Common skills needed for med-surg

Lorie P. · Sep 18, 2008

1. Read (and brush) up on IV skills, you will become great at this on a med/surge floor.

2. Make sure to ALWAYS know a pt's BP before giving an BP meds.

3. Know the difference between the Insulins, Reg, 70/30, Lanuts.

4. Remember the different IV gauges #20, pink, #22 Blue, # 24 yellow. These are the most common ones used, the easy one is BLUE= 22.

5. Know the common lab ranges for Ca, Na, K+, Hgb, Hct.

Hope this helps!

litbitblack, ASN, RN · Sep 18, 2008

1. dont be afraid to just jump in there.

2. don't be afraid to ask questions

3. familiarize yourself with the basic labs

4. don't be intimidated by the docs. most of them are open minded and appreciate being asked questions. I said most. your preceptor can give you a better idea of who to tread lightly with

5. i&o. know the basics....iv's, po fluids, drains....

Caffeine_IV · Sep 24, 2008

I agree with..don't be afraid to ask questions. Even if you brush up on procedure and whatnot, it will take time for you to be 100% comfy with certain things.

I've been on the medical floor for two weeks and done (to name a few)

Iv start

Enema

IM injections

Iv push meds

Blood transfusion

chemo

Central line dressing change

Melinurse · Sep 26, 2008

I noticed some advise was to ask questions. But, you also need to know who you can ask. I am a new grad, but when I asked questions during my orientation I was told by my preceptor, " you know when I was orienting I did not ask alot of questions. I was independent. I really don't like someone breathing down my neck." Yeah!!! This was after 2 questions during a 12 hour shift. And for the record, I am independent and resourceful. Thank God for other workers.

Sorry for the rant. Just wanted to point out to know who to ask questions of and who to only ask one or two.

JBizzleRN, ADN, RN · Oct 3, 2008

I noticed some advise was to ask questions. But, you also need to know who you can ask. I am a new grad, but when I asked questions during my orientation I was told by my preceptor, " you know when I was orienting I did not ask alot of questions. I was independent. I really don't like someone breathing down my neck." Yeah!!! This was after 2 questions during a 12 hour shift. And for the record, I am independent and resourceful. Thank God for other workers.
Sorry for the rant. Just wanted to point out to know who to ask questions of and who to only ask one or two.

Sounds like you need a new preceptor. I precept new grads and students and I LOVE questions...of course as long as you don't ask them while I'm doing chest compressions on a man..save that question for after the code.

jajski · Oct 9, 2008

I tell new grads: if you need help, never be afraid to ask me. There is no thing as a stupid question, and I will always stop what I am doing to help you (short of a rapid response or code blue on MY pt) ... I think it really helps them to know WHO they can go to ....

I also tell them the new grad I'm most scared of is the one that never asks any questions, or never needs any help ... they usually end up hanging themselves.

Night Owl RN · Oct 16, 2008

It's a relief to know questions are still acceptable. My clinical instructor told me I ask too many questions. Pretty hard to do when she is rarely with me. She doesn't make many corrections to my paperwork and I've never gotten a "Needs Improvement" or "Unsatisfactory" on my clinicals, so I guess she finds it a necessity to criticize something. Maybe she thinks there is something wrong with me because I'm not standing around holding up the wall with the other students. Frankly, if I'm paying $10,000 a year to learn a skill, I believe I have the right to ask as many questions as necessary to obtain a through understanding of clinical concepts and develop the highest degree of skill technique. For now though, just to get by, I don't ask any questions of her. I'll be on role transition soon. Hopefully, I'll get a great preceptor who welcomes intelligent questions. :bugeyes: