICU. I'm a nursing student who has hopes and dreams of working in that unit also. How have other nurses in that unit reacted towards new grads in the ICU? I know you just began orientation but I'm just curious to hear how your experience has been so far (minus the annoying chatty kathies in your orientation group;) )
Since you are working on opposite shifts once orientation is over, make certain you doublecheck anything dealing with these people. They probably will not be the kind of nurses who will pay attention to detail and you do not want to be surprised by adverse consequences of their work.
RNperdiem, That comment is pretty similar of my goal in my last eval.... I wrote and totally meant... "I will lower my expectations of my co-workers". Didn't make the NM really happy, but I did it anyway. I am a unit coordinator and am constantly frustrated with a few of the nurses on my unit. They do the same thing.. chat about inappropriate things (we're a pediatric unit!!) and gripe about everything. They don't answer lights and whenever I need to give them a request from a patient, they roll their eyes and tell me to find the NA (we only get one for our 18 bed unit and god bless her, she just can't do everything for everyone!!!). Some of the nurses are fantastic to work with... teamwork, willing to help out when they are not busy, best nurses I've ever worked with... but thse few... arghh... and they always seem to be working together which just adds fuel to the fire. Those few also tend to complain that I'm grouchy, since I choose not to participate in nonsense. Go figure:rolleyes:
I love going into a room expecting to see a R TKR and finding it's the left.
I personally get left and right mixed up ALL the time. :trout: Two days ago I reported a pt's L side was flaccid when it was the right, not because I didn't assess him, but because I got L and R mixed. Several times I have had 2-3 total knee pts in the same shift. Throw in a couple hip pt's and a shoulder pt and my lefts and rights are totally thrown out of whack. So yeah, I have reported the wrong one a few or more times. I try to remember to write left or right at the top of my report sheets. Just as long as the operating surgeon got the correct leg operated on, it's ok.
As for things I'd like to say to co-workers, or former coworkers? Do ya really wanna know? :monkeydance: Naaah, I might start an argument, I better not.
I personally get left and right mixed up ALL the time. :trout: Two days ago I reported a pt's L side was flaccid when it was the right, not because I didn't assess him, but because I got L and R mixed. Several times I have had 2-3 total knee pts in the same shift. Throw in a couple hip pt's and a shoulder pt and my lefts and rights are totally thrown out of whack. So yeah, I have reported the wrong one a few or more times. I try to remember to write left or right at the top of my report sheets. Just as long as the operating surgeon got the correct leg operated on, it's ok.
Ok, I can totally see this. Have had to put my hands in front of my face from time to time to check myself, too, lol. But now imagine when you go to CHART on this patient, and you see that the previous two shifts have put down that the pt has her LEFT leg in a cast, the LEFT leg is elevated, etc....and it's the right. Just tells me that far too often, the next nurse in line writes what the previous one did!
Specializes in Med/Surg, Geri, Ortho, Telemetry, Psych.
I would like to say, "Yes, I DO smoke, and I will take 3 ten minute breaks to smoke instead of a 1/2 break for lunch if I want to; and how does sitting at the nurses station on your butt all day eating Cheetoh's fit into YOUR break schedule?":smokin:
Maybe instead of spending so much time at the desk laughing and gossiping, you should go care for you patients, your lights are going off like crazy
It's funny that you have to pass things on for nightshift to do because you were so busy but you somehow seemed to keep finding enough time to leave the unit to take several smoke breaks (plus lunch)...and not tell anyone, so that when doctors, etc are looking for you, your co-workers have to waste time attempting to find you, not knowing that you're out smoking.
You got out of report at 0745, how is it that at 0800, you're already charting your assessments? How do you seem to be the only person who gets an assignment where you can plan your day, and your plans NEVER go awry: Chart at 8 am, lunch at 11am. And, this always seems to work out for you.
I wish i could tell my coworkers to get off their butt... to get off their cellphone... to do some work... to get out of the break room... I can't stand it when my co workers patient's have been needing something for 30 minutes and I finally find their nurse in the conference room drinking coffee! I don't have time to take care of their patients b/c they need a fresh cup of coffee 12 times a day.. I have 7 patients too ya know!!!!
Can you tell I had a bad day?
Also I get sick of the unit secretary ignoring the phone and call lights... Do they not hear that call light that has been going off for 10 minutes? Hello? I can't stand it! Why can't people just do their dang job!?!?!?!!?
maryloufu
238 Posts
What I wish I could say to my coworkers-
It is nine oclock- shut up and hurry up in the pyxis!'
But I do say many things like "Thanks for helping me with my patient, thanks for covering for me while I took a break, thanks for your support' so the first remark may be counter productive- I just get stressed out when it looks like I will not get my meds out on time. We all have one hour- so sitting there gabbing about what happened last night when we have 20 mins left to get done does not work for me. Also according to JAcho (however you spell it) we are to get one persons meds- go administer, come back and get the next etc.- this talky coworker is always the one getting alll of her patients meds at once- so those of us who are doing it by the book are waiting waiting waiting. But- when that am med pass is over- I dont have that problem the rest of the day.