Any hints on starting a new job

[greatshakes]

Hi

I am starting a new job shortly and wonder if anyone has any tips that helped them during their first weeks. (I used to be an AIN in aged care but am now an RN). What did you do to help you get organised the first week?

I am concerned that my time management which is okay on prac might come undone. I know there are smarty packs for the medications -small plastic bags for each med round with the patient's names on. What particularly concerns me is that with aged care there are not many opportunities to take vital signs and I'm scared I'll get rusty. Would you be willing to share the most valuable tips or practice that helped you?. What are the pitfalls that need to be avoided? Here's hoping you can assist thanks.

[marjoriemac, LPN]

Write down everything you are told. Everytime I start a new job, I take notes about everything - the routine, what to do when drug orders come in, which residents needs their feeds up at which times etc. Sods law means you will always forget to write down the one thing you forget later but there is usually someone around to remind you. Dont worry about your skills being rusty, where I work we do monthly observations on residents and its like riding a bike - once you learn you don't forget.

[TrudyRN]

I don't think it will hurt to do VS on your own if you like, just to keep in practice.

You'll be fine. In a few days, you'll start feeling at home and after another short while, you'll wonder that you ever were nervous.

[banditrn]

I made myself a list that I keep on my computer of each res. with the times of their meds, nebulizers, blood sugars, etc. Each nite when I come in, I go thru the Mar and treatment sheets to see if anything has changed. In LTC it seldom does. And special day to day changes, I mark in red on my 'cheat sheet' - I also have it there to write vitals on.

[1st edition]

You will develop your own routine after about a month on your own. At first do things exactly the way they tell you. After awhile you'll figure out who should have meds first. On my shift I know who to give meds to before right after dinner or else they'll be asleep. Figure out if it is best to do tx between med passes or after you're done w/ all your med passes. It takes time but if you are naturally organized you'll be fine. Organization is the key. There will be times when you will HAVE to do your own VS such as when the CNA reports an abn BP reading. Then you'll want to check it again yourself. Find out who needs BP readings before they get their meds and have the CNA's check those people first. If I think of anything else I post. In the meantime good luck! You'll be fine!

[1st edition]

Oh yeah! Keep copies for yourself of ALL your notes that you use for report. If you forget to write down a BS you can look at your notes later and write it in the MARS the next day or whenever. Also, I make copies of all labs, TO's, and such to give to the oncoming nurse so she can refer to the orders and stuff later and doesn't have to try to remember what exactly I said in report. She has word for word copies of orders and such to refer to. That way she can pass it on to day shift (I work 2nd). Keeps the confusion down for her. I also have a notebook that I keep copies of every form we use (everything from rx orders, to CNA assignment sheet, neuro check form) because trust me you will need a form one day and there won't be one single copy in the house. I just pull out my notebook, choose the form I need, make a copy to use and put the other copy back in my notebook. Saves time.

[greatshakes]

Thanks you all so much. Those tips make sense and are appreciated. I can't wait and even though it'll only be aged care, I need to be doing something. :monkeydance: