New RN to ortho

Specialties Orthopaedic

Published

I am starting my first nursing job next week as an RN on ortho. I am really excited, but very nervous about finally starting my career. I am just looking for some advice, insight, etc. I want to be as prepared as possible before I start, although I know I am going to learn SO much when I actually get on the floor!

What basic things should I know as an ortho nurse?

What are the top 20 meds given on an ortho floor?

Any info that you could give me would be great....

Thanks!

Kyle

Hi Iampatty... how have you been doing in Ortho, do you like it there? I am considering doing Ortho and as you would like any info of what to know. I did ortho years ago and honestly have gone blank. So much has happen that I can't remember much. I didn't stay long but want to start fresh. Any advice would be appreciated

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Specializes in ortho/neuro/trauma/general surgical.

First of all Kyle, I would have to say take a deep breath and RELAX. You hopefully will be getting about what 12 weeks of orientation? My first point of advice would be to buy yourself a small notepad to keep in your pocket. You will need to know what doc to call/their pager/and when you can call them/ do they use residents, that type of thing. I always encourage new nurses to keep this little notepad. To try and "remember" everything is insane!! Our new nurses get 12 weeks of orientation. During that orientation, they are with their preceptor most of the time. They do go with PT/OT, speech therapy, they spend time with the unit secretaries, the charge nurse, the neurology doctors, and remember, you should never fell alone. There is always someone there to help. I always encourage all our new nurses to ASK their questions no matter how stupid they THINK they may seem. I have been doing ortho/neuro for most of my 19 years of nursing, and there are still things I learn. You will never know EVERYTHING!! Rely on your charge nurses, your nurse managers, and all of your experienced colleagues. I am the permanent day shift charge nurse on my 55 bed ortho/neuro/trauma/plastics floor. I wish you the best of luck. If there is anything specific that ever arises, feel free to ask, I will do my best to answer. Keep your head up, it is hard work!! OH BUT SO REWARDING!!!!!!:mad:

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Specializes in trauma, ortho, burns, plastic surgery.

Hip prothesis..always pillow beetwen legs

cast...verify circulatory refill, pedial pulse...big danger... seen a leg amputation after to tight cast and poor monitorisaition

Anticoagulation...coumadin (verify INR!!!!!), all others OK (verify duration)

DVT... signs and symptoms....better preventive...

A simple starting coughing form nowere could be a pumonary embolus also......asses then!

A lot, a lot.... is beautiful Ortho is beuatiful! Enjoy it!

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