Out of orientation

detroitdano · Apr 9, 2010

Make a med list and a to-do list to keep yourself organized, don't clutter it with stuff you know you should be doing like Q2 turns or care plans, etc. Just things you may forget, like ordering a commode or rechecking a potassium level. It'll save you from looking dumb at shift change when you go "D'oh, I knew I had to do that but forgot!"

It'll take time to adjust. You are on YOUR time now, not your preceptor's time. If you don't turn a patient until 10:15 when they were last turned at 8:00 you won't have someone breathing down your neck that you're a horrible human being. 15-30 minutes give or take for a task you know you have to complete isn't a big deal, just make sure it gets done.

It takes a good while to break out of the time-restricted, task-based thinking you're forced into with being an orient. Just don't forget to use your critical thinking, that's why you're an ICU nurse! Some people get to so task-focused they forget to look at big-picture items. Good luck to ya.

up-n-atom · Apr 10, 2010

I felt the same way reeltime @ first, I'm have almost a year in ICU and I still remember asking my preceptor "...what do you mean take two pt's today?":eek:. Try to come up w/ a system that works 4 u. I almost mechanically start my day doing the same thing after report...check monitor settings, check drips are running right, review orders, make sure patient is alive:). Obviously if your pt is coding at the start of the shift you cant do this but for me I know I have a plan/pattern that I loosely follow daily. Also, I've learned to be a little less stubborn, for ex. one RN told me he writes down all his meds on his report sheet. I thought this was ridiculous when we have electronic MAR but now I write all down..it helps me remember what meds the pt has vs. logging in and looking them up.

Keep asking questions from experienced nurses, I feel things have gotten easier every few months for me the first few months on my own were the hardest, try to think why you are doing something or what outcome will happen if do this or that...you will have some tough days ahead of you but you will naturally get better time management. good luck.