Got a placement (yay) but what if I can't do it (boo)

Re: Got a placement (yay) but what if I can't do it (boo)

hissycat — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 21:56:23 GMT

[quote user="Button"]

Thanks hissycat.

I feel a bit better today but thats probably because I was working with someone else - that's not meant horribly as the assessor is really nice but I didn't feel no edge at all today. I got to speak to someone about it and I know for sure it's not just me but I do find it hard to handle. I spoke to another nurse who is lovely and she made a good point that things that are done wrong will be brought up where as things that are done correctly won't as there's no need. If I'm doing things right then there's no need to say anything as nothing needs correcting. But I need feel like I just coulndn't win yesterday. The nurse agreed that that is what she can be like and that I just need to get my head down. It's just quite disheartening when you're busting a gut to do everything right only to be told differently.

Oooh and if anyone knows how I can be in 2 or 3 places at once doing 5 different things then please share

[/quote]

Use your third and fourth arms ofcourse All nurses have them!

Re: Got a placement (yay) but what if I can't do it (boo)

carrie ball — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 17:44:19 GMT

hi, after 9 years i am finally going to be able to train as a vn, but at the moment i too am struggling to keep up, i keep making stupid mistakes and am being pulled up on so many things. i feel like i should just give up. but i won't this is what i wanted to do, and this is what i am going to do. You will succeed, just keep on top of your case studies and don't let the b's get you down!

Re: Got a placement (yay) but what if I can't do it (boo)

Claire Cameron — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 16:23:03 GMT

[quote user="Button"]

Oooh and if anyone knows how I can be in 2 or 3 places at once doing 5 different things then please share

[/quote]

Been nursing for as long as I've worked and unfortunately no answer to that one!!

Re: Got a placement (yay) but what if I can't do it (boo)

Anonymous — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 22:03:48 GMT

Thanks hissycat.

Oooh and if anyone knows how I can be in 2 or 3 places at once doing 5 different things then please share

Re: Got a placement (yay) but what if I can't do it (boo)

hissycat — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 02:10:25 GMT

Button, the whole thing with the order sounds very unfair. is it the same person giving you grief all the time? I was in a similar situation when i first started training, the PM would expect me to know things that I obviously wouldn't know, would not show me how to do things properly and would basically roll her eyes at me every five minutes. i felt awful and really thought it was just me being crap. So i just kept my head down and got on with things, luckily I got on ok with the head nurse and practice principal so things were never that bad. Some months later I was told that one of the staff ( I still don't know who it was but I would like to thank them) had informed the PP of her behaviour towards me and she was reprimanded for bullying and left not long after. Unfortunately being a trainee and a very sensitive person you are an easy target. It may just be that she is preparing you for life in a busy practice in which case you should find it gets easier soon, and maybe you are oversensitive (I know I am but after so long in practice i have toughened up considerably) but if you feel they are making you feel stupid or useless all the time and putiing you in situations where you can't win whatever you do then that is worrying and you should definitely speak to someone. Is there someone else in the practice who could give an unbiased opinion? If they are like it with everyone then its prob not a personal thing. Maybe you just need more time to settle in? as has been said, everyone finds it difficult in a new job at first. hope you feel ok

Re: Got a placement (yay) but what if I can't do it (boo)

Maisy — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 19:28:32 GMT

There you go-your assessor told you that you had done well. Think of the other comments as constructive criticism as you will come across this often no doubt initially when all the 'old' staff want things carried out their way. Don't see these comments as unfair (unless they genuinely are) but instead they are helping you learn. If you feel that you are being bogged down too much with different duties, let them know as its far better (imo) that jobs are done correctly than doing lots of little wrong tasks. Nursing can be like that though so prioritise what you are being asked, and let whoever is asking know if you need more time/clarification on whats needed.

I'm sure most VNs were like this when they started out and you won't always feel out of your depth. If this job is really what you want, then you do need to come out of yourself (which over time I'm sure you will) to ensure no-one is stepping over you to succeed in your job.

Re: Got a placement (yay) but what if I can't do it (boo)

Anonymous — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 19:08:25 GMT

I understand what you're saying, I did try and talk to the assessor about it when she asked how my day had gone. I was honest and said I felt completely overwhelmed and nervous that I didn't seem to get anything right. She did even say that it is difficult as she'd told me to do one thing and then another and then got annoyed when I did it etc but that I need to move faster and do it all at once as that's what nursing is like. Surely that's not possible - well for someone as new as me?

She said I'd done well by the end of the day but to me I didn't feel like I had after all of the comments she'd made. Just when I thought the day might look like it was getting better I got another comment. Maybe I am being too sensitive but if it's like this now how will I cope when she expects me to get things right. Worried that I won't manage the next 3 years.

I was hoping that there were others how felt as worried as me when they first started. Just a bit of reassurance that I won't always feel out of my depth.

I will stick with it but fear my sensitive nature will ruin my chances of succeeding in the end.

Re: Got a placement (yay) but what if I can't do it (boo)

Maisy — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 18:55:32 GMT

That's the point I'm trying to make Button-to us, you are probably doing an excellent job and can keep saying this to you but probably doesn't make you feel any better as we don't work with you thus you still feel unhappy. Therefore the people you need to talk to are those at work and get them to listen to your concerns. You've already had one bad nursing experience so why risk another?

Yes, maybe nursing isn't for you, it isn't for everyone. However by sticking it out in what is assumed to be a decent practice will at least help your decision making. But you need to speak to those at work about your concerns to help you.

When I first started I worked in a stinker of a practice and never felt like I could do the job and always felt unhappy yet never told anyone. A vet friend who I confided in told me (quite bluntly!) to stop playing the victim and speak up when things went wrong. Yes, sharp words but it got me where I wanted to be instead of being mousey and never quite being fully happy at work.

Re: Got a placement (yay) but what if I can't do it (boo)

Anonymous — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 18:47:06 GMT

[quote user="Maisy"]

I completely agree with Gillian and sometimes to me it comes across on your posts that everyone is out to get you which I'm sure they aren't. Speak up! No-one knows everything when they start (or even after qualifying) but you need to ensure people help you at work. Sometimes trainees are assumed to know much more than they do so you need to ensure you get the training you need.

[/quote]

I don't think anyone's out to get me at all. God, I just feel stressed that I can't do the job and it doesn't help that when I do what I am told I get told off for doing it. I find it very stressful when I'm trying my hardest.

I just wanted some friendly reassurance that's all so sorry if that's the impression I gave.

Re: Got a placement (yay) but what if I can't do it (boo)

Anonymous — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 18:43:48 GMT

He he! Day off. I work 4 days a week (11hr shift per day)

Re: Got a placement (yay) but what if I can't do it (boo)

Maisy — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 18:36:56 GMT

Button when things get like this, you need to speak out to those who can help you-i.e your boss/Head Nurse. I know jobs are always difficult at first esp nursing when you haven't had any prior training beforehand. There's only so much we can say to help you but you need to take that step first.

Re: Got a placement (yay) but what if I can't do it (boo)

Saskia Quinn — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 16:47:41 GMT

a bearded dragon sounds very exotic!!

Considering my knowledge on the species, I think if I was present with one, I would run a mile!! Good luck! Hope its nothing too serious!

Re: Got a placement (yay) but what if I can't do it (boo)

Gillian Mostyn — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 16:45:43 GMT

I am tidying up the office while I wait for the automatic processor to warm up so that I can then radiograph my patient - a wheezy bearded dragon. Fun all the way.

Re: Got a placement (yay) but what if I can't do it (boo)

Saskia Quinn — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 16:43:44 GMT

hehe lol!! At least we have clarified that!!!

Re: Got a placement (yay) but what if I can't do it (boo)

Gillian Mostyn — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 16:41:22 GMT

I am at work - but I'm the boss!!!!!!!

Re: Got a placement (yay) but what if I can't do it (boo)

Saskia Quinn — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 16:35:54 GMT

hehe we could ask you the same Gillian!!

Now before you ask me This is my day off hehe

Re: Got a placement (yay) but what if I can't do it (boo)

Gillian Mostyn — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 15:53:39 GMT

Just curious - why aren't you at work????

Re: Got a placement (yay) but what if I can't do it (boo)

Gillian Mostyn — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 15:51:53 GMT

I didn't mean to give the impression that I was chastising you! Just friendly advice. You will be cut out for it - give it time! Keep a smile on your face and do your best - that's all anyone can do!

