What was it like finally being off orientation?

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I'm finding orientation to be a bear. I've got my manager constantly following me, making sure I'm ok, checking me off on this and that, and I can barely get the job done without being yanked on all day long by her. I just can't wait until the day is my own sometimes.

I know she's just doing her job trying to make me into a good nurse -- but right now I'm not and it's demeaning at times to get that constant criticism and oversight -- I mean -- I know inside that I need it, but I can't stand it!!

Perhaps this is a common stage we go through? Like teenagers who think they can handle the reigns of Dad's new car and want Dad off their back, yet truly dont' have the maturity or judgement yet to be driving alone?

It's just frustrating. Perhaps they are just growing pains? :bugeyes:

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Specializes in Did the job hop, now in MS. Not Bad!!!!!.

Just curious S of M,

how long was your orientation? I"m having similar issues, not to mention a tortuous hag who uses me as her punching bag and it's gone completely NOTICED by the staff of nurses on the days I oriented, yet UNnoticed by the managerial staff. AND I'm going nights. Have had major meltdown after major meltdown. And it's only been 3 weeks. 2 more when I go nights w/ my new night preceptor.

UGH!!!

Chloe

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Specializes in Tele.
I'm finding orientation to be a bear. I've got my manager constantly following me, making sure I'm ok, checking me off on this and that, and I can barely get the job done without being yanked on all day long by her. I just can't wait until the day is my own sometimes.

I know she's just doing her job trying to make me into a good nurse -- but right now I'm not and it's demeaning at times to get that constant criticism and oversight -- I mean -- I know inside that I need it, but I can't stand it!!

Perhaps this is a common stage we go through? Like teenagers who think they can handle the reigns of Dad's new car and want Dad off their back, yet truly dont' have the maturity or judgement yet to be driving alone?

It's just frustrating. Perhaps they are just growing pains? :bugeyes:

It will be a lot better when you are on your own.

you will learn and make your own mistakes and just grow as a nurse.

hang in there

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I so get what you're saying!!

I'm close to being off, too. It seems like the closer I get to finishing, the more criticism I get. It makes me more nervous and, I think, causes me to make more mistakes. I also feeling like I'm getting criticised for the littlest things (that get blown out of proportion) that I see other nurses do all the time, without comment. There's a huge double standard.

I'm really tired of it. I'm terrified of being on my own, but I couldn't be more sick of orientation!

My biggest fear is that I'll get to the end and they'll extend it!

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Specializes in Did the job hop, now in MS. Not Bad!!!!!.

I'm really tired of it. I'm terrified of being on my own, but I couldn't be more sick of orientation!

AMEN AC!!

Chloe

:omy:

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that I see other nurses do all the time, without comment. There's a huge double standard.

Yep to that, including ALL KINDS of paperwork mistakes and yet no one bothers to say anything to them. meanwhile, one slip up on my part and it's all about a big pull-in to the old "manager's office."

It's just all so goofy.

I can imagine the fear of being utterly alone at times, and not being 100% sure of myself, but still, I'm looking forward to making my own mistakes as far as time management goes, and just learning from them on my own, developing my own tricks, etc. Right now I can't do it with someone always around. So, so nervewracking.

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Specializes in ED/trauma.

During orientation, it was hit or miss. I felt like I was doing great, until I was taking all 6 pts (while still precepting) and had to realize painfully how much my preceptor did NOT teach me. Instead of helping me learn, if I was behind on charting, she would tell me to finish charting while she did all the tasks, followed up on orders/meds, arranged procedures, etc. I know this belongs in the "hospitals suck at orientation" thread, but it fits here also.

I've been off for 1 month. Love it. I work best on my own, without someone doing it all for me, so it's working great being on my own. I still have to ask for help (duh! Can't learn it all in 2 months!), but - fortunately - there are numerous nurses (charge & staff) who are willing to help.

There is light at the end of the tunnel, and I love being able to see it now!

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That's how it is for me also -- hit or miss. Sometimes I'm doing it ok, sometimes the preceptor just has to do too much for me, becuase I'm in such a fog.

And sometimes they just plain can't teach, or dont think to teach stuff. Or, they're going so fast you can't process it.

I don't think there's anyway to get it all on orientation -- it's just "orientation" and that's it. The real learning probably is still to come ...

I just feel at this, if everyone would just get out of my way, I could figure it out at least, with minimal questions, LOL. Maybe I'm kidding myself, tho.

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Specializes in NICU.

Ugh, I'm scared to death to be on my own but at the same time I'm super excited. I felt pretty confident and was doing ok and then last week I switched to nights and got a new preceptor...well, it's basically sucked since then. I don't know if it was my day preceptor was just laid back and a good teacher and my nights is too uptight and a bad teacher or if it's the other way around and the day preceptor didn't teach and now the night preceptor is actually teaching.....that probably makes no sense to anyone but it made sense in my head. Haha. I only have 2 more days of orientation and I'm on my own....hopefully all will be good.

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Ugh, I'm scared to death to be on my own but at the same time I'm super excited. I felt pretty confident and was doing ok and then last week I switched to nights and got a new preceptor...well, it's basically sucked since then. I don't know if it was my day preceptor was just laid back and a good teacher and my nights is too uptight and a bad teacher or if it's the other way around and the day preceptor didn't teach and now the night preceptor is actually teaching.....that probably makes no sense to anyone but it made sense in my head. Haha. I only have 2 more days of orientation and I'm on my own....hopefully all will be good.

Having a very similar experience. Makes total sense to me!

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Specializes in ED/trauma.

The longer I'm on my own, the more I love it. I know there's still TONS I have to learn, so I always make sure to ask for help. Thankfully, I have one charge who is amazing at actually helping.

Some days are a nightmare: 4 out of 6 patients are on contact isolation & incontinent and 2 of them are morbidly obese and 3 of the 6 need pain meds like every other minute! Yesterday, I had FOUR discharges and 3 admits. Thank goodness they were already "admitted" in the system, so I didn't have to do their entire H&P (which I was SO worried I'd have to).

The last 2 weeks were like a cake walk, though, so I guess this was just showing how things even out in the end.

I'm still amazed when I actually take a few minutes to stop and think about the fact that I am a REGISTERED and LICENSED PROFESSIONAL! With my business degree, I could get just about ANY JOB I wanted. Now, I have a career that requires a ton of experience and continuous learning. It truly is amazing.

Good luck to you all!

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