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Hi allnurses, hope everyone is enjoying the holidays, but I have a dumb question; while in orientation for your first nursing job, everyone always say to ask lots of questions. Okay, but what types of questions are you supose to ask? Any and all examples will be greatly appreciated. I will be starting my job on the 7th of Jan and was just wondering the types of questions I should be asking, thanks a lot.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.

No question is dumb, ask away!!! Relax, have fun, and CONGRATS!!!

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Specializes in ED, trauma.

I think they mean, if you have a question, ASK IT. Don't hesitate or hold back out of fear that you are supposed to understand everything right out of the gate.

If you are on orientation and your preceptor says "do this" it's okay to ask for the rationale.

Ask about why certain treatments for certain disease processes.

Ask about medications if you don't understand why they are being given. (but grab a drug guide and at least have something to say "I see the drug guide says this, but why give it to this patient")

I think they mean things like that. There is no set list of questions to ask. Just ask whenever you are in doubt!

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Questions will arise as you start to orient; you'll see something or be told something you don't really understand. Ask those questions; don't be afraid that your preceptor will think its a dumb question; as a preceptor i'd rather have my orientee ask me questions than find out later that they don't understand what they are doing. I'm more afraid of the orientee who never asks because none of us know everything; especially in your first position!! Congratulations on your first nursing job!

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Thanks guys, I appreciate that, I will be starting on a cdu unit, so I was just wondering. Im sure I will have tons of questions. I have been out of school since May and of course I feel like I know nothing, you know the normal "new" feeling, lol. I just hope I don't get on anyones nerves with all the questions.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.
Thanks guys I appreciate that, I will be starting on a cdu unit, so I was just wondering. Im sure I will have tons of questions. I have been out of school since May and of course I feel like I know nothing, you know the normal "new" feeling, lol. I just hope I don't get on anyones nerves with all the questions.[/quote']

I understand. I'm starting a PICU job in February as well-haven't had a nursing class since last year Dec 2011. The current job I have ( I was an LPN that transitioned into a RN), I have some advanced skills, but nothing that I was doing since I was in clinical, so I almost feel as though I will walk in totally at a loss-but there will be nursing education classes, I have a critical care book, drug guide, and there are plenty of resources out there. I agree with the posts especially the one who is a preceptor. I am a preceptor at my current job, and I LOVE people who ask questions, want to go through the procedures and try things hands on-with me there, of course. It's going to be really interesting for me to be precepted-it's been a long time, but exciting!!!

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Don't ask too many questions, either. That gets on peoples' nerves, especially when they are busy.

Here's a dumb question - what is CDU?

Good luck on your first job!

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Don't ask too many questions, either. That gets on peoples' nerves, especially when they are busy.

Here's a dumb question - what is CDU?

Good luck on your first job!

CDU = Clinical Decision Unit

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Of course ask about things you don't understand but also ask things like...

1) How do we prepare a room for new admits based on acuity of pt?

2) What is the admit process? What is my role?

3) Where can I find resources such as drug guides, policy and procedure manuals?

4) How do I work the beds, monitors, IV pumps, TVs, phones... ect because some of these things will be different from what you are used to.

5) How do I get in contact with doctors, pharmacy, respiratory therapy ect...

6) Where can I find blah blah blah... getting used to where everything is kept is half the battle. You don't want to feel stupid because you can't even find a blanket for a pt but I guarantee there will be times when you can't find even the simplest item. Make friends with the ACPs because they will help you SOOOO much J

I am only 4 shifts into my first nursing job and it has been a roller coaster so far with different preceptors and such. For as long of a general nursing orientation as I had none of those questions I just posted were addressed. Make sure you know how to work all the equipment if it has been awhile since you have done pt care. You don't want the families to think you don't know what you are doing. I am sure you will be great! I have already come a long way in 4 shifts and I know I will eventually get it. You just have to be willing to feel like a dork for awhile until you really get it. Ask all the questions you can :)

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Sorry my answer looks all crazy I copied and pasted it from Word.

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Thanks owlRN01, this is exactly what I was looking for!

Sorry my answer looks all crazy I copied and pasted it from Word.
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