first job___orientation

Well, what a question! Since I first oriented (in 1982), I think many changes have taken place.....unfortunately. I now work a specialty area, where a new nurse, whether fresh out of school or not, is indeed paired with an experienced RN for many days (if not weeks), to learn the routines. My best advice to you is: Speak up for yourself. If you're not ready to be on your own, SAY SO. If your preceptor is unwilling or unable to assist, go the the charge nurse, then to the manager, and to the director if necessary. If you are shortchanged in the orientation process, you are the one to flounder or be stressed out!

Good Luck.

I am just finishing my 8 week orientation on a 45 bed TELE unit. My orientation has been excellent. I have been kept with the same mentors as much as possible. This I feel is the best way to start a TELE career. It has left me with a positive experience, and I have learnt alot. I am not sure how long you orientation is, but by the end of 8 weeks I feel ready to go it alone. Bearing in mind that when you are alone, you are not alone. You should also recieve a EKG class, and if you can take the chance to watch the educational videos, it is good to see what they say, so that you can let the patients know. Also take time to look at all the policies and procedures, and all the educational material. I hope that you are able to accomplish these things during your orientation, it certainly helped me. Hope this helps, Emma

I recently started on a tele floor and I have to say that the biggest help for me was to ask questions. If I had one little question about what kind of procedures meant what - I went and asked the person who performed the procedure. If I had a question about a medication there was no hesitation about asking the pharmacist. For general nursing questions, I sought out the people whom I thought were good resources about how the floor ran and asked them my questions. I rotated people I asked so they didn't feel like I was always hounding them. Take time to learn the layout of the floor. Basically, be a snoop. You won't believe the things that you find out. Like where certain forms are, and where educational information is located. Most of what I learned was on my own and on my own time. But, like I said before, don't be afraid to ask questions. I believe that nurses would much rather work with people who want to know how the floor works than those nurse who they have to follow who don't know and make the following nurse's job harder. Best of luck (I think that it is worth it).

I started out as a new nurse on a tele floor in 1999. I think it was the best start any new nurse could ask for, and I am a CCU/ER nurse now.
I had six weeks of training with specific preceptors. I could have had 10 weeks of orientation if I wanted. I asked a lot of questions and got very good answers. No question is a stupid question. Keep you eve open for those special people who are happy to help you and know what they are talking about so that when you go on your own you know who you can turn to. If you are not ready to go on your own when your orientation SPEAK UP because Cardiac patients are not the ones that you want to guess about. Know your strips, know your signs & symptoms and listen to you patients.
I am sure you will do fine.