Think I actually got a lead....

Nurses New Nurse

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Hi. Older 2nd degree BSN here again after being "transferred" from Medicine unit at big hospital, and now finding work all over again. Well, since my time with the hospital had expired a month ago, I've actually been volunteering at my fp's clinic trying to keep my skills fresh.

I actually managed to talk to a home health care agency's Director of Nursing 2 days ago, and I explained to her about my relative lack of clinicial experience as someone who graduated from Nursing School back in Dec '08 and received her RN Jan '09. She said that she usually has RN's with no clinical experience go on the "cart" before actually proceeding to charge nurse, which most RN's are in this home health agency. Being totally naive, I all of a sudden realized that the cart was the medicine cart and not the pyxis machine that I used to get medicines at the bigger hospital.

I asked to shadow on Monday to see what this was all about, and she agreed. Keeping my fingers crossed that this might turn into an offer, because this same health agency's sister home health care agency told me before that most RN's are charge nurses. This is the first DON in a home health agency who actually indicated that they're willing to accept new grads and help train at least that's what I think. The HR person from its sister agency really thought that this agency was more enthusiastic to accept new grads. The other agency I interviewed for said that they only accepted charge RN's.

I talked with my mom, the retired RN, about how I would organize my day. She said if they're not using electronic med removal chances are they're going to have you do everything by hand. I imagine I would listen to report, check the diagnoses, compare the MAR with the doctor's orders, and administer the first med the first thing in the morning, unlock the cart (which the DON indicated), organize my stuff then proceed to administer the first med of that morning, and then everything follows?

I guess I wanted to know if anyone can give me some tips on what to do in this type of situation in terms of organizing my day? My mom already gave tips, but I was wondering if anyone can chime in? I'm really hoping this would improve my critical thinking skills as well as my fundamental med administration skills, because that's what the MED Surg unit which I first oriented on said I needed work on.

Would this really help my critical thinking? I'm thinking it would just because I would have to still observe the patient and thus know when to give the med or not. Thanks.

NC Girl BSN

1,845 Posts

Specializes in Psych, LTC, Acute Care.

What type of setting are you working in? I am confused???? It sounds like a nursing home is this correct?

EwokRN

85 Posts

I'm sorry. It's actually a rehab center. Thanks.

It sounds similar to a nursing home. How many patients will you have? I worked at nursing home for a little bit. Kinda crazy and you odn't have time (unitl you get a routine down) to do much of anything but give those meds, check BP's before giving meds, o man there's alot to do in nursing homes. But, you should be fine. You really have to find out what works best for you and get advice from the person you are shadowing. Good luck!

EwokRN

85 Posts

Well, after I shadowed that LPN, it looks like I'll get about 30 pts. I'm assuming. Yeah, it looks like it might be similar to a nursing home. There are some young guys there. According to the LPN, and from what I've seen, there's stroke patients, people recovering from surgery, etc.

I reunited w/ an old classmate of mine from 10 years ago who graduated from nursing school back then, and she told me that rehab is a good basis for med surg. Hoping this position will work out, and I'll get the extended training, if needed, that I'll need if needed.

Trying to remain positive and think more about what I have to do vs. what I couldn't do back then. Wish me luck, and thanks for the advice/reassurance.

NC Girl BSN

1,845 Posts

Specializes in Psych, LTC, Acute Care.
Well, after I shadowed that LPN, it looks like I'll get about 30 pts. I'm assuming. Yeah, it looks like it might be similar to a nursing home. There are some young guys there. According to the LPN, and from what I've seen, there's stroke patients, people recovering from surgery, etc.

I reunited w/ an old classmate of mine from 10 years ago who graduated from nursing school back then, and she told me that rehab is a good basis for med surg. Hoping this position will work out, and I'll get the extended training, if needed, that I'll need if needed.

Trying to remain positive and think more about what I have to do vs. what I couldn't do back then. Wish me luck, and thanks for the advice/reassurance.

Sounds like good expereince! Good Luck!

caliotter3

38,333 Posts

Sounds like a good place to get your feet on the ground. Good luck.

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