Words of encouragement?

[aerorunner80, ADN, BSN, MSN, APRN]

I've been in the NICU for almost a month now (did two weeks in our ICN/level II) and last week was the best and worst week all put together.

It was the best week becuase things are starting to finally fall into place and I feel like I'm relying on my own two feet much more than on cues from my preceptor to do things. Yay! I'm finally starting to feel more comfortable.

I also landed my first IV last week as well. I only had two sticks before I landed my first one so I'm happy with that. I tried twice the day before and also tried for an art stick and missed both. The next day I had the opportunity come up to try another IV on a fresh baby (

It was also one of the worst weeks for me because just when I thought I was on top of my game with keeping up with orders and not being behind, I get behind. Teach me to get confident!

I was sitting down charting on my two kiddos and the doc was on the other side of me asking if any vanc labs have been drawn on one of my kids and I said no, I haven't seen any ordered and the kid has recieved 3 doses now.

It was at this exact moment that I went "oh $)^(*" and realized that I was now almost two hours behind in giving my abx for a nec kid. I totally freaked out because I felt like such a dumb_____ for forgetting the most important meds I needed to get in for this kid.

I made it through that with the help of my preceptor becasue I was also late on getting some labs done as well.

I was off on Friday and while I'm out buying some new running shoes, I get a voicemail from the unit educator asking me to call her sometime early this week because there are some "perception" issues. What is that supposed to mean?

I had a good friend of mine listen to the voice mail she left me and she said it sounded like I've just made someone mad already and not to worry too much because the educator said outright in the voicemail that there are no issues with my performance but still! I'm totally freaking out about this, especially after my last day on at work where I was late on those meds and labs!

Has anyone ever been called out about "perception" issues? What exactly does this mean? :sofahider:bluecry1::grn:

I feel like i am in trouble and I haven't even been there long enough to cause much if any!

I do have to add that I do have a history of causing "trouble" in other jobs because I have no problem standing up for what I believe in and what I believe to be right for my patients. I have yet to run into anything like that at this job though!

[rn4lyfe08]

Are you sure he/she said "perception" and not "preception". There may be an issue with your preceptor... could be scheduling or something else. Never heard of a nurses performance being fine, but someone having trouble/issue with perception.