Hired on a Med/Surg/Ortho floor.. Any tips?

Nursing Students CNA/MA

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So I finally got hired at a hospital for the med/surg/ortho floor. I am per diem and working nights. I start my orientation on Monday. Was wondering if anyone had any tips or advice for me? Im so excited but pretty nervous too!

You should be fine. As long as your trainer is good at the job. Its really about how good you manage your time. Its a med surgical floor so you're gonna see almost every kind of patient include the additional ortho patients.

Here are some tips- I work float pool, so all over.

1. Manage your time (this will get easier as you get into the swing of things)

2. If you find yourself caught up, ask your co-workers if they need help.

4. try to catch up with the RN after s/he has seen a new admit- ask if they can mobilise/toileting, anything you should watch for especially to report to him or her, etc. It shows initiative and most RN's appreciate it.

5. If you work in a new environment, things may be done differently. Learn to adapt. Every new place I go onto is different, not wrong or right, they just have different routines etc.

I work on a med surg floor and here is what I've learned.

- if you have an ortho pt or a pt that has to have assistance when they get up ask them how they usually get up or ask them which way it is easiest for them to move. The pt will usually tell you what you need to do to help

-get any busy work done at the beginning of the shift if you can. (We have to make linen bags and clean equipment)

- carry bags, scissors, and tape with you

- carry a highlighter. When you have multiple sets of vitals ( surgery vitals, admission vitals, and so on) its easy to forget which ones you've charted. Highlight the ones that you've charted.

Thanks for the tips everyone!! I started my orientation last week which lol was kind of dry.. Tomorrow is my first day of floor orientation. I will let you know how it goes :)

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