[Ventjock]

Originally Posted by irisRN

Look into a good program. There are many out there.

I am 3/4 of the way done with mine, which was a one year orientation as a new grad. I did 3 months in an outpatient setting (peds ED), i did 3 months in an inpatient setting (cardiology floor), then i spend the last 6 months in the ICU. i dont count as staff at any point in time until i'm done with orientation. it is an excellent program, and if you are truly interested, look for the right opportunity for you. Make sure you are up to the task, the learning curve is quite steep. But, its do-able.

Good luck.

where is this? you can pm me if you dont want to disclose the location.

thanks

[irisRN]

i just PMd you, but i wanted to add...there are lots of hospitals that are doing this now, so its worth to look around. some places are finally realizing that its smart to invest in one year of training new grads, shaping them to what THEY need them to be, familiarizing them with the hospital system, etc. These programs tend to have a high retention rate.

Whatever you wind up picking, just make sure that you have a long enough orientation. If you can, visit these hospitals and talk to those who have been through similar programs.

[stefaniePICURN]

I started as a new grad in the PICU almost a year ago. My orientation was 6 months long, give or take according to individual needs. We had pediatric nursing basic classes, as well as pediatric critical care classes for 2 months. We were on the unit with a preceptor for 5 months. We also had time spent in the simulation lab practicing codes and other situations, as well as attending inservices, and got certified for the Hyperbaric chamber. I was on orientation on day shift 3 months, then night shift 3 months (which is where i remain now). I had 2 different preceptors on each days and nights, which is nice because you see how each nurse does the same thing a different way so you can develop your own way of doing things. Every single opportunity I had to ask a question, I did. Even off orientation now, I still ask a million questions. On our unit, we are able to choose our patients at start of shift, so my preceptors were great in that they always sought out the best opportunities for me. Now that I am on my own, it is great to have such support on nights, and I feel as though I have 9 preceptors at once while working, seeing as I can ask anyone anything. Good luck in finding a supportive orientation program!!

[marilynmom]

I work in a PICU as a nurse tech in a teaching hospital, I will have been there a year when I graduate in May. My orientation will be 10 weeks.

Anyways, my PI hires new grads all the time though! Most do well

[jenj1928]

I just interviewed in a very large PICU for a new grad position and they have a 6 month orientation, I'm looking forward to that phone ringing!!!

[Ventjock]

Good luck! I hope to find myself in your situation a year from now.

[cityRNBSN]

I always wanted to work in the PICU ever since my rotation in a PICU in nsg school . I just got out of nsg school a little over 2 months ago. I feel like I have plastered "new grad" on my forhead so all doctors and other nurses know im not an experienced nurse. (I have to say, they really take the time to explain things to you if they know your fresh out of school, they care about their patients especially if your taking care of them!) I am a new floating nurse working in the PICU and NICU. I don't know how I ever got such a selective oppertunity (but persistence paid off!) I had 8 years of experience working in an adult ICU/CCU as a PCA so that may have helped my foot into the critical care setting. Im into my 3rd week of orientation in the PICU and I love what I am learning! I will orient with another nurse for 2-3 more weeks then I will be on my own for 5 weeks and move to the NICU. Organize, organize, organize! There is never a such thing as being too organized. These patients have many drips and medications infusing in multiple iv's, I was overwhelmed when the 3rd day on the unit I got an intubated patient with 6 drips! I managed to get through everything with organizing my report, making a grid for checking my iv rates hourly and really getting a handle on everything a nurse would need to critically monitor, once you see the big picture it gets easier to manage. I think when I first started I had tunnel vision being so concitrated on the iv's or getting to document urine output I dont think I ever noticed everything else going on with the pt It took some time to learn how to be task oriented while still critically analyzing the pt's condition and taking a step back to see how the pt appears, and of course im still learning but these little mole hills I have learned about has improved my efficency/competency in caring for critically ill children

[janfrn]

Originally Posted by cityRNBSN

I just got out of nsg school a little over 2 months ago. I feel like I have plastered "new grad" on my forhead so all doctors and other nurses know im not an experienced nurse. (I have to say, they really take the time to explain things to you if they know your fresh out of school, they care about their patients especially if your taking care of them!) <snip> I think when I first started I had tunnel vision being so concitrated on the iv's or getting to document urine output I dont think I ever noticed everything else going on with the pt It took some time to learn how to be task oriented while still critically analyzing the pt's condition and taking a step back to see how the pt appears, and of course im still learning but these little mole hills I have learned about has improved my efficency/competency in caring for critically ill children

As a novice nurse you're expected to be task-oriented and organizationally challenged for more time than you've had. Don't be in a big hurry to force yourself into a mold you aren't ready for. You have enough to contend with just keeping your care organized and on time and your charting up to date. You should be caring for stable single-system patients right now and working on getting into a routine and a mindset, not trying to match the skill level of someone with 10 years' experience. If you rush your fences (to totally mix my metaphors here) you'll end up being thrown. I've said this before but it bears repeating... it takes at least 1000 repetitions of an activity before it becomes ingrained and natural. If you do 3 arterial blood gases every 12 hour shift, it will take you 333 shifts or about two years of full time work to feel like it's automatic. You can't rush experience, but you can use this time to work on understanding the pathophysiology of your patients' problems and why the treatments they're receiving are chosen. But that's better done away from the bedside, where you aren't being pulled in ten different directions. I'm often up late at night after a shift with a patient whose problem I've never encountered before, reading and searching for understanding. Enjoy this time because once you're not a novice anymore, you'll wish you had the luxury of paying close attention to everything you do.

[boomerfriend]

I just started in a new grad program for the PICU. I'm totally overwhelmed by the field that I've chosen. We will have 10 more weeks of training including preceptorship with two different "seasoned" nurses. I'm anxious to get my feet wet while at the same time I'm absolutely scared stiff.

This thread has been the encouragement I need. It is good to hear that I don't have to know everything right away. I'm learning that it's o.k. to be the "new guy" and to ask lots and lots of questions. I am trying to get better at not expecting so much of myself too soon.

Thanks everyone for the encouragement. I sure needed it.

[1jazzynurse]

i'm a new graduate and i have been hired in our picu. i was a tech there for a year, so i got to see some interesting things. i've had the opportunity to help chart too and help care for stable patients. i haven't done a shift yet, but now i find myself worrying that i don't know enough as a new grad. i know that no one wakes up knowing how to do everything, it comes with time. i'm scared and looking forward to learning.