graduation around the corner

Nurses General Nursing

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For anyone who has already gone through the experience of graduating and then started a job, tell me what to expect. I am hoping that I will not be thrown to the wolves and be expected to take care of 6 patients the first day, etc. How long does it take for orientation. I am in hopes that I will have a mentor that I can take things in question to. Help!!

Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

My first year of nursing was truly a "trial by fire", if you ask me. The story is too long to get into here. I suspect each nurse has similar tales to tell. If you want my advice.... TRY to find a mentor...an experienced nurse you can respect and follow and learn from. NEVER pretend to know what you don't to your coworkers....if you need help ASK ASK ASK! ALSO: You will have to hit the ground running, but with the right attitude and desire to learn, you will make it just fine. Be A SPONGE! BUT!!! Don't let ANYONE step on you! You will make it!

Ditto to smiling blue eyes. Just one thing to add---do not let other's helpful or constructive suggestions make you defensive. Sometimes years on the floor is a better teacher than a textbook. Try it once and if it doesn't work for you then try it another way. Oh and one more thing------It is NEVER like the textbooks say--EVER.

KEEP A GOOD ATTITUDE FIRST AND FOREMOST--

Congratulations and good luck in your new career.

Congratulations! I guess it depends on where you will be working. Some hospitals have excellent orientation/precepting programs and some don't. One thing that I think is universal is that you will find people who you work with to be either interested in helping you learn or not. Stick with the ones who are. If someone seems like they know too much they might. Try to learn the policies of your unit by reading them for yourself in the policy book. Don't be offended if your preceptor tells you to do this.

Try to keep an open mind. Know that you will come home exhausted and emotionally drained for a while. I had a professor in nursing school who said if you learn more in nursing school than you do your first year out in the "real world" you are working in the wrong place! I learned more my first day on the job than in 2 years of nursing school. That's the way it should be.

Try to find a colleague you click with and use that person as a mentor, sounding board, whatever. You will find someone to help see you thru the first few years. Expect to be nervous. Be scared if you aren't.

Best of luck to you!

Lots of good advice here!

My best advice is to just be yourself, suck up every drop of information and experience you can, and don't be afraid to ask questions. I can't speak for every nurse, but I LOVE questions! Find the nurse that loves to teach, and stick to her like glue!

Your employer should provide you with adequate orientation, but don't be afraid to ask about that upfront. This is an awesome question for prospective employers at the interview.

Good luck to you!

Heather

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