Omg

USA987, MSN, RN, NP · Feb 17, 2004

Well Sunday night was my official last night of orientation. So when I go to work tonight I will be on my own... With probably about 13pts of my own... I'm kinda nervous... It was nice having someone there to help :)

Sending positive thoughts your way. Hopefully you work with a supportive group of people who are willing to lend a hand. I went off orientation at my new job in December. There was no way I learned EVERYTHING on my orientation, so I still do consult my coworkers at times.

Good luck!!! :)

jnette, ASN, EMT-I · Feb 17, 2004

well sunday night was my official last night of orientation. so when i go to work tonight i will be on my own... with probably about 13pts of my own... i'm kinda nervous... it was nice having someone there to help :)

got that kinda lump in your throat? that :uhoh21: feeling? kinda scary, huh? good ! that will keep you on your toes ! and finetune those antennae for possible mistakes...

you'll do just fine, nurse2b :kiss wish you a truly wonderful night. one when you leave there, you can say: "wow! i did it !!! and i did super ! way kool. "

Ortho_RN · Feb 17, 2004

Thanks Jnette...

Im still super anal about double sometimes triple checking meds before I give... Especially narcotic pain meds... Heck, I even have had someone verify with me that I am right.. In my head I know its the right dose, but I just don't want to make a possibly deadly mistake..

Luckily the floor I work on everyone is great, they all say that if I have questions they will be more than happy to help, but heck they have pts of their own to care for..

I will make it.. Just kinda nervous, about being THE nurse :)

jnette, ASN, EMT-I · Feb 17, 2004

I do that, too, nurse2b... correction.. nurseNOW !

Not a thing wrong with that. I know I've got it right, but if time allows, will still ask another nurse to verify. They never seem to mind. ALWAYS better safe than sorry.

In time, you'll gain more confidence... but never to the point where you don't ask if there's ANY doubt in your mind whatsoever !

I think a lot of it is just feeling bad about taking up someone else's time... but I think they all felt that way, too, in the beginning, right? You'll be fine. Let us know how you did, k ? Here's to YOU !!! :)

memphispanda, RN · Feb 17, 2004

13 patients? All alone?? That's a lot. Good luck!

I just came out of orientation last week and have questions every night about something I haven't seen or done before. Thank goodness we only have 6-7 patients (and sometimes that's way too many).

Ortho_RN · Feb 17, 2004

13 patients? All alone?? That's a lot. Good luck!
I just came out of orientation last week and have questions every night about something I haven't seen or done before. Thank goodness we only have 6-7 patients (and sometimes that's way too many).

Yeah I think its a bit much.. And they are Orthopedic patients, so not like they are always easy to care for.

For 26pts they usually give us 2RNs, LPN (to pass meds), and 2 Aides..

I think they should add another RN

NicuNsg · Feb 18, 2004

Oh my goodness 13 pt's??

I spent a great deal of time in school on an ortho floor (lamies, total hips and knees...'nuff said..hehe), these pt's can be a handful and are total cares. Not to mention at risk for DVT's. 13 pt's is alot, have you checked around at other hospitals in your area on their staffing ratios? That staffing grid seems a bit overwhelming even for a seasoned nurse. * Just something to look into :) Check your states staffing laws which are and should be in place to protect your pt's (and you).

I wish you luck! Best thing to remember is you should never be to proud or shy to ask any kind of question when it comes to your pt. life or your RN license. Stay humble. How long were you on orientation?

I am afraid an assignment like that would make me :crying2: hehe

moni rn · Feb 18, 2004

gal, you can do it! have faith in yourself, and if you have any doubts always ask someone. (((((hugs)))))

Ortho_RN · Feb 18, 2004

Ok... I survived.. But last night was the night from hell... And not just for me.. The whole hospital... We were full as of 5am, not one empty bed in this hospital, and the other hospital 5miles from us was full earlier, so they sent us all their patients.

My floor thought we were ok, cause we can only hold 29pts unless we double rooms, and we only have 3 rooms that can double... Well about 2am they call and tell us to find a room to double we are getting a Fxhip.. GREAT!!! We had 3 RNs and 2 AIDES.. They didn't even give us a LPN to help with meds.. I was an hour late leaving, due to charting.. 6am meds got passed at about 7:45-8 when the LPNs came on... It was crazy....