Crazy and Rewarding Roller Coaster Ride: AKA Nursing

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Hi all!

Here is a little bit about myself. I graduated nursing school with my BSN on May 9, 2015. I took NCLEX-RN on June 17, 2015, long and behold, I PASSED!!! I started applying for RN positions in late June and received a phone call from HR early July. I interviewed and job shadowed on a med/surg/onc unit. I absolutely love the unit and the teamwork I witnessed was phenomenal.

Recently, I accepted the job offer for a night shift RN position on the med/surg/onc unit. The nurse to pt ratio is 1:5-6. I start in September as new graduates are expected to participate in a nurse residency program which has extensive classroom learning and 12-18 weeks of precepting experience. I am so grateful for this wonderful opportunity. :saint:

I want to start this opportunity with my best foot forward and would like to know your experience (both new graduates and experienced nurses). Here are just a few questions I have and feel free to add more to this list:

  • How do I make the transition from "student nurse" to "RN" easier?
  • How should I prepare for orientation?
  • Is this a typical nurse to pt ratio (1:5-6) for a med/surg unit?
  • What are the pros and cons of night shift?
  • What are some of the biggest mistakes new grads make?
  • How do you handle being the "new kid on the block"?

I am so excited to start this crazy and rewarding roller-coaster ride we know as nursing. :nurse:

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Hi! I noticed your from Carlisle oh. Are you talking about the premier health system? It sounds super familiar. I'm in the July cohort now so I was just curious! I don't really have any tips since this is technically my first week on the floor lol

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Hi Chipee, BSN, RN. Yes, I am talking about the Premier Health System. Small world. LOL. How is orientation going for you and what hospital are you working for? I will be starting at Atrium.

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Atrium as well. Well be on the same unit :) it's going well so far!! It's only my first week on the actual unit so I'm learning lol feel free to private message me if you have any questions!! I'm not sure if my account is old enough to message you.

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The same unit!? That's awesome! :) & Unfortunately, my account won't let me PM you either. You can keep me updated on this thread if you want. Are you working days or nights?

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I'm going to be on days!

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

Hi there!

A 1:6 ratio on MS is considered a wonderful workload in my neck of the woods. As far as preparing for orientation? Make sure you get all the paperwork turned in & show up on time and follow all the directions you have been provided re: uniform, badge, etc. You'll be provided with all the guidance that is needed.

Advice on avoiding newbie mistakes? Keep an open mind. Don't get defensive & take things personally when you are provided 'critical' feedback about something you're doing wrong. No one is out to get you. Information is provided to make sure you know what you're supposed to be doing. This will happen a lot at first, so there may be days in which you feel like "nothing I do is right"... but this will lesson over time as you gain skills & knowledge. You'll become more confident and self-assured, but it will take time.

Congratulations on your new job. You're on your way to a career that can be great if you want it to be.

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Thank you, HouTx, for your response. I am looking forward to the journey ahead and hope to make it great!

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

No advice, I'm in the same boat. I start my residency program the beginning of September. Right now I'm equal parts excited and nervous! Wanted to wish you good luck!!

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Thank you @Stitch3296 ! & Congratulations on your acceptance into a residency program! :up:

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Specializes in Critical Care, Postpartum.

  • How do I make the transition from "student nurse" to "RN" easier?
  • How should I prepare for orientation?
  • Is this a typical nurse to pt ratio (1:5-6) for a med/surg unit?
  • What are the pros and cons of night shift?
  • What are some of the biggest mistakes new grads make?
  • How do you handle being the "new kid on the block"?

Many med/surg units' nurse-patient ratios are between 6-8, so having 5-6 is great. I went through a GN Residency on an ICU stepdown almost 3 years ago and it was a great experience. Working in critical care, not only was I required to attend the GN class days, but to stay on my unit, I had to take and pass the critical care course, an EKG class, and have my ACLS within 6 months of being on the unit. With all those classes, I felt I spent less time on the floor, losing valuable time to learn. However, I somehow impressed my preceptor because I was on my own in less time than the 12 weeks orientation they give us.

I worked dayshift when I was a GN, so I was dealing with rounding with MDs and other consults, PT/OT, SW, and of course family members. It sharpened my communication skills! I now work nights on a different unit and see the difference. I plan to work nights until I physically can't do it anymore. I love night shift.

For orientation, make sure you have your pocket-sized notepad to write down things new or unfamiliar to you. It should act as a quick reference. Having a binder full of unit policies and procedures (i.e. blood administration), common meds and their side affects, etc can also be helpful. Many nurses on my unit carried around such a binder, but you can place it in your locker to reference anytime you may need it.

A big mistake new grads make is what is appropriate to ask your preceptor. Don't be shy in asking him/her questions, but if those questions are easy for you to look up, make the effort to find the answer on your own. Or if your preceptor has answered your question, make sure to write it down so you don't continue to ask them that same question over and over again. Also, being fresh out of school, as a new grad you shouldn't come on the unit thinking you know it all. Also, your preceptor will teach you their way of doing things. Don't fight them on the way they do it, because when you go on your own, you'll do things your own way.

You handle being new kid on the block by being helpful to everyone on your unit. In nursing it's about teamwork. When helping out a fellow coworker, that favor will be extended back to you when you need it.

Wish you the best. Breathe, and you'll do great. Your first year will be tough, but it's about not giving up but giving yourself the time needed to have things "click."

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Some advice

1. You will never know it all, be safe....ask for help

2. To get people to help, have a good rapport with your coworkers. Help when/where u can. Don't get caught up in gossip and drama.

3. Get organized, make a nursing brain that works for you. Time management takes practice, but with organization it will help.

4. The first year (s) can be stressful. It'll pass and you will have experience and endless opportunities in front of you.

Good luck

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