Called in to work as a new grad?

[squatmunkie_RN]

I'm a brand new grad on a ICU step down/telly floor. There are alot of things that are new to me: calling dr's, administering drips, taking off orders. Now I take 4 pt's with my preceptor and charge nurse's help. I still feel like it's alot. I am on my feet from when I start at 7am and then I look at the clock and it's 2pm, and I think: I haven't taken a break, sat down and charted or even eaten today. While other nurses seem to have it SO MUCH easier. My preceptor and charge nurse have been great the past few days with all my questions though...

So now I'm off (so is my preceptor) and I was called in and asked to work for 4 hours as they are short staffed. I'm kinda scared to call back and accept even though I am available. I don't want to get stuck with 5 telly pt's because they are short staffed. Does it look bad for me not to accept the extra hours since I was just hired? My preceptor won't be there, and the person who I think is charging today is NOT helpful, like other charges!!

Normally on this floor nurses have 5-6 pt's!!

Ruby Vee:

You're RIGHT! I am NOT off orientation. I was going to ask the nurse manager for MORE orientation, actually. This floor is just so desperate for people to work! ugh...

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

i don't think i advised her to give an explanation

you advised her to call back. sorry, but if i'm calling 90 people to try to cover a shift, i don't want to hear back from anyone who isn't willing to work it. your mileage may vary.

[Ayeloflo]

Well as far as management is concerned, you are licensed and that's good enough. Let's not forget that you are cheaper that a seasoned agency nurse who is called in at the last minute. Thats is why they want you. It's all dollars and cents hehe

If you really want to make extra cash, then go in as someone said, and learn a lot by being challenged. Be very aware of your limits and to ask for help when you need it, of course.

So I'd say, the decision is always yours. Happy choosing :)

[nursej22, MSN, RN]

In my state (WA) at least, an RN cannot work below their level of licensure, that is, one cannot work as a tech or aide or whatever. You are held to the standard of a "prudent" professional nurse.

In other words, if you go in, you may be risking your license.

Occasionally my facility tries to float nurses to unfamiliar specialty areas to be a "helper." Our union encourages nurses to refuse for the above reason. I absolutely refuse to float or work anywhere I haven't been oriented, and neither should you.

The person who says "you'll be fine" will be no where to be found when you are fired or in front of the BON or sued.

You have to take care of #1 before you can take care of anyone else.

[SweetPEI]

you advised her to call back. sorry, but if i'm calling 90 people to try to cover a shift, i don't want to hear back from anyone who isn't willing to work it. your mileage may vary.

right, but never said anything about giving an explanation.

my guess is that every facility is different. in my facility, you are expected to call back. it could be because we are a close knit unit and we try to, as much as possible, avoid the use of floaters or agencies because we are a psych unit and lots of times we get high profile pts, which makes it best if regular staff works... we are mandated to always have updated contact information and expected to check messages. i don't think i was wrong for saying that not calling back will make you look bad, relative to my facility and experiences.

[OCNRN63, RN]

Well as far as management is concerned, you are licensed and that's good enough. Let's not forget that you are cheaper that a seasoned agency nurse who is called in at the last minute. Thats is why they want you. It's all dollars and cents hehe

If you really want to make extra cash, then go in as someone said, and learn a lot by being challenged. Be very aware of your limits and to ask for help when you need it, of course.

So I'd say, the decision is always yours. Happy choosing :)

No, no, no. This is exactly the way a new nurse puts his/her license on the line. It's not about the money; it's about patient safety and the best interests of the nurse. When it becomes all about the money, everyone loses.

This place does not sound like the sort of place that's going to be very supportive for someone inexperienced who comes is "just to help out."

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

in my state (wa) at least, an rn cannot work below their level of licensure, that is, one cannot work as a tech or aide or whatever. you are held to the standard of a "prudent" professional nurse.

in other words, if you go in, you may be risking your license.

occasionally my facility tries to float nurses to unfamiliar specialty areas to be a "helper." our union encourages nurses to refuse for the above reason. i absolutely refuse to float or work anywhere i haven't been oriented, and neither should you.

the person who says "you'll be fine" will be no where to be found when you are fired or in front of the bon or sued.

you have to take care of #1 before you can take care of anyone else.

i worked in washington state for a number of years. we had a very strong union. floating was done within clusters. ccu and telemetry step-down, for example, nicu and l & d, etc. the times i had to float i wasn't given a full assignment, and in fact worked as both a "sitter" and a monitor tech when i had knee surgery and couldn't lift or run up and down the halls. i also floated to psych a time or two -- not qualified as a psych nurse, but i was able to sit with a patient on suicide precautions. you can work as a "helper" below your license. if there was an emergency, of course you'd step in to the best of your ability.