Feeling so stupid

I'm sorry you're having a hard time. It's important that you find your voice and ask your preceptor these questions. You're a new nurse on orientation-- you're supposed to ask questions!

Generally the floor nurse will notify the MD of a new admit. Find out who the admitting doc is and notify him/her. At my facility we only have hospitalists that see patients while in house, but yours may be different. There must be some kind of protocol on your floor for receiving admit orders (does the doc enter them into the computer? Do you use standard order sets that the doc can check off?) Again, a question for your preceptor. The next time you have an admit, jump in and observe carefully. Look at the admit orders for existing patients to see how they are set up.

I do find it a bit troubling that you've been in orientation 7 days and don't seem to know how orders get put in the system. Be observant of all that happens around you. I think you can acclimate in time if you are proactive.

I'm sorry you're feeling overwhelmed. I wouldn't try to find out what people do at other hospitals; it can only confuse you. Is it possible to take a few minutes with your preceptor, get out a pen and paper, and say "I'm just trying to get the admission procedure down, can we go over it again?" And then WRITE DOWN the steps. I think almost all preceptors would understand and respect that. Don't wait for when you have an admission coming, do it first or when you have a little bit of downtime. You should also be able to ask another nurse or the charge nurse. Anywhere I have oriented, I've had most of the nursing staff say "Let me know if I can help you, I remember what it's like to be new!" Take them up on it.

New admissions are one of the most confusing things about being new because the procedure varies so much. You WILL get it down, don't worry. I'm an experienced nurse and it's still a little overwhelming every time I try to learn the procedure at a new place.