Coming off of orientation next week, I'm nervous!

Anna Flaxis, BSN, RN · Jun 3, 2012

Yes, I felt like that for the first year in the ED, and I was not a new grad.

The ED certainly is its own animal, but just like any area of nursing, as a new grad, your first year is going to be one of the most challenging times in your life, so you have it coming to you double!

What I did, both during my first year as a nurse and then later in my first year in the ED, I just grabbed my imaginary hip waders, pulled them on, and waded right in, taking my lumps as they came and learning what there was to learn.

Ruby Vee, BSN · Jun 3, 2012

i am coming off of orientation as a new grad next week and i'm really anxious. i had a nice, long orientation period but i feel like there are so many things i still just don't know. forget still not feeling fully confident in the trauma bay and with critical patients, but there are basic things i'm not even good at yet (inserting ng tubes, pediatric iv's, etc.). i had a lot of help on orientation and i will continue to have plenty of support when i'm off, but there's just so much i didn't get enough experience with and i'm afraid seeking out help for such basic things throughout the day is going to cut out so much time from my day and i'll never be "caught up". did anyone else feel like this coming off? i guess i'm just getting "cold feet".

i would be very worried about you if you weren't nervous/anxious. the more you learn, the more you realize you don't know, and if you already know there's lots you don't know, you're ahead of the game. (if that makes any sense.) don't be afraid of seeking help as you encounter new things, or as you realize you didn't get enough experience with a task. we crusty old bats would be happy to help you out . . . as long as there's evidence that you continue to learn and are not just trying to get us to do your job for you. i for one like to teach.

at the beginning of your shift, take a look at the nurses you're working with and identify one or two who you believe are both knowledgeable and like to teach. then you'll know who to ask when you have issues.

be aware, though, that one thing that (rightfully) scares us cobs is when we see someone fresh off orientation asking help only from other relative newbies. if all you're doing is turning or cleaning up poo, ok. but while other newbies may be less intimidating to ask for help, there's a lesser chance that they can actually teach you tips and tricks for new skills. and there's a very great chance that the two of you will get into trouble because one of you thinks she knows (when she doesn't) or gives incorrect information.

newSN · Jun 3, 2012

i would be very worried about you if you weren't nervous/anxious. the more you learn, the more you realize you don't know, and if you already know there's lots you don't know, you're ahead of the game. (if that makes any sense.) don't be afraid of seeking help as you encounter new things, or as you realize you didn't get enough experience with a task. we crusty old bats would be happy to help you out . . . as long as there's evidence that you continue to learn and are not just trying to get us to do your job for you. i for one like to teach.

at the beginning of your shift, take a look at the nurses you're working with and identify one or two who you believe are both knowledgeable and like to teach. then you'll know who to ask when you have issues.

be aware, though, that one thing that (rightfully) scares us cobs is when we see someone fresh off orientation asking help only from other relative newbies. if all you're doing is turning or cleaning up poo, ok. but while other newbies may be less intimidating to ask for help, there's a lesser chance that they can actually teach you tips and tricks for new skills. and there's a very great chance that the two of you will get into trouble because one of you thinks she knows (when she doesn't) or gives incorrect information.

terrific advice, thank you so much. (and lol about "crusty old bats")

ketonesRN · Jun 7, 2012

I'm coming off next week also. Feel like I could vomit just thinking about it. Heres hoping this 1st year goes as smoothly as possible for both of us!

newSN · Jun 7, 2012

You guys, it's going so well. I came off on a Monday (in and of itself, a possible recipe for disaster). But it went really smoothly. I'm still so nervous as I walk up front to check the board and see where I'll be that shift, but as I settle in and take report for my first patient load I think, "This is exactly the same as my last few months on orientation, everyone is still here to help me and I've got this!" I even dropped in a trauma the second I got through the door on day 2. And now I'm 0.9 working three days a week, which is much more awesome than the 1.0 schedule I had while on orientation. This coming off thing isn't so bad after all, at least not yet, lol.