New Grad RN, solid organ transplant unit

[latte123]

Hi all,

I am new graduate nurse who graduated in May, and after six months of job hunting, I have been offered a staff RN position on a solid organ transplant unit, at a level 1 trauma hospital. I just wanted to ask for any advice that can guide me through this experience. What was it like to work on a transplant unit? What would you say are the most important things to remember concerning transplant patients? What would you say was the most rewarding experience on this kind of unit? What was your least favorite experience on this kind of unit? Thank you all for your input!

[SierraBravo]

#1 buy comfortable shoes because you're likely going to be running around... ALOT.

#2 I hope you're not averse to poop and diarrhea, thanks to lactulose.

#3 not every patient is going to be compliant and it's sometimes frustrating when people are given a second chance with a new organ and they are not compliant with their meds, etc...

[latte123]

Thanks for the advice:yes: I worked as a pca in the float pool(for 3 years) at the same hospital I received the RN position, so I am use to always being on my feet and cleaning up poop(float's always get the total care patients, and the heavier load of patients). Do you think these patients are going to listen to a new grad nurse about being compliant with their plan of care?

[SierraBravo]

I never understood why they gave the floaters the total cares, if I was a floater I wouldn't want to come back if a unit kept giving me the heaviest assignments. But the thing is that the patients (unless there are some that are readmitted and remember you as a PCA) aren't going to know if you're a brand new grad or a 5 year veteran. So if you go in there with confidence then I'm sure they will listen to you, whether or not they adhere to the plan of care depends on them and their support system.

[latte123]

I never understood either, and there was no point of complaining to the charge nurse about patient assignments, because it was expected that the float would take the heavier load. I will go in with confidence, I just have so much to learn!!!