VENT: felt being laughed at

[cebuana_nurse]

I'm a foreign trained nurse from the Philippines. I recently got a job at a LTC facility where I function as an LPN. Last night, an aide told me that the humidifier of a resident's oxygen tank is almost empty. Since I'm still on orientation, I have no clue where to get this. So I asked the supervisor since my preceptor was nowhere to be found. I asked her if I need to refill it with a specific kind of water (since back home we refill it with distilled water). She said she had no idea. Then my preceptor showed up and told me that I don't need to refill it and showed me where to get it. So I went to the resident's room and changed the humidifiier. When I was walking towards the station, I heard my supervisor, preceptor and another staff laughing. When I got in, they just went silent. I don't wanna insinuate things but I have that feeling that they were laughing at me because I obviously don't know a lot of stuff. I know that US has a lot of technological advancements which obviously most third-world country hospitals don't have. I feel like I'm being a pain in the ass for constantly asking how to work a specific machine which to them are obviously easy. I understand that I need to ask a lot of questions to be able to provide a safe and effective care to my residents but for how long? It seems like everyday I go to work, my self-confidence is diminishing and that I feel incompetent. Is nursing supposed to feel like this?

[SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN]

There's nothing wrong with not knowing something. And I would have been looking for the distilled water, too. From right here in the U.S.

As to the laughing, I have no idea why they were laughing. Neither do you. Ignore it, smile, and keep learning.

:)

[Ace587RN, RN]

I'm a foreign trained nurse from the Philippines. I recently got a job at a LTC facility where I function as an LPN. Last night, an aide told me that the humidifier of a resident's oxygen tank is almost empty. Since I'm still on orientation, I have no clue where to get this. So I asked the supervisor since my preceptor was nowhere to be found. I asked her if I need to refill it with a specific kind of water (since back home we refill it with distilled water). She said she had no idea. Then my preceptor showed up and told me that I don't need to refill it and showed me where to get it. So I went to the resident's room and changed the humidifiier. When I was walking towards the station, I heard them laughing. When I got in, they just went silent. I don't know if they were laughing at me because I obviously don't know a lot of stuff. I know that US has a lot of technological advancements which obviously most third-world country hospitals don't have. I feel like I'm being a pain in the ass for constantly asking how to work a specific machine which to them are obviously easy. I understand that I need to ask a lot of questions to be able to provide a safe and effective care to my residents but for how long? It seems like everyday I go to work, my self-confidence is diminishing and that I feel incompetent. Is nursing supposed to feel like this?

one time the nurses laughed at me, but i didnt really care and took it as a learning experience. Just work your way up and soon youll be laughing with them. Whatever you feel you should be communicating with higher ups.

[NamasteNurse, BSN, RN]

You shouldn't feel as if you cannot ask questions. No one knows everything when we're new, US born or not. They should be glad you are asking. And they probably weren't laughing at you. Ask to follow one of them around so you can see all the equipment you need to operate. BTW, we use distilled water to fill the reservoirs too.

[Jules A, MSN]

Like Sue said you don't even know for sure what they were laughing at and imo asking about distilled h20 is a decent question. Please don't let this or anything else undermine your self-confidence! I'm sure I've been laughed at many times, heck sometimes I even have to laugh at myself, but I'd rather ask a question and find the answer. One of my best buds is a nurse trained in the Philippines and she is an incredible nurse as I'm sure you will become also. Hang in there.

[southernbelle08]

Never stop asking questions. When you do, you stop learning. Be proud of yourself that you knew to ask the question! Ignore the rest. After all, it may/may not have concerned you. You'll never know and it isn't important. :)

[cebuana_nurse]

Thanks for all your kind words and encouragement. I would truly keep in mind that asking questions help me learn. I don't know why I'm feeling this way. I guess I'm becoming paranoid. LOL

[MeganS]

I would be more concerned if you had a question and did not ask for direction. Sometimes people work together and form a clique. Any new employee creates turbulance within their group and to support their insecurities they will belittle a newbie. Use your job as a learning situation. With time, you will be comfortable with your surroundinngs and the equipment. At that time, you can decide whether you want to stay or move on. I know it can be difficult, but continue to treat your coworkers with respect despite their actions.

[SweetLemon]

Always possible they could have been laughing at something completely non-related but all the same confidential. If they are laughing at you then they are unprofessional and seriously immature. It sounded as though the charge was unaware of the procedure involved in switching out the water, so why laugh at you.