First day at new job in a week! Any suggestions?

[medicrn16]

Well, after 3 months of trying finally got a job on a trauma/general surgery floor. I did my practicum there, I know most everyone and am very excited. I have been a practicing paramedic for 5 years. When I went to work I had my routine and things that I always had with me: stethoscope, pens, trauma shears, pen light, protocol book, phone numbers of the fire stations we ran with, pocket notebook, belt clip for ambulance keys, etc. I would even take a roll of tape, and wrap it around the 'Jesus bar' (bar on the ceiling of ambulance to keep you upright when the laws of gravity want to put you on your butt!) for a quick grab in case I needed to secure something in a hurry (IV, dressing, etc.). Those were the good ole' days

Now, I have to change gears and think about ways I can organize myself to have what I need on the floor to help me get through the day successfully (tongue in cheek, lol) and be prepared. Besides the obvious stethoscope and pen light, is there anything you experienced nurses have found to help you? Ways to organize your day? One suggestion I was given already by a friend was to always keep 'thank-you' cards in my locker to give to especially helpful co-workers during a rough day. My preceptor used a three-ring small binder and used two sheets of paper per patient...one was for 'things to get done' the other page for tracking/trending vitals, messages from docs, patient requests, etc. I'm curious to see what kinds of methods you all use, or things you have discovered to make your day easier, well-prepared, and organized. I am sure there are some very creative things being done out there and I want to learn them. Teach me please!:loveya:

[L8RRN]

I am new, too, but I would recommend scissors. I always carried mine in nursing school and the floor nurses actually asked me if I had some a few times and I whipped them out. :-)

Carry extra flushes and alcohol, too.

[fiveofpeep]

I stock up on syringes and flushes and caps for when you need to change tubing. always comes in handy

[RNperdiem, RN]

Start breaking in your work shoes if you have not started already.

[medicrn16]

OMG...that is a great idea. My work had a going away party for me last night and I was given a $100 gift card to a uniform store. Thanks for your input!

[SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN]

The biggest piece of advice I can give you is to keep your mouth shut, except to ask questions in such a way that there is no remote chance that you'll come off like a smart aleck. I'm not saying the you are, but I can tell you that my enthusiasm was viewed as such. And I was eaten alive.

[medicrn16]

Wow! How in the world could enthusiasm be interpreted as being a smart aleck??? God bless you for making it through. Could it have been more that they were intimidated by you because of your energy? Anyway...thanks for the advice. So, so appreciate it!