Finally got an acute care position

[Sammyxann]

Hello all,

I graduate about 1.5 years ago. Since that time I've been working in the local jail doing triage, passing some meds and doing intake assessments. I haven't stepped into a hospital during this entire time. I just finally landed my first acute care job starting in one month. I have 3 young kids. I need to hit the books and refresh everything. The unit I'll be working on is a surgical unit. I have everything from nursing school, tons of med-surg books and nclex review books. I need help developing a plan. I feel overwhelmed and don't know where to start or what to focus on. Any help is appreciated!

Thank you,

Samantha

[AJJKRN]

Get you a good brain sheet (SBAR type) and maybe a separate med pass/task sheet to stay somewhat organized. Surgical Pt's are my favorite! You will either hate it or love it so good luck!

[Lev, MSN, RN, NP]

Congrats! I would focus on pain medications, antibiotics, ambulation/transferring patients, post op care, GI, Ortho, etc.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

Review procedural skills such as dressing changes, suture and staple removal, urinary catheter care, etc. Review clinical data such as signs of infection, signs of DVT/PE, the purpose of early ambulation after surgery, and so forth.

Good luck to you!

[chacha82, ADN, BSN]

Congratulations to you! I have worked on an acute care floor since July as a new RN. The most helpful thing I learned was to get the assessments done EARLY ON and get everything done ahead of time if possible. Our floor usually gets slammed with admits at night and people needing to go to the bathroom, IVs coming out and needing resticks, etc. Everybody does it different but for me that has worked so far.