[holyoke]

I just wanted to ask you a few questions, I just need some advice. I will try to make the long story short, I have been on a med-surg unit for 3 years, and I love it, but I moved away 1 1/2 hours (bought a house). I have since started a new position on more of a surgical floor/ post-partum, but remain casual at my old job. I only have 6 days to orient and then I am on my own, they do everything different, and I don't think that I will be able to be on my own as quick as they want me to be. how long should I give it until I know that I am not for the job? and what would you do? and on the same token, I want to get into some type of nursing that is not so rat racey, more directing, teaching, go at my pace kind of deal. My husband and I want to start a family soon, and I'm a bit high strung and have terrible anxiety of excepting the responsibilities of being the med. surg nurse.. ... any advice on different areas of nursing I could look into or anything.... please, and thankyou

[rosemadder]

It's been five years since I was started nursing but I well remember how I felt starting in that Med-Surg unit.

Good luck!

[jan Christian]

HI there fellow nurses,
always use your common knowledge
be open minded
always learn
ask question if in doubt
be confident
be polite don't forget the nursing values
don't pretend if you don't know
PRAY

[sewillia]

Congradulations!

It's an acquired field, not everyone like this type of specialty. My advice, Ask plenty question, no question is dumb. Make sure you have a well rounded orientation. There days you will get frustrated and days you will feel like you accomplished something. Don't get frustrated if a smarty pants MD gets obnoxious...it only proves that they don't know them self. Oh! if you are in a situation and the pt is in distress and you can't reach the doctor, Utilize your hospital Rapid Response Team, they are there to help the nurses in any situation.

[kristie daniels]

THIS IS DEFINATELY FOR THE ARMY MOM...WHICH I AM ALSO....2 SONS 21 AND 20 AT FT GORDON,GA

I AM ENTERING MY 1'ST SEMESTER IN THIS COURSE AND IM A TAD BIT NERVOUS...I'VE ALWAYS BEEN A....A/B STUDENT AND I GUESS FROM THE HORROR STORIES...IT'S SCARING ME . I'M ALWAYS CONFIDENT AND ASSURE OF MY NOTES AND TAKING NOTES WHETHER ASKED TO OR NOT,AND KNOWING WHAT I KNOW, W/O ANY PROBLEMS....YET....AFTER ALL THE NEGATIVITY....IT'S GETTING TO ME ....WHAT ADVICE CAN YOU GIVE TO ME...BESIDES FOR ME TO STOP LETTING OTHER PEOPLE'S LET DOWN'S SCARE ME...SIGNED......K

[lesrn2005]

Kristie: Be confident - be yourself and don't listen to when the "others" are down! Know yourself and who you are and you'll do just fine!

[linrae1173]

Hey guys! I'm also a brand new nurse on the med surg unit & i'm already feeling overwhelmed! In nursing school we never did much w/ the Md orders and test results, etc. so I feel way out of it. i just hope it gets easier. This is only my first week but i feel like I should know it now, I don't want to wait to aquire all the time management skills I need.
I feel like maybe this is just too much to handle, but then again I keep telling myself if everyone else did it, then i can too i guess?
Any advice?

[rosemarysz]

Here is my advice (for whatever its worth )

2. Prioritization and Organization are NECESSITIES.


>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

thanks to everyone for all the great advice. I am a new grad in my first job (with 4 orientation shifts to go). I know that organization and prioritizing is so vital to all nurses - especially new nurses learning new skills (cause school lacked so much) but does anyone have any SPECIFIC advice on exactly how to organize care ...
... such as hints on how to prioritize?
... or how to save time?

I feel so thankful to have found this site today, cause honestly I am scared, and all I really want out of life right now is to learn this job well.

[beachcomber64]

Any quick advice on a VAC pump...never used one before & I'm a little scared!! Just started on a new med-surg floor myself. Thanks anyone!!!