When will the "I feel like a bothersome fifth wheel" moments go away?

[HeatherGurl84]

I have been working at my new job in a Pediatric practice for one month now and it feels like a whirlwind. I am learning so much so quickly, it sometimes feels like I am a burden. The doctors have told me I am slow and complained about me being slow (I cannot help that I am new and still learning the processes of everything. I have also been out of work for 18 months and am now back.), and others act like I am a bother if I have to ask something more than once.

I would rather ask than make an error. There are moments I need to just go in the bathroom and cry. Seems like people forget that we were all new once.

I love the patients and the job but hate the feedback I get. I never get complimented on anything, I get more of "well you forgot to do this".......frustrating. Even the nurse manager said it would take me at LEAST 6 months before I could say "Okay, I think I got this."

I am being trained by 3 different people and they all show me different ways to do things and I have been told by my manager that many of them are not correct and that "I am the RN" and should know. Makes my head spin....like being pointed in 50000 different directions.

Plus my manager keeps talking about wanting to train me in phone triage, but I havent even had the time to fully learn everything clinical-wise. I do not want to be overwhelmed.

Help? Any advice would be greatly appreciated! :)

[PurpleLover]

Hugs

I have not been in your place as I am just starting school, but I am aware how bad it made me feel when I thought I was a burden.

Smile and keep trying to learn.

Good luck!

[cassie77775]

I'm there too as a brand new RN. I feel like I'm constantly asking things bc I'm a brand new nurse and there is stuff I never encountered. Thankfully there are only a few people that make me feel that way by asking questions.

[jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B]

The only red flag I see is that your manager states that the way you are being shown is incorrect.

I would ask how it is that it needs to be done correctly. Write everything down in a notebook so that you can refer to it for guidance.

Sounds like too many cooks in the kitchen.

[bbcfan]

I think jadelpn is spot on with the advice to go with what your manager wants and to try to keep a notebook. And hang in there and give yourself time. Starting anew is always stressful. Even when you take a position in a field in which you are well versed, it takes time to learn the routines and personalities of a new place. And those who fly off the handle may be reacting to their own stress and your "newness" is an opportunity to let off steam. Hang in there and remember you are trying to board a train that is moving full speed. You will get there and this awful transition time feeling will pass.

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

Is there a policy/procedure manual? That's the correct way to do things, no matter who your preceptor is. Find it, read it and know where to go to look it up anytime you're faced with a new skill.

As to the other, the first year of any new career is tough, and nursing is not the exception. It takes about a year, and sometimes more before you feel competent more than you feel incompetent. yes, you're slow. It's part of the deal. Asking questions is good -- much better than making a mistake. Keep a notebook, though, so that you can record the answers rather than asking the same questions over and over again.

The nature of being an adult is that you're going to get negative feedback more often than you get positive feedback. It's not personal; it's designed to help you to improve your practice. I know it sucks to hear what you did wrong all the time and never get a compliment, but look at it this way: if you're not getting negative feedback, that's positive!

Good luck!