Accepted new position-advise please

hello all. This is just my second post, though I have been looking on for many months. Anyway, I just accepted a new position on the neurology unit of a local hospital. I have been out of acute care for about 1.5 years now. Only had approx. one year acute care prior to that. I feel alittle anxious, and was wondering if any other nurses have worked neurology, and could give me some tips on what to expect, or even area's I might want to brush up on.

[New CCU RN]

Well, I am not a neuro nurse... but I just wanted to wish ya some luck with your new position.

Be sure to brush up on your assessments...esp the neuro parts :) and ask a ton of questions....

Good luck

[CountrifiedRN]

I did part of my clinical rotation last semester on a neuro floor. As well as the physical and neuro assessments, we had to chart the Glassgow Coma scale, and another scale, can't remember at the moment what it is called, but was related to the pts skin condition (moist or dry) and mobility, to assess for the risk of skin breakdown.

Good luck!

[Sleepyeyes]

Originally posted by RN2bNC

I did part of my clinical rotation last semester on a neuro floor. As well as the physical and neuro assessments, we had to chart the Glassgow Coma scale, and another scale, can't remember at the moment what it is called, but was related to the pts skin condition (moist or dry) and mobility, to assess for the risk of skin breakdown.

Good luck!

Do you mean the Braden Scale?

[BadBird, BSN, RN]

I suggest you read up on a neuro assessment, pay careful attention to changes in level of consciousness, know how to assess for glasgow coma scale (eye opening, verbal response, motor response). Look for level of reaction, i.e. alert, drowsy, unconscious etc.. Assess for language, i.e., clear, slurred, dysphasia, etc... Assess for muscle strength, i.e. equal bilat., strong, moves against gravity,purposeful movement, twitching, paralysis,etc... Assess pupils are they equal and reactive, dilated, fixed. I am sure that you will be given a orientation so just watch what the other nurses do, ask a lot of questions. Good luck with your new job.

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

Good points from badbird. I've worked neuro the last three years and have learned a lot about strokes, seizures, brain tumors, and head injuries. The head injured are the most challenging because they can be so confused and restless.

Basically keep an open mind, ask questions. If you've worked acute care, you'll probably will do fine in neuro.

[Going80INA55]

I have been out of acute care for about a year. I am thinking about going back. My background prior was CCU and tele.

Did they give you any grief for being away?

[rainrn]

Going80. The Hospital did not give me any grief about being away from acute care. All people involved from HR to unit Manager were really nice, and encouraging. I really am excited to get started. Thanks, to all of you that replied to this thread.

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

Originally posted by Going80INA55

I have been out of acute care for about a year. I am thinking about going back. My background prior was CCU and tele.

Did they give you any grief for being away?

Greif for being away. Here we would bow down prostrate and honor you for coming back!