Re: Got a placement (yay) but what if I can't do it (boo)

Anonymous — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 15:49:06 GMT

I haven't been resentful towards them or mentioned that I'm upset at all. I have just got my head down and worked. I just found it difficult. I was asked how I felt yesterday and I said I felt a little overwhelmed and that I was getting things wrong. I was told I was too slow and I apologised and explained it was because I am learning and don't want to get things done wrong.

I would never be off with the people that I work with - I was just posting on here because I need to get it off my chest as I'm worried I'm not cut out for it and need a little reassurance.

Re: Got a placement (yay) but what if I can't do it (boo)

Gillian Mostyn — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 15:45:11 GMT

Don't forget that EVERYONE hates the first few weeks/months in a new job - you feel like a useless spare part - but it will improve!

Re: Got a placement (yay) but what if I can't do it (boo)

Gillian Mostyn — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 15:44:06 GMT

This is probably going to sound harsh (sorry!) but you seem quite resentful of the job and staff in your post and that will get you nowhere. I know it is frustrating in a new job when you are getting used to the system, especially if you are being reprimanded for things you couldn't avoid. However, at this stage you will just have to follow orders and keep your head down, regardless of how you feel. If you are 'told off', just ask them what they would have done in your place. If you give the impression that you are annoyed or cheesed off with them, at this early stage, you will alienate yourself. Don't get me wrong - as I said, you need to ask questions (constantly) so you get things right. But I wouldn't be confrontational so early in a new job - doesn't make for a good start!

Re: Got a placement (yay) but what if I can't do it (boo)

Anonymous — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 15:39:15 GMT

I tried talking to her about it and she sort of dodged around what I was saying coming out with something like it being hard and that you have to be able to do lots of jobs at once! Hmm - not if it's impossible surely?

Not enough room to do that with the order but I didn't even get the chance to do that anyway. I'm new therefore I just do as I'm told and even that's not good enough. I'm really down about it all now. Might just go and work in Tescos.

Re: Got a placement (yay) but what if I can't do it (boo)

Saskia Quinn — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 15:30:05 GMT

Button, what you have said in that last post - that kind of behaviour is very unfair. You need to speak up and voice your concerns.

How about tell your employer what you have said in the above post? Sounds reasonable enough to me and its how you feel, what you are told to do and not to do etc.

For the future, would if be possible to bring a small part of the order through to reception at a time and check it off that way? That is what I do sometimes if I am on reception on my own

Re: Got a placement (yay) but what if I can't do it (boo)

Anonymous — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 13:50:39 GMT

Well yesterday I was doing my best but I find it hard when someone tells me to do this and that and then tells me off for doing this and that if that makes sense?

Scenario: clients in reception, not allowed to leave them but also there's an order to check off. I got told off as "the order should of been checked off by now" but reception was really busy and I wasn't allowed to leave it. Then, I got shoved out into the corridor to check off the order and someone came into reception - I couldn't go through to reception as it meant walking through either of the consult rooms which I've been told I should never do. Then I got shouted at in front of a client for leaving reception.

It was silly little things like that all day yesterday and it made me just want to run out crying.

Re: Got a placement (yay) but what if I can't do it (boo)

Claire Cameron — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 07:53:45 GMT

[quote user="Button"]

Is it normal to have doubts already? I've been working there for a couple of weeks and I'm not sure I can do it. I feel like I can't seem to do anything right :(

It's quite overwhelming and scary. Did anyone else feel like like this when they first started? Or should I just give up now as I'm clearly not cut out to be a vet nurse...?

[/quote]

I was just wondering how you were getting on last night, good to see your on here.

In my honest opinion, nursing is hard, really hard, there is sooo much to learn BUT, it will come to you! I remember a few years back a new ANA we had, said the same thing to me, but it takes time, I'm sure if you were to start university and someone showed you the exam paper you'd think you'd never be able to do that. It's early days and there is so much to learn but it comes so quickly, take a notebook is the best advice, and ask questions.

It will take time, but if your committed then you will succeed,

If you feel you can't do anything right, ask them how they'd like it to be done, or where your going wrong.

What do you feel you are doing wrong?