sorry i am a novice and nothing but a thorn in your flesh...i promise, i'll learn fast.
sorry that i make your day seem so long and bleak...i'm in your way, so i don't miss a thing
sorry that i think you're being mean to me...because you are. perception is reality.
sorry that all my questions make you want to tear your hair out...i seek only to understand
sorry that beneath all that swag i carry, you fail to see it for what it truly is- fear!
sheer fear at the amount of learning that i have to go through...
sheer fear at the thought of making a mistake..no matter how little...
sheer fear that nursing school experience even with all the stressors did not prepare me for this...
it is nothing compared to this...being on the floor on your own with no preceptor as a buffer.
fear that i would be laughed at and ridiculed..( oh don't think that i don't notice it when you do that to my fellow novice nurses....yes, sometimes to your colleagues too).
the same fear is what hinges on me that when you tell me to connect the dots, i fail to see it,
even when it is right in front of me...
and when you tell me to see the big picture, i try ...truly i do...it's just overshadowed by the little pieces i see
with the passage of time and a wealth of experience later, you forgot a vital component- you were once like me, a novice.
dear experienced nurse,
i finally realise something,
someday, i will be like you,
someday, i will have that experience..
someday, i will become an expert...
nursing school did prepare me for this...i just had to reach deep to find it.
the difference between us? i will remember how it was being a novice.
signed,
kt5
([color=lemonchiffon]could not sleep...trying out my poetry).
Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
someone, i think it was ruby vee, said repeatedly on this thread what are experienced nurses to do when someone "just can't learn?" huh???? i don't think any nurse would've made it through nursing school, prereqs and the nclex if he or she was incapable of learning. comments like that are condescending to one's intelligence, plain and simple. who are you to say that someone can't learn? maybe they just don't understand they way you are teaching it? maybe you just can't teach? it could be a variety of factors but to automatically assume that they are incapable of actually learning for whatever reason just seems incredibly small-minded to me. that is really rude and i would be offended if someone said that to me.
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school is very different from work, and many people manage to get through school without developing the integrity and the work ethic necessary to work in the icu. some people want the "glamour and prestige" of working in the icu but don't want to work at all hard, so there they sit on facebook while their patient's pressures are beginning to drift and something that could have easily been averted turns into a huge crisis. sometimes people have no idea how badly they're doing because they turn deaf whenever anyone offers feedback. or the minute someone offers some feedback that they don't find flattering, they start screaming that they're being eaten. sometimes people think it's ok to do the tasks without understanding why you're doing them, and that preceptor who is trying to make sure you understand exactly where that swan ganz catheter or balloon pump is sitting in your patient's body is simply being too picky, or mean or nasty.
how many second chances to you give someone when they just aren't learning? notice i didn't say "can't learn.) after they've been through three or four preceptors who all say the same thing? after they've made a fatal med error? after they've made two for three fatal med errors? maybe we should keep them on indefinitely so we don't offend them by telling them they're not doing a good job and aren't safe to work here? after all, the charge nurse has the time to follow them around and correct their errors.
i could answer your entire post, because i think there's a lot that you're not seeing. but just think about how you should handle a new nurse who has been on the job for six months and still doesn't understand a catheter that we use on 90% of our patients? and furthermore, she thinks it's ok that she doesn't get it because she "has the time management thing down pat."? it's not always the preceptor's fault when someone isn't learning to do their job. if someone cannot teach you, it isn't always -- or even most of the time -- their teaching skills that are at fault. sometimes it really is you.
It's not always the preceptor's fault but neither is it always the new nurse's fault. Two way street...
And Ruby some of your examples are not limited to the GN's...I have seen experienced nurses facebooking and texting while a patient is in respiratory distress or severe pain...they dismiss it as "they'll be fine" or "he's just acting up" and I have also seen numerous some med errors made by "experienced" nurses but just slide because they are "experienced."
