New job starts Monday....any last minute advice?

[HeatherGurl84]

I begin work as a pediatric clinic RN starting Monday after being out of the workforce for 18 months due to major surgery. I am now ready to shake a tail feather and get out there!

I have purchases a pocket peds clinical guide, made myself a pocket are of vital sign and vaccine schedule norms, and am reviewing material. I am nervous....hope I don't seem incompetent to my fellow new coworkers. Feels like I am beginning all over again as a new nurse. I wasn't out of school long and worked for only 8 months before getting sick.

Any advice? I want to be prepared.....I want to be a sponge & soak up knowledge. I know skills come with time and routine. Hope I don't appear dumb haha!!

Any advice is appreciated!!

[brownbook]

I have never worked in a peds clinic. So just can offer generic ideas with a new job. Ask, ask, ask. In nursing there are no dumb questions. Don't think you have to know it all. Having the vital signs, vaccines, information is great. Knowing the basics is great, but still your first few weeks are the best opportunity to ask.

I don't know if there will be a lot of paper work/charting, if there is bring home some blank forms and get used to what needs to be charted and where it goes. Or look over old charts at work to see how others charted.

I don't know how big your clinic is. New names and faces can be hard. Someone casually mentions, "let me know when Dr. so and so comes in"....your first reaction might be to say okay....thinking.....I don't know who Dr. so and so is! Practice saying "I'm new here, what is your (or their) name again?" Or a phone call....."this is Bob, put me through to Joe if he is not busy." The staff all know who Bob is....you have no idea! Maybe not even sure who Joe is?

Even with patients and family. If you find you are in a situation where it may be obvious you aren't sure what do do admit to them..."I have been a nurse for ....x amounts of months or years....but I am new to this clinic." Then get help or whatever action is appropriate.

[babrigo]

I've been a nurse in a pediatric office for about 15 years and I absolutely love it. It is important to have a lot patience and understanding with all ages. Try not to take anything personally. Triple check (at least) every vaccine before giving it. The most common vaccine error is with Tdap and DTaP, but there are others. Try not to get overwhelmed, there may be a lot to learn. Kids love bubbles. If the office allows it, blowing bubbles is especially helpful (usually) for 1-3 year olds, after getting shots or if uncooperative. Kids are awesome. Make it seem like being at the doctors office is fun! Good luck!

[HeatherGurl84]

Your advice means a lot! I begin work in the actual office tomorrow :)