Well, I thought I was doing ok. I thought the only thing I had to work on was time management, which would come with time right? I've been on the NICU less than 4 weeks and I was told this morning I wasn't a good fit. I'm a "very nice person" but my attention to detail isn't good enough right now and it is felt that with time my skills will be good enough...but not right now. Pretty much, I'm a nice person to talk to but I suck as a nurse. I hadn't been written up and as far as I knew from my preceptor I just needed to get used to working with little ones and my time management. My skills were fine. I've been out a few days with a stomach virus, so I get told this over the phone so I didn't have to come in on a off day. Which as of this morning is everyday.
I thought I was doing ok, I had gotten three arterial sticks, two IV starts (actually got one of those), and got to actually hold a feed two little ones last week. Now I find that I am not a good enough fit for them and honestly from my perspective this come out of the blue. No warning that I was doing that poorly. I know my preceptor had to repeat herself on certain things, but I think I'd eventually get it the more I did it.
I am supposed to take my boards next wed. Being told in a nutshell that your skills are lacking as a nurse, that your "really a sweet person" doesn't do much for my confidence.
I'm angry, hurt, humiliated, and wondering if I shouldn't just give up on being an RN since the first job I get doesn't think me much of a nurse anyway.
What I don't understand is why, if I had so many deficiencies, didn't they give me the chance to know about them and fix them?
I still want to work NICU, I actually enjoyed going to work...something that hasn't happened in a very long time. So what do I do now????
Some hospitals have what they are calling nurse residencies, up to a year long in some places I've heard. That might be a good way of identifying a place with a solid committment to orientation, since you are thinking of moving.
The sad part is about moving is having the ability to actually move lol. If I have to move I'm hoping to find a place with decent relocation assistance as well as a genenerous orientation program. Of course how wide a net to cast is difficult to determine right now as far as where to apply goes.
Zoo...I've read this thread as I would also like to work NICU and my heart just goes out to you. It is so great that you still have a positive attitude...that will get things going in the right direction for you. No doubt you've learned a lot from this experience...one day when you are precepting a new nurse who is having some time management issues you will handle things much better I'm sure.
And huge Congrats!! for passing NCLEX!!
Keep pressing forward, this experience will only make you a stronger, better nurse in the long run.
One thing I'm also wondering is what to do about this job in regards to my resume. I've had several people tell me not to bother putting it on there since it was such a short time. Though I definatly have to when applying in the same system.
I can completely relate... my 1st NICU position right out of nursing school was in a level III NICU, my dream job!!! After about 10 weeks of orientation, my preceptor, nurse educator, manager, and myself sat down to talk about how things were going. Well, they basically told me the opposite of you (zoobyli), the I had excellent skills as a new nurse, but my personality didn't fit. And all along I thought things were going fine. Then, I continued to work (keeping in mind what had been said), and then on a night about 2 weeks after our "talk", I had my 1st admission on my own (a term mec kid). No one came to help me or ask if I was doing ok in this 75 bed unit. I had to go seek out my charge nurse (who never took an assignment) to help me start my IV, do a BC, get my other labs, etc. After that I had it and gave my resignation the next day. I mean I actually enjoyed going to work too, and it was to a point where I would cry every day I had to work. My mom (also a nurse) said I should love work at this stage in my life, especially as a new RN. I then spent 1.5 years in Ortho and Cardiac ICU (post open heart) before realizing NICU was just what I was meant to do. I am now in a level IIB NICU and love it!!! The people are so nice and teamwork is everywhere, but I do miss a level III and the thrill of it. But I have decided (for now), enjoying work is much better then not working NICU at all. Hope you find a happy place to work!!!
Thanks Peanut. I've definately been looking into level II's. Right now though its the whole apply and wait thing. You apply and apply, then wait. You call for an update, then you wait. You call again, then you wait some more.
No problem... I know the wait, call, wait, call.... thing!!! I'm doing it right now with a low level III, but even with that there's a part of me that justs think I should stay where I am because I am happy... I mean it'snot like I'm retiring tomorrow....
I'm just hoping I can find a place I can be happy at. Though a lot of the places I've been applying to lately seem to want BSN only for their NICU, which doesn't make any sense to me at all. Also a lot of the new grad residencies I've found are for BSN new grads only...also doesn't make sense to me. But what can you do.
Its really good to find an employer you can be happy at, one you don't feel like getting up to go to work is well....work. I hope to have that someday.
I'm sorry I can't relate to the whole BSN wanted thing because I am a BSN grad... so I guess whenever I see a NICU position open, I just apply because I know I am qualified as far they are concerned... which NICU in IN did you apply to just now? I am on the verge of looking at another job too... my NICU right now has no babies and a 31 weeks just got transferred out (maternal). We can take 28 weekers and there was no reason she needed to go... it stinks!!!
Preemienurse23
214 Posts
Congrats on passing boards!!!