Welcoming and Involving New Hires

Specialties Emergency

Published

We have had alot of new hires on our unit. I work in a fairly large and busy emergency department. I am looking for ways to welcome and get our new hires involved with the current staff. I thought of making a bulliten board and taking a picuture of the new hire with a sheet of information for the current staff to look at. Some information about the new hire (nursing school, background, hometown, etc...)

Any other ideas??

Thanks!

0 Votes
Specializes in Emergency, LTC.

Being a new-hire in the ED, I just want to say thank you! Its nerve-racking being new and scared, but so wonderful to have the support of experienced nurses!

-emerjensee

0 Votes
Specializes in Med-Surg, Emergency, CEN.

I suggest to have a blank lab sticker on the back of their badge with frequently called extension #s (pharmacy, lab, CDU, radiology, whatever). Then I show them mine. :) Saves a LOT of time looking them up for the first few months before they learn them. Mine will never come off. I use it too much.

0 Votes
Specializes in ER, progressive care.
I suggest to have a blank lab sticker on the back of their badge with frequently called extension #s (pharmacy, lab, CDU, radiology, whatever). Then I show them mine. :) Saves a LOT of time looking them up for the first few months before they learn them. Mine will never come off. I use it too much.

I did this too, except I used a label maker. Most of the numbers I don't even use anymore, though, because we have x-ray and CT in our ER. We are also our own rapid response (so I don't use that number anymore) and code blue team, and our own lab. :) It does save time, though! I also have the nursing supervisor's number on there.

0 Votes

I love the sticker with numbers on it-idea!

also just invite them to sit with you on break or lunch when they are very new, the TWO times anyone did that when I was new, I can't tell you how much I appreciated it. it made me feel like part of the team.

or when someone gave me a badge clip that actually worked and didn't pop open (the one HR gave us always popped opened and dropped your badge on the floor, so the first week people were always handing it to you cuz they found it on the floor)

i can only speak for me, I wouldn't want my background posted on a bulletin board.

0 Votes

Our ED has a new hire bulletin board. It's a great idea. I was a new hire, as well as a brand new nures a year ago. What meant the most to me was the spirit of friendliness in other nurses. The ones who would say hello, remember your name, or even bother to speak with you. That meant the most to me. If your ED is anything like ours, we have our share of cliques who can be very unwelcoming. Having positive nurese to off set the negativity is the greatest way to bridge the gap. Just be friendly!! And if you are concerned about how to welcome new hires-it sounds as if you already are a pretty friendly person

0 Votes
Specializes in Periop, ER.

First of all, thank you for being thoughtful. I have just transferred to the ED at my hospital just a month ago. I will say that there are some coworkers who are very friendly and the docs are friendly and welcoming. My nurse manager doesn't even know my name and on the days she is running the ship, she has to change the assignments because she: 1- doesnt remember that my preceptor has an orientee , 2- doesnt even know my name, she calls me an "orientee". I have to say she does not make me feel welcome. Its a good thing that my preceptor has been very welcoming for me, it really does make a difference. Newbies like me need to feel comfortable asking questions, even questions that some people think are stupid questions. We don't want to harm anyone and we need to be able to do our jobs safely, confidently, and as team players. We won't accomplish this without the help of positive friendly people.

0 Votes
Specializes in PACU.

Gosh, who are you people and where are you from?!?!?!

I am a new grad in the ED and you all sound so nice! I wish the people I work with even considered anything like this! I commend you for even thinking of this idea and I am sure all of your new hires will really appreciate it more than you will even know...

I suggest making sure all the current staff are aware that there will be new hires first. A lot of the staff did not even know there was going to be a new grad on the unit when I came. Little things go a long way. Saying hello everyone now and then would be nice. Learning names too. Just being nice in general and offering support! And thank you for reminding me that there are nice nurses out there!!! :yes:

0 Votes

Thank you for all of your input! We acutally make a laminated card with important phone numbers on it for the employees to carry with their badge. I'm glad to hear you all like it! Our unit director sends out weekly newsletters and if there is a new employee starting within a month or two, she shares their name and when they are starting. thanks again! let me know if you any any further ideas.

0 Votes
+ Add a Comment