For those about to attack me, am not a new grad...I just haven't forgotten what it's like to be one.
i'm starting to think it might be desireable to have a "strictly for venting" forum with no "reply" function at all.
it would be incredibly dull, though.
"why does it bug you so, that others refute comments they consider to be untruth nor real?
but i humbly submit that the far more typical, and more maddening, situation is the person who is perfectly capable of learning, but is desperately in need of procto-cranial traction to pull their head out so they can hear what you're saying. because a deer caught in headlights can't think, can't learn, can't even run and hide. and the maddening part is, most successful nurses have been in those headlights, themselves, at some point and know exactly how it feels. but knowing how it feels doesn't tell you what to do about it. do you stand at the roadside calling, "come here, little deer, come to me."? or do you make yourself scarier than the headlights? it's a tough call when those headlights are getting closer and closer. i hope it's obvious i was joking about the "thank you, mistress, may i have another," but i do think when you're the one in the road, you owe a little something--respect, gratitude, cookies, whatever--to anyone who doesn't just watch you go splat and shrug.
beautiful analogy! up until the point where you asked, do you make yourself scarier. you make yourself scarier to an already floundering new-grad and they go every which-away, except the path you actually want them going.
Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
ruby you really do have it in for new nurses you do not cut them any slack geeezzzz you do realize you could be a little biased here----not all new nurses are exaggerating what they are saying--there are some mean nurses out there and they have been fired for their attitudes towards patients as well as coworkers so please chill out with the holier than thou attitude pleaseeeee enough is enough---look my mom always said if you do not have anything good to say just do not say anything at all
i do not "have it in for new nurses" and i do "cut them plenty of slack." i have, however, observed that many of the newer nurses on this board cut no slack for their preceptors or the experienced nurse they claim are being mean to them. i have also observed that "please chill out with the holier than thou attitude" is not something nice to say. so perhaps you should have followed your mom's advice.
school is very different from work, and many people manage to get through school without developing the integrity and the work ethic necessary to work in the icu. some people want the "glamour and prestige" of working in the icu but don't want to work at all hard, so there they sit on facebook while their patient's pressures are beginning to drift and something that could have easily been averted turns into a huge crisis. sometimes people have no idea how badly they're doing because they turn deaf whenever anyone offers feedback. or the minute someone offers some feedback that they don't find flattering, they start screaming that they're being eaten. sometimes people think it's ok to do the tasks without understanding why you're doing them, and that preceptor who is trying to make sure you understand exactly where that swan ganz catheter or balloon pump is sitting in your patient's body is simply being too picky, or mean or nasty.
how many second chances to you give someone when they just aren't learning? notice i didn't say "can't learn.) after they've been through three or four preceptors who all say the same thing? after they've made a fatal med error? after they've made two for three fatal med errors? maybe we should keep them on indefinitely so we don't offend them by telling them they're not doing a good job and aren't safe to work here? after all, the charge nurse has the time to follow them around and correct their errors.
i could answer your entire post, because i think there's a lot that you're not seeing. but just think about how you should handle a new nurse who has been on the job for six months and still doesn't understand a catheter that we use on 90% of our patients? and furthermore, she thinks it's ok that she doesn't get it because she "has the time management thing down pat."? it's not always the preceptor's fault when someone isn't learning to do their job. if someone cannot teach you, it isn't always -- or even most of the time -- their teaching skills that are at fault. sometimes it really is you.
you know ruby not all new grads are that way and i truly hope where u work ur not a preceptor which means u probably add to nursing shortage----you do not have the heart or appears the patience to precept---u would make a good judge i don't know about a fair one---but you need to definitely lighten up on new grads no one graduates knowing everything not even you---saying all that i would never have a brand new grad in a ccu until they are ready such as knowing the meds and cath's---but they deserve the chance to learn we are not stupid but despite nurses like ruby i am still glad i chose the profession i did i love nursing and people like ruby are never going to change that they are just making me to be a stronger better nurse so i do not turn out like they are "cold and hard hearted in nature" we can be good and excellent nurses without being like ruby and others like her---by not being sooooooooooo judgemental to our fellow nurses new or not
I find it fascinating that experienced nurses can post poems, vents and comments about their frustrations with new nurses, but the second a new nurse posts her own vents and frustrations regarding her own experiences in her new world of nursing, there are people who respond to her negatively, condescendingly and in some cases, down right rudely. What's even scarier are the people who jump in and piggyback off the rude posts, adding rude condescending, completely unconstructive comments of their own. I see time and time again on here that readers should "excuse" posts from bitter disgruntled experienced nurses because they are allowed to vent on a place like allnurses.com. They can say whatever they want however they want. Apparently new nurses aren't given this same freedom??? Where exactly should they go and feel safe to vent their frustration and fears without being made to feel they are weak, not thick-skinned enough, not experienced enough, not smart enough or whatever to post?
Can we agree to disagree? :) My opinion is that while I'm sure there are places that are hostile, in which case I would find another job, I whole heartedly believe they are the exception rather than the rule. It has been my experience both as a new graduate and now as someone who precepts new grads that it isn't as dramatic as you may think. Of course I can only speak for the teams I have worked with but while there are a few nurses that aren't as friendly or helpful as others we do try to be supportive to our new members. We do team nursing and with a "weak sister" it is a disaster so it is in our benefit to share knowledge and tricks of the trade. What we need in return is someone who has good common sense and isn't afraid to ask when they are unsure. Sadly as much as they harp on critical thinking in school it doesn't seem to be a requirement for graduation and I'm not sure it is something that can be taught.
i do not "have it in for new nurses" and i do "cut them plenty of slack." i have, however, observed that many of the newer nurses on this board cut no slack for their preceptors or the experienced nurse they claim are being mean to them. i have also observed that "please chill out with the holier than thou attitude" is not something nice to say. so perhaps you should have followed your mom's advice.
actually she was speaking more of ones like you who has nothing but negative things to say what we say here is the truth well if that bothers you , well than don't comment on it--stay silent if you must---and as far as the holier than thou attitude thats just how you come off as sorry i call it as i see it --and my mom taught me to stand up for myself against people like you ruby and that i do
Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
it's not always the preceptor's fault but neither is it always the new nurse's fault. two way street...
and ruby some of your examples are not limited to the gn's...i have seen experienced nurses facebooking and texting while a patient is in respiratory distress or severe pain...they dismiss it as "they'll be fine" or "he's just acting up" and i have also seen numerous some med errors made by "experienced" nurses but just slide because they are "experienced."
for those about to attack me, am not a new grad...i just haven't forgotten what it's like to be one.
nor have i forgotten what it's like to be a new grad. further, i realize that my examples are not limited to the new grads. however the point i was responding to was the idea that if a new grad fails to make it as a nurse, the fault is in the precepting, or because she's been bullied or anything except that the new grad just wasn't cutting it. the fault isn't always the preceptor who is a poor teacher, the co-workers who are bullies or the atmosphere that wasn't nurturing enough. i realize that mine is not a popular viewpoint on this thread or even on this board, but sometimes a new grad doesn't make it because they don't have the right stuff, they're not paying attention, their work ethic sucks, they're only marking time until anesthesia school and they just don't care about the icu or a myriad of other reasons that have nothing to do with anyone except that particular new grad. i'm not saying that is always the case or even often the case. but i think far too many new grads who aren't doing well in their new jobs are quick to blame everyone and everything except themselves, and slow to do any self-examination and self-assessment.
nor have i forgotten what it's like to be a new grad. further, i realize that my examples are not limited to the new grads. however the point i was responding to was the idea that if a new grad fails to make it as a nurse, the fault is in the precepting, or because she's been bullied or anything except that the new grad just wasn't cutting it. the fault isn't always the preceptor who is a poor teacher, the co-workers who are bullies or the atmosphere that wasn't nurturing enough. i realize that mine is not a popular viewpoint on this thread or even on this board, but sometimes a new grad doesn't make it because they don't have the right stuff, they're not paying attention, their work ethic sucks, they're only marking time until anesthesia school and they just don't care about the icu or a myriad of other reasons that have nothing to do with anyone except that particular new grad. i'm not saying that is always the case or even often the case. but i think far too many new grads who aren't doing well in their new jobs are quick to blame everyone and everything except themselves, and slow to do any self-examination and self-assessment.
