Anxiety with Changing Specialties

[Lauren Overbay, ADN, BSN]

Hi all,

I've been a nurse for about a year.  My experience is purely In-Patient Hospice & Case Management.  I want to go back into acute care & my local hospital has an opening for their Acute Surgical Unit.  I am terrified.  A) because I remember NOTHING acute care, & B) I have terrible work anxiety that if I don't have a set plan, it will backfire terribly.  For anyone who has changed specialties, HOW DO WE DO THIS?  How did it work for you? Do you have any tips?  Was it worth it? 

HELP.

 

[DavidFR, BSN, MSN, RN]

You will hopefully have an orientation period.

Observe as much as you can. Take notes. Ask questions. Be interested enough to look things up. Be intellectually curious.

If you're asked to perform a procedure you've nere done before, ask for supervision. Never feel uncomfortable about asking questions or being the last to finish - that's normal in a new environment.

Changing speciality is daunting the first time. Each change gets easier, and it's also good to not get stuck in a rut doing the same thing for 40 years.

You'll be fine.