Any advice for a new grad starting in surg/tele?

Ruthfarmer · Sep 29, 2009

You should find out what the nurse patient ratio is on the unit, and the actual acuity of the patients. Some tele floors house patients who OUGHT to be in ICU. You may find yourself playing musical beds shuffling unstable patients back to ICU. If the acuity is great and the nurse to patient ratio is unreasonably high, I would advise you to make certain that there is an adequate amount of seasoned staff available to help you. If the acuity is way high and the N:P ratio is way high and there is not plenty of seasoned staff available, I would advise you to reconsider taking the position.

If the ratio and the acuity is reasonable and seasoned staff is there is help you learn, then get busy with a book on understanding EKG. The Incredibly Easy folks have a good one on the market.

As a new grad, your learning is really just beginning. If you are going to develop and maintain impeccable nursing habits, you must work around capable and impeccable nurses. Good luck to you.

rn-jane · Sep 29, 2009

First of all relax.. I would study your acls book and ekg book if you haven't been tested on that yet. See if you know who your preceptor is going to be and set up a meeting with him/her about her to get yourself best prepared. If not start boning up on telemetry and code procedures and common diagnoses such as chf, myocardial infarctions, pulmonary edema ect. Good luck to you.

RNperdiem, RN · Sep 29, 2009

Start getting yourself physically fit and break in your work shoes, if needed.

Do a trial run for the time it takes to commute, park and walk to work.

Take a walk around the hospital to familiarize yourself with where the cafeteria, blood bank and labs are located.

Sonjailana · Sep 30, 2009

Learn about post op care: common complications related to hypovolemia, atelectasis, post op infection and sepsis.

Learn your basic rhythms and practice.

Ask Ask Ask. It's much better to ask for help than be over confident and harm a patient.

SummerGarden, BSN, MSN, RN · Sep 30, 2009

Advice? Join us on the First Year After Nursing Licensure because you are not alone. https://allnurses.com/first-year-after/

Ihoplover · Sep 30, 2009

LeavingTeaching4RN-

Hey here's my advice (I'm just a few months out of school and work on extremely busy cardiac IMCU):

1) Know the meds which need to be held before cardiac procedure - like metformin & lovenox held before heart cath - so just review a few cardiac pre op procedure reminders

2) Then look at a few cardaice post op reminders for nursing in your med surg book - like pt on bedrest after heart cath - leg straight, head of bed no higher than 30 degrees etc

3) Make some copies of pertinent "things" and put in a notebook or on back of clipboard to carry with you to work - i.e. ABG's and their translation, INR norms and what it means for coumadin administration, electrolyte norms, etc - quick reference sheets

4) Read through your cardiac section of any NCLEX books for quick and focused review

5) Fret not too much re: EKG interpretations - they're going to orient you to unit and I assume (they better!) send you to an EKG class!

6) They're only going to expect you to know your BASICS initially so review how to do a thorough (but quick) physical assessment

7) RELAX - it will all come together - remember there are new grads who have walked in your same shoes and survived and ......actually THRIVED! You can do it!

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