and the same applies to the seasoned nurse as well but then again i am a new grad what do i know:idea:
Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
you know ruby not all new grads are that way and i truly hope where u work ur not a preceptor which means u probably add to nursing shortage----you do not have the heart or appears the patience to precept---u would make a good judge i don't know about a fair one---but you need to definitely lighten up on new grads no one graduates knowing everything not even you---saying all that i would never have a brand new grad in a ccu until they are ready such as knowing the meds and cath's---but they deserve the chance to learn we are not stupid but despite nurses like ruby i am still glad i chose the profession i did i love nursing and people like ruby are never going to change that they are just making me to be a stronger better nurse so i do not turn out like they are "cold and hard hearted in nature" we can be good and excellent nurses without being like ruby and others like her---by not being sooooooooooo judgemental to our fellow nurses new or not
no one expects a new grad to know everything when they come out of school. no one expects anyone to know everything . . . no one knows everything. however a new grad who has been on the unit for six months and still doesn't know what a swan/ganz catheter does or where it sits or what it's for -- when it's something almost every one of our patients comes out of surgery with -- has a problem. six months is the amount of time we give our new grads to become independent. someone who hasn't mastered any of the basics in six months is not going to be "a good and excellent nurse" on our unit.
you don't know me, but i'm actually considered to be a good preceptor. the new grads who have been techs on our unit want me as a preceptor. i'm neither cold hearted nor judgemental. i think, however, that we cannot always blame the experienced nurses for the failures of the newbies even though that's what many of the newbies seem inclined to do. sometimes, the failures of a new grad are the fault of the new grad. that's neither cold hearted nor judgemental. it's just a fact.
many times, the cuts in staffing have taken the pleasure out of nursing and made it difficult for the experienced nurse to keep up the smile and good will that used to be for preceptors. also with the difficult economy many nurses that have burned out can not get a job that is outside nursing that pays the bills. Sorry you have to be comming into the field when management have turned what was a great job into a production line job. hopefully things will turn around but don't count on it.
Ruby Vee, BSN
17 Articles; 14,051 Posts
school is very different from work, and many people manage to get through school without developing the integrity and the work ethic necessary to work in the icu. some people want the "glamour and prestige" of working in the icu but don't want to work at all hard, so there they sit on facebook while their patient's pressures are beginning to drift and something that could have easily been averted turns into a huge crisis. sometimes people have no idea how badly they're doing because they turn deaf whenever anyone offers feedback. or the minute someone offers some feedback that they don't find flattering, they start screaming that they're being eaten. sometimes people think it's ok to do the tasks without understanding why you're doing them, and that preceptor who is trying to make sure you understand exactly where that swan ganz catheter or balloon pump is sitting in your patient's body is simply being too picky, or mean or nasty.
how many second chances to you give someone when they just aren't learning? notice i didn't say "can't learn.) after they've been through three or four preceptors who all say the same thing? after they've made a fatal med error? after they've made two for three fatal med errors? maybe we should keep them on indefinitely so we don't offend them by telling them they're not doing a good job and aren't safe to work here? after all, the charge nurse has the time to follow them around and correct their errors.
i could answer your entire post, because i think there's a lot that you're not seeing. but just think about how you should handle a new nurse who has been on the job for six months and still doesn't understand a catheter that we use on 90% of our patients? and furthermore, she thinks it's ok that she doesn't get it because she "has the time management thing down pat."? it's not always the preceptor's fault when someone isn't learning to do their job. if someone cannot teach you, it isn't always -- or even most of the time -- their teaching skills that are at fault. sometimes it really